The 2026 football transfer portal has unveiled its initial top 50 rankings, showcasing a competitive landscape where collegiate athletes are actively seeking new opportunities, often with substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) valuations. The comprehensive list details players’ high school origins, physical attributes, class years, positions, and performance ratings from two prominent evaluation systems, alongside their estimated NIL worth.
Leading the list is an un-named quarterback from West Linn, standing at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. As a redshirt sophomore, this signal-caller boasts an IND rating of 98.49 and an ON3 rating of 98.00, accompanied by an estimated NIL valuation of $4.5 million. This top entry sets a high bar for the financial and athletic potential within the current transfer cycle.
The top ten features a mix of offensive and defensive talent, reflecting the premium placed on key positions. Ranked second is Cam Coleman, a sophomore wide receiver from Central, who measures 6-foot-3.5 and 190 pounds. Coleman’s impressive ratings of IND 98.48 and ON3 98.00 are complemented by a $3 million NIL valuation. Following him at third is Jacarrius Peak, a redshirt junior offensive tackle from Valdosta, weighing in at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds. Peak holds IND 98.44 and ON3 98.00 ratings, with a $1 million NIL valuation.
Jordan Seaton, a sophomore offensive tackle from IMG Academy, secures the fourth spot. At 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, Seaton’s ratings are IND 98.07 and ON3 97.00, with a significant $4 million NIL valuation. Princewill Umanmielen, a junior edge rusher from Manor, is ranked fifth. He stands 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, with IND 98.05 and ON3 97.00 ratings, and a $1.5 million NIL valuation. Damon Wilson II, a junior edge rusher from Venice, is sixth, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, with ratings of IND 97.27 and ON3 96.00, and a $2 million NIL valuation.
Drew Mestemaker, a sophomore quarterback from Vandegrift, is seventh on the list. Measuring 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Mestemaker has IND 97.26 and ON3 95.00 ratings, and a $3.5 million NIL valuation. Lance Heard, a junior offensive tackle from Neville, is eighth. At 6-foot-5.5 and 305 pounds, Heard’s ratings are IND 96.47 and ON3 94.00, with a $2 million NIL valuation. Darian Mensah, a redshirt sophomore quarterback from St Joseph, holds the ninth position. He is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, with IND 96.01 and ON3 96.00 ratings, and the highest NIL valuation in the top ten at $6.5 million. Rounding out the top ten is John Henry Daley, a junior edge rusher from Lone Peak, at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, with IND 95.93 and ON3 96.00 ratings, and a $2 million NIL valuation.
The rankings from 11 to 20 continue to highlight a diverse group of high-impact players. Mateen Ibirogba, a redshirt junior defensive lineman from Clarksburg, is 11th, at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, with IND 95.67 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Koi Perich, a sophomore safety from Lincoln Secondary, is 12th, at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, with IND 95.67 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $2 million NIL valuation. Nick Marsh, a sophomore wide receiver from River Rouge, is 13th, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, with IND 95.66 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation.
Caleb Hawkins, a freshman running back from North Rock Creek, makes a notable appearance at 14th, at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, with IND 95.65 and ON3 95.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Rasheem Biles, a junior linebacker from Pickerington Central, is 15th, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, with IND 95.41 and ON3 96.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Josh Hoover, a redshirt junior quarterback from Rockwall-Heath, is 16th, at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, with IND 95.19 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $4 million NIL valuation.
Terrell Anderson, a sophomore wide receiver from Grimsley, is 17th, at 6-foot-3 and 184 pounds, with IND 95.15 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation. Austin Romaine, a junior linebacker from Hillsboro, is 18th, at 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds, with IND 95.10 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Justice Haynes, a junior running back from Buford, is 19th, at 5-foot-9.5 and 200 pounds, with IND 94.83 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Omarion Miller, a junior wide receiver from North Caddo, completes this segment at 20th, at 6-foot-1.5 and 192 pounds, with IND 94.83 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation.
The middle section of the rankings, from 21 to 30, continues to showcase a blend of emerging talent. Chaz Coleman, a freshman edge rusher from Warren G Harding, is 21st, at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, with IND 94.72 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $2 million NIL valuation. Jontez Williams, a redshirt junior cornerback from Bradford, is 22nd, at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, with IND 94.68 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation. Melvin Siani, a junior offensive tackle from Wyoming Seminary Upper School, is 23rd, at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, with IND 94.65 and ON3 94.00 ratings, and an $850,000 NIL valuation.
Terry Moore, a senior safety from Washington, is 24th, at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, with IND 94.32 and ON3 92.00 ratings, but no listed NIL valuation. Ty Benefield, a junior safety from Santa Margarita Catholic, is 25th, at 6-foot-2 and 189 pounds, with IND 94.31 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1.2 million NIL valuation. Byrum Brown, a senior quarterback from Rolesville, is 26th, at 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, with IND 94.29 and ON3 93.00 ratings, and a $3 million NIL valuation. Quincy Porter, a freshman wide receiver from Bergen Catholic, is 27th, at 6-foot-3.5 and 200 pounds, with IND 94.29 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation.
