College football's transfer portal is wide open, and the NFL is also calling. Decisions are being made across the country that will turn the fortunes of certain squads—whether they be at the collegiate or professional level.

With the advent of NIL and how influential that aspect has become in this process, potential NFL prospects are crisscrossing the continental 48 states to find the best location (and deal) for them.

Some are ready for the big leagues. Others decided to pump the brakes, even though they could have been relatively high draft picks. Eight immediately jump to the forefront as those with significant upside.

Certain decisions are still to come because the programs are still alive in the College Football Playoff. Also, notable names such as Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills and LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. are dealing with major injuries and have yet to make any public announcements about their futures.

Let's start at the most obvious jumping-off point because the 2025 quarterback class is shaky, and two names who could have strengthened its standing are returning for another year of campus life.

QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Ability and consistency are two very different things when evaluating an NFL quarterback's prospects.

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier flashed traits that say he's a future NFL signal-caller. At the same time, he experienced dips in his play, particularly against top competition, that raised eyebrows. He knows it, hence the decision to return for another season.

"I feel like it wasn't as consistent as I wanted it to be," he told reporters after the announcement. "And I feel like that there's a whole other level that I could tap into."

When watching Nussmeier, especially when he's working on time and in rhythm, he can be a deadly passer. At the same time, he spent three seasons as a backup, the last two behind Heisman Trophy-winning Jayden Daniels. As such, he's still growing and learning with his decision-making.

In his first full season as a starter, the junior prospect threw for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"This first year for me was a huge growth year and just kind of learning who I am as a player," Nussmeier added. "And I hadn't played football for three years."

Also, the 6'2", 200-pound prospect has some physical limitations. He will never be confused as the most athletic QB or possessing the biggest arm. Still, Nussmeier could have been a first- or second-round pick in 2025 but has chosen to improve with another year at LSU.

QB Drew Allar, Penn State

Basically, Penn State's Drew Allar is how you draw up a quarterback.

The 6'5", 235-pounder can stand tall in the pocket and deliver. Despite his size, he can move a bit, too. He finished third on the Nittany Lions roster with 289 rushing yards. His pocket presence is quite good as well.

Allar could have easily been QB3 behind Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders once April's NFL draft rolled around. Instead, the 20-year-old announced he's returning to Penn State for another season.

"For me personally, it was a football decision and that's how I always have operated," Allar told reporters. "Me and my family had extensive talks about it and weighed everything. Personally, I came to the conclusion myself that I felt like it's best for my future and that sort of thing."

As noted, Allar is a younger prospect who entered the Nittany Lions program as an early enrollee. Despite his natural ability and the shaky status of next year's quarterback class, he believes he's making the best decision for him, which is what every individual should do.

The 2026 quarterback crop does initially look to be much stronger. Yet Allar has the tools with a standout season where he could legitimately remain in the conversation as a top-three prospect for his position, if not QB1.

IOL Parker Brailsford, Alabama

Alabama center Parker Brailsford understands the assignment.

Despite being arguably the best pivot in the country, he knows the physicality of the professional level requires a different standard. He is listed at 6'2" and 290 pounds, though he may not even weigh that much.

Yes, the center position provides more leeway than the other four offensive-line spots regarding a lack of size. Still, the NFL's best centers are all solidly around 300 pounds.

As an example, Iowa listed Tyler Linderbaum as a 290-pound lineman. Questions about his size and length followed him throughout the predraft process despite dominant tape. At the NFL combine, he came in over 6'2" and weighed 296 pounds before becoming a first-round draft pick and a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Brailsford can follow a similar path with a strong year in the weight room to be ready for what it takes to handle grown men playing defensive tackle on a weekly basis.

"Just talked to my family, talked to my people," he told reporters. "(They) just gave me good advice on what they think about things going on. Talked to some people around the building and see what they had to say, and I think the overall consensus was I should come back."

DL Caleb Banks, Florida

One or two outstanding performances can turn heads and place a prospect in a different light.

Case in point, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks dominated the LSU Tigers in the Gators' Nov. 16 upset. A week later, the interior defender racked up seven quarterback pressures against another ranked team, the Ole Miss Rebels.

Florida played well down the stretch, with four straight victories after being embarrassed by the Texas Longhorns. It's taken time, but head coach Billy Napier appears to have a foundation now built in at The Swamp, which is exactly why a talent of Banks' caliber chose to return for another season.

