Fresno State lost its starting tight end but added a veteran quarterback and retained several key players during the NCAA transfer portal window.

The football portal opened Jan. 2 and closed Jan. 16.

One experienced quarterback is headed to the Bulldogs, while another is leaving.

Khristian Martin transferred to Fresno State from the University of Maryland. The Highland Springs, Virginia native appeared in five games, completing 65% of his passes for 105 yards and one touchdown.

“I transferred to Fresno State to have the opportunity to compete with a great team and coaching staff that plays in an awesome environment and conference,” Martin told GV Wire. “All of that made Fresno State a very attractive place, along with the long lineage of quarterbacks who have played at the university and thrived.”

The Bulldogs have produced several quarterbacks with NFL experience including the Carr brothers, Derek and David; Jake Haener, currently with the New Orleans Saints; Super Bowl champ Trent Dilfer, and several others.

“Those guys also played at the next level,” Martin said. “I am looking forward to working hard day in and day out, building lifetime bonds with my teammates and coaches, and doing everything we can to go win the Pac-12.”

Quarterback Carson Conklin, who went 2-1 in three starts for Fresno State, transferred back to Sacramento State. Brayden Turner transferred to the College of San Mateo.

Martin could emerge as the favorite to start in 2026, competing with Jayden Mandal, Jonathan Craft, and incoming freshmen Deagan Rose and Jacob Chambers.

Neither Mandal nor Craft took snaps during the 2025 season. Mandal started the 2024 Potato Bowl and recently underwent shoulder surgery.

Fresno State is expected to announce its full transfer list Feb. 4.

Luke Returning, Anderson Gone

Running back Rayshon Luke, the aptly named “Speedy,” announced he is returning in 2026.

Starting tight end Richie Anderson III transferred to Texas A&M. Several outlets reported that tight end Jake Appleget of Northern Illinois is transferring to Fresno State.

247Sports also reported that running back Tariq Taylor is transferring in from Bucknell.

Offensive lineman Bode Stoddard announced he is transferring from San Diego Mesa College. Multiple reports also list offensive lineman Oscar Weigel transferring from the University of San Diego.

With kicker Dylan Lynch graduating, Fresno State added Manaki Watanabe, who is transferring from Ashland University.

On the Defense

Several outlets reported that defensive back Croix Stewart is transferring from UCLA.

Defensive back Taylor Powell (Northern Illinois) and Preston Okafur (Nebraska) are also expected to join the Bulldogs.

The group could help replace Jayden Davis, who transferred to UConn.

Fresno State landed Nebraska transfer Maverick Noonan, a defensive end from Omaha, and Micah Mosley, a lineman from Sacramento State.

Defensive end Dylan Hampstein is also transferring from Sacramento State.

Linebacker K’vion Thunderbird, who missed about half the season with an arm injury, announced he will return.

Transferring Out

The following players transferred out of Fresno State, according to the team. Several have not announced future destinations.

• TE Richie Anderson (Texas A&M)
• DL Isiah Chala (Sacramento State)
• QB Carson Conklin (Sacramento State)
• DB Jayden Davis (UConn)
• DB RL Miller (Cal Poly)
• QB Brayden Turner (College of San Mateo)
• CB Ah’marion Ashley
• WR Josiah Ayon
• OL Matai Bell
• WR Josh Johnson
• DL Jack Metzler
• RB Devon Rivers
• LB Tim Thomas
• DL Damarrion White