This spring, college football teams are making bold moves in the transfer portal to reshape their rosters for the 2025 season. Here’s a look at how Oklahoma State, Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss are navigating the transfer market to boost their chances of success.
Oklahoma State: After a disappointing 3-9 record in 2024, coach Mike Gundy is shaking things up in Stillwater. With a revamped coaching staff, the Cowboys have added 30 new players through the transfer portal, bringing in over 16,000 snaps of Division I experience. Key additions include running back Freddie Brock from Georgia State, receivers Christian Fitzpatrick from Marshall, and Cam Abshire from Emory & Henry.
On the offensive line, they secured App State’s Markell Samuel, a top tackle. Defensively, Vanderbilt’s De’Marion Thomas strengthens the line, while edge rushers Taje McCoy from Colorado and Wendell Gregory from South Carolina add firepower. An agent told saatsport.com, “Oklahoma State is gonna have a good year,” signaling optimism for a turnaround.
Texas: The Longhorns, led by Steve Sarkisian, are fine-tuning their roster for another College Football Playoff push. They added Cal’s Jack Endries, a reliable tight end, to replace Gunnar Helm, and Stanford’s Emmett Mosley V as a potential No. 3 receiver. Texas State’s Mason Shipley steps in as kicker, and Maryland’s Lavon Johnson bolsters the defensive line. Texas is also pursuing Syracuse’s Maraad Watson and may seek another receiver with return skills to round out the roster.
North Carolina: Under new coach Bill Belichick, the Tar Heels secured South Alabama’s Gio Lopez, a dynamic quarterback with three years of eligibility, to lead their offense. Lopez racked up 3,022 total yards as a redshirt freshman. The team also added Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor, Penn State defensive end Smith Vilbert, and freshman receiver Adrian Wilson from Colorado. Kicker Rece Verhoff and punter Jacob Horvath address the special team’s needs. Despite losing 16 players to the portal, Belichick is building a competitive roster for his first year.
Transfer portal 2025
Oklahoma: New general manager Jim Nagy is making waves by landing Cal’s Jaydn Ott, one of the nation’s top running backs, to pair with quarterback John Mateer. Stanford’s Jake Maikkula adds depth at center, and the Sooners are still seeking a tight end and kicker. Coach Brent Venables also convinced former five-star recruit David Stone to stay after briefly entering the portal, a key win for roster stability.
Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin’s Rebels are staying active, adding Troy’s Damien Taylor, who rushed for 1,010 yards last season, as a potential lead back. Maryland’s Terez Davis strengthens the offensive line, while corners Ricky Fletcher and Tavoy Feagin deepen the secondary. The team also signed Division II star Trinidad Chambliss, a quarterback with 1,019 rushing yards, to back up Austin Simmons.
These teams are leveraging the transfer portal to address critical needs, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season.
