The transfer portal is typically a good place to find talented players in the secondary. This year was no different, as a deep class at corner, safety and nickel entered the portal.<\/p>\n
As we wrap up our transfer portal position rankings, let\u2019s look at the top 20 defensive backs who moved this offseason. The ranking is based on abilities, resumes and the impact they could make with their new teams in 2026.<\/p>\n
Check out the rankings for\u00a0QBs<\/a>,\u00a0RBs,<\/a>\u00a0WRs,<\/a>\u00a0TEs,<\/a>\u00a0OL,<\/a>\u00a0DL<\/a>\u00a0and LBs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Note: Snap counts, yards per reception allowed, forced incompletion rates, opposing reception rates and opposing passer rating stats are from Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n 1. Koi Perich, Minnesota \u2192 Oregon<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-1\/200 What you should know:<\/strong> For the second consecutive year, Oregon landed an All-Big Ten safety in the portal. Last year, it was Dillon Thieneman from Purdue; this year, it\u2019s Perich. He\u2019s a versatile talent<\/a> who was twice an all-conference safety, but he also returned kicks and punts and played receiver. His sophomore season wasn\u2019t quite as flashy as his freshman year when he hauled in five interceptions, but he\u2019s a terrific athlete with speed, range and physicality as a tackler. Thieneman excelled in his lone year at Oregon and became a first-round pick. It wouldn\u2019t be a shock if Perich were able to do the same.<\/p>\n KOI PERICH IS UNSTOPPABLE \ud83d\udca5 @GopherFootball<\/a> <\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: BTN pic.twitter.com\/szyrO6FvBY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 2. Earl Little Jr., Florida State \u2192 Ohio State<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/198 What you should know:<\/strong> Little, a second-team All-ACC pick, led the Seminoles in tackles and interceptions and checks a lot of boxes. He\u2019s aggressive and physical in run support, but he\u2019s also comfortable in coverage and displays good ball skills. His acumen typically has him in the right place at the right time. His combination of instincts and physical traits should make him a natural fit for Matt Patricia\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n 3. Jontez Williams, Iowa State \u2192 USC<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-10\/195 What you should know:<\/strong> Williams, a 2024 second-team All-Big 12 pick at cornerback, was limited to just five games last season after he tore an ACL in September. He has plenty of experience: 32 games (19 starts) and 1,321 career snaps. Williams was limited in the spring as he recovered from the injury, but there\u2019s optimism about his impact once he\u2019s cleared for a full return. \u201cHe\u2019s the best,\u201d USC cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed said in February. \u201cOnce he gets through what he\u2019s going through, we\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n 4. Smith Snowden, Utah \u2192 Michigan<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-10\/185 What you should know:<\/strong> Snowden, a 2025 second-team All-Big 12 pick, is a versatile athlete who played multiple roles for the Utes. As a corner, he spent significant time out wide and in the slot. He also played snaps on offense at receiver, where he caught 13 passes and ran the ball eight times. But he did his best work in the secondary, where his 43.9 percent allowed reception rate was the best in the Big 12 among corners with at least 300 coverage snaps last season.<\/p>\n 5. Omar Thornton, Boston College \u2192 Miami<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-11\/201 What you should know:<\/strong> Thornton catches the eye quickly with his speed. The honorable mention All-ACC pick is instinctual, gets to his spot in a hurry and packs a punch when he gets to the ball carrier. Asked by reporters last month to describe his play style, Thornton said, \u201cReal aggressive. You hit people. People don\u2019t like to be hit, so keep hitting over and over and over again. Sometimes, they\u2019ll quit.\u201d Thornton can play both safety spots and nickel and should be an asset wherever he lines up in Corey Hetherman\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n 6. Ty Benefield, Boise State \u2192 LSU<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-3\/208 What you should know:<\/strong> Benefield is a solid all-around safety and was the most experienced defensive back to transfer to a Power 4 program this offseason, with 2,772 career snaps across 41 games (33 starts). The 2025 first-team All-Mountain West pick has good size, is a willing tackler and active in run support, and he is a capable cover man. At LSU, he figures to slide into a role similar to the one A.J. Haulcy played last season, and he went on to be a third-round pick in the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n 7. Jay Crawford, Auburn \u2192 Ole Miss<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/180 What you should know:<\/strong> Crawford was an immediate impact corner for the Tigers after signing in 2024, starting eight games as a true freshman and earning SEC All-Freshman honors. He played in 11 games in 2025, starting 10, and has compiled nearly 1,200 snaps in his short career. Opposing quarterbacks don\u2019t test him often: Last season, he saw only 33 targets to receivers he covered, tied for fifth-fewest among Power 4 cornerbacks who played at least 300 coverage snaps. He should help elevate the Ole Miss secondary.