Gunner Stockton is one of five starting quarterbacks in the CFP who was signed out of high school by his current team. Dale Zanine / Imagn Images
Long gone are the days when programs signed roughly 25 high school recruits per year and maybe a couple of junior college transfers. Although high-level high school recruiting still typically predicts the national champion, this year's College Football Playoff field shows diverse manners of roster construction.
Some teams are built largely like champions of a decade ago, while others have heavily leveraged the transfer portal to fill gaps and/or raise their overall talent level. Let's break down how each of the 12 Playoff teams built their rosters.
Note: Average recruiting rankings and team talent composite ranks are via the 247Sports Composite.
The Hoosiers are a transfer-heavy group, with 16 of the 23 players who have started at least half the team's games coming from the portal.
How they got their QB: Just as they did a year ago when signing Kurtis Rourke, the Hoosiers hit the jackpot in the quarterback transfer market, landing Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza, a former two-star recruit who was a two-year starter for the Bears. For Indiana, Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy. Can't do better than that.
Biggest impact transfers: The effect of the transfers who followed coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison can't be understated. Receiver Elijah Sarratt, edge rusher Mikail Kamara, defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds all came from JMU. Four are All-Big Ten picks and three are All-Americans.
Recruiting wins: There are only two four-star recruits on this roster who Indiana signed out of high school: receiver Omar Cooper and defensive back Byron Baldwin. Cooper, ranked No. 299 in the 2022 class out of Lawrence North High in Indianapolis, made the catch of the year to beat Penn State and leads the team in receiving. The best recruiting find was left tackle Carter Smith, a three-star in the 2022 class (ranked 730th), who is a three-year starter and a 2025 All-American
When coaches and general managers say they want to build their roster mostly through recruiting, then supplement it by filling needs in the portal, this is what it looks like. Fifteen of the Buckeyes' starters are players signed out of high school, and eight are transfers.
How they got their QB: Sayin originally signed with Alabama, but he hit the portal when Nick Saban retired in January 2024, and ended up at Ohio State. He redshirted last year behind Will Howard and took the reins this season.
Biggest impact transfers: Safety Caleb Downs, a future first-round NFL Draft pick, does just about anything and everything in the secondary. He arrived from Alabama after the 2023 season. Cornerback Davison Igbinosun has been a mainstay at corner for the Buckeyes since arriving from Ole Miss in 2023, and tight end Max Klare, who transferred from Purdue this offseason, is the team's third-leading pass catcher.
Recruiting wins: Too many to list, which is to be expected for a consistent top-five recruiting outfit. Landing Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, has been the most impactful of the Buckeyes' conquests. But he's one of 10 five-stars they recruited out of high school, and there are dozens of four-stars joining them.
If you're looking for a squad built the old-fashioned way, the Bulldogs are for you. Of the 26 players who have started at least five games this season, 22 signed with Georgia out of high school.
How they got their QB: Gunner Stockton was an in-state four-star recruit, ranked 124th nationally, whom Georgia signed in its 2022 class. He waited his turn behind Carson Beck and stepped into the QB1 role when Beck transferred to Miami.
Biggest impact transfers: Receiver is where Georgia has utilized the portal the most. Four of Georgia's top five receiving yardage leaders are transfers. Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) came in this offseason, while London Humphreys (Vanderbilt) and Colbie Young (Miami) arrived in 2024.
Recruiting wins: Like Ohio State, this list is exhaustive, with a roster that includes seven former five-stars and 53 former four-stars. But there are some quality former three-stars, too, like linebacker Quintavius Johnson, center Drew Bobo and receiver Dillon Bell.
A modern team for modern times. The Red Raiders went heavy in the portal, particularly along the lines of scrimmage, where they spent considerable resources on defensive and offensive linemen. It paid off big time with their first Big 12 championship.
How they got their QB: Behren Morton, Tech's highest-ranked QB signee in the modern recruiting era, predates the Joey McGuire era. The former four-star prospect from Eastland, Texas, was signed by Matt Wells' staff in 2021. Even though Tyler Shough was around, Morton played plenty in 2022 and 2023 before taking the reins fully in 2024.
Biggest impact transfers: The defensive linemen who arrived this offseason -- David Bailey (Stanford), Romello Height (Georgia Tech), Lee Hunter (UCF) and A.J. Holmes (Houston) -- fundamentally changed this team. But transfers have impacted many other parts of this roster, including offensive line, receiver, tight end, the secondary and linebacker, where Jacob Rodriguez, a consensus All-American, transferred in as a converted walk-on quarterback in 2022.
