The 2025 women’s college basketball transfer portal was a storm of star movement. Ta’Niya Latson’s high-profile jump from Florida State to South Carolina made national news. MiLaysia Fulwiley’s bold swap from Columbia to Baton Rouge turned heads across the region, while Cotie McMahon’s transfer from Ohio State to Ole Miss added fresh firepower to Oxford. LSU’s haul of Kate Koval from Notre Dame, Georgia’s homegrown pickup of Dani Carnegie from Georgia Tech, and Janiah Barker’s cross-country move from UCLA to Tennessee further cemented the SEC as the destination for elite women’s basketball talent.

Yet amid the hype, a quieter wave of mid-major transfers is bringing underrated skills, fresh hunger, and potential breakout impact to SEC rosters. Often overlooked due to their previous conferences, these players could emerge as key contributors in the league's intense battles. From Fayetteville to Tuscaloosa, here are five portal pickups who could surprise everyone this season.

1. Taleyah Jones (Oral Roberts to Arkansas)

When Arkansas landed Taleyah Jones from Oral Roberts, they secured one of the most prolific scorers outside the Power Five conferences. The 5-10 senior guard from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma—just a few hours west of Fayetteville—lit up the Summit League last season, averaging 18.1 points per game while leading ORU to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2011-12.

Jones was a certified bucket-getter with 17 games of 20-plus points, including nine performances over 25 and a season-high 30 against Omaha. Her 597 total points ranked second in the Summit League, and she earned First Team All-Summit League honors along with being named conference Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore.

What makes Jones particularly valuable is her ability to shoulder offensive loads. She averaged 33.2 minutes per game and shot 83.7% from the free-throw line, demonstrating both durability and efficiency in pressure situations. Her shooting splits of 42.7% from the field and 1.79 threes per contest show a well-rounded offensive game.

Arkansas fans in the Ozarks are already excited about her potential to fill the scoring void left by recent departures. Expect Razorback crowds at Bud Walton Arena to embrace Jones as she brings an immediate scoring punch to a program looking to make noise in SEC play.

2. Enjulina Gonzalez (Miami Ohio to Georgia)

Georgia fans love a guard with swagger, and Enjulina Gonzalez brings plenty. Her journey from the SoCon to the MAC now continues into the SEC, where her scoring versatility and toughness could be a perfect fit for Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson’s scrappy, defense-first identity. A First-Team All-MAC honoree and former Miss Basketball finalist in Florida, Gonzalez plays with a mix of South Florida flair and Southern grit that Athens fans will quickly recognize.

Pairing her with fellow in-state transfer Dani Carnegie gives Georgia one of the league’s most intriguing new backcourts—an ideal blend of scoring, experience, and edge.

After an injury-shortened sophomore year at Mercer (SoCon), she transferred to Miami Ohio (MAC) and started 27 of 30 games in 2024-25, averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game at 45.6% from the field. She scored 20+ points nine times, hit 43 threes at 36.8%, and notched 55 steals, earning First-Team All-MAC honors.

As a freshman at Mercer, she averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists at 51.2% efficiency. Her versatility as a scorer, playmaker, and defender adds up to All-SEC candidate material, providing much-needed backcourt punch alongside Dani Carnegie for a Georgia squad climbing the standings in Athens.

3. Josie Gilvin (Western Kentucky to Kentucky)

Few transfers this cycle carry a better storyline for Big Blue Nation than Josie Gilvin’s homecoming. The Louisville native starred at Western Kentucky, where she averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game last season while shooting a blistering 53.2% from the floor and 41.3% from deep.

Gilvin’s name might not have made national waves, but in the Commonwealth, she’s long been known for her relentless motor and two-way ability. She earned All-CUSA Second Team and All-Defensive honors, and her late-season surge (six double-doubles in nine games) showed she’s ready for SEC competition.

For Big Blue Nation, Gilvin represents both local pride and immediate production. Kentucky is getting a battle-tested player who helped Western Kentucky to a 23-9 record and brings the defensive prowess and improved three-point shooting needed to contend in the SEC. Expect her to become a fan favorite as she represents the 502 at Memorial Coliseum.

4. Fatmata Janneh (St. Peter's to Texas A&M)

Don’t sleep on Fatmata Janneh. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 18.2 points and 11.6 rebounds at St. Peter’s last season, posting one of the few double-double averages in the country. For an Aggies team seeking frontcourt depth, her athleticism and tenacity could earn her early minutes.

Janneh’s energy and nose for the ball should fit seamlessly into Texas A&M’s fast-paced, defensive-minded approach. Fans at Reed Arena might find themselves a new favorite once they see her motor in action. The MAAC Rookie of the Year is an athletic slasher with a nose for scoring and a growing reputation as a pesky perimeter defender.

For a Texas A&M team emphasizing versatility, Janneh’s energy and ability to guard multiple positions could earn her crucial minutes early on. While not cracking the top five, Janneh's raw production had to be mentioned.

These mid-major transfers represent the hidden value in the portal, where potential often outweighs hype. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, keep an eye on how they adapt to the SEC's intensity. They might just steal the show from the bigger names.

5. Ta’Mia Scott (Middle Tennessee to Alabama)

If you’ve watched Conference USA basketball the past few years, you know Ta’Mia Scott can flat-out score. The 6-foot-flat-out-fun guard averaged 16.7 points (44.8%) and 6.6 rebounds for Middle Tennessee last season, showing an elite ability to create her own shot and attack the rim. She totaled 586 points, shooting 35.9% from three and 68.6% from the line. As a sophomore in 2023-24, she averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds, earning All-Conference USA Second Team honors. 

Scott has a proven knack for hitting tough jumpers and creating offense from isolation sets. Now she brings that scoring punch to Alabama, where her versatility and physicality fit perfectly into the Crimson Tide’s high-tempo offense. Elite handles help her get to the line often, and scrappy rebounding from the guard position makes the Clarksville, TN native a matchup nightmare in SEC play.

For Tide fans in Coleman Coliseum, she’s a player worth watching from day one. Scott is a fearless competitor with a chip on her shoulder and something to prove on the big stage.