Winners and losers in the 2025 college football transfer portal: Miami and LSU prepare for championship runs.

Winners and Losers in the 2025 College Football Transfer Portal: Miami and LSU Prepare for Championship Runs

The college football transfer portal has become one of the most dynamic and impactful aspects of modern college football. With the portal now in its third season of widespread influence, it has drastically altered the landscape of roster management for both top-tier programs and those looking to rebuild. With the 2025 college football season on the horizon, the transfer portal has once again seen heavy usage, with programs across the nation reshaping their rosters in hopes of making a championship run. Among the most notable teams in this reshaping process are the Miami Hurricanes and LSU Tigers, two programs that are looking to make significant strides in their respective conferences and ultimately compete for national titles.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the winners and losers of the 2025 college football transfer portal, focusing on how Miami and LSU have positioned themselves for championship aspirations. We will examine how the moves made by both programs in the portal, combined with their overall recruiting strategies, are setting them up for success in the near future.

Winners: Miami Hurricanes

Miami has been one of the biggest winners in the 2025 transfer portal. Under head coach Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes have significantly improved their roster depth, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and in the trenches. Cristobal’s emphasis on physicality and player development has already begun to show positive results, and the transfer portal has been a key tool in helping the Canes bolster their roster to be more competitive on the national stage.

Key Additions:

1. Tyler Van Dyke’s Protection: Offensive Line Reinforcements One of the biggest areas of concern for Miami entering the 2025 season was the offensive line. After struggling with consistency in 2024, the Hurricanes made it a top priority to add key reinforcements to protect quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and enhance their offensive attack. Miami was able to land Joe Sullivan, an experienced left tackle from Notre Dame, who should immediately slide into a starting role and provide a steady presence at the most important position on the offensive line.

   Sullivan’s experience in high-pressure games, including Notre Dame’s appearances in major bowl games, will be invaluable as Miami looks to compete with the elite teams of the ACC and national contenders. Additionally, the Canes added Jack Mathews, a versatile interior lineman from Georgia Tech, who brings a physical edge to the front line and will contribute to both the run and pass game.

2. Defensive Line Depth: Boosting Miami’s Pass Rush Miami has long been known for producing top-tier defensive talent, and Cristobal has made it a priority to build up the defensive line for the 2025 season. The Hurricanes added Justin Rogers, a dominant defensive tackle from Kentucky, who will pair with rising star Leonard Taylor to form one of the most formidable duos in the country. Rogers has been a disruptive force in the SEC and should bring that same intensity to Miami’s front seven.

   In addition to Rogers, Miami landed Nolan Smith, a highly sought-after edge rusher from Georgia. Smith brings excellent pass-rush ability and will be a major contributor to Miami’s defense, as the Canes look to build a top-tier pass rush capable of disrupting opposing quarterbacks. With these two key additions, Miami’s defense looks poised to be one of the top units in the ACC.

3. Secondary Strengthening: Key Safety Additions The Hurricanes also made a concerted effort to improve their secondary. Miami added Jireh Edwards, a dynamic safety from Oregon, who has the ability to play both deep safety and in the box. Edwards will be a significant upgrade to the defensive backfield and will provide Miami with an athletic playmaker who can create turnovers and impact the game from multiple positions.
4. Playmaker at Wide Receiver: Filling Gaps in the Passing Game In terms of offensive playmakers, the Canes found a significant addition in Josh Downs, a wide receiver transfer from North Carolina. Downs, a highly productive receiver in his time with the Tar Heels, will immediately be a key target for Van Dyke and a vital piece of the passing game. His ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays will give Miami a major boost in an area where they’ve lacked consistency in recent seasons.

Strategic Moves for Miami’s Championship Run

Miami’s transfer portal strategy has been heavily focused on improving the areas of most need while maintaining the strong foundation that Cristobal has been building. With upgraded talent in the trenches, a revamped secondary, and more explosive playmakers on offense, the Hurricanes are positioning themselves to be a top contender in the ACC and potentially for a playoff berth.

Under Cristobal’s leadership, Miami’s recruiting efforts have already paid off with talented freshmen, and the added experience through the transfer portal will help the Hurricanes compete immediately. Their 2025 roster looks well-rounded, with talent on both sides of the ball capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the top programs in the country.

