The 2026 Football Transfer Portal rankings have been unveiled, presenting a comprehensive list of 50 collegiate football players poised to make significant impacts on the national stage. This compilation offers a detailed look at top talent, including their physical attributes, class years, positions, and, notably, their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) valuations, which range into the millions.
The top entry on the list, an unnamed redshirt-sophomore quarterback from West Linn, stands at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, boasting an impressive IND rating of 98.49 and an ON3 rating of 98.00. This player’s NIL valuation is listed at a substantial $4.5 million, underscoring the escalating financial stakes in the modern era of college football.
Following closely in the top ten are a diverse group of athletes. Cam Coleman, a sophomore wide receiver from Central, measures 6-foot-3.5 and 190 pounds, with an IND rating of 98.48 and an ON3 rating of 98.00, commanding a $3 million NIL valuation. Jacarrius Peak, a redshirt-junior offensive tackle from Valdosta, brings a formidable presence at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, rated 98.44 (IND) and 98.00 (ON3), with a $1 million NIL. Jordan Seaton, a sophomore offensive tackle from IMG Academy, is listed at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, with ratings of 98.07 (IND) and 97.00 (ON3), and a $4 million NIL valuation.
The defensive side of the ball is well-represented among the elite. Princewill Umanmielen, a junior edge rusher from Manor, is 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, with IND and ON3 ratings of 98.05 and 97.00, respectively, and a $1.5 million NIL. Damon Wilson II, a junior edge rusher from Venice, is 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, with ratings of 97.27 (IND) and 96.00 (ON3), and a $2 million NIL. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a sophomore from Vandegrift, is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, with ratings of 97.26 (IND) and 95.00 (ON3), and a $3.5 million NIL valuation.
Rounding out the top ten are Lance Heard, a junior offensive tackle from Neville (6-foot-5.5, 305 pounds, IND 96.47, ON3 94.00, NIL $2 million); Darian Mensah, a redshirt-sophomore quarterback from St Joseph (6-foot-3, 215 pounds, IND 96.01, ON3 96.00, NIL $6.5 million); and John Henry Daley, a junior edge rusher from Lone Peak (6-foot-4, 255 pounds, IND 95.93, ON3 96.00, NIL $2 million). Mensah’s $6.5 million NIL valuation is the highest among the listed players, highlighting the premium placed on top-tier quarterback talent.
The next ten entries, ranks 11 through 20, continue to showcase a blend of offensive and defensive prowess. Mateen Ibirogba, a redshirt-junior defensive lineman from Clarksburg, is 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, with ratings of 95.67 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL. Koi Perich, a sophomore safety from Lincoln Secondary, is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, rated 95.67 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), with a $2 million NIL. Nick Marsh, a sophomore wide receiver from River Rouge, is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, with ratings of 95.66 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL.
Running backs and linebackers also feature prominently. Caleb Hawkins, a freshman running back from North Rock Creek, is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, with ratings of 95.65 (IND) and 95.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL. Rasheem Biles, a junior linebacker from Pickerington Central, is 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, with ratings of 95.41 (IND) and 96.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL. Josh Hoover, a redshirt-junior quarterback from Rockwall-Heath, is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, with ratings of 95.19 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and a $4 million NIL. Terrell Anderson, a sophomore wide receiver from Grimsley, is 6-foot-3, 184 pounds, with ratings of 95.15 (IND) and 92.00 (ON3), and a $750,000 NIL. Austin Romaine, a junior linebacker from Hillsboro, is 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, with ratings of 95.10 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL. Justice Haynes, a junior running back from Buford, is 5-foot-9.5, 200 pounds, with ratings of 94.83 (IND) and 92.00 (ON3), and a $1 million NIL. Omarion Miller, a junior wide receiver from North Caddo, is 6-foot-1.5, 192 pounds, with ratings of 94.83 (IND) and 92.00 (ON3), and a $750,000 NIL.
The rankings from 21 to 30 introduce more emerging talent across various positions. Chaz Coleman, a freshman edge rusher from Warren G Harding, is 6-foot-4, 246 pounds, with ratings of 94.72 (IND) and 92.00 (ON3), and a $2 million NIL. Jontez Williams, a redshirt-junior cornerback from Bradford, is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, with ratings of 94.68 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and a $750,000 NIL. Melvin Siani, a junior offensive tackle from Wyoming Seminary Upper School, is 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, with ratings of 94.65 (IND) and 94.00 (ON3), and an $850,000 NIL.
Safeties Terry Moore (senior, Washington, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, IND 94.32, ON3 92.00) and Ty Benefield (junior, Santa Margarita Catholic, 6-foot-2, 189 pounds, IND 94.31, ON3 92.00, NIL $1.2 million) are also featured. Quarterback Byrum Brown, a senior from Rolesville, is 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, with ratings of 94.29 (IND) and 93.00 (ON3), and a $3 million NIL. Wide receivers Quincy Porter (freshman, Bergen Catholic, 6-foot-3.5, 200 pounds, IND 94.29, ON3 92.00, NIL $1 million) and Reed Harris (redshirt-sophomore, Great Falls, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, IND 94.28, ON3 90.00) are also on the list. Jordan Ross, a sophomore edge rusher from Vestavia Hills, is 6-foot-4.5, 245 pounds, with ratings of 94.25 (IND) and 93.00 (ON3), and a $700,000 NIL.
