Earlier this month, junior linebacker Tristan Exline, who has earned D2 All-American honors in consecutive seasons, announced he was entering the portal. Exline has a strong chance of making the leap to the FBS level.

Athletes announcing they will enter the transfer portal and have the opportunity to switch schools is common at the end of each sports season. Similar moves will take place as the NCAA basketball season winds down in the spring, and after all other sanctioned NCAA sports seasons.

With early signing day in the rearview mirror, recruiters will now look to build up their 2026 rosters through the transfer portal. That method of roster additions proved crucial for Texas Tech, which won a Big 12 title and made the College Football Playoff after a transfer portal haul a year ago.

Tagoa'i's departure is a rather notable one for USC, as he was a top-200 recruit coming out of high school just last year. In his lone season in Cardinal and Gold, the linebacker recorded four tackles and a forced fumble while also seeing significant action on special teams.

The Ole Miss Rebels continue navigating a chaotic stretch in Oxford as the program works through College Football Playoff preparation, roster retention, and evaluations on players that have revealed intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal across America.

With the NCAA transfer portal officially opening on Jan. 2, college football programs have been preparing for several weeks in anticipation of the onslaught of talent expected to enter the portal.

Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola enters transfer portal, dealing a major blow to Matt Rhule’s program. Get Big Ten news, Michigan coaching updates, and more.