The portal is technically closed and most of the top players who entered have found new homes for the 2026 season. We’re breaking down each of the 13 FBS portal classes across the state of Texas, continuing with North Texas. The Mean Green are approaching 50 new players via the portal alone as new head coach Neal Brown reworks a roster that was decimated when former head coach Eric Morris left for Oklahoma State. 

Overview 

The imports were never going to match the exports, at least from a pure talent perspective. Replacing the likes of QB Drew Mestemaker, RB Caleb Hawkins, WR Wyatt Young, and so many others was always an impossible task. That said, Mean Green Nation couldn’t expect much more than what Brown & Co. have assembled over the last couple of weeks. North Texas is adding Power Four bodies along the offensive line and plenty of production on defense. They’ve added at least two players to each position and should be commended for their current roster construction strategy. 
Class Grade: B+

Three Key Additions 

RB Jaheim White, West Virginia: White is reuniting with Brown, his former head coach at West Virginia. He started 11 times and ran for 844 yards and scored seven touchdowns in 2024, Brown’s last with the Mountaineers. White was a breakout star as a true freshman in 2023, leading WVU in all-purpose yards with 1,086 while averaging 7.7 yards per carry and breaking the 100-yard mark in four games. White gives Brown a running back to build the offense around and a feature piece for what he wants the offense to look like moving forward.

RB Brendon Haygood, Missouri: White wasn’t the only big-time running back added to the Mean Green roster ahead of 2026. Haygood is a redshirt freshman who began his career at Missouri after a stellar prep career at nearby Sachse High School. The 5-10, 190-pound running back is the future at running back for North Texas and he’ll be the understudy for White at running back. He was a four-star prospect per On3. 

OL Henry Fenuku, Missouri: There is a common theme in the Mean Green portal class – talented prep players returning home to the Metroplex for an opportunity for playing time. Fenuku fits that bill. The 6-3, 285-pound redshirt freshman was a four-star prospect at Rivals.com from North Crowley High School, where assistant coach Ray Gates worked before joining the Mean Green staff. Fenuku should start at one of the guard positions. He’s one of six offensive linemen signed in the portal and four of those are coming from P4 programs. 

Two Sleepers 

LB Zakye Barker, SMU: Although he never became a frontline starter in one year at SMU, Barker is a potential all-conference player for the Mean Green in 2026. He’s familiar with the landscape of the American Conference because he arrived at SMU from East Carolina, where he was a second-team all-conference selection as a redshirt sophomore in 2024 after recording 86 tackles, including 12 for loss. He’s undersized at 5-foot-10, but that shouldn’t hinder him as a potential anchor in the second level of the defense. 

DE Udoka Ezeani, UTEP: North Texas is the fifth stop for Ezeani since graduating from Richmond Foster in 2021. He began his career at Missouri State before stops at Butler Community College, Boise State, and finally UTEP ahead of his transfer to North Texas. He was an impact player for the Miners in 2025, leading the team with five sacks. He was second on the team with 11 tackles for loss. He doesn’t have traditional size for an edge rusher at 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, but he’s productive and can be used as a pass rushing specialist for the Mean Green.  

Transfer List 

• QB Tayven Jackson, UCF
• QB Chaston Ditta, East Carolina
• RB Nick Osho, Indiana State 
• RB Jahiem White, West Virginia
• RB Brendon Haygood, Missouri
• RB Colin Page, Texas
• WR Josiah Martin, Oklahoma 
• WR Justin Stevenson, Utah
• WR James Tyre, Western Carolina 
• WR TJ Chukwurah, Black Hills 
• WR Corri Milliner, UAB
• WR Grayson O’Bara, Dartmouth
• TE Brec Long, South Alabama 
• TE Max Reese, Mississippi State 
• TE Drew Clemens, Utah
• OL Henry Fenuku, Missouri
• OL Chandler Strong, Georgia Southern
• OT Johnny Williams, Missouri 
• OL Neto Umeozulu, Texas
• OL Jahzari Priester, Virginia Tech
• OL Drew Cunningham, Charlotte 
• DT Justin Benton, East Carolina 
• DL Wesley Hudson, Central Oklahoma
• DT Christian Lorenzo, Illinois State 
• DT Wesley Hudson, Central Oklahoma 
• DE Curlee Thomas, Cal 
• DE Mouhamed Diawara, Sioux Falls 
• DE Steven Curtis, Minnesota 
• DE Davion Rhodes, Georgia Southern
• DE Udoka Ezeani, UTEP
• LB Zakye Barker, SMU 
• LB Aaron Alexander, Arkansas State 
• LB Cedric Roberts, Alcorn State 
• LB Chantz Johnson, Texas State 
• CB Keshawn Davila, Arkansas 
• CB Zach Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana 
• CB Ja’Bree Bickham, Boise State 
• CB Jaden Allen, Arkansas 
• CB Keshawn Davila, Arkansas 
• CB Peyton Taylor, Emporia State 
• DB Cameron Jenkins, Baylor
• DB Brandon Jones, McNeese State
• DB Graham Gillespie, Texas 
• S Taye Seymour, Auburn
• S Jason Cross Jr., West Virginia
• S CJ Coombes, Wofford 
• P Ian Ratliff, App State 
• K Dominic De Freitas, App State 
• LS Jacob Poff, App State