Top NCAAF Transfer Portal Highlights: Quarterback Swaps and Homecomings Dominate Spring Moves

Explore the most intriguing NCAAF transfer portal moves this spring, featuring quarterback swaps and notable homecomings.

As the college football offseason continues, the transfer portal has been buzzing with activity, providing fans with plenty of talking points. This spring's portal window, though less active than the end-of-season period, still delivered some fascinating storylines and surprising moves.

Most NFL Trade Deadline-esque Move

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee to UCLA; Joey Aguilar, UCLA to Tennessee The standout story of the spring portal was Nico Iamaleava's departure from the Tennessee Volunteers. The starting quarterback from the Vols' 10-3 College Football Playoff campaign left in mid-April, eventually landing with the UCLA Bruins. In response, Tennessee secured Joey Aguilar, a former Appalachian State transfer who was UCLA's projected starter before Iamaleava's arrival. This move effectively created a quarterback swap between two Power 4 programs, a rare occurrence in college sports.

Best Homecoming

Micah Hudson, Texas A&M to Texas Tech Micah Hudson's journey came full circle when he announced his return to Texas Tech on April 27. After transferring to Texas A&M in December and stepping away from the program in January, Hudson decided to rejoin the Red Raiders. The former five-star recruit, who was the highest-ranked recruit in Texas Tech program history, expressed his gratitude for the Lubbock community in a statement.

Most Frequent-Flier Mile Friendly Move

Caleb Brown, Hawaii to Virginia Tech Caleb Brown's transfer from Hawaii to Virginia Tech involved a significant journey. Over 7,000 miles separate the two schools, with the quickest travel time exceeding 11 hours and including at least one stop. This move highlights the lengths players are willing to go to find the right fit for their collegiate careers.

From Go Army to Go Dawgs

Elo Modozie, Army to Georgia Elo Modozie's transfer from Army to Georgia marks a significant change in his daily routine. As an outside linebacker, Modozie tallied 6.5 sacks in 2024, helping Army win the American Athletic Conference. Now, he will focus solely on football at Georgia, leaving behind the rigorous schedule of a military academy.

Most Likely to Leave the Team Group Chat

The Cal Running Backs In a span of 72 hours, California's top three leading rushers from the 2024 season entered the transfer portal. Jaivian Thomas, Jaydn Ott, and Kadarius Calloway were joined by fellow running backs Byron Cardwell Jr. and Justin Williams-Thomas, leaving the Golden Bears with a significantly depleted backfield.

Busiest Class Schedule

Breylan Thompson, Yale to Stanford Breylan Thompson's transfer from Yale to Stanford is a rare move that maintains academic rigor. The freshman defensive back, who tallied 31 total tackles and six passes defended in his lone season with the Bulldogs, will now join one of America's other elite universities.

Most Likely to Spice Up a Rivalry

Kennedy Urlacher, Notre Dame to USC Kennedy Urlacher's transfer from Notre Dame to USC adds an intriguing layer to the historic rivalry between the two programs. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher will face his former team next season, aiming to bring the Jeweled Shillelagh trophy to Los Angeles.

Best Two-for-One Deal

Brent Helton and Wade Helton, Iowa State to Arizona State The Arizona State Sun Devils secured a unique package deal with the transfer of twins Brent and Wade Helton from Iowa State. Both offensive linemen redshirted in their freshman year with the Cyclones and will now continue their collegiate careers together in the Grand Canyon State.

What to Read Next

EA Sports College Football 26: Unveiling Revolutionary Gameplay and Features
NCAAF

EA Sports College Football 26: Unveiling Revolutionary Gameplay and Features

Discover the latest features in EA Sports College Football 26, including real college players, enhanced gameplay, and new challenges.

MAC Football 2025 Preview: Ohio Bobcats Face Tough Challenge from Toledo and Buffalo
NCAAF

MAC Football 2025 Preview: Ohio Bobcats Face Tough Challenge from Toledo and Buffalo

A detailed preview of the 2025 MAC football season, focusing on Ohio's quest to repeat as champions amid strong competition from Toledo and Buffalo.

