Best fits for 2025 NCAA football transfer portal prospects

College football's spring portal is open. Though it might not have the same volume as the previous cycle, there are still several marquee transfers seeking a new school -- headlined by quarterback Nico Iamaleava's rocky transfer from Tennessee.

With most programs nearing the end or already finished with spring football, identifying the right fit is imperative for players who will need to play catch-up to prepare for the 2025 season.

Let's find the perfect fit for several heralded spring transfers.

Nico Iamaleava, QB

Transferring from: Tennessee

Best fit: UCLA

ESPN best available rank: 1

Iamaleava doesn't seem to have many options. The Bruins, despite a disappointing 2024 season, are a prime contender after finishing on a high note under first-year coach DeShaun Foster, winning four of their last six games. They're dealing with plenty of turnover this offseason, losing a slew of defensive players to the draft and several offensive players to the portal, including starting left tackle Niki Prongos, running back T.J. Harden and slot receiver Logan Loya. Foster also brought in nine new coaches including up-and-coming offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri from Indiana to run the offense.

This is a great opportunity for a fresh start for all parties, and Iamaleava could become the face of a new era at UCLA. He'd have to beat out incoming Appalachian State quarterback transfer Joey Aguilar, if Aguilar stays in Westwood, but the Bruins have the biggest need for Iamaleava and are an obvious option if they choose to become serious players in the NIL pool.

Beau Atkinson, DE

Transferring from: North Carolina

Best fit: Ohio State

ESPN best available ranking: 4

With the departures of Jack Sawyer and others, the Buckeyes need some immediate plug-and-play edge rushers. Atkinson would fill both value and need. When you look at Atkinson's high school tape, you see many similarities in terms of physical measurables (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) and production to Sawyer. Atkinson has length and is extremely disruptive in one-on-one situations.

In a true 3-4 at North Carolina, Atkinson might not have been in the best situation, but if utilized on the edge, Atkinson can be a handful and he plays with a relentless motor. Teams want to load up on defensive linemen, and there are few in this portal cycle with Atkinson's size and production.

Trebor Pena, WR

Transferring from: Syracuse

Best fit: Miami

ESPN best available ranking: 7

Pena's game is similar to that of former Miami receiver Xavier Restrepo. If you're the Hurricanes, why not land a perfect replacement? The 6-foot Pena is two inches taller than Restrepo and finally broke out last season when paired with Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, catching 84 passes for 941 yards and nine touchdowns. The sixth-year senior doesn't have Restrepo's overall body of work, but he's a reliable playmaker who converts on critical downs. He's a great route runner who could replace Restrepo's ability to navigate zone coverages and get open.

Jack Endries, TE

Transferring from: Cal

Best fit: Texas

ESPN best available rank: 8

With Gunnar Helm gone, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian needs an athletic tight end with versatility and smarts. The Longhorns' explosive offense relies on tight ends who can move around in shifts and motions, seal as a blocker and be consistent as a pass catcher. Endries is that guy. In the passing game, he excels at attacking the middle of the field between the hashes like Helm perfected. Like Helm, he also excels at finding the soft spots in zone coverage.

Endries is not super big or fast but won't be called upon to win at the point of attack as a true Y. His strength as a blocker is walling off and sealing edges, which fits this scheme. The tight end in this offense needs to be a reliable, high-IQ pass catcher and blocker and Endries is just that.

Micah Hudson, WR

Transferring from: Texas A&M

Best fit: Return to Texas Tech

ESPN best available ranking: 12

Iamaleava's transfer situation has taken the heat off Hudson's departure from Texas Tech. A five-star receiver in 2024, Hudson arrived in Lubbock as the highest-rated Red Raiders signing in the ESPN recruiting era dating back to 2006. However, he caught just eight passes for 123 yards and jumped into the portal after the season. He landed at Texas A&M but stepped away from the program in January and reentered the portal. Hudson's path shows the grass isn't always greener on the other side. His best path forward might be to return to Texas Tech as a walk-on and completely reset, allowing for a chance to earn his reps. He's clearly talented and there's a reason he was so highly recruited, but he has more work to do to reach his ceiling.