The 2026 FCS To FBS Transfer Rankings: IDL

Week 1 of the 2026 college football season has finally arrived after an appealing appetizer in Week 0. Who are the best FCS-to-FBS transfer IDL plying their trade among the upper echelons of the sport? Who will rise to the top and see themselves on the draft radar at the end of the season? Numerous FCS interior linemen have gone on to the NFL in recent years; who will complete their journey to the top of the mountain?

Notes: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference and various school websites, where applicable. Players are listed alphabetically, not ranked by talent, program fit, etc. 247Sports was the primary website used for rankings

You can find the positional rankings as they occur below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

EDGE

Starters

1. Carter Janki | 6’5 295 | Redshirt Senior | Illinois

Transfer from: Penn

Janki is a decorated defensive lineman entering the Illinois program after consecutive All-Ivy League seasons in which he produced 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks for the Quakers. He was named to the All-Ivy First Team in 2025 with 42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks. 247Sports rated him as a three-star portal recruit and the 281st overall defensive lineman in the 2026 class. The Connecticut native earned a starting spot for an Illini program looking to continue the good times. Indiana has overshadowed the Illini’s recent run of success under Bret Bielema, but his success in Champaign is notable. Janki joins another fellow FCS promotion with former Montana head coach Bobby Hauck calling the defense.

He has the size and work ethic to overpower unsuspecting offensive linemen with his play. Can he keep it up against Power 4 blockers? Illinois’ schedule isn’t too daunting, and they have the talent to reach at least seven wins once again.

Transfer from: Holy Cross

2. Brice Stevenson | 6’0 287 | Redshirt Junior | Iowa

The redshirt junior transferred to Iowa from Holy Cross as a three-star portal recruit and the 296th overall defensive lineman. He’s slightly undersized for the defensive tackle position but earned the starting job for the vaunted Hawkeyes defense. It’s an immense accomplishment for a player still in the ascendancy after starting full time for one season. Stevenson posted 67 tackles and five tackles for loss over two seasons for the Crusaders. DC Phil Parker should continue to unlock his potential to become the next highly touted draft selection for Iowa’s defense within the next couple of seasons.

3. DeSean Watts | 6’0 315 | Redshirt Junior | Washington

Transfer from: Sacramento State

Watts started his career at Fresno City Junior College before transferring to Sacramento State for the 2025 season. 247Sports ranked him as the 119th overall defensive lineman in the portal. He produced 57 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks over two years, which resulted in First Team All-Big Sky honors while playing for the Hornets. The Golden State native made the journey to Big Ten football from the lower rungs of the sport. Can he keep developing as a starter at the highest level of college football? He certainly has the size to play both nose and defensive tackle in Washington’s scheme. The Huskies have a manageable schedule to eke out eight wins, with trips to USC and Oregon looming on the horizon.

Rotational Players

1. Jacob Anderson | 6’4 305 | Graduate | Wisconsin

Transfer from: Illinois State

Anderson enters a Badgers program in tumult after a tremendous three-year career with FCS national runner-up Illinois State. He logged 38 starts in that time period, producing 145 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Anderson was selected to the All-MVFC Second Team in 2024 with a pick-six on his CV. He has the size to play nose tackle but could likely play a traditional defensive tackle role for the Badgers as they look to rebuild in 2026. The former Redbirds standout definitely will play a key role on the defensive line, no matter where he’s slotted. If Wisconsin has a good season, there’s a chance that he gets invited to a postseason All-Star Game to enhance his resume further. Entering Illinois State as a two-star recruit, he exits for Wisconsin as a three-star transfer and the 108th overall defensive lineman.

2. Kahmari Brown | 6’2 259 | Junior | Iowa

Transfer from: Elon

Brown primarily plays the EDGE but is a versatile athlete who can bounce inside and outside in certain packages for the Hawkeyes. He’s part of a cadre of talented FCS transfers that signed with Iowa. 247Sports rated him as a three-star portal prospect and the 66th overall EDGE. He’ll be a versatile rotational piece that could flit between tackle and EDGE for Iowa as they retool their defense. At Elon, he was a Freshman All-American in 2024 before earning AP Second Team All-American honors. In 2025, he posted 66 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His 12 sacks in 2025 enshrined him in the Elon record books as the first player ever to reach double-digit sacks in program history. Brown’s pedigree is undeniable; can he translate to the FBS level for a traditionally stout Hawkeyes defense?

3. Matthew Herron | 6’3 290 | Redshirt Senior | Wake Forest

Transfer from: Weber State

The Demon Deacons had a surprising 2025 season under head coach Jake Diekert and will look to continue their good run of form in 2026. Herron was rated a two-star recruit coming out of high school and elevated himself to a three-star portal signee in 2025 with solid numbers. In three seasons as a contributor for the Wildcats, he posted 92 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and seven PBUs. He’s also a two-time All-Academic Big Sky team member who majored in Microbiology. Wake is a seriously challenging academic program, so he’ll fit in academically as well as on the field. Herron projects to play a key rotational role for the Deacons’ defense as they embark on a schedule that should have them bowling in 2026. 247Sports ranked him as the 233rd overall defensive lineman in the 2026 portal class.

4. Rasheed Lovelace | 6’1 320 | Redshirt Senior | James Madison

Transfer from: Nicholls

Lovelace is a three-star portal recruit who transferred to JMU after starring at Nicholls for three seasons. However, he was more productive in 2024 after playing just five games in 2025. He produced 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and everyone’s favorite big-guy play, the thicc six. His 2024 season earned him a place on the All-Southland First Team as a nose tackle. Lovelace made 15 starts at nose tackle during the past two seasons at Nicholls. While a nose tackle by trade, he does have some versatility to play a traditional defensive tackle position in certain schemes. JMU is retooling under new head coach Billy Napier, and Lovelace should play a key role on the defensive line. The Dukes should compete again for a playoff spot and the Sun Belt title in 2026. 247Sports rated him as the 289th defensive lineman in the portal class.