Diamonds in the Dirt: The Top 100 ‘Under-the-Radar’ Transfers Changing the Power Four in 2026
Before we dive in: Whether you're chasing Division I dreams or building a foundation for the next level, Boardwalk Beasts Football Club is where those journeys start. Our showcases and development programs are designed to get you the eyes you deserve, no matter where you're starting from.
The 247Sports "Under-the-Radar" Top 100 list just dropped, and if you love a good underdog story, buckle up. This isn't your typical blue-chip recruiting cycle recap. This is about the guys who were grinding at Illinois State, Yale, and Minnesota Duluth while the five-stars were getting all the attention. These are the transfers who didn't have ESPN broadcasting their high school games, but they've got the tape, the traits, and now, the opportunity.
And the Power Four programs? They're not just looking anymore. They're raiding the FCS and Division II ranks like it's a clearance sale at a designer outlet. Because in 2026, over 3,000 players hit the portal, and if you're not digging deeper than the obvious names, you're getting left behind.
Let's break down the diamonds in the dirt that are about to flip rosters upside down.
The Big Boys Are Shopping at Small Schools
The 2026 transfer cycle has been chaos. Sam Leavitt to LSU. Cam Coleman to Texas. Those headlines dominated the winter. But while everyone was refreshing Twitter for the next five-star portal announcement, savvy front offices were making calls to Montana, Southern Utah, and Saginaw Valley State.
Why? Because veteran production beats potential in the portal era. A fifth-year senior who dominated the FCS Championship game is more valuable than a freshman with a four-star ranking who's never seen live bullets. Especially when you need someone ready for spring ball next month.
Here's the thing: these guys aren't projects. They're game-tested, battle-worn, and hungry to prove they belong on the biggest stage.
Meet the Guys Everyone Slept On
Jake Anderson (DL) → Wisconsin
Let's start with the mountain of a man heading to Madison. Jake Anderson is 6'5", 295 pounds of "I dare you to run my gap." He just played in the FCS title game for Illinois State with 41 career starts under his belt. That's more experience than half the roster at Wisconsin.
The Badgers are getting a Day 1 contributor who's been lining up against double teams for three years. While other programs are trying to develop redshirt freshmen, Wisconsin is plugging in a guy who already knows what it takes to dominate at the line of scrimmage.
Michael Bennett (OT) → Oregon
An All-Ivy League tackle from Yale heading to Eugene? That's not a combination you see every day. But Dan Lanning and Oregon beat out Texas, yeah, the same Texas that's building a roster like they're playing College Football 25: for Bennett's commitment.
Oregon needed depth on the offensive line, and they went after a guy who can match the physicality of the Big Ten. Bennett's technically sound, nasty in pass protection, and brings an Ivy League GPA to the locker room. That's the kind of versatile win that doesn't show up on ESPN highlights but changes a season when your starting tackle goes down in Week 8.
Luke Dehnicke (TE) → Northwestern
Here's your sleeper pick of the entire cycle. Luke Dehnicke caught 61 passes for 1,119 yards at Minnesota Duluth: a Division II school. Let that sink in. Over 1,100 yards at 6'4", 240 pounds. Some scouts are already whispering "potential All-American."
Northwestern is getting a tight end who can stretch the seam, block in the run game, and has two years of eligibility left. While other programs are recruiting high school kids who might need three years to develop, the Wildcats just landed a proven weapon who can produce in Year 1.
Devin McCuin (WR) → Ohio State
Ohio State lost a ton of receiving talent to the NFL and the portal this offseason. So what did they do? They went to UTSA and grabbed Devin McCuin, a veteran with 152 career catches and the kind of route-running polish that only comes from playing meaningful snaps.
Columbus needed someone who could step in immediately and be a third or fourth option in a loaded offensive system. McCuin isn't the flashiest name, but he's reliable, experienced, and knows how to get open when the lights are brightest. That's what wins Big Ten championships.
Drew Mestemaker (QB) → Oklahoma State
The nation's leading passer in 2025: at North Texas: is now headed to Stillwater. Drew Mestemaker threw for more yards than anyone in college football last year, and Oklahoma State is betting he can replicate that magic in the Big 12.
This is the kind of move that flies under the radar until Week 3 when Mestemaker is carving up defenses and everyone's asking, "Where did this guy come from?" The answer: the tape. Always trust the tape.
Why This Matters (And Why It Should Matter to You)
These under-the-radar transfers are proof that the pathway to the top isn't linear. It doesn't matter if you started at a Power Four school, an FCS program, or a Division II powerhouse. If you've got the traits, the production, and the hunger, someone's going to find you.
Programs like Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Oregon aren't just filling roster spots. They're targeting guys who've been battle-tested in ways five-star freshmen haven't. They've played in conference championships. They've been the best player on their team for multiple seasons. They've learned how to dominate against players who are also fighting for the next level.
That's the advantage. That's the edge.
And for every Jake Anderson or Luke Dehnicke making the jump from a smaller program to the Power Four, there are dozens of others still grinding, waiting for their shot.
The Boardwalk Beasts Connection
This is exactly why we do what we do at Boardwalk Beasts Football Club.
We run showcases, development programs, and recruiting services specifically designed to get under-the-radar guys the exposure they deserve. Because the reality is this: if you're a talented player at a small school or in a region that doesn't get scouted heavily, you need someone in your corner putting your film in front of the right eyes.
The transfer portal has democratized college football recruiting in a way we've never seen before. Guys who would've been buried on a depth chart five years ago are now getting life-changing opportunities because someone saw their tape and said, "That kid can play."
That's the mission. That's the work.
Whether you're a freshman just starting your journey or a veteran looking for the next opportunity, the key is development + exposure. You can't control where you start, but you can control how hard you work and how visible you make yourself to the programs that matter.
The Takeaway
The 247Sports Under-the-Radar Top 100 list isn't just a fun off-season read. It's a roadmap. It shows you that the college football landscape has fundamentally changed. Teams are willing to take chances on guys who've proven it at different levels. They're prioritizing production, experience, and fit over star rankings and hype.
For every five-star transfer making headlines, there's a Luke Dehnicke or a Drew Mestemaker quietly changing the trajectory of a program. These are the guys who show up on Saturdays in the fall and make everyone wonder, "How did we miss him?"
The answer? You didn't miss him. You just weren't looking in the right places.
Ready to be the next diamond in the dirt? Boardwalk Beasts Football Club is built for players who are serious about getting to the next level. From skill development camps to QB/WR Elite Series training, we're putting in the work to make sure you're ready when your opportunity comes. Check out our full schedule and let's get to work. 🏈🔥
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