As we enter the college football offseason, all eyes have shifted to the transfer portal, where things have heated up over the last couple of weeks. The college football playoff will resume on Wednesday, but most teams are preparing for the offseason and are ready for the opening of the transfer portal. We have seen several of college football’s biggest names enter the portal over the last couple of days, and with the transfer portal window opening on January 2nd, things are going to get crazy.
My draft board is starting to take shape as many prospects announce their return to school or draft declarations, with several of my favorite players entering the portal. As everyone across the CFB community readies for the portal to open, today I wanted to highlight some of my favorite players who may be flying under the radar this offseason but are ready to make a significant impact.
Xavier Chaplin
Chaplin has to be the first name I mention in this article, as I have been singing his praises since the start of the season. Last offseason, Chaplin transferred from Virginia Tech to Auburn, hoping to prove that his dominance on the left side of the offensive line would carry over from the ACC to the SEC. Unfortunately, Auburn was one of the most disappointing teams in the nation, and Chaplin’s draft stock took a big hit.
Fans have been all over Chaplin this season, with many fans giving him flak for Auburn’s struggles, and while Chaplin was far from perfect, the Tigers had bigger problems than just left tackle. Auburn fired coach Hugh Freeze in November after his offense struggled yet again with new QB Jackson Arnold. They also lost their OL leader, Connor Lew, to an ACL injury, and everything went up in flames. Still, in my opinion, Chaplin played okay, and I think he is poised for a bounce-back year with a new team in 2026.
Daniel Harris
Harris entered this season as one of my favorite breakout candidates in college football because of his long frame and impressive athletic skillset. But things did not really pan out, and after an excellent sophomore season with the Bulldogs, Harris struggled to find the field this season and has elected to hit the portal. If you watch his 2024 tape, you can see he has all the skills to succeed, and in the right defense, he could be a significant addition.
Josh Hoover
If your team is tight on NIL money and is looking to get the biggest bang for their buck at quarterback, Hoover should be their top target. At TCU, Hoover was one of the best quarterbacks in program history, and his ability to read a defense and manage the offense is elite. If you are a team that already has talented weapons, and you need a reliable quarterback to distribute the ball, Hoover is your guy, and he will take your team far next season.
CJ Baxter
Once a 5-star recruit, Baxter committed to Texas, a school that is heralded for their ability to develop running back talent. Excitement was high when he arrived, and the three-headed monster of Baxter, Wisner, and Brooks in 2023 was maybe the best RB room in the nation. But when a knee injury struck, Baxter missed all of 2024, and when he returned this year, both he and Wisner struggled to get the run game going. On film, Baxter still shows the incredible athletic burst you want from a star running back, and I think he will make a massive difference in the run game wherever he ends up.
Chaz Coleman
However good you think Chaz Coleman is… He’s better. Coleman may very well be the most valuable player in the portal, entering with at least three years of eligibility remaining and already flashing signs of being an elite pass rusher. At 6’4/250, Coleman has average length. Still, his incredible burst off the line of scrimmage is unparalleled across college football, and he will make a significant impact no matter where he winds up.
Jordan Castell
Freshman finding play time is rare in the SEC, and Castell didn’t just play; he excelled. Just a three-star prospect, Castell won a starting job as a freshman, playing that hybrid safety role and logging at least 55 tackles in his first two years in the swamp. Over his first two seasons, Castell has proven to be a great tackler in space against running backs, receivers, and tight ends alike. He also has proven he can play a two-high role, breaking up passes and making hard hits consistently downfield. Safety is one of the most undervalued positions in football right now, and I think Castell’s versatility could be immensely valuable in several different defenses across the nation.
