11 New Transfer Players Join USD Coyotes for 2026 Season

Heavy hitters are both leaving and incoming for South Dakota as the transfer portal reshapes the Coyotes' roster.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:39pm

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The University of South Dakota Coyotes football team has seen significant roster turnover through the NCAA transfer portal, with six former Coyotes leaving for power four schools and 11 new transfer players joining the team from the FBS level. Key departures include leading rusher L.J. Phillips Jr. to Iowa, record-breaking touchdown scorer Larenzo Fenner to Cincinnati, and several offensive and defensive starters. The Coyotes have reloaded with a mix of experienced transfers at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive back, linebacker, and punter, aiming to build on last season under second-year head coach Travis Johansen.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has dramatically reshaped college football rosters, with high-profile players moving between programs at a rapid pace. For the Coyotes, these transfers represent both a challenge in losing key contributors, but also an opportunity to quickly reload with experienced talent from the FBS level as they look to build on last season's performance.

The details

The Coyotes saw six former players enter the transfer portal, with running back L.J. Phillips Jr. (Iowa), wide receiver Larenzo Fenner (Cincinnati), defensive end Caden Crawford (Boise State), offensive lineman Jacob Arop (Cal), and punter Tyler Ebel (Vanderbilt) all departing. In return, USD has brought in 11 new transfers, headlined by quarterback Jackson Proctor (Northern Illinois), wide receiver Bryce Cohoon (Kansas), offensive linemen Jake Riggs and Jake Utley (UTEP), defensive backs Harrison Brun and Ethan Carrier (Minnesota) and Kael Kolarik (Iowa), linebackers Neeo Avery (Maryland) and Sam Same (Iowa State), and punter Brook Honore (Cal).

  • The transfer portal window opened in early January 2026, allowing players to enter and depart programs.
  • The 11 new transfers have joined the Coyotes roster ahead of the 2026 season, which kicks off in late August.

The players

L.J. Phillips Jr.

The leading rusher in the FCS last season with 1,921 yards, Phillips has transferred to the University of Iowa.

Larenzo Fenner

Fenner broke the Coyotes' single-season touchdown record with 15, and has joined former USD teammate Joe Cotton at the University of Cincinnati.

Jackson Proctor

The redshirt senior quarterback is transferring in from Northern Illinois University to lead the Coyotes' offense.

Travis Johansen

The second-year head coach of the Coyotes is overseeing the significant roster turnover as he looks to build on last season's performance.

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What they’re saying

“The transfer portal has really shaken up our roster, but we're excited about the experienced talent we've been able to bring in to complement our returning players.”

— Travis Johansen, Head Coach

What’s next

The Coyotes will look to integrate their new transfer players during spring practices and summer workouts, with the 2026 season opener scheduled for late August.

The takeaway

The Coyotes' active participation in the transfer portal highlights the new reality of college football, where rosters can be dramatically reshaped from year to year. While losing key contributors is challenging, USD has reloaded with experienced talent that could position them for success in the upcoming season.