NAU's 2026 Transfer Portal Class Ranks Third Best in FCS

Northern Arizona's 2026 transfer portal class landed a third-place ranking among all FCS programs, a result the program framed as the product of an aggressive offseason push ahead of Big Sky Conference play.

The announcement characterized the incoming group as representing major roster upgrades, though the official reveal did not identify which ranking organization compiled the list, what methodology was used, or name the specific players included in the class. The source of the third-place designation remains unverified, and NAU has not publicly disclosed which positions the new additions are expected to strengthen.

The moves arrive during a period of historic transfer activity across college football. Oklahoma State logged 50 incoming transfers this offseason under new head coach Eric Morris, who came over from North Texas, the most of any FBS school. That class included running back Caleb Hawkins, who led all of FBS with 25 rushing touchdowns last season and followed Morris to Stillwater. Nationally, three starting quarterbacks followed their head coaches to new programs: Auburn added Byrum Brown from South Florida, Oklahoma State brought in Drew Mestemaker from North Texas, and Penn State landed Rocco Becht from Iowa State. Even backup quarterbacks moved in volume, with Aaron Philo joining Florida under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, AJ Hill heading to Arkansas with Ryan Silverfield, and Ethan Grunkemeyer following James Franklin to Virginia Tech.

For NAU, landing a top-three FCS portal ranking signals that the Lumberjacks are competing at the roster-building level expected of Big Sky contenders. The full picture, including who those transfers are and what they bring on the field, is the story still to be told.