The transfer portal along with NIL has created a quick way for teams to transform their rosters in a short amount of time. Some have argued the new landscape in college football has become the wild west. In many cases, allowing for the rich to get richer.
The issue with this new landscape is what happens when a program has a down year, the grass looks greener elsewhere or bigger teams come calling? Non-Power 4 conferences lose the talent they banked on, lower Power 4 programs lose to higher level Power 4 programs, or players now can look to programs with bigger budgets even if it's not a loftier program.
[CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/transfer-portal-2026-college-football-candidates-to-change-schools/) released a list of ten potential transfer portal candidates. Two them are very intriguing. Before the transfer portal and NIL, both of which would have been players expected to stay based on their talent or recruiting star rating.
Most of the names on the CBS list are completely predictable. Many are skill position players who have yet to establish themselves or have had great seasons that should catch the attention of bigger programs. However, two of these players are considered to be future top 50 NFL draft picks within a year or so of their jump the league. The first one was expected; the second one could signal real concerns for the program he is currently at.
South Carolina Quarterback LaNorris Sellers
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As recently as June of this year, Sellers was regarded as one of the high risers for the 2026 NFL Draft class. With that expectation came another expectation. South Carolina should be in the playoff hunt with Sellers second season as the starter. Currently the Gamecocks are the second worst team in a very stacked SEC conference. With only one conference win and only three wins overall, it would be logical to consider Sellers could spend another year in college developing. The only question is will he do that for South Carolina?
If Sellers is to realize the draft buzz he had earlier this year, next year cannot be a bad season. For him as a quarterback or for the team he would play for. It's much easier for NFL franchises to get excited about a prospect if they can lean on the team success aspect. Based on his 2025 season, a change of scenery could be welcomed. Like Cam Ward, Caleb Williams or Jalen Hurts, Seller could benefit from a move up in his final year before going pro.
Colorado Left tackle Jordan Seaton
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Seaton is easily in Deion Sanders’ top 5 of recruits since taking the job in [Colorado](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/colorado). One of only a handful of 5-star talent under Coach Prime, it would be difficult to view Seaton transferring out of Boulder as anything short of catastrophic. Seaton is one of the bright spots on an otherwise forgettable season. The team’s head coach argued in the offseason that while the team will be missing a good amount of top end talent, the team overall would be better. Currently sitting at 3-7 and out of bowl contention, 2025 has been a far cry from the idea the team would improve on its 9-4 season last year.
Seaton is a hot commodity in today’s college football. A top end offensive tackle in a less than good situation. Coach Sanders will be the x-factor for Seaton’s future status. He’s the reason Seaton chose Colorado. With Sanders’ continuing health concerns and a season that could be the worst in Sanders’ Colorado tenure, nothing is certain moving forward. Colorado will proceed with freshman quarterback Julian Lewis in the hopes of ending on a high note. If Colorado can get another win or two, it could go a long way in keeping Seaton in Boulder.
The transfer portal will continue to be a concern for retaining players and with NIL there is always a grass is greener effect. One of the biggest challenges facing current college football coaches is player retention. Depending on which program is in question, it could be as important as recruiting. A concept that is fairly new.
Sellers should be a lock to move on as his draft stock can’t afford another 3-6 type season. Seaton, who does not play quarterback, has less of a draft stock concern. However, if Seaton were to depart the Colorado program it would be viewed as a debilitating loss for Coach Prime.
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