A portfolio lender is your best bet.

The connections I mentioned have come up unintentionally in general networking settings - Im not actively seeking to connect buyers and sellers before having my license. 

I bet you run a seriously amazing, and legit, business.I also have a soft spot for this because I volunteer in California prisons, one day a month and six full weekends a year, and I work with the inmates directly and I know for a fact that so many of them have your kind of mind and drive and skill.

The podcasts give you a ton of information and inspiration, while the events are great ways to connect with local investors.One tip that I can offer about this website is: GET ACTIVE!

Get licensed, and avoid having to hide your activities. 

I bet @Jon Holdman has a good answer to this - per usual.

Although I would love to start learning actively while I am in college right now.

I passively hold an investment property in Georgia, but want my investment activity in Dallas to be much more hands-on. 

I bet they change their tune when you ask for this.

(I'm not an attorney so I'm just raising an issue you may want to discuss with an actual attorney, but you may find this series of videos on wholesaling which was made by an attorney in Ohio to possibly be applicable to your situation.)In general I'm much more in favor of spending time to build relationships with a smaller number of buyers you've met with a few times and vetted a bit, instead of doing a mass mailing campaign - the "rifle" approach rather than the "shotgun".If you decide that's something you want to investigate, you could contact active people here on BP and/or go to your local real estate investment group such as RIREIG in RI or Black Diamond REI in Mass to start building relationships.Good luck and let us know how it turns out of course!