<\/p>\n 8. Edwin Joseph, Florida State \u2192 Ole Miss<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/195 What you should know:<\/strong> Joseph, who primarily played nickel for the Seminoles, fit the role like a glove. He showed a knack for getting to the football, both when playing near the line of scrimmage and in coverage. He has good range and burst, plus he\u2019s physical and attacks the football well. Joseph was recovering from an injury during the spring, but Ole Miss coach Pete Golding likes what Joseph can bring when he\u2019s healthy. \u201cHe\u2019s got the ability to play man-to-man, has range, has top-end speed,\u201d Golding told reporters last month. \u201cLove his versatility and athletic ability.\u201d<\/p>\n 9. Rickey Gibson III, Tennessee \u2192 Texas A&M<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/185 What you should know:<\/strong> Gibson was gearing up for a big 2025 but suffered an upper-body injury in the first half of the Vols\u2019 season-opening win over Syracuse and missed the rest of the season. In 2024, he was among the top SEC corners in fewest yards per reception allowed and forced incompletion percentage. The Aggies wanted a corner with SEC experience to fill the void left by Will Lee III, and Gibson, who has 26 games and 14 starts under his belt, brings that.<\/p>\n 10. DJ McKinney, Colorado \u2192 Notre Dame<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-2\/180 What you should know:<\/strong> McKinney certainly looks the part. His height, length, athleticism and cover skills caught the eyes of NFL scouts, and he was considered a potential early-round 2026 NFL Draft prospect coming into the 2025 season. He missed the final three games of the year with an injury and opted to return and transfer to Notre Dame, where he joins a talented secondary that already has a future first-round pick in Leonard Moore at the other corner. McKinney brings a ton of experience (40 games, 23 starts, 2,368 snaps), and has a chance to thrive in South Bend.<\/p>\n 11. Bo Mascoe, Rutgers \u2192 Texas<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-11\/190 What you should know:<\/strong> Mascoe, a 2025 honorable mention All-Big Ten pick, gives Texas an experienced corner to help replace the departed Malik Muhammad. In his last two seasons at Rutgers, Mascoe played nearly 1,400 combined snaps in 25 games (16 starts). He has good cover skills, particularly in man coverage, is solid in press coverage and is a willing tackler. At Texas, he reunites with cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey, who recruited him and coached him at Rutgers in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n Bo Mascoe knows INT’s. \ud83d\ude24 #B1GFootball<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VOlkhUjmWc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 12. Terry Moore, Duke \u2192 Ohio State<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/200 What you should know:<\/strong> Moore was a second-team All-ACC pick in 2024 but suffered a torn ACL in the Gator Bowl at the end of that season and subsequently missed last year. In 2024, he stuffed the stat sheet with 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six pass breakups, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. The good news for the Buckeyes: Moore practiced without restrictions this spring. If he can return to or even improve on his previous form, it would be a boon for the Buckeyes.<\/p>\n 13. Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State \u2192 Penn State<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-0\/184 What you should know:<\/strong> Cooper brings a wealth of experience, starting 36 games over four seasons at Iowa State, but he played in only four games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Cooper offers positional flexibility \u2014 he played both safety and cornerback with the Cyclones, but spent most of the time in 2025 at corner. He played well when he was healthy, recording the second-lowest opposing reception rate among Big 12 corners with at least 100 coverage snaps.<\/p>\n 14. Jaquez White, Troy \u2192 Virginia Tech<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-11\/190 What you should know:<\/strong> White was one of the most active defensive backs in the country last season, playing the third-most snaps (879) among FBS cornerbacks in 2025. The second-team All-Sun Belt selection was plenty effective, too, with the conference\u2019s second-highest forced incompletion percentage among corners who played at least 300 coverage snaps. White earned positive buzz throughout spring practice but suffered an injury during the spring game. As long as he\u2019s at full strength when the season begins, he should make a significant impact on the Hokies\u2019 secondary.<\/p>\n 15. Kyon Loud, Montana \u2192 Duke<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-2\/175 What you should know:<\/strong> Loud started on the Grizzlies\u2019 FCS semifinal squad, though injuries interrupted his 2025 season. He started the first four games of the year before he was sidelined, but returned for the second round of the postseason and finished out the year. Tall and long, Loud had one of the lowest opposing reception rates (32.3 percent) among FCS corners. Duke prioritized him in the portal and expects him to play a major role in 2026.