The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh.
The FCS has been impacted negatively and positively by the portal. Several FCS standouts have moved to the FBS. The FCS has also seen many FBS transfers have a huge impact on their team. FBS teams spending more scholarships on transfers has also allowed the FCS to get a higher level of high school recruits.
Portal movement was high heading into the 2025 season. There were 500+ FCS-to-FBS transfers, 800+ FBS-to-FCS transfers, and 400+ FCS-to-FCS transfers.
Many FCS programs brought in double-digit D1 transfers from FBS and FCS schools. Some schools did it out of necessity after losing multiple transfers. Some schools did it to plug holes. Other schools did it for a roster overhaul to try to get good fast.
The results can be a mixed bag.
Sometimes, an influx of transfer talent can make a team improve rapidly. Other times, too many transfers don’t mesh well on and off the field.
Of course, there are many factors in year-to-year records improving or worsening. It isn’t always hand-in-hand with how many transfers a program brings in. Regardless, below is a look at FCS teams that brought in the most D1 transfers for the 2025 season and how their records compared to 2024.
NOTES:
- 30 FCS teams brought in 15 or more D1 transfers before the 2025 season
- 11 teams saw an increase in their number of wins
- 14 teams saw a decrease in their number of wins
- 4 teams saw their number of wins stay the same
- 1 team (UTRGV) played its 1st football season
FCS Teams With The Most D1 Transfers In 2025
Note: The numbers below are via HERO Sports’ FBS-to-FCS and FCS-to-FCS trackers. Tracking transfer commitments and decommitments continues to get tougher, coupled with rosters being updated sporadically throughout the offseason. The counts below may not be exact numbers, but are close estimates based on tracked commitments and signings.
Sac State – 42 (34 FBS, 8 FCS)
2024 record: 3-9
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: +4
Prairie View A&M – 40 (24 FBS, 16 FCS)
2024 record: 5-7
2025 record: 10-4
Win difference: +5
Austin Peay – 30 (20 FBS, 10 FCS)
2024 record: 4-8
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: +3
UTRGV – 28 (17 FBS, 11 FCS)
2024 record: 0-0
2025 record: 9-3
Win difference: N/A
UTRGV played its first football season in school history in 2025.
Abilene Christian – 27 (22 FBS, 5 FCS)
2024 record: 9-5
2025 record: 9-5
Win difference: 0
ETSU – 25 (21 FBS, 4 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: 0
Norfolk State – 24 (6 FBS, 18 FCS)
2024 record: 4-8
2025 record: 1-11
Win difference: -3
Tennessee Tech – 23 (8 FBS, 15 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 11-2
Win difference: +4
UIW – 23 (11 FBS, 12 FCS)
2024 record: 11-3
2025 record: 5-7
Win difference: -6
Florida A&M – 21 (17 FBS, 4 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 5-7
Win difference: -2
Montana – 21 (15 FBS, 6 FCS)
2024 record: 9-5
2025 record: 13-2
Win difference: +4
Rhode Island – 21 (15 FBS, 6 FCS)
2024 record: 11-3
2025 record: 11-3
Win difference: 0
Samford – 21 (14 FBS, 7 FCS)
2024 record: 4-7
2025 record: 1-11
Win difference: -3
South Dakota – 21 (15 FBS, 6 FCS)
2024 record: 11-3
2025 record: 10-5
Win difference: -1
Tennessee State – 21 (13 FBS, 8 FCS)
2024 record: 9-4
2025 record: 2-10
Win difference: -7
Indiana State – 19 (17 FBS, 2 FCS)
2024 record: 4-8
2025 record: 3-9
Win difference: -1
Houston Christian – 18 (16 FBS, 2 FCS)
2024 record: 5-7
2025 record: 2-10
Win difference: -3
Southern Illinois – 18 (9 FBS, 9 FCS)
2024 record: 4-8
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: +3
Campbell – 17 (10 FBS, 7 FCS)
2024 record: 3-9
2025 record: 2-10
Win difference: -1
Chattanooga – 17 (7 FBS, 10 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 5-7
Win difference: -2
Jackson State – 17 (9 FBS, 8 FCS)
2024 record: 12-2
2025 record: 9-3
Win difference: -3
South Dakota State – 17 (12 FBS, 5 FCS)
2024 record: 12-3
2025 record: 9-5
Win difference: -3
UT Martin – 17 (11 FBS, 6 FCS)
2024 record: 9-5
2025 record: 6-6
Win difference: -3
Utah Tech – 17 (14 FBS, 3 FCS)
2024 record: 1-11
2025 record: 2-10
Win difference: +1
Southeastern Louisiana – 16 (10 FBS, 6 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 9-4
Win difference: +2
Cal Poly – 15 (13 FBS, 2 FCS)
2024 record: 3-8
2025 record: 4-8
Win difference: +1
Duquesne – 15 (7 FBS, 8 FCS)
2024 record: 8-3
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: -1
Northwestern State – 15 (11 FBS, 4 FCS)
2024 record: 0-12
2025 record: 1-11
Win difference: +1
Tarleton State – 15 (8 FBS, 7 FCS)
2024 record: 10-4
2025 record: 12-2
Win difference: +2
Western Carolina – 15 (11 FBS, 4 FCS)
2024 record: 7-5
2025 record: 7-5
Win difference: 0
