The transfer portal has reshaped college football, but when it comes to elite talent, specifically All-Conference players, the movement isn’t as uniform as you might expect.
Looking at data from the 2026 transfer cycle, there’s a clear divide across conferences in how often first- and second-team all-conference players enter the portal.
At the top of the list sits the Group of Five, where a staggering 70.5% of All-Conference players transferred. That number reflects the growing reality at that level: standout players often use success as a springboard to Power Conference opportunities.
In leagues like the Big 12 Conference and the ACC, 43.2% of their All-Conference players hit the portal. That’s still a significant number, nearly half of the top performers, but notably lower than the Group of Five.
The Big Ten Conference and SEC reported just 2.6% of their All-Conference players entering the portal. That’s not just lower, it’s a completely different landscape.
So what’s driving the disparity?
While there’s no single answer, the most obvious factor is resources. Programs in the SEC and Big Ten often have deeper NIL pools, stronger financial backing, and more consistent national exposure. For elite players in those leagues, there’s simply less incentive to leave.
In contrast, even top performers in the Big 12 or ACC may see opportunities elsewhere, whether that’s for bigger NIL deals, playoff visibility, or long-term development. Still, the Big 12’s 43.2% figure is telling. It highlights both the opportunity and the challenge within the conference. On one hand, it’s a league full of talent capable of producing All-Conference players. On the other hand, retaining that top-tier talent has become an ongoing battle in the portal era.
What would add even more context is tracking where those players end up.
Are Big 12 stars moving “up” to the SEC and Big Ten? Are they staying within the conference? Or are they spreading out across the college football landscape? That data could paint an even clearer picture of how power is shifting in the sport.
For now, though, one thing is certain: not all conferences are playing the same game when it comes to keeping their best players.