<\/p>\n 16. Randon Fontenette, Vanderbilt \u2192 Colorado<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-2\/220 What you should know:<\/strong> Fontenette brings production and experience to the Buffaloes. He lined up at the star (hybrid safety\/linebacker at the nickel) position and combined for 125 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 14 PBUs and one interception in two seasons as an SEC starter. He returns to the Big 12, where he started his career at TCU, with more than 1,900 snaps to his name and an attractive package of speed, athleticism and physicality.<\/p>\n 17. Boo Carter, Tennessee \u2192 Colorado<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 5-11\/200 What you should know:<\/strong> There\u2019s no denying Carter\u2019s talent. The former four-star recruit earned SEC All-Freshman status in 2024 and was a preseason all-conference pick heading into last season. But Carter had a bumpy 2025, reportedly missing numerous team workouts and activities<\/a> and playing fewer snaps as a result, before the team eventually dismissed him in November. If he can be steadier on and off the field, Colorado should see a significant impact from the nickelback, who is fast and physical. \u201cHe\u2019s probably going to be one of the most talented guys I\u2019ve ever coached besides Travis (Hunter),\u201d Colorado defensive passing game coordinator Kevin Mathis told reporters this spring. \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt about the talent being there. There\u2019s no doubt about his knowledge of the football game. We\u2019ve just got to get him to being consistent on every play.\u201d<\/p>\n 18. Jalen Mayo, Stephen F. Austin \u2192 Houston<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-2\/190 What you should know:<\/strong> Mayo played opposite cornerback Charles Demmings, a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Mayo may be next up. He has good height and length, is strong in coverage and has solid ball skills. He was a first-team all-conference pick and is reuniting with his position coach from 2025, Marcus Trice, who now coaches corners at Houston. A rival Big 12 staffer ranked Mayo among his favorite players in the portal. \u201cI like him a lot,\u201d the staffer said<\/a>. \u201cHe should go in there and be a starter.\u201d<\/p>\n 19. Marcus Neal Jr., Iowa State \u2192 Penn State<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-1\/218 What you should know:<\/strong> Neal was an active defender in the box for Iowa State, where he earned third-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. Attacking the line of scrimmage, either in run support or as a pass rusher, is where Neal is at his best. He has good speed and burst, and he\u2019s a strong tackler, but he has room to improve as a cover man.<\/p>\n 20. Justin Eaglin, James Madison \u2192 Colorado<\/p>\n Height\/weight:<\/strong> 6-1\/175 What you should know:<\/strong> Eaglin, a second-team All-Sun Belt pick, finished tied for second in the league in interceptions and had the second-lowest reception rate against among corners with at least 300 coverage snaps. He\u2019ll bring that production, speed and experience (26 games, 14 starts, 1,103 snaps) to a revamped Colorado secondary.<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 82 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 1 INT, 1 FF<\/p>\n\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 76 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 PBU, 4 INT, 2 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 15 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 37 tackles, 2 TFL, 9 PBU, 2 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 82 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 INT, 4 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 107 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 PBU, 2 INT, 1 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 PBU, 1 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 37 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 3 INT, 1 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 1 tackle<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 35 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 PBU, 1 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 53 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 PBU, 1 INT, 2 FF<\/p>\n\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 67 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 11 PBU, 3 INT<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 3
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 25 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 PBU<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 52 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 6 PBU, 1 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 25 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 PBU, 3 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 48 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 9 PBU, 4 INT, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 2
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 77 tackles, 11 TFL, 1 sack, 3 PBU, 2 INT, 1 FF<\/p>\n
Years remaining:<\/strong> 1
Key 2025 stats:<\/strong> 35 tackles, 8 PBU, 5 INT, 1 blocked kick<\/p>\n