Five FCS Transfer Ups to keep an eye on

Jared Richardson, WR, Duke – Jared Richardson brings intriguing upside to Duke after transferring from Penn, combining reliable hands, route-running polish, and a high football IQ that made him a consistent weapon at the FCS level. He wins with tempo and body control rather than elite long speed, showing an advanced understanding of leverage and finding soft spots in coverage. Richardson tracks the ball naturally, makes contested catches through contact, and has the toughness to work the middle of the field. While he’ll face a jump in competition in the ACC, his polished skill set, dependable hands, and ability to move the chains give him a chance to carve out an immediate role as a possession receiver with the versatility to line up both outside and in the slot.

Joe Cotton, OT, Cincinnati – Joe Cotton has the tools to develop into one of the Big 12’s premier offensive tackles after transferring to Cincinnati from South Dakota. At 6-foot-7 and over 310 pounds, he possesses ideal length, natural power, and the athleticism to mirror edge rushers while remaining a dominant force in the run game. A two-year starter who allowed just one sack in 2024, Cotton plays with excellent balance, strong hands, and the nasty finish coaches covet, consistently driving defenders off the ball and finishing through the whistle. The jump from the FCS to the Big 12 will be his biggest test, but his combination of size, movement skills, and proven production gives him legitimate NFL upside as a potential multi-year starter on Cincinnati’s offensive line.

Josh Derry, WR, UCF – Josh Derry gives UCF an explosive playmaker with proven production after starring at Monmouth as an FCS All-American. Though undersized, Derry is a dynamic receiver who wins with elite acceleration, sharp route-running, and the ability to create separation at all three levels of the field. He has natural hands, outstanding body control, and the speed to turn routine catches into explosive gains, finishing his final season with over 1,100 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Derry’s quickness and versatility make him a threat both outside and in the slot, and if his production translates to the Big 12, he has the skill set to emerge as one of UCF’s most dangerous offensive weapons and a legitimate NFL prospect. 

Kyeaure Magloire, DB, Arkansas – Kyeaure Magloire gives Arkansas a long, physical defensive back with the size and ball skills to thrive in the SEC after transferring from West Georgia. At 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds, he uses his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage and consistently contests throws at the catch point. Magloire is a fluid athlete with good instincts in zone coverage, showing the range to make plays on the football while also bringing a physical edge as a tackler in run support. After producing 42 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups at West Georgia, he enters Fayetteville with the traits and versatility to compete for snaps at multiple spots in the secondary while offering legitimate NFL measurables if his game continues to develop against SEC competition.

Kadin Lynch, OL, Utah State – Kadin Lynch gives Utah State a fundamentally sound, battle-tested offensive lineman who should make an immediate impact after transferring from William & Mary. A powerful interior blocker with excellent leverage, heavy hands, and a relentless finishing mentality, Lynch developed into one of the FCS’s top offensive linemen, earning All-CAA honors while helping anchor one of the nation’s better rushing attacks. He plays with outstanding balance and awareness in pass protection, rarely getting out of position, and consistently creates movement in the run game with his lower-body strength and physical style. While the jump to the Mountain West presents a new challenge, Lynch’s toughness, experience, and technically refined game make him a plug-and-play starter with legitimate professional upside if his play continues to trend upward.