Top 2027 NCAA Football Prospects: A Deep Dive into the ESPN Junior 300 Rankings
NCAAF

Top 2027 NCAA Football Prospects: A Deep Dive into the ESPN Junior 300 Rankings

Explore the top 2027 NCAA football prospects in the ESPN Junior 300 rankings, featuring in-depth analysis of each position's standout players.

Indiana Hoosiers' Bison Mascot Makes a Cinematic Comeback in 2025
NCAAF

Indiana Hoosiers' Bison Mascot Makes a Cinematic Comeback in 2025

The Indiana Hoosiers announce the return of their iconic Bison mascot with a cinematic reveal, featuring cameos from top coaches and a nod to local history.

Top College Football Coaches: From Heisman Winners to Small-School Legends
NCAAF

Top College Football Coaches: From Heisman Winners to Small-School Legends

Explore the diverse backgrounds of NCAAF head coaches, from Heisman Trophy winners to small-school legends, and how their playing careers shaped their coaching philosophies.

New CFP Seeding Rules: Impact on 2024 Bracket and Future College Football Playoffs
NCAAF

New CFP Seeding Rules: Impact on 2024 Bracket and Future College Football Playoffs

Explore how the new CFP seeding rules would have reshaped the 2024 bracket and their implications for future college football playoffs.

Top QB Prospects for 2026: Which NCAAF Teams Are in the Hunt?
NCAAF

Top QB Prospects for 2026: Which NCAAF Teams Are in the Hunt?

Explore the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NCAAF recruiting class and discover which teams are actively pursuing these elite talents.

2025 NCAAF SP+ Rankings: Top Teams, CFP Contenders, and Conference Breakdown
NCAAF

2025 NCAAF SP+ Rankings: Top Teams, CFP Contenders, and Conference Breakdown

Explore the updated SP+ rankings for the 2025 NCAAF season, analyze CFP contenders, and dive into conference dynamics with expert insights.

The Future of NCAAF Enforcement: A New CEO's Role in College Sports
NCAAF

The Future of NCAAF Enforcement: A New CEO's Role in College Sports

Explore the transformative role of the new CEO in NCAAF enforcement, marking a pivotal shift in college sports governance.

Top 25 Non-QB Players to Watch in the 2025 NCAAF Season
NCAAF

Top 25 Non-QB Players to Watch in the 2025 NCAAF Season

Discover the 25 most impactful non-quarterback players set to dominate the 2025 NCAAF season. From wide receivers to defensive stars, these athletes are ready to shine.

2025 NCAAF Quarterback Rankings: A Comprehensive Tier Analysis
NCAAF

2025 NCAAF Quarterback Rankings: A Comprehensive Tier Analysis

Explore the detailed tier rankings of all 136 FBS quarterbacks for the 2025 NCAAF season, featuring top talents and emerging stars.

Countdown to Kickoff: Top Storylines, Must-Watch Games, and Bold Predictions for the 2025 NCAAF Season
NCAAF

Countdown to Kickoff: Top Storylines, Must-Watch Games, and Bold Predictions for the 2025 NCAAF Season

With 100 days until Week 0, dive into the top storylines, must-watch games, and bold predictions for the 2025 NCAAF season, featuring Bill Belichick, Arch Manning, and more.

Top 10 College Football Coaches of 2025: Rankings, Insights, and Surprises
NCAAF

Top 10 College Football Coaches of 2025: Rankings, Insights, and Surprises

Discover the top 10 college football coaches of 2025, featuring in-depth analysis, career highlights, and expert opinions on their rankings and impact on the game.

Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers: Building on a Stellar First Year
NCAAF

Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers: Building on a Stellar First Year

After a record-breaking first year, Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers aim to elevate their game in the upcoming NCAAF season.

Top 100 NCAAF Transfer Portal Players: Key Moves and Impact for 2025 Season
NCAAF

Top 100 NCAAF Transfer Portal Players: Key Moves and Impact for 2025 Season

Explore the definitive rankings of the top 100 players in the NCAAF Transfer Portal for the 2025 season, highlighting key moves and their potential impact.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.