USC, LSU headline college football signing day winners and losers

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USC, LSU headline college football signing day winners and losers

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Feb 4, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Signing a great college football recruiting class is one thing. Keeping that class together for multiple years of development is another.

Based on how roster management has changed in the portal and NIL era, Bowl Subdivision programs will struggle to keep half of their signees in any given class on campus for the duration of their college eligibility.

In fact, a 50% hit rate would be superb. More than 4,000 players entered the portal this winter, representing about a quarter of the FBS.

But even as Indiana bucks history to win a championship behind a transfer-heavy roster, the key to success in the Power Four is to use transfers to augment a roster largely built and developed through traditional recruiting.

With this year's recruiting cycle complete, let's break down the biggest winner and losers from the second national signing day:

Winners

Southern California

USC signed the nation's third-largest class with 35 traditional signees. Leading the way are a pair of five-star recruits in edge rusher Luke Wafle and tight end Mark Bowman. While over half of the class hails from California, the Trojans also inked two of the top four prospects out of Texas and two of the top eight prospects from Ohio. There are multiple freshmen in this group capable of adding immediate depth or even grabbing starting roles from the start, which should help USC climb the ladder in the Big Ten and compete for a College Football Playoff berth in 2026.

LSU

The Tigers ' transfer haul featured some of the best prospects in the portal in quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen. That's only increased the hype heading into Lane Kiffin's debut. The past month has also seen LSU add bodies up front via a pair of junior college linemen in Adrian Lamb and Jakolby Jones, completing a rapid overhaul of the offensive front. Lamb chose the Tigers over offers from SEC rivals Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina.

Oregon

No team signed more five stars than the Ducks' quartet of offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho, tight end Kendre' Harrison, pass rusher Anthony Jones and wide receiver Jalen Lott. All four should find early playing time; Iheanacho is expected to start and Lott should land in a supporting role behind established starters Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart . The second signing period included two new additions in running back Brandon Smith and three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones. Smith joins fellow four-star recruit Tradarian Ball in adding even more juice to an already impressive backfield while Jones will help replenish a defensive front that lost significant depth to the transfer portal.

Texas Tech

While known more for dominating the transfer portal, Texas Tech also signed the top-rated recruiting class in the Big 12, led by a pair of key signings - five-star edge rusher LaDamion Guyton and offensive tackle Felix Ojo. While Ojo should land on the two-deep as a freshman, Guyton is destined for a meaty role given the Red Raiders' offseason losses on the defensive front - though Guyton won't arrive in Lubbock until after the spring, shortening his adjustment period before the start of the regular season. Another newcomer capable of stepping right into the mix is wide receiver Chase Campbell, a key local recruit who joins a crowded but somewhat unproven rotation.

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Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths

Defensive back Tony-Louis Nkuba #21 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates by jumping into an inflatable bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes after intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2025 in El Paso, Texas

(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)

Tony the Tiger stands on the field after the coin toss before a football game between Duke and Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
(Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) greats the Pop-Tarts mascots before the Pop-Tarts Bowl against the BYU Cougars at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Pop-Tarts mascots celebrate with BYU Cougars after beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl mascots perform on the field before a game between the Michigan Wolverines and Texas Longhorns at Camping World Stadium.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Louisville Cardinals players celebrate after defeating the Toledo Rockets in the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium.
(Jeff Romance, Jeff Romance-Imagn Images)

Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch holds the LA Bowl championship belt presented by Rob Gronkowski after defeating the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Musical artist/rapper Snoop Dogg holds the championship trophy after the Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks 18-3 to win the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.
(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

Actor Keegan-Michael Key receives the game coin prior to the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Toledo Rockets at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on December 23, 2025 in Boca Raton, Florida.
(Leonardo Fernandez, Getty Images)

Comedians Theo Von, left, and Nate Bargatze watch from the sidelines during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl between Iowa Hawkeyes and Vanderbilt Commodores at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)

Head coach Jeff Traylor of the UTSA Roadrunners is doused with water by Jamel Hardy #13 during the fourth quarter against the FIU Panthers in the 2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on December 26, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
(Sam Hodde, Getty Images)

Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken gets splashed with Powerade after Army beat UConn 41-16 in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park.
(Danny Wild, Danny Wild-Imagn Images)

Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green is doused after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)

Northwestern Wildcats players dump Gatorade on head coach David Braun of the Northwestern Wildcats after defeating the Central Michigan Chippewas in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
(Getty Images)

Head coach John Hauser of the Ohio Bobcats is doused with water after winning the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl at Ford Center on December 23, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(Tim Heitman, Getty Images)

Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott is doused with Gatorade after winning the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium Saturday December 27, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. Virginia defeated Missouri 13-7.
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz is doused with gatorade after defeating the Miami (OH) RedHawks during the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Head coach Clay Helton of the Georgia Southern Eagles receives a Powerade dunk after winning the JLab Birmingham Bowl by beating the Appalachian State Mountaineers 29-10 at Protective Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Jason Clark, Getty Images)

Interim Head Coach Terry M. Smith of the Penn State Nittany Lions lifts the championship trophy following the game against the Clemson Tigers during the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
(Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)

BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) and head coach Kalani Sitake are presented a large pop-tart to eat after they beat the against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Camping World Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

Ken Seals #9 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the USC Trojans in the game at the Alamodome on December 30, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)

Head coach Willie Fritz of the Houston Cougars celebrates with the Texas Bowl Trophy after defeating the Louisiana State Tigers during the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)

Conner Weigman #1 of the Houston Cougars is named Texas Bowl MVP during the Kinder's Texas Bowl against the Louisiana State Tigers at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)

Maverick McIvor #7 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts as he recieves the MVP trophy after his team defeated the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to win the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on December 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)

Old Dominion Monarchs hoist the Cure Bowl trophy after beating the South Florida Bulls at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Jacksonville State Gamecocks running back Khristian Lando (22) hoists the trophy as Troy Trojans take on Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated Troy Trojans 17-13.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green raises the championship trophy after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)

Micah Alejado #12 of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors holds up the Hawai'i Bowl Championship trophy after winning the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl over the California Golden Bears at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on December 24, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
(Darryl Oumi, Getty Images)

NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren receives the trophy after beating Memphis Tigers in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Losers

Penn State

James Franklin's firing, Matt Campbell's arrival and Franklin's move to Virginia Tech combined to keep this transition class near the bottom of the Big Ten. And signing a smaller group isn't a huge deal given the Nittany Lions ' transfer haul, which includes some high-profile carryovers from Iowa State in quarterback Rocco Becht and safety Marcus Neal. Campbell also pulled off a late recruiting coup in defensive lineman Elijah Reeder, who blossomed into one of the top edge rushers in this cycle. But the class is still short on star power with just a pair of four stars and no recruit who seems assured of playing a major role in 2026.

Baylor

Baylor was one of the big losers of the early signing period after losing offensive tackle Kole Seaton to Oklahoma State, four-star receiver Jordan Clay to Washington, four-star defensive lineman Jamarion Carlton to Texas and four-star defensive backs Jamarion Vincent and Jordan Deck to Michigan. That left the Bears around the top 70 nationally and near the bottom of the Big 12. They rallied to add two in-state recruits this past month in running back HD Davis and linebacker Jahiem Porter, but both are developmental prospects who combined for just one additional Power Four scholarship offer.

Auburn

Auburn and new coach Alex Golesh did sign five four-star recruits, more than five teams in the SEC. Leading the way is local edge rusher Jaquez Wilkes, who stuck to his commitment through the coaching change despite offers from many of the top programs in the Power Four. But the Tigers also suffered a rash of high-profile decommitments, losing safety Bralan Womack to Mississippi State, wide receiver Jase Matthews to Mississippi, edge rusher Hezekiah Harris to Tennessee and receiver Devin Carter to Florida State.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football signing day winners, losers include USC, LSU

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