College Football

College Football Spring Transfer Portal: How Elite Programs Bolstered Their Rosters for 2025

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By
Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published01 May 2025

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When the spring transfer window slammed shut on Friday, college football breathed a collective sigh—then celebrated the off-season heroes who reshaped their rosters. From traditional blue-bloods to ascending contenders, a dozen programs quietly rewrote their fall scripts, landing cornerstone talents without surrendering much in return. Here are the teams that emerged as clear winners this spring.

Georgia’s Defensive Reboot

In Athens, departures were expected—but the Bulldogs hit back with authority. On Easter Sunday, they secured Army edge rusher Elo Modozie, a high-motor defender whose relentless pursuit promises to ignite Georgia’s rush. Joshua Horton, a Miami transfer with two years of ACC battles under his belt, adds depth on the interior, while ball-carrier Josh McCray steps in for Branson Robinson’s thunderous running style. To anchor the line, they also welcomed UCF’s Waltclaire Flynn, a mauler poised to open lanes. In a window defined by attrition, Georgia rebuilt piece by piece—and in bulldog fashion.

Miami’s Resilience in the Hurricanes’ Eye

The spring began on shaky footing for Miami, but the ’Canes rallied when slot receiver Ny Carr withdrew from the portal, keeping the cupboard stocked. Soon after, former BYU All-American return man Keelan Marion pledged his talents, flipping field position with game-breaking flair. Special teams upgraded when Texas kicker Bert Auburn traded burnt orange for green and orange, and linebacker Kamal Bonner bolstered the front seven after NC State. Receiver Tony Johnson from Cincinnati rounds out a class Miami hopes will lift the program back into ACC contention.

North Carolina’s Full-Throttle Approach

Coach Mack Brown vowed activity—and the Tar Heels delivered. Quarterback Gio Lopez arrived from South Alabama, bringing poise and arm strength to replace graduated starters. Nebraska transfer Mikai Gbayor bolsters the linebacker corps, while wideout Adrian Wilson—initially bound for Colorado—ed the Chapel Hill arsenal. Both trenches saw reinforcements aplenty, as UNC’s staff prioritized size and versatility up front. When opportunity knocked, the Tar Heels answered with a roster makeover worthy of any spring blockbuster.

LSU’s Linebacker and Defensive Line Haul

In Baton Rouge, continuity met aggression. The Tigers didn’t lose a soul to the portal—and still added South Florida tackle Bernard Gooden, a run-stopping force who slid into LSU’s vaunted front. Already home to Jack Pyburn, Patrick Payton, Jimari Butler and Sydir Mitchell, LSU’s defensive line now reads like an All-American tryout. Under Brian Kelly’s watch, this unit aims to suffocate quarterbacks and ground games alike.

Ohio State’s Strategic Upgrades

The national champs retained their core and then reached deep for edge presence. Beau Atkinson, a North Carolina transfer with 12 sacks to his name, arrives in Columbus ready to pressure opposing QBs. To protect Ryan Day’s signal callers, former West Virginia lineman Justin Terry steps in next to the Buckeyes’ mauling front. Two targeted additions, zero departures—Ohio State’s formula for sustained dominance.

Oklahoma State’s Relentless Pursuit

Under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys became portal regulars, pouncing on talent like a prairie storm. Edge prospect Wendell Gregory, a redshirt freshman with explosive upside, hopped aboard, while veteran lineman Bob Schick lends both power and savvy to an offense in need of muscle. With double-digit newcomers and no high-profile exits, Oklahoma State’s depth chart looks as stacked as ever.

Penn State’s Wideout Game-Changer

When Nittany Lion fans demanded playmakers, James Franklin delivered. Syracuse alum Trebor Pena, a 941-yard, nine-touchdown dynamo, committed for a one-year showcase. In a league where splash plays win hearts, Penn State’s new No. 1 target gives them an aerial weapon to chase College Football Playoff dreams.

Texas’s Four-Point Offensive Overhaul

In Austin, the Longhorns prioritized receiver, tight end, tackle and kicker—and didn’t miss. Stanford’s Emmett Mosley injects speed into the slot, while Cal’s Jack Endries brings mismatch mania at tight end. Maryland transfer Lavon Johnson fended off North Carolina’s courtship to fortify the interior line, and Syracuse freshman Maraad Watson chose Burnt Orange over powerhouses Georgia and Ohio State. For Texas, the portal became a tailored shopping spree.

Texas Tech’s Quiet Splashes

Lubbock kept faith in its core, then added Stanford edge rusher David Bailey to harass quarterbacks. Young center Cash Cleveland arrives to anchor the interior, and receiver Roy Alexander from Incarnate Word fills out the perimeter. Most intriguing, Micah Hudson—the five-star prodigy who briefly fled to Texas A&M—returned home at mid-cycle. The Red Raiders’ portal spins whispered its best gs came quietly.

UCLA’s Quarterback Magnetism

Few programs won bigger than the Bruins. Securing Nico Iamaleava, the portal’s No. 1 overall prospect, UCLA instantly fields one of the nation’s most tantalizing QB rooms. His brother, Madden, followed suit—giving depth and a storyline Hollywood craves. Cal running back Jaivian Thomas lands as the next Bruin backfield sensation, while Indiana’s Jamier Johnson and Oregon’s Rodrick Pleasant reinforce a secondary built to complement an aerial attack.

USC’s Trojan Guard Reimagined

Westwood lost only Lorenzo Cowan, but Lincoln Riley replaced him with pedigree. Safety Kennedy Urlacher—son of NFL legend Brian Urlacher—s a back end already bristling with talent. Penn State linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson adds instinct and grit up front. To ignite the ing game, former Utah receiver Zacharyus Williams rounds out a Trojan class that refuses to be overshadowed.

From Athens to Los Angeles, spring’s portal sprint delivered fresh narratives and championship blueprints. As pads go on and helmets shine, these twelve winners will carry new expectations—and the hope that their spring gambles pay Autumn’s dividends.