Recruiting wins: Aside from Morton, there are multiple homegrown starters. Both running backs (J'Koby Williams and Cam Dickey) were three-star recruits, as was receiver Coy Eakin. Two offensive line starters (Jacob Ponton and Sheridan Wilson), two linebackers (John Curry and Ben Roberts) and safety Brenden Jordan were all signed by Tech -- and all of those players are from Texas high schools.
The well-funded Ducks have become a model of modern roster construction. Oregon recruits at a high level and strategically dips into the portal, with a high hit rate.
How they got their QB: Technically, Dante Moore is a transfer from UCLA, but the Ducks recruited him and nearly signed him in their 2023 class. He flipped his commitment just before the early signing period after then-Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham departed to take the Arizona State head coaching job. But after a year with the Bruins, Moore ended up in Eugene after all, transferring before the 2024 season and thriving as the starter this year.
Biggest impact transfers: Three of Oregon's five starting offensive linemen -- Emmanuel Pregnon (USC), Isaiah World (Nevada) and Alex Harkey (Texas State) -- are transfers. Safety Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) joins Pregnon as an All-American for his 2025 performance. Well-traveled defensive lineman Bear Alexander (USC) has been a quality addition to the defensive front.
Recruiting wins: All but one member of Oregon's front seven were signed out of high school, headlined by former five-star Matayo Uiagalelei and former four-star A'Mauri Washington. Five-star freshman Dakorien Moore has made an immediate impact on offense and special teams, and former four-star tight end Kenyon Sadiq is one of the nation's best at his position and a future draft pick. Oregon's leading tackler, Bryce Boettcher, started his career as a walk-on and won the Burlsworth Trophy last season.
Former coach Lane Kiffin dubbed himself the "Portal King," and evidence of that philosophy is up and down the roster. The Rebels have the largest percentage of starts from transfers of any team in the field.
How they got their QB: Trinidad Chambliss, transferred from Division II national champion Ferris State, originally to be a backup to Austin Simmons, Ole Miss' 2023 high school signee. But when Simmons was banged up early this season, Chambliss took over and never relinquished the job.
Biggest impact transfers: Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, four of the Rebels' five leading pass catchers, three starting offensive linemen and the entire starting secondary came from the portal.
Recruiting wins: Suntarine Perkins, a Class of 2023 five-star recruit, is a versatile, valuable part of the defense. Defensive linemen Will Echoles and Zxavian Harris, a pair of former four-stars, have combined for 15.5 tackles for loss this year.
How they got their QB: Marcel Reed was a 2023 signee under former coach Jimbo Fisher, a late take just before the early signing period, months after former A&M commit Eli Holstein had flipped to Alabama. Reed was fourth on the 2023 depth chart, began 2024 as the backup to Conner Weigman, but took over as the starter late in the season and entered 2025 as QB1.
Biggest impact transfers: A handful of transfers have helped elevate the Aggies from good to elite. KC Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State) arrived this offseason to supercharge a passing game that needed explosive receivers. Cashius Howell, a 2024 portal pickup from Bowling Green, went from a productive rotational pass rusher to one of the top edges in the country as the full-time starter this year. And Armaj' Reed-Adams has been a mainstay on the offensive line in his two seasons since arriving from Kansas.
Recruiting wins: Although A&M's 2022 class ranked No. 1, only six players from that group are still on the roster. But running back Le'Veon Moss, center Mark Nabou and tight end Theo Melin-Ohrstrom all play key roles. Taurean York, a late three-star take in the 2023 class, was one of the best finds. He has started 38 games in three years
Percentage of starts from recruits: 68
Percentage of starts from transfers: 32
Average recruiting rank 2022-25: 9.5
Team talent composite rank: 14
The Sooners are another team that seems to hit the sweet spot: mostly built through recruits with some high-impact transfers.
How they got their QB: John Mateer had a breakout 2024 season at Washington State, and the Sooners landed him in the portal shortly after hiring his Wazzu offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to the same gig in Norman.
Biggest impact transfers: Isaiah Sategna (Arkansas) and Deion Burks (Purdue) are the team's two leading receivers. Three imports start on the O-line, led by Febechi Nwaiwu, a 2024 transfer from North Texas who earned All-America honors from The Athletic. Two defensive line starters, Marvin Jones Jr. (Florida State) and Damonic Williams (TCU), and starting linebacker Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma State) are also transfers.
Recruiting wins: A good chunk of Brent Venables' defense is built through recruiting. The team's top 10 leaders in sacks are all former high school signees, led by former four-star R Mason Thomas. Nine of the top 10 in tackles for loss are also recruits. On offense, 2025 five-star Michael Fasusi quickly moved into the starting lineup.
Retention is the name of the game with this team. While there are some impact transfers, most of them arrived before 2025, and the Crimson Tide focused heavily on keeping what they had.