Reed Harris, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver from Great Falls, is 28th, at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, with IND 94.28 and ON3 90.00 ratings, and no listed NIL valuation. Jordan Ross, a sophomore edge rusher from Vestavia Hills, is 29th, at 6-foot-4.5 and 245 pounds, with IND 94.25 and ON3 93.00 ratings, and a $700,000 NIL valuation. Hollywood Smothers, a junior running back from West Charlotte, is 30th, at 5-foot-10.5 and 190 pounds, with IND 94.24 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation.
Positions 31 through 40 continue to diversify, with strong representation in offensive and defensive line roles. Coleton Price, a redshirt junior interior offensive lineman from Bowie, is 31st, at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, with IND 94.23 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $500,000 NIL valuation. Francis Brewu, a sophomore defensive lineman from Thomas Worthington, is 32nd, at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, with IND 94.23 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation. Cooper Barkate, a senior wide receiver from Mater Dei, is 33rd, at 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, with IND 94.22 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation.
Dylan Raiola, a sophomore quarterback from Buford, is 34th, at 6-foot-2.5 and 230 pounds, with IND 93.91 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $500,000 NIL valuation. DeAndre Moore Jr., a junior wide receiver from St. John Bosco, is 35th, at 5-foot-11.5 and 188 pounds, with IND 93.90 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Benjamin Brahmer, a junior tight end from Pierce, is 36th, at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, with IND 93.86 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation.
Eric Singleton Jr., a junior wide receiver from Alexander, is 37th, at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, with IND 93.83 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Jayce Brown, a junior wide receiver from Choctawatchee Academy, is 38th, at 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, with IND 93.80 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $700,000 NIL valuation. Ian Strong, a junior wide receiver from St. Anthony’s, is 39th, at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, with IND 93.79 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $500,000 NIL valuation. Carius Curne, a freshman offensive tackle from Marion, is 40th, at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, with IND 93.77 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation.
The final ten entries, from 41 to 50, continue to showcase a mix of talent across various positions and class years. Wendell Gregory, a sophomore edge rusher from Walton, is 41st, at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, with IND 93.73 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $2 million NIL valuation. Anto Saka, a senior edge rusher from Loyola Blakefield, is 42nd, at 6-foot-1.5 and 230 pounds, with IND 93.72 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Rickey Gibson, a junior cornerback from Hewitt-Trussville, is 43rd, at 5-foot-11.5 and 165 pounds, with IND 93.44 and ON3 90.00 ratings, and a $750,000 NIL valuation.
Husan Longstreet, a freshman quarterback from Centennial, is 44th, at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, with IND 93.38 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation. Devan Thompkins, a redshirt junior defensive lineman from Edison, is 45th, at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, with IND 93.36 and ON3 90.00 ratings, and a $700,000 NIL valuation. Raleek Brown, a redshirt junior running back from Mater Dei, is 46th, at 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, with IND 93.34 and ON3 92.00 ratings, and a $1 million NIL valuation.
Wilkin Formby, a redshirt sophomore offensive tackle from Northridge, is 47th, at 6-foot-7.5 and 300 pounds, with IND 93.33 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and an $800,000 NIL valuation. Trell Harris, a senior wide receiver from Nazareth Academy, is 48th, at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, with IND 93.29 and ON3 91.00 ratings, and a $400,000 NIL valuation. Wyatt Young, a sophomore wide receiver from Tompkins, is 49th, at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, with IND 93.28 and ON3 91.00 ratings, with no listed NIL valuation. Concluding the list at 50th is JJ Buchanan, a freshman wide receiver from Coronado, at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, with IND 93.19 and ON3 90.00 ratings, and no listed NIL valuation.
Across the entire list, all 50 players are marked as ‘Enrolled,’ indicating their current status within collegiate programs. The prevalence of quarterbacks, offensive tackles, wide receivers, and edge rushers underscores the positions with the highest demand and market value in contemporary college football. The range of NIL valuations, from unlisted to $6.5 million, illustrates the significant financial component now intertwined with player movement and recruitment, a trend that continues to reshape the sport nationally.
Why it matters in Chattanooga
The national trends observed in the 2026 Football Transfer Portal rankings have direct implications for collegiate athletic programs across the country, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). As NIL valuations continue to escalate and the transfer portal remains a primary mechanism for player movement, institutions like UTC must adapt their recruitment and retention strategies. While UTC competes at a different level than many of the programs these top-tier transfers might target, the overall dynamic of college football, driven by player mobility and financial incentives, influences the talent pool available at all levels. UTC’s ability to attract and retain competitive athletes is increasingly tied to navigating this evolving landscape, ensuring its programs remain robust amidst significant national shifts in player acquisition and compensation.
