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 Sam Houston. The Bearkats experienced a rocky Year 1 under head coach Phil Longo as he inherited a roster decimated by the transfer portal and a home stadium under construction. 

Overview 

Sam Houston signed nearly two dozen players through the transfer portal as head coach Phil Longo attempts to improve the roster and build on a 2-10 record in his first season in charge of the Bearkats. The 2026 portal class is a solid mixture of productive players moving into the FBS ranks and guys from Power Four programs with upside who simply need an opportunity at playing time. A top priority was clearly the trenches, where Sam Houston added four new offensive linemen and six defensive linemen. 
Class Grade: C+

Three Key Additions 

WR Kyan Berry-Johnson, Wisconsin: A former four-star prospect with familiarity in the Longo offensive system since the two were together at Wisconsin during the 2024 season. The Illinois native played in four games over two seasons with the Badgers and should be in line to earn a starting spot at wide receiver for Sam Houston in 2026. Quarterback Landyn Locke needs a better arsenal of weapons on the outside and the upside for Berry-Johnson is hard to ignore. Expect the 5-foot-10, 186-pound sophomore to work primarily in the slot. 

LB Brian Bates, Delaware State: Bates led Delaware State with 80 tackles in 2025, including seven for loss and two sacks. He also broke up two passes and forced a fumble. Bates brings experience to a solid linebacker room in Huntsville, playing in 24 games over the last two year while registering over 100 total tackles. He’s 6-foot-2, 235 pounds and should hold up at the FBS level. Bates is one of four linebackers added by the Bearkats through the portal ahead of 2026. 

CB Caesar Magee III, Northwestern State: Magee was a Phil Steele All-Southland Team honoree in 2024 and was a preseason All-Southland First Team selection heading into the 2025 season before an injury limited him to only five games of action for Northwestern State. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Louisiana native should immediately compete for a starting spot at cornerback for the Bearkats once he’s fully healthy. Magee, who changed his name from Jaheim Walters to honor his late father, has played 26 games and recorded 85 tackles, four interceptions, and 16 pass breakups in three years of college. 

Two Sleepers

DL Jarra Anderson, Arizona: The 6-foot-2, 271-pound defensive linemen missed 2024 with an injury and didn’t play much in 2025, but a return to the G6 level should allow him to blossom for the Bearkats. Anderson, a native of Katy, was at Memphis before the two-year stop at Arizona. While with the Tigers in 2023, Anderson appeared in 11 games and earned a start against SMU. He registered 10 tackles, including two for loss and 1.5 sacks. He’s a prototypical three-technique in a four-man front with some versatility in an odd-man front. 

WR Kamari Maxwell, Austin Peay: Improving the wide receiver position was one of the top priorities on the offensive side of the ball ahead of Year 2 for Longo. Maxwell caught 23 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, averaging 16.74 yards per reception as a freshman. His 6-foot frame means he can work on the outside or in the slot at Sam Houston. 

Transfer List 

• WR Alijah Cason, Holy Cross
• WR Kylan Berry-Johnson, Wisconsin 
• WR Kamari Maxwell, Austin Peay
• WR Kaleb Mitchell, Utah State
• WR Christian Zachary, NC State 
• TE Max Whisner, Akron
• TE Brock Kuhl, FAU
• OL Brock Stukes, NC State 
• OL Nathan McClelland, College of Idaho
• OL Carter Kadow, Rutgers 
• OL Elijah Collins, Western Carolina 
• DL Jarra Anderson, Arizona 
• DL Justin Terrell, NC State 
• DL Josh Alexander-Felton, NC State 
• DT Dimitry Nicolas, Maryland 
• DE Zion Taylor, Houston 
• DE Jayden Fry, Boston College 
• LB Michael King, Concordia
• LB Stacy Bey, Arizona 
• LB Elijah Groves, NC State 
• LB Brian Bates Jr., Delaware State 
• CB Joey Hunter, Memphis
• CB Caesar Magee III, Northwestern State 
• CB Ishmel Atkins, Elon
• DB William Davis, West Virginia 
• K Sam Carpenter, Pitt 
• P Cal Joseph, Wake Forest