How they got their QB: Ty Simpson's path to QB1 is a bit of a throwback tale. He committed to Alabama in February of his junior high school year, stayed committed, signed in December and waited his turn for three seasons -- even amid Nick Saban's retirement and Kalen DeBoer's arrival -- until becoming the starter this year.
Biggest impact transfers: The passing game is where they're most present, via receivers Germie Bernard (Washington), Isaiah Horton (Miami) and tight end Josh Cuevas (Washington). There are also three O-line transfer starters, led by Parker Brailsford (Washington), and a handful sprinkled throughout the defense, like defensive backs Keon Sabb (Michigan) and Domani Jackson (USC), linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and defensive lineman LT Overton (Texas A&M).
Recruiting wins: There are many, including a lot of holdovers from the Saban era but also some signed by DeBoer. Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, an All-American, signed with Saban, but DeBoer was able to get him back after a brief detour to Iowa. Five-star receiver Ryan Williams had a terrific freshman year and, though not as strong as a sophomore campaign, is still productive. Interception leader Bray Hubbard (2023 signee) and five of the front seven starters were Saban-era signees. Receiver Lotzeir Brooks is one of many promising true freshmen signed in DeBoer's 2025 class.
Miami is as close to a 50/50 split that we have in the CFP field as far as distribution of starts between transfers and recruits. And, like, Oregon, the well-funded Canes are hitting at a high rate in both areas.
How they got their QB: After having great success with transfer Cam Ward a year prior, Miami brought in Carson Beck from Georgia for his final year of eligibility. Though Beck is not quite as dynamic as his predecessor, it has worked out well for both parties.
Biggest impact transfers: In addition to Beck, edge rusher Akheem Mesidor (West Virginia), linebacker Mohamed Toure (Rutgers) and center James Brockermeyer (TCU) have all played critical roles. Also, most of the Canes' starters in the secondary are transfers.
Recruiting wins: Several of the Canes' best players were signed out of high school. Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, a future first-round pick, was a five-star signee in the 2023 class. Edge rusher Rueben Bain, also a 2023 recruit, was a four-star and top-100 recruit. And fantastic freshman Malachi Toney was a low four-star, ranked 359th nationally.
Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said Wednesday that he had to go heavy on transfers this offseason because "we had five returning starters on this year's team. I lost everybody to the portal, it felt like." That is life for Group of 5 programs in the revenue-sharing era.
How they got their QB: Tulane's 2024 QB, Darian Mensah, transferred to Duke, and Sumrall hammered the portal for replacements, picking up five potential successors over the course of the offseason. It was the last one -- Jake Retzlaff, a former BYU starter who withdrew there amid a potential suspension and arrived in July -- who won the job.
Biggest impact transfers: They're all over the field, from Retzlaff to the team's two top receivers (Shazz Preston and Anthony Brown-Stephens) and three top tight ends, three starting O-linemen and most of the defensive front, led by Appalachian State transfer Santana Hopper, who was a first-team all-conference pick and is expected to enter the portal again. Harvey Dyson, a Texas Tech transfer, leads the team in tackles for loss.
Recruiting wins: Starting left guard Shadre Hurst, a first-team all-conference pick, was an unranked 2022 signee from the Willie Fritz regime. Sumrall signed Reese Baker, a former three-star, who has started at right tackle this season as a true freshman. Defensive back Jahiem Johnson, a three-star signee who was ranked No. 1,161 in the Class of 2023, leads the team in interceptions.
The Dukes have been in the FBS for only a short time but have had great success thanks to their talent evaluation. Even though many of their key players have moved to Power 4 schools in recent years (including several who followed Cignetti to Indiana), this is still a team largely built through recruiting. They've continued that under Bob Chesney, who also added some quality transfers.
How they got their QB: Alonza Barnett, the Sun Belt Player of the Year, signed with the Dukes in the 2022 class under Cignetti. Barnett moved into the starting role in 2024 and has started 25 of their last 26 games.
Biggest impact transfers: JMU went heavy in the portal at receiver and defensive line. Their top four receivers are transfers, and three of them -- Landon Ellis (Richmond), Nick DeGennaro (Richmond) and Jaylan Sanchez (Villanova) -- are from the FCS ranks. Five of the top seven D-linemen in snaps this season are from the portal, led by Notre Dame transfer Aiden Gobaira and Maine transfer Xavier Holmes, who each have 7.5 tackles for loss
Recruiting wins: The majority of JMU recruits who are playing key roles on this team were unranked players signed by Cignetti, including Barnett, leading rusher Wayne Knight (2022 class), three O-line starters, cornerback and interception leader Justin Eaglin (2022) and linebacker and tackle leader Trent Hendrick (2022). Defensive lineman Sahir West, the team's leader in sacks and tackles for loss, is a 2024 Chesney signee who was also unranked.