LSU and Ole Miss headline portal-heavy CFP crashers for 2026

LSU’s new-look roster sits at the front of a transfer-portal stampede that CBS Sports says could reshape the 2026 College Football Playoff race.

In an analysis published by Brad Crawford, CBS Sports focused on teams that added at least 20 transfers and had roughly a dozen expected transfer starters in the post-spring two-deep. The idea: find the programs that did more than patch holes. These teams rebuilt big chunks of the house.

The list leans hard into the new math of college football. The expanded playoff gives talented but freshly assembled teams more time to settle in, and Crawford wrote that several rosters now have enough veteran help to turn a busy offseason into a postseason push.

LSU goes all-in under Kiffin

LSU is the headliner. According to 247Sports rankings cited by CBS Sports, the Tigers own the No. 1 transfer class for 2026.

Crawford reported that Lane Kiffin, entering his first season in Baton Rouge, attacked the portal with major urgency after LSU went all-in. The haul includes quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton from Colorado and receivers Winston Watkins, Jayce Brown and Eugene Wilson from Ole Miss, Kansas State and Florida.

LSU also added defensive help, including edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and linebacker TJ Dottery from Ole Miss, plus safety Ty Benefield from Boise State. CBS Sports framed the Tigers as one of the most dramatically remade contenders in the country.

Ole Miss loads up on defense

Ole Miss, ranked No. 2 by 247Sports in the transfer class standings cited by CBS Sports, took a different swing. Crawford wrote that first-year coach Pete Golding focused on adding proven defenders across the front seven and secondary.

The Rebels’ listed additions include defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis from Colorado, linebackers Luke Ferrelli from Cal and Keaton Thomas from Baylor, cornerback Jalyn Crawford from Auburn, nickel Sharif Denson from Florida and safety Edwin Joseph from Florida State.

On offense, CBS Sports pointed to Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy as anchors for a unit expected to score. The larger question, according to the report, is whether Ole Miss can find enough stops against top SEC opponents.

Portal piles across the country

Louisville also drew attention after signing 34 transfers, according to CBS Sports. The Cardinals’ class ranks No. 13 at 247Sports and includes quarterback Lincoln Kienholtz from Ohio State, receivers Tre Richardson and Lawayne McCoy, and several defensive backs.

CBS Sports listed Auburn at No. 9 in the 247Sports transfer rankings. New coach Alex Golesh brought several former South Florida players with him, including quarterback Byrum Brown and receivers Chas Nimrod and Jeremiah Koger.

Florida’s class ranks No. 30, per 247Sports, with Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo highlighted as a key piece for Jon Sumrall. CBS Sports noted that Philo’s former offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, also moved to Gainesville.

Oklahoma State made the biggest volume play of the group. CBS Sports reported that the Cowboys signed 55 transfers, the most among Power Four programs, under former North Texas coach Eric Morris. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young all came from North Texas.

Penn State, ranked No. 4 by 247Sports, leaned heavily on Iowa State connections after hiring Matt Campbell, according to CBS Sports. Rocco Becht, Carson Hansen, Chase Sowell and several defensive players were among the Cyclones-to-State College wave.

SMU, South Carolina and Texas Tech round out the portal-heavy group cited by CBS Sports. SMU focused on defensive starters, South Carolina rebuilt its offensive line room, and Texas Tech’s class ranks No. 6 in the 247Sports transfer standings referenced in the report.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.