The 2026 FCS-to-FBS Transfer Rankings: Cornerbacks

The 2026 college football season began with some controversial calls, shaky play by heavy favorites, and upsets galore. While the trench kings get most of the glory, the secondary needs love as well. The FCS-to-FBS transfer cornerback pipeline has been a steady drip of talent heading to the NFL. Is the 2026 portal class any different than their predecessors? Which ones will emerge on the draft radar by the end of the season?

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

Interior Defensive Line

Linebackers

Starters

1. Isaiah Atkins | 6’4 200 | Redshirt Senior | Sam Houston

Transfer from: Elon

Atkins transferred to Sam Houston after three years of contributing in various roles for Elon. He posted 156 total tackles, 16 PBUs, six tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in those seasons. The ball production is immense, which teams will love, along with his physical profile. He earned All-CAA Second Team honors in 2025 before leaving for his new program as a three-star portal signee and the 243rd overall cornerback. Atkins starts for the Bearkats and is off to a flying start with four tackles and three PBUs in 2026 already. If he can continue his success, he’ll get noticed by the postseason all-star events and beyond. Can the former Phoenix standout parlay a solid career into becoming a draft pick?

2. Cam Jones | 5’11 190 | Junior | Toledo

Transfer from: Holy Cross

Jones is a part of a cadre of talented FCS-to-FBS transfer cornerbacks for the Rockets under new coach Mike Jacobs. He started his career at Holy Cross as a zero-star recruit but made it up for it in the portal. The current Toledo starter rated as a three-star portal transfer after consecutive All-Patriot League campaigns. He produced 102 tackles, 15 PBUs, and three interceptions while at Holy Cross and earned an All-Patriot League First Team selection in 2025. Jones joins former Mercer starters KJ Thomas and Donovan Watkins as starters in the secondary. The Rockets should be competitive for bowl eligibility, but the schedule is somewhat unforgiving.

3. Kyon Loud | 6’2 190 | Redshirt Sophomore | Duke

Transfer from: Montana

Loud has a chance to make a, well, loud appearance at the FBS level for a coach who knows defense inside and out. He’s one of the few FCS transfers jumping up in level that maintained his star rating out of high school. He left perennial FCS playoff contender Montana as a three-star recruit and the 82nd overall cornerback, according to 247. While Loud didn’t earn any on-field conference accolades, he did earn a spot on the All-Big Sky Academic Honor Roll two years ago. He contributed 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, and six PBUs in two seasons for the Grizzlies.

Loud is just scratching the surface of his talents at Duke and is starting already, which is impressive. His physical profile should have scouts clambering all over themselves to get a better look during the next couple of seasons. The Blue Devils have the talent and schedule to compete for an upper-half finish in the ACC.

4. Jalen Mayo | 6’2 190 | Redshirt Senior | Houston

Transfer from: Stephen F. Austin

Mayo joins a Houston team on the prowl for a Big 12 championship after an initial rebuilding phase under serial winner Willie Fritz. 247Sports rated him as a three-star portal recruit and the 27th overall cornerback, which is incredibly high for a FCS prospect leveling up. Houston has had several talented defenders get drafted over the past several seasons, and Mayo could be the next one in line. He began his college career at the D-II level at Virginia Union before transferring to SFA last season. The current Cougars defensive back has produced over 123 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 23 PBUs, and four interceptions spanning his career.

He earned All-Southland First Team honors last season and is currently starting for Houston. With another great season, there’s a chance that he will vault himself onto draft boards and postseason honors. His journey has been incredible, from zero-star recruit to starter at a P4 program.

Rotational Players

1. Tyran Chappell | 6’3 189 | Redshirt Sophomore | Michigan State

Transfer from: Houston Christian

The redshirt sophomore entered the portal as a three-star recruit and the 259th-ranked cornerback by 247Sports. In two seasons with HCU, he produced 29 tackles, 11 PBUs, four interceptions, and 2.5 tackles for loss. He earned All-Southland First Team and FCS Freshman All-American Team selections for his outstanding play in 2025 as a full-time starter. He projects well because of his physical profile, which should have scouts dreaming if Chappell can prove the jump in play isn’t too much. Chappell is a prospect to keep an eye on as the draft process enters next season. He’s projected to provide a key rotational role in 2026 behind starter Charles Brantley and one of four FCS transfers that Pat Fitzgerald added to energize his secondary. The Spartans’ 2026 goal should be at least bowl eligibility, but the schedule is tough.

2. Ellis Ellis, Jr | 6’0 187 | Redshirt Senior | Memphis

Transfer from: Austin Peay

Ellis signed with the surging Tigers as a three-star portal recruit and the 133rd overall cornerback, according to 247Sports. He produced an All-UAC First Team season in 2025 for Austin Peay. The former Governors’ standout posted 82 tackles, 16 PBUs, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles during three seasons with Austin Peay. He’s projected as a rotational player for the Tigers under first-year head coach Charles Huff. Memphis is a heavy favorite to secure the lone G6 playoff spot and has the schedule to do it.

3. Montae Pate | 6’2 175 | Redshirt Senior | Northwestern

Transfer from: Weber State

Pate was a three-star portal recruit after a standout career with Weber State that resulted in 87 tackles, 14 PBUs, and two interceptions. He earned All-Big Sky First Team honors in 2025 after a brilliant redshirt junior season. 247Sports rated him as the 188th cornerback in the portal, and he projects as a rotation piece. Pate ended up as the only FCS transfer that the Wildcats took in the 2026 class. The redshirt senior should be on scouts’ radar if he plays well at a higher level, such as the Big Ten. Keep an eye out for him as the weeks go by.

4. Aidan Singleton | 5’10 191 | Senior | MTSU

Transfer from: Lehigh

Singleton started his career at Lehigh before transferring to MTSU for his senior season. He turned in an All-Patriot League First Team performance in 2025 with 40 tackles, nine PBUs, and two interceptions. The newest Blue Raiders cornerback impressed in two seasons for Lehigh with 85 total tackles, 12 PBUs, and four interceptions. He projects as a key rotational piece behind fellow FCS transfer Jason Hardy, who came from Grand Valley State. Keep an eye on MTSU’s rotational pieces like Ricky Lee (Sac State) and Gumbo Gaskins (Samford) as well.