A late switch from receiver to cornerback changed everything for Tariq Woolen, turning a lightly recruited G5 athlete into a Pro Bowl defender and Super Bowl starter.

UTEP enters Year 3 under Scotty Walden with nearly 20 portal additions and a long-awaited move to the Mountain West, banking on experience and depth to finally spark a breakout in El Paso.

Sam Houston’s 2026 transfer class blends proven FCS production with Power Four upside as Phil Longo looks to reshape the Bearkats after a 2–10 season.

G.J. Kinne leans on portal savvy again, adding Power Four depth and high-upside defenders as Texas State gears up for a fast start in its Pac-12 era.

These Texans felt right at home in Frisco this past week. 

Rice leaned heavily on the portal this offseason, signing 21 transfers to address major needs at quarterback and in the secondary as Scott Abell looks to push the Owls toward AAC relevance in 2026.