Quarterback TJ Finley has decided to transfer once again, marking his sixth move, and will join the ranks of Incarnate Word’s football team for the 2026 season in the FCS.
This move positions Finley at his seventh collegiate institution. Although official statistics are not maintained on such matters, he is likely the most transferred player in the history of college football.
“I have set a high benchmark for my goals and aspirations,” Finley shared with the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I’m committed to reaching them, regardless of the path or challenges I face.”
Finley’s journey has been made possible through a special exemption, alongside navigating a series of injuries.
Originally a three-star recruit from the high school Class of 2020, Finley began his college career at LSU. The additional eligibility from the “Covid year” provided him with another opportunity to continue playing.
Hailing from Louisiana, Finley stepped up as a true freshman, starting five games after the team’s starter, Myles Brennan, was sidelined due to injury.
TJ Finley has transferred to his seventh school, which is likely the most in college history
He initially committed to LSU as a freshman (above) before transferring to Auburn
His second transfer landed him at Texas State – where he had his best season ever
After a single season in Baton Rouge, he transferred to Auburn – which would prove to be the longest stop of his career.
In 2021, Finley played in nine games for Auburn and started in three – rising from second on the depth chart.
The following year, Finley played in four games before suffering from an injury and redshirting for the rest of the season.
Finley transferred a second time, this time going to Sun Belt Conference member Texas State.
He experienced his greatest success with the Bobcats, passing for 3,439 yards, scoring 29 combined touchdowns and leading Texas State to an 8-5 season and a win over in-state rivals Rice in the First Responder Bowl.
School No. 4 soon followed when he moved to Western Kentucky. With the Hilltoppers, Finley only played three games before suffering a season-ending injury.
After acquiring a medical redshirt, he transferred once again to Tulane. However, he was suspended indefinitely from the team after he was arrested for illegal possession of stolen property involving a truck which was valued at over $25,000.
Before even suiting up for them, he transferred again – this time to Georgia State. Across seven games for the Panthers in 2025, he went 1-6 before being benched for the rest of the season. Finally, he transferred once again this offseason – using his Covid year to move to Incarnate Word.
Finley played two stints at Western Kentucky and Georgia State with a stop at Tulane between
The never-before-seen number of transfers is thanks to a new frontier of college football that has allowed money to influence athletes and led to players staying in school longer than ever.
The updated transfer policy, which took place at the beginning of the decade, has been scrutinized and criticized by fans, administrators, coaches and the media throughout its existence.
This year, the NCAA made an adjustment to reduce the amount of time that the ‘transfer portal’ can stay open for college football.
For 2026, the portal has been reduced from two windows to one 15-day window lasting from January 2 to January 16.
This allows colleges to finish out their seasons with their whole rosters intact.
Meanwhile, players in the College Football Playoff get five days starting after their final game to enter the transfer portal.