Notably, Hollywood Smothers, a junior running back from West Charlotte, appears at rank 30. Smothers, listed at 5-foot-10.5 and 190 pounds, carries an IND rating of 94.24 and an ON3 rating of 92.00, with a NIL valuation of $1 million. His inclusion highlights the strong athletic talent pool within the broader Charlotte metropolitan area, which includes parts of York County and extends to Rock Hill.
The remaining players, from ranks 31 to 50, continue to demonstrate the depth of talent available in the transfer portal. This group includes offensive linemen such as Coleton Price (redshirt-junior, Bowie, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, IND 94.23, ON3 92.00, NIL $500,000) and Carius Curne (freshman, Marion, 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, IND 93.77, ON3 91.00, NIL $750,000). Defensive linemen like Francis Brewu (sophomore, Thomas Worthington, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, IND 94.23, ON3 92.00, NIL $750,000) and Devan Thompkins (redshirt-junior, Edison, 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, IND 93.36, ON3 90.00, NIL $700,000) also feature prominently.
Wide receivers are abundant in this segment, including Cooper Barkate (senior, Mater Dei, 6-foot-1, 189 pounds, IND 94.22, ON3 92.00, NIL $1 million), DeAndre Moore Jr. (junior, St. John Bosco, 5-foot-11.5, 188 pounds, IND 93.90, ON3 91.00, NIL $1 million), Eric Singleton Jr. (junior, Alexander, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, IND 93.83, ON3 91.00, NIL $1 million), Jayce Brown (junior, Choctawatchee Academy, 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, IND 93.80, ON3 92.00, NIL $700,000), Ian Strong (junior, St. Anthony’s, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, IND 93.79, ON3 92.00, NIL $500,000), Trell Harris (senior, Nazareth Academy, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, IND 93.29, ON3 91.00, NIL $400,000), Wyatt Young (sophomore, Tompkins, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, IND 93.28, ON3 91.00), and JJ Buchanan (freshman, Coronado, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, IND 93.19, ON3 90.00).
Quarterbacks Dylan Raiola (sophomore, Buford, 6-foot-2.5, 230 pounds, IND 93.91, ON3 91.00, NIL $500,000) and Husan Longstreet (freshman, Centennial, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, IND 93.38, ON3 92.00, NIL $1 million) are also listed. Edge rushers Wendell Gregory (sophomore, Walton, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, IND 93.73, ON3 92.00, NIL $2 million) and Anto Saka (senior, Loyola Blakefield, 6-foot-1.5, 230 pounds, IND 93.72, ON3 92.00, NIL $1 million) contribute to the defensive talent. Rounding out the list are tight end Benjamin Brahmer (junior, Pierce, 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, IND 93.86, ON3 91.00, NIL $750,000), cornerback Rickey Gibson (junior, Hewitt-Trussville, 5-foot-11.5, 165 pounds, IND 93.44, ON3 90.00, NIL $750,000), and running back Raleek Brown (redshirt-junior, Mater Dei, 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, IND 93.34, ON3 92.00, NIL $1 million). Wilkin Formby, a redshirt-sophomore offensive tackle from Northridge, is 6-foot-7.5, 300 pounds, with ratings of 93.33 (IND) and 91.00 (ON3), and an $800,000 NIL.
The significant NIL valuations across the board, ranging from $400,000 to $6.5 million, underscore the evolving financial landscape of college sports. These figures reflect not only the athletic prowess but also the marketability of these young athletes. The transfer portal, coupled with NIL opportunities, has fundamentally reshaped recruitment and team building for collegiate programs nationwide.
Why it matters in Rock Hill
The release of the 2026 Football Transfer Portal rankings, particularly with the inclusion of players like Hollywood Smothers from West Charlotte, directly illustrates the competitive environment for athletic talent in the wider region surrounding Rock Hill. For institutions like Winthrop University, while not a major football program, and for the Rock Hill School District (York 3) and its high school athletic programs, these national trends have implications. The significant NIL valuations and the fluidity of the transfer portal mean that top local talent, whether from Rock Hill or nearby Charlotte, is increasingly a national commodity. This dynamic affects how local high schools develop and retain their star athletes, and how regional colleges might compete for players who could otherwise command substantial offers from larger programs. The presence of such highly-rated players in the nearby metro area highlights the rich football culture and the intense competition for athletic excellence that impacts the entire Piedmont region. The ongoing summer months are a critical period for recruitment and evaluation, and these rankings provide a snapshot of the talent that will shape collegiate football in the coming years.
