College football’s top six transfer portal classes all have one thing in common after Week 4

Through four weeks of the 2025 season, one clear pattern has emerged: the nation’s most aggressive transfer portal shoppers are thriving. The six programs that landed top-tier portal classes — Texas Tech, LSU, Ole Miss, Oregon, Miami and Missouri — are all undefeated. The correlation between roster overhauls and on-field dominance is strikingly evident.

Each of these schools leaned on immediate-impact veterans, and the early returns are impossible to ignore. From Texas Tech’s defensive front bolstered by transfer talent, to Oregon’s surgically precise portal additions, the blueprint has produced one shared result: a spotless record. Coaches and general managers put faith in experienced transfers to raise the floor of their rosters, and those bets have paid off with fast starts.

Week 4 added more proof. Texas Tech turned to backup quarterback Will Hammond and still powered past Utah. LSU rolled Southeastern Louisiana behind Garrett Nussmeier’s sharp night. Ole Miss and Oregon both leaned on transfer-aided depth to overwhelm opponents. Miami’s rebuilt defense suffocated Florida, while Missouri’s retooled backfield and defense carried the Tigers past South Carolina. All six have not only survived, but flourished in September.

Texas Tech Leans on Depth to Stay Perfect

Texas Tech’s transfer haul was all about volume and experience. Joey McGuire and general manager James Blanchard added 22 newcomers with more than 20,000 career snaps. Twelve earned starting spots by Week 1, and their impact has been immediate.

The Red Raiders needed every bit of that depth in Salt Lake City. When Behren Morton exited after a head injury, Hammond entered and led four scoring drives, including touchdowns to Terrance Carter Jr. and Reggie Virgil, another transfer.

Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (7) began his career at Louisiana. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The defensive front, rebuilt with veterans Lee Hunter and Romello Height, kept Utah from establishing its ground game.

Penalties were an issue,14 flags cost Texas Tech 122 yards, but the transfer-driven maturity allowed the Red Raiders to settle down. At 4-0 with a bye week before Houston, this is exactly the scenario McGuire envisioned when he pushed all-in on portal veterans.

LSU Reloads Around Garrett Nussmeier

Brian Kelly’s approach at LSU emphasized veteran defenders and proven starters. The Tigers added 18 transfers, including safety A.J. Haulcy and cornerback Mansoor Delane, to balance a roster that already had offensive firepower.

That mix was on display in a 56-10 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Nussmeier threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to Michael Van Buren Jr.

LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) leads the team with four pass breakups. | Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

The offense produced 12 plays of 10-plus yards, showing its first true rhythm of the season. LSU’s defense suffocated the Lions, holding them to 30 yards in the first half.

Kelly has called this roster a playoff-caliber group, and with veterans like Patrick Payton boosting the pass rush, LSU has the depth to back it up. At 4-0, the Tigers now turn toward a critical SEC matchup at Ole Miss.

Ole Miss Pivots at Quarterback with Trinidad Chambliss

Few teams overhauled their roster like Ole Miss, which brought in 29 transfers to replace eight NFL draft departures. Lane Kiffin’s biggest decision came at quarterback, where Trinidad Chambliss has seized the starting job.

In Saturday’s 45-10 rout of Tulane, Chambliss threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns and ran for 112 more. Transfers like receiver De’Zhaun Stribling and running back Kewan Lacy have helped stabilize the offense.

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) led Ferris State to a 14-1 record last year. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Rebels finished with 548 total yards and scored on all six red-zone trips.

The portal was equally crucial on defense, where seven newcomers in the secondary have added depth. Kiffin praised the focus after two tight SEC games, and with LSU visiting Oxford next, the Rebels will need every bit of that balance.

Oregon’s Precision Portal Work Adds Firepower

Unlike others, Oregon didn’t go for quantity. Dan Lanning’s staff added only 11 transfers, but each was carefully chosen. Offensive lineman Isaiah World and safety Dillon Thieneman highlight a class averaging more than 1,200 career snaps per player.

Quarterback Dante Moore has been the biggest story. A former transfer himself, Moore threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Oregon State.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) has been a difference maker after transferring from UCLA. | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

His connection with Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan shows a Ducks offense with explosive balance.

With a roster already stacked from top-five recruiting classes, Oregon only needed surgical portal work. Those additions have fit seamlessly, and at 4-0, the Ducks head into a massive showdown at No. 2 Penn State looking every bit like Big Ten title contenders.

Miami Defense Dominates in Rivalry Win

Mario Cristobal reloaded Miami through the portal with quarterback Carson Beck and 18 other experienced transfers, including wideout CJ Daniels and linebacker Mohamed Toure. But it was the defense that stole the show against Florida.

The Hurricanes held the Gators to 141 total yards and 0-for-13 on third down, Florida’s worst conversion mark in decades. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Marty Brown powered the offense with three combined touchdowns in a 26-7 win.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) was one of the biggest names on the transfer portal after exiting Georgia. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Beck managed the game effectively, and while Miami didn’t dominate through the air, its rebuilt secondary and front seven dictated every possession.

The Hurricanes are 10-0 at home since the start of last season, and with a trip to Florida State next, Cristobal’s roster strategy looks validated.

Missouri Powers Ahead With New Faces

Missouri’s offseason was as much about survival as addition, losing 45 players but reloading with 20 transfers. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz filled holes on both sides, highlighted by quarterback Beau Pribula, running back Ahmad Hardy and edge rusher Damon Wilson.

That group played a starring role in a 29-20 win over South Carolina. Hardy rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Pribula led the game-winning fourth-quarter drive. Roberts, another backfield transfer, sealed the win with a late score. Defensively, Missouri’s portal reinforcements racked up five sacks and dominated the line.

Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) transferred in this offseason from Penn State. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Missouri now sits at 4-0 with 14 straight home wins. The Tigers may not have the same national spotlight as Oregon or LSU, but the combination of portal additions and a top-20 recruiting class has kept them firmly in the SEC conversation.

The Red Raiders will visit Houston on October 4. LSU will travel to Mississippi next Saturday. Ole Miss hosts LSU in a top-15 SEC showdown. Oregon heads to No. 2 Penn State for a defining Big Ten clash. Miami travels to Florida State in another rivalry game. Missouri will host UMass in Columbia.