"One thing I know I would have missed is I know we are going to get to the National Championship," he told Florida Victorious' Nick de la Torre. "I didn't want to miss that. I didn't want to not be a part of that."

The defensive lineman could have easily gone to the NFL and possibly even been a first-round selection. A 6'6", 325-pound defensive tackle with upside as an interior rusher isn't common. Many thought Kentucky's Deone Walker would be that guy in this year's draft cycle, but he disappointed.

If Banks goes back and dominates on a weekly basis, expect to hear his name mentioned with some of the elite 2026 prospects.

Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana

The great migration from James Madison University to Bloomington, Indiana, may have benefited defensive end Mikail Kamara more than any other individual.

The Hoosiers are now a legitimate football program under the tutelage of head coach Curt Cignetti. Upon being hired by his current employer, he brought nine of his players along for the ride.

Kamara experienced as much success as anyone. The defensive end was named to the first-team Big Ten and third-team All-American squads. His production improved from 7.5 to 10 sacks. Going into the final week of regular-season competition, he had the nation's only 85 or better pass-rush and run-defense grades, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 6'1", 265-pound prospect doesn't have the typical build of an edge defender. But NFL history has examples of defensive ends around the same parameters, with Elvis Dumervil immediately coming to mind.

Granted, Kamara isn't as explosive as Dumervil, though the latter didn't play the same level of competition coming out of Louisville.

With Kamara going to the Big Ten and showing he can be a major presence against top talent, another strong season while wearing the crimson and cream will continue to help build his stock as a future NFL draft prospect.

Edge Patrick Payton, LSU

Patrick Payton is an example of a prospect going back to school to repair the damage done to his NFL draft stock.

He entered the 2024 campaign as a potential first-round talent. In 2022, coaches named the defensive end as the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. During the Florida State Seminoles' undefeated run last season (until the bowl game), he played opposite Jared Verse and finished second on the squad with five sacks.

As the focal point of the Seminoles' attacking front this fall, the redshirt junior prospect didn't elevate his game and finished with only four sacks on a 2-10 squad.

The 6'5", 250-pound defender has the length and quickness to be a sub-package edge-rusher in an NFL rotation. But he'll be better served going back to school and using the extra time to get stronger, thus becoming more of a force consistently.

Furthermore, a new setting with the LSU Tigers may help rejuvenate Payton. The drop-off at Florida State between last to this season was jarring. If he takes on a leadership role for a stacked squad with massive expectations, he can do a lot to regain his previous status.

CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Virginia Tech's Mansoor Delane held a solid first-round grade from the Bleacher Report Scouting Department until he decided to return to college for another season, albeit at a different school.

The upside was obvious, though so were the areas where he could improve.

"He has all the tools to excel," B/R scout Cory Giddings wrote in Delane's initial scouting report, "but his game needs a bit more consistency to reach its full potential.

"Delane's fluidity in coverage, competitive mindset, and natural athleticism make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a cornerback who can excel in both man and zone schemes. His ability to make plays on the ball, coupled with his athletic traits, gives him a high ceiling in the NFL. However, Delane must refine his strength and attention to detail in press coverage to maximize his effectiveness at the next level."

Delane is now transferring to the LSU Tigers, where the spotlight will shine brightly next season thanks to the amount of incoming talent and national championship aspirations.

A strong season for the Bayou Bengals will go a long way to secure first-round status.

CB Tacario Davis, Transfer

Much like Mansoor Delane, Tacario Davis was an expected declaration only to choose a different path.

Davis regularly showed up on preseason first-round projections because of a rare combination of size at a listed 6'4" and 190 pounds, with a special blend of physicality, particularly in press coverage.

However, much like other bigger corners, some stiffness can be found in his game. His utilization and response after joining another program can greatly improve his draft status.

"His rare combination of length and athleticism makes him a standout," Giddings wrote in Davis' scouting report, "but his inconsistency in transitions and his struggles in off-coverage and ball awareness will need refinement. If he can improve his technique, particularly in coverage transitions and ball skills, Davis can potentially develop into one of the top cornerbacks at the next level."

Davis spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Wildcats. The 20-year-old prospect is currently weighing his options in the transfer portal.

With the right landing spot, Davis can step in as CB1, while garnering more national attention, and firmly establish himself as the caliber of prospect many hoped he'd become this fall.