NCAAF · 1 year ago

Most Impactful Transfers for the Championship Game

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

6. Josh Wallace
In the offseason, the Michigan Wolverines knew they needed help in the secondary. They hit an absolute home run with the experienced Josh Wallace. Wallace started 34 games at cornerback for Massachusetts and transitioned to Michigan far better than anyone anticipated. He started the season's final nine games and earned All-Big Ten honors. Wallace made a huge play against Alabama, recovering a second-half fumble that helped flip the outcome of the College Football Semifinal. He is tasked with slowing the vaunted Washington passing attack on Monday night.
1. Michael Penix Jr.
The Washington Huskies star quarterback began his collegiate career at Indiana University. He flashed his potential but could not stay healthy due to bad luck and an underperforming offensive line that could not keep him upright. Penix Jr.'s best season came with Kalen DeBoer as his offensive coordinator, and the two reunited in Seattle and have helped transform the Washington offense into one of the nation's best.
2. Drake Nugent
Drake Nugent is a former captain at Stanford who started 24 games at center for the Cardinal. He transferred to Michigan for his final season and has elevated his play and the play of the Michigan offensive line. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and is a Rimington Trophy Finalist. Nugent has started all 14 games at center for the Wolverines.
3. Ja'Lynn Polk
The native of Lufkin, Texas, began his collegiate career in the Lone Star State at Texas Tech. Things did not click for him in the Big 12, and he entered the transfer portal in 2021. Kalen DeBoer took a chance on him before the 2022 season, and his career has taken a massive step forward. Polk has 65 catches for 1,122 yards with nine touchdowns and is an outstanding partner to Rome Odunze in the receiver corps.
4. LaDarius Henderson
Originally from Texas, LaDarius Henderson played the first four years of his collegiate career at Arizona State. He started 29 games for the Sun Devils and was a team captain in 2022. Henderson transferred to Michigan for the 2023 season and has been a massive boost to the left side of the offensive line. He filled a significant area of need for the Wolverines and has appeared in 12 games for Michigan, earning first-team All-Big Ten for his work as a left tackle.
5. Dillon Johnson
A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Dillon Johnson played for three seasons at Mississippi State University and totaled over 2,000 yards with a dozen touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Johnson transferred to Washington for the 2023 campaign and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Johnson provides a physical rushing option that has added necessary balance to the Washington offensive attack. His status after reaggravