The 2025 college football season delivered mixed results for several highly-touted players who failed to meet expectations. With roster changes and fresh starts heading into 2026, these key names could be positioned for major turnarounds.
DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor
Lagway showed promise as a true freshman in 2024, leading Florida to a 5-1 record in his six starts. That early success created high expectations for 2025.
Instead, he threw for just under 2,300 passing yards with 17 total touchdowns and 14 interceptions as the Gators stumbled to 4-8.
Now he’s transferred home to Texas to join the Baylor Bears with a completely new supporting cast. The Bears added six offensive starters around Lagway, including former Gators tight end Tony Livingston, Colorado receiver Dre’lon Miller, and Oklahoma State receiver Gavin Freeman.
Three new starters anchor the offensive line as well.
The move from SEC to Big 12 competition could also work in Lagway’s favor, giving him more opportunities to showcase his arm talent against less pressure.
Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
Coleman-Williams burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024, leading Alabama with 865 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Those numbers set the bar high for 2025.
He fell well short, posting just 689 yards and 4 touchdowns while playing second fiddle to Germie Bernard, who followed coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington.
Bernard’s departure to the NFL opens up significant target share for 2026.
Alabama added only Noah Rogers from NC State in the transfer portal at receiver, leaving plenty of unclaimed air yards for Coleman-Williams to recapture his freshman form.
Makhi Hughes, RB, Houston
This bounce-back story writes itself. Hughes was electric at Tulane in 2023 and 2024, rushing for over 1,370 yards in each season before transferring to Oregon.
The Ducks buried him on their depth chart behind Noah Whittington, Jordan Davidson, and Dierre Hill Jr. Hughes managed just 70 yards in Eugene.
He’s transferred again to Houston, where he’s projected as the starter for a Cougars team coming off 10 wins in 2025.
Houston needs to replace nearly 1,000 rushing yards after Dean Connors left for the NFL. Hughes should easily slide into that featured role.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Sellers and South Carolina looked ready to build on their 9-4 finish in 2024 after starting 2025 with two wins. Sellers threw for over 330 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in those early games.
Then everything collapsed.
The Gamecocks went 2-8 the rest of the way, finishing 4-8 overall. Sellers ended with 2,470 passing yards, 18 total touchdowns, and 8 interceptions while getting sacked 42 times – third-most in the country.
Coach Shane Beamer addressed the protection issues by adding three offensive line starters: Carter Miller, Emmanuel Kojo Poku, and Jacarrius Peak. That trio combined to allow just five total sacks last season.
Sellers also gains two 500-plus yard receivers in Nyck Harbor and Purdue transfer Nitro Tuggle.
Better protection and proven targets should help Sellers rediscover his 2024 form.
Nic Anderson, WR, Kentucky
Anderson dominated as a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma in 2023, posting 798 yards and 10 touchdowns. Injury cost him the entire 2024 season before he transferred to LSU in 2025.
LSU’s passing attack never found rhythm, with only one player surpassing 500 receiving yards.
Anderson has since transferred to Kentucky, which expects eight new offensive starters in 2026. He’ll have a clean slate to establish himself as the top receiver in an offense still searching for its identity.
The Wildcats need a proven playmaker, and Anderson has already shown he can produce elite numbers when healthy and featured properly.
