College football looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, heck even five years ago. For as much of a ruckus the transfer portal has made in recent years, it works to the benefit for both players and coaches.
It gives players an opportunity to level up or down based on their interests. Sometimes that means exposure or NIL. Sometimes it’s as simple as wanting to see the field more.
It also gives coaches a chance to retool their rosters to their standards and open up playing time for other guys. Fresno State is no different.
Between players transferring out and graduations, the Bulldogs lost over 40 players from its 2025 roster, but there’s also plenty of new blood in the water for Head Coach Matt Entz and his staff to toy with.
The portal which opened back on Friday, January 2nd, is now officially closed. This means that players are no longer eligible to enter the portal until it opens back up next January, unless they are in the National Championship or there is a head coach change. It’s important to note that players currently in the portal can still sign with interested schools.
The following players have committed to Fresno State, via the transfer portal:
Khristian Martin, QB (previously at the University of Maryland) — Arguably the most intriguing acquisition of the incoming portal class, Martin comes into a QB room with not much experience: Jayden Mandal (3rd string in 2024, missed 2025 with injury) and incoming freshman Deagan Rose and Jacob Chambers. Martin will have seen the field more than any of them, though not by much. He appeared in 5 games as a redshirt freshman for Maryland this season, going 11/17 for 105 yds & TD. He was also named the 2025 Terps Spring Game MVP after going 16-for-23 for 269 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is currently the favorite to be QB1 heading into next season.
Tariq Thomas, RB (Bucknell) — The 5’11” RB ran for 1,394 yards and 7 TD’s in two seasons with Bucknell. He was also named Patriot League ROTY and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award in 2024. Fresno State returns Bryson Donelson, Rayshon Luke and Brandon Ramirez but with the graduations of Elijah Gilliam and Johnathan Arceneaux, Thomas definitely fills a depth need for a run heavy Bulldog offense.
Patrick Barnett, OL (UCF) — A 6’6” 305 pound graduate transfer from Central Florida, Barnett played in 12 games primarily at right guard for the Knights in 2025, including a solid 82.3 block rating according to PFF on pass plays he was a part of.
Oscar Weigel, OT (San Diego) — The first offensive lineman addition of the 2026 portal season for the Bulldogs. The 6’4” 300 pound Weigel was named an All-PFL Honorable Mention this past season while suiting up 12 times for the Toreros at left tackle.
Bode Stoddard, OT (San Diego Mesa College)
Jake Appleget, TE (Northern Illinois) — Lauded primarily for his blocking, he will fit right into a tight end friendly offense, the senior will be asked to help replace the losses Richie Anderson (transfer), Kameron Beachem (graduated) and Jake Tarwater (graduated). Appleget caught 7 balls for 57 yards and a TD in 9 games for the Huskies in 2025. Appleget was previously at Nebraska, where he played defensive end.
Dylan Hampsten, DE (Sacramento State) — One of two EDGE transfers the Bulldogs picked up from Sacramento State. The 6’3” 245 lb. was named All-Big Sky Second Team after racking up 39 tackles (13 TFL), 8 sacks and a forced fumble as a sophomore in 2025. Hampsten will play both of his former schools in 2026 (Sacramento State and San Jose State.
Micah Mosley, OLB (Sacramento State) — A fellow Hornet in 2025, Mosley only saw 111 snaps as a true freshman but made his playing time count (11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery).
Maverick Noonan, LB (Nebraska) — The son of former Dallas Cowboys DT Danny Noonan, Maverick has two years of eligibility remaining. The 6’4” 245 lb. linebacker only played in seven games over the last two seasons. Expect him to vie for a rotational LB role with the Bulldogs.
Preston Okafor, CB (Nebraska) — Like Noonan, Okafor didn’t see the field much for his hometown school, only playing two snaps as a redshirt freshman in 25’ for his hometown school before transferring. They join Omaha natives like wide receiver Kenyan Cotton, defensive end Solomon Baker, tight end Dallas Gaius-Anyaegbu and linebacker Jaydon Sutko in what has become a pipeline for the Bulldogs in less than two years. Okafor offers a mix of speed and size should give him an opportunity to earn one of the two open CB spots, following the departures of seniors Al’zillion Hamilton and Jakari Embry. He comes to the ‘Dogs with three years of eligibility.
Croix Powell, DB (UCLA) — Offered out of high school by the Bulldogs, Powell finally makes his way to Fresno State after spending the last three seasons at UCLA primarily used in special teams. The 6’w
Taylor Powell, S (Northern Illinois) — On the bigger side for a DB (6’4”), Powell offers versatility to play multiple defensive back positions and should be in the mix for a starting role at strong safety. He played 12 games as a redshirt freshman for the Huskies in 2025, racking up 35 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. He reconnects with former Northern Illinois defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto who was still with the Huskies when Powell had committed out of high school.
Manaki Watanabe, K (Ashland University) — The D2 All-American made 21-of-22 field goal attempts (long of 59 yards) and 39-of-40 extra point opportunities in 2025 for Ashland University. He is projected to start for the Bulldogs this coming year as a redshirt sophomore with 3 years of eligibility remaining.
The following players have left Fresno State, entering the transfer portal (or have already transferred):
- Richie Anderson, TE (now at Texas A&M)
- Jayden Davis, S (UCONN)
- RL Miller, S (Cal Poly)
- Carson Conklin, QB (Sacramento State)
- Brayden Turner, QB (College of San Mateo)
- Isiah Chala Jr, DL (Sacramento State)
- Devon Rivers, RB
- Josiah Ayon, WR
- Joshua Johnson WR
- Matai Bell, OL
- Jack Metzler, DE
- Damarrion White, DE (previously left team)
- Tim Thomas, LB (previously left team)
- Seth Scheidt, LB
- Ah’Marion Ashley, CB
Story written by Al Scott, cover photo courtesy of the University of Maryland.