---
title: "2026 Football Transfer Portal Rankings Released, Signaling Shifts for College Football and Irmo Prospects"
url: https://www.hereirmo.com/2026/08/05/2026-football-transfer-portal-rankings/
date: 2026-08-05T09:42:56+00:00
modified: 2026-08-05T09:42:56+00:00
author: "Rigo D. Johnston"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Irmo"
attribution: "HERE Irmo"
---

# 2026 Football Transfer Portal Rankings Released, Signaling Shifts for College Football and Irmo Prospects

*Source: [HERE Irmo](https://www.hereirmo.com/2026/08/05/2026-football-transfer-portal-rankings/) — August 5, 2026 by Rigo D. Johnston*

The 2026 football transfer portal rankings have been released, showcasing the top 50 enrolled players poised to reshape college football rosters. These rankings, which include detailed player profiles, positions, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) valuations, offer a comprehensive look at the talent pool attracting significant attention across the nation.

At the pinnacle of the 2026 class is an unnamed quarterback from West Linn, a redshirt sophomore standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds. This top-ranked player boasts an IND rating of 98.49 and an ON3 rating of 98.00, with an estimated NIL valuation of $4.5 million, reflecting the substantial financial stakes now involved in collegiate athletics.

Following closely at Rank 2 is wide receiver Cam Coleman from Central. Coleman, a sophomore at 6-foot-3.5 and 190 pounds, holds IND and ON3 ratings of 98.48 and 98.00 respectively, with a NIL valuation of $3 million. The offensive line is strongly represented early in the rankings, with Jacarrius Peak of Valdosta, a redshirt junior offensive tackle, securing Rank 3. Peak, at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, carries a $1 million NIL valuation. Jordan Seaton, another offensive tackle from IMG Academy, is ranked 4th, a sophomore with a $4 million NIL valuation, standing 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds.

Rounding out the top five is Princewill Umanmielen, a junior edge rusher from Manor, listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, with a NIL valuation of $1.5 million. The top ten further includes Damon Wilson II (Venice, EDGE, $2M NIL), Drew Mestemaker (Vandegrift, QB, $3.5M NIL), Lance Heard (Neville, OT, $2M NIL), Darian Mensah (St Joseph, QB, $6.5M NIL), and John Henry Daley (Lone Peak, EDGE, $2M NIL).

Notably, Darian Mensah, the redshirt sophomore quarterback from St Joseph, holds the highest reported NIL valuation in the entire top 50, commanding an impressive $6.5 million. This figure underscores the escalating financial incentives for top-tier collegiate athletes, a trend that has significantly altered the landscape of player recruitment and retention.

The rankings reveal a strong emphasis on offensive and defensive line talent, alongside quarterbacks and wide receivers. Offensive tackles like Jacarrius Peak, Jordan Seaton, Lance Heard, Melvin Siani (Wyoming Seminary Upper School, Rank 23), and Carius Curne (Marion, Rank 40) are highly sought after. Similarly, edge rushers such as Princewill Umanmielen, Damon Wilson II, John Henry Daley, Chaz Coleman (Warren G Harding, Rank 21), Jordan Ross (Vestavia Hills, Rank 29), Wendell Gregory (Walton, Rank 41), and Anto Saka (Loyola Blakefield, Rank 42) are prominent.

Quarterbacks feature prominently, with Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah, Josh Hoover (Rockwall-Heath, Rank 16, $4M NIL), Byrum Brown (Rolesville, Rank 26, $3M NIL), Dylan Raiola (Buford, Rank 34, $500K NIL), and Husan Longstreet (Centennial, Rank 44, $1M NIL) all listed. Wide receivers also make up a significant portion of the list, including Cam Coleman, Nick Marsh (River Rouge, Rank 13), Terrell Anderson (Grimsley, Rank 17), Omarion Miller (North Caddo, Rank 20), Quincy Porter (Bergen Catholic, Rank 27), Reed Harris (Great Falls, Rank 28), Cooper Barkate (Mater Dei, Rank 33), DeAndre Moore Jr. (St. John Bosco, Rank 35), Eric Singleton Jr. (Alexander, Rank 37), Jayce Brown (Choctawatchee Academy, Rank 38), Ian Strong (St. Anthony’s, Rank 39), Trell Harris (Nazareth Academy, Rank 48), Wyatt Young (Tompkins, Rank 49), and JJ Buchanan (Coronado, Rank 50).

Other positions represented include running backs Caleb Hawkins (North Rock Creek, Rank 14), Justice Haynes (Buford, Rank 19), Hollywood Smothers (West Charlotte, Rank 30), and Raleek Brown (Mater Dei, Rank 46). Linebackers Rasheem Biles (Pickerington Central, Rank 15) and Austin Romaine (Hillsboro, Rank 18) also appear, alongside safeties Koi Perich (Lincoln Secondary, Rank 12), Terry Moore (Washington, Rank 24), and Ty Benefield (Santa Margarita Catholic, Rank 25). Defensive linemen Mateen Ibirogba (Clarksburg, Rank 11), Francis Brewu (Thomas Worthington, Rank 32), and Devan Thompkins (Edison, Rank 45) are also recognized, as are cornerback Jontez Williams (Bradford, Rank 22) and Rickey Gibson (Hewitt-Trussville, Rank 43), interior offensive lineman Coleton Price (Bowie, Rank 31), and tight end Benjamin Brahmer (Pierce, Rank 36).

These rankings underscore the dynamic nature of college football, where player movement and NIL opportunities are increasingly central to team building and competitive strategy. The sheer volume of talent and the significant financial figures associated with these athletes reflect a new era in collegiate sports.

### Why it matters in Irmo

The release of the 2026 football transfer portal rankings holds significant implications for the Irmo community, particularly for its aspiring young athletes and the local high school football programs within Lexington-Richland School District Five. As college football recruitment becomes increasingly influenced by transfer portal activity and Name, Image, and Likeness valuations, high school players in Irmo are navigating a more complex path to collegiate sports. The trends observed in these national rankings, such as the high demand for specific positions and the substantial financial incentives, directly impact how local talent is evaluated and recruited. Coaches and families in Irmo are increasingly aware that a strong high school career is just one component; understanding the broader collegiate landscape, including the transfer market and NIL opportunities, is crucial for athletes hoping to play at the next level. This national shift influences the aspirations and strategies of student-athletes attending schools like those in Lexington-Richland School District Five, as they prepare for a competitive and evolving collegiate sports environment.