Non-Division I Defensive Line Transfers To Watch in FCS Football for the 2026 Season

With the transfer portal window and National Signing Day in the rearview, it's time to turn our focus to analyzing all the great talent that signed with FCS programs across the country.

We released our 2026 FCS transfer portal rankings last week, but I want to take the time to individually highlight some of the best non-Division I transfers across the FCS. All of these players have an excellent chance to make a major impact next season.

Below are the top non-Division I transfer defensive line additions across FCS football ahead of the 2026 season.

Kaleb Brown (Tarleton State)

Brown joins Tarleton State as one of the most accomplished non-Division transfers in the entire country. He's been a three-year starter for D3 powerhouse Mount Union, helping lead the Purple Raiders to a 36-3 record over those three years.

Brown has racked up 32 sacks and 49 TFLs over the past three seasons, along with nine forced fumbles and an INT. Brown is a three-time All-OAC selection and has earned D3 All-American honors in back-to-back seasons. He was also named the OAC Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman in 2025.

The Texans are expected to have to replace their top two sack leaders from last season's team, which gives Brown a clear path to immediate playing time. He's an outstanding pass rusher who wins with his speed and athleticism, but also offers upside against the run due to his physicality at the point of attack.

Tyler King (Montana)

One of the biggest needs for Montana was finding a true edge threat who could get after the quarterback, which is the exact role that Tyler King should thrive in next year. He spent the past three seasons at Central Washington, but exploded onto the scene with a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign in 2025.

King recorded 47 tackles, 17 TFLs, 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 10 quarterback hurries in 12 games. He earned AFCA D2 All-American, while being named the LSC Defensive Lineman of the Year, along with first-team All-Conference honors.

At 6-5, 250 lbs, he has the frame to make a smooth transition to the FCS level with the ability to push for a starting role in 2026. The Griz lost All-Big Sky defensive end Hunter Peck to graduation and don't have a single returning defensive player who recorded more than 3.5 sacks last season. I can see King elevating the Montana defense and playing a key role in another potential playoff run.

Isaiah Wray (South Dakota)

South Dakota has a ton of talent to replace along the defensive line, which makes Isaiah Wray one of the most important offseason additions for the Coyotes. He's spent three years at Concordia-St. Paul, starting 19 games over the past two seasons.

Wray really took his game to the next level in 2025, posting a career-high 72 tackles and 7.5 TFLs, along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He earned second-team NSIC South Division All-Conference honors for the Golden Bears.

At 6-5, 256 lbs, Wray has a perfect frame with even more room to grow over his final two seasons. He's already excellent against the run, where he effectively uses his length against opposing offensive linemen. There's still room to grow as a true pass rusher, but his impact down-to-down should earn him significant playing time in 2026.

Caleb Saner (Southern Illinois)

Southern Illinois entered the offseason knowing its defense needed to be revamped, especially along the defensive line. The Salukis only had 18 sacks last season, which ranked 7th in the MVFC, while ranking 65th nationally in tackles for loss. Southwest Baptist transfer Caleb Saner should be an immediate upgrade at defensive end.

Saner has 20 games of experience over the past two seasons, including a breakout year in 2025, which saw him earn first-team All-GLVC and honorable mention Don Hansen All-American honors. He finished the year with 69 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries. He broke the program's single-season record for tackles for loss, which was last set in 1996.

Saner started his career as a 6-1, 190-pound linebacker, but now heads to Southern Illinois as a 6-2, 230-pound edge rusher. The Salukis lacked a true impact edge rusher last season, and if Saner is able to fill that void, then Southern Illinois should be in an excellent position to potentially make a postseason run.

Isi Etute (Norfolk State)

Norfolk State is looking to rebound from a disappointing season in Michael Vick's first year as head coach. The Spartans signed a much smaller portal class this year, but there are multiple non-Division additions who could be key contributors in 2026. It starts with former UNC-Pembroke defensive end Isi Etute.

Etute was a highly-touted 3-star recruit who initially signed with Virginia Tech but spent a season at Iowa Western CC, where he won a JUCO national championship. Last season at UNC-Pembroke, he recorded 50 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 9 quarterback hurries. He was named an AFCA D2 All-American and the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year.

The Spartans lost David Ojiegbe to the transfer portal this offseason after he led the team in TFLs and sacks. It's a perfect opportunity for Etute to step into an immediate starting role in 2026. Etute has the size and athleticism to become one of the top defensive ends in the MEAC next year.

Other Names To Know:

Elihu Lipscomb (Furman)
Carter Sitzman (South Dakota State)
Malik Brown (UT Martin)
Grant Thompson (Tennessee Tech)
Abraham Clinkscales (Stony Brook)
Tyler Sapit (South Dakota)
Kerry North (Prairie View A&M)
Kamari Federick (Lamar)
Isaiah Morrison (Florida A&M)

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