With a number of programs going into holiday season bowl games, it’s an opportunity for many to display their talents on the national stage in hopes of trading up into the NCAA Transfer Portal days after the game. Let’s take a look at who could lose a number of players over the next few weeks.
Hawaii Bowl — Cal vs Hawaii
With Tosh Lupoi ready to take over at Berkley, it’ll be interesting to see who stays and goes. The Cal Bears had the best player in CFB in 2025 in 2024, Indiana’s Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza.
GameAbove Bowl — Northwestern vs Central Michigan
With alum Pat Fitzgerald back in the Big Ten neighborhood at Michigan State, let’s see if he can pull some dudes to East Lansing. And if Texas has eyes on any of them.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl — New Mexico vs Minnesota
UNM head coach Jason Eck has done a heck of a job with the Lobos. And each year somebody gets plucked from their grasp. The Wisconsin native might have a few more players worth looking into.
First Responder Bowl — Florida International vs UTSA
This one is big because both schools get pillaged by bigger programs every offseason. Roadrunners’ head coach Jeff Traylor is still regretting not taking the Texas Tech gig.
Military Bowl — East Carolina vs Pitt
ECU topped NC State in last year’s Go Bowling Military Bowl, 26-21. I wonder if Panthers’ head coach Pat Narduzzi will treat this like a conference game too.
New Mexico Bowl — North Texas vs San Diego State
North Texas’ best season in decades led to Eric Morris leaving for Stillwater and a few guys already eager to hit the portal. Watch UNT cornerback Kollin Lewis. He could start in Austin.