Why Cam Coleman could be the next transfer portal superstar at Texas

Why Cam Coleman could be the next transfer portal superstar at Texas originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Over the past few seasons, the NCAA transfer portal has done far more than help programs patch roster holes. It has produced transformational stars — players who changed trajectories, reshaped national title races, and vaulted themselves toward the NFL.

From Heisman Trophy winners to quarterbacks who led teams to the national championship game, the sport’s most impactful transfers have often defined entire seasons.

As the 2026 cycle begins, Cam Coleman’s move to Texas has sparked a familiar question: Is he next? Recent history suggests that idea isn’t far-fetched.

The blueprint: transfers who changed programs

The modern standard for a “top transfer” began in 2022, when Caleb Williams left Oklahoma for USC Trojans. His arrival instantly lifted the Trojans back into the national spotlight and ended with a Heisman Trophy. Williams proved the portal could deliver not just talent, but a program-altering star.

In 2023, that trend continued with Travis Hunter transferring to Colorado. A rare two-way player, Hunter became the face of the program almost immediately, accelerating Colorado’s rebuild and emerging as a national Heisman contender.

The pattern expanded in 2024 when Caleb Downs moved to Ohio State Buckeyes. Downs didn’t just fit into the Buckeyes’ defense — he became its leader, winning the Thorpe Award and anchoring one of the nation’s best secondaries. His success showed elite defensive players can be just as valuable as quarterbacks in the portal era.

Then came 2025. Carson Beck arrived at Miami Hurricanes and provided the steady quarterback play the program had lacked. The result was a run all the way to the national championship game, cementing Beck as one of the most impactful transfers of the era. Also, Fernando Mendoza picking up a Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a historic season. 

Why Cam Coleman fits the pattern

Now, the spotlight turns to Cam Coleman at Texas Longhorns.

Coleman checks the same boxes as the transfer stars before him: elite talent, immediate opportunity, and a roster built to compete for championships. Texas isn’t asking Coleman to wait or develop slowly — the expectation is instant production. He's paired with one of the best returning quarterbacks in Arch Manning.  

What makes the comparison compelling is how familiar it feels. Like Williams and Beck, Coleman joins an offense designed to showcase playmakers. Like Hunter and Downs, his impact could extend beyond the box score, forcing defenses to adjust simply because of his presence.

A chance to join an exclusive group

Being labeled the top transfer of the year isn’t about hype alone — it’s about results. The players who set the standard didn’t just meet expectations; they elevated their programs.

If Coleman delivers in Austin, he won’t be remembered as just another talented portal addition. He’ll stand as the latest proof that the transfer portal continues to shape college football — and that one player, in the right situation, can still change everything.

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