Winners: LSU Tigers

LSU’s 2025 transfer portal moves show that head coach Brian Kelly is serious about building a championship-caliber team in Baton Rouge. After a strong first season in 2022, Kelly and his staff turned their attention to the 2025 campaign, aiming to strengthen the roster and position the Tigers for a playoff run. As one of the most storied programs in college football, LSU remains a major player in the SEC, and Kelly’s ability to capitalize on the transfer portal is quickly becoming a key factor in the team’s success.

Key Additions:

1. Offensive Line Domination: Elite Protectors for Jayden Daniels LSU entered the portal looking to bolster their offensive line to keep their star quarterback Jayden Daniels upright and open up running lanes for a deep running back room. The Tigers landed Blake Miller, a highly regarded left tackle from Clemson, who will be tasked with protecting Daniels’ blindside. Miller brings elite blocking skills, athleticism, and versatility, making him an immediate starter.

   Additionally, LSU added Jarrett Bellamy, an interior lineman from Florida State who is known for his ability to both run block and pass protect effectively. Bellamy’s experience in the trenches will provide the Tigers with depth and leadership, particularly on the interior line.

2. Playmakers on Defense: Filling Gaps in the Secondary LSU’s secondary was one of their biggest weaknesses during the 2024 season, and Kelly addressed this issue by targeting transfers that would immediately contribute to their pass defense. The Tigers successfully landed Tre’Vius Hodge, a standout cornerback from Alabama, who has the speed and coverage ability to lock down opposing wide receivers in the SEC.

   Hodge’s ball skills and competitive nature make him a perfect fit for LSU’s defense, which is built on speed, athleticism, and physicality. LSU also added Bryce Thompson, a safety from Oklahoma, who can provide immediate impact both in coverage and as a tackler in the run game.

3. Quarterback Insurance: Adding Depth Behind Jayden Daniels Although Daniels is the clear starter for LSU heading into 2025, Kelly added some depth to the quarterback room by bringing in Garrett Nussmeier, a transfer from Texas Tech. Nussmeier is a dual-threat quarterback with experience at the Power 5 level, and his ability to step in if needed provides LSU with stability at the most important position on the field.
4. Wide Receiver: Strengthening the Passing Game LSU also focused on adding talent to their receiving corps. They successfully added Terrence Marshall, a dynamic wide receiver from Auburn, who will give Daniels a proven target in the passing game. Marshall’s ability to run crisp routes and catch the ball in tight windows will provide LSU with a reliable deep threat to complement their run-heavy offense.

Strategic Moves for LSU’s Championship Run

LSU’s transfer portal strategy for 2025 was heavily focused on fortifying both sides of the ball, with an emphasis on building a more physical and balanced team. By adding high-impact players on the offensive line, strengthening their secondary, and giving Daniels more weapons in the passing game, the Tigers are ready to challenge for a national title.

With Kelly’s leadership and a more mature roster, LSU is primed to compete for an SEC championship and push for a playoff berth. The Tigers’ championship aspirations in 2025 hinge on the effective integration of these transfers into the system and how quickly they can gel as a cohesive unit.

Losers: The Transfer Portal’s Uncertainty

While the transfer portal has allowed programs like Miami and LSU to make significant strides, it also comes with its share of risks and uncertainties. Teams that fail to effectively manage their portal strategy or are unable to attract the right players may struggle to reach their potential.

Teams Not Utilizing the Portal Effectively

Some programs simply don’t have the same allure as others when it comes to attracting transfer talent. Schools that aren’t viewed as immediate championship contenders or those with a lack of infrastructure, coaching stability, or national recognition may miss out on crucial portal prospects. These teams often find themselves in a rebuilding cycle, unable to recruit or develop the talent necessary to compete at the highest levels.

Impact on Player Development

Another risk of the portal is its effect on player development. While the immediate boost from transfers can help fill gaps on the roster, it can also hinder the development of younger players, especially those who might be looking for playing time. This has been a concern for several programs that rely too heavily on transfers, as it may disrupt the long-term growth and cohesion of the team.