College football is entering a new era—and data is leading the charge. Programs across the country are now tapping into high-tech tracking systems to spot talent before rivals do. That’s where Charlie Myers comes in. Okay, raised on the rhythm of European football, he joined SkillCorner, a Paris-based company built to change the scouting game. At first, they helped elite soccer clubs find hidden stars in places like Argentina and Poland. But soon, their tools found a new home stateside. And that is American college football—fast, physical, and fiercely competitive—became the next big frontier for data-driven recruiting.
As of now, in college football, “The teams are all feeling the pain of the transfer portal. It’s interesting because college football doesn’t have centralized control, like an (NFL) salary cap,” said Charlie Myers. And that chaos is about to crank up again. Well, this season, the spring portal swings open on April 16 and slams shut on April 25. But just days before the madness begins, the headlines are already heating up. On Saturday, a 2,185-yard quarterback and four other college football standouts jumped in—kicking off the latest wave of portal pandemonium.
Here, leading the wave, Brendan Sullivan is on the move. The Iowa QB has officially entered the transfer portal after just 1 season with the Hawkeyes. Pete Nakos of On3 broke the news, and Sullivan later addressed it on social media with a heartfelt message to Hawkeye Nation. “I have loved and enjoyed every second I spent here… You have all made this an awesome experience,” wrote the standout QB. However, the decision, he said, came after “continued prayer and conversations with my family.” As of now, Sullivan is looking for a new home for his final year of eligibility. “Thank you, Iowa!” he signed off.
Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan has entered the transfer portal @bsully02 https://t.co/snuYgeyRlp
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 12, 2025
However, Sullivan, a Northwestern transfer, joined Iowa in 2024 as Cade McNamara’s backup. And he quickly carved out a red-zone role, then stepped up full-time after McNamara went down on Oct. 26—ironically, against his former team. Sullivan finished the season completing 71.7% of his passes for 475 yards, with 3 passing TDs. On top of that, he also added 150 rushing yards, showing dual-threat ability. In total, Sullivan has amassed a total of 2185 yards in his three years in college football—two with Northwestern and one with Iowa. As of now, while his departure stings, Iowa’s QB room still isn’t in panic mode.
On the same day Sullivan hit the portal, BYU freshman RB Cale Breslin followed suit. Well, the 5’11”, 195-pound Las Vegas native announced his plans to transfer on social media. As a former standout at the All-22 Event, Breslin was one of Nevada’s top backs but never saw game action at BYU. However, he originally signed with the Cougars in Dec., turning down offers from schools like San Diego, Wisconsin, Syracuse, and more. But now, the 3-star prospect is back on the market, ready for a fresh start.
But Sullivan and Breslin weren’t the only ones making moves. Three more names hit the portal on Saturday, adding fuel to an already wild transfer window. It’s not just a shuffle—it’s a full-on talent shakeup. Right now, let’s break down who these rising prospects are and why they’re turning heads, as they look for new homes.
The excitement in college football’s portal
A former Vol is on the move again. Justin Williams-Thomas, the Cal RB, is set to hit the NCAA transfer portal next week, per Pete Nakos of On3. Well, the Dallas native was a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class, ranked as the 22nd-best RB in the nation. After signing with Tennessee, he’s now looking for his next chapter in college football. To be honest, it’s another twist in his journey, and the transfer portal just got a bit more interesting.
Emmanuel Waller is also ready for his next move. The UAB athlete took to social media to announce he’s entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility and a redshirt year remaining. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to God, his coaches, teammates, and the fans who supported him throughout his time at UAB. However, Waller called his journey with the Blazers “nothing short of special” and acknowledged how it’s prepared him for the next chapter of his life and career. As of now, he’s setting his sights on new opportunities.
Not only this, Eastern Washington’s defense just lost one of its brightest stars. Safety Derek Ganter Jr. is officially in the transfer portal—and heads are turning. The redshirt freshman led the Eagles with 95 tackles, 55 of them solo, and made plays all over the field. On top of that, he was named to multiple All-Freshman teams and even cracked the top 10 in Jerry Rice Award voting. As of now, Ganter’s exit leaves a big hole in the secondary—and plenty of eyes on where he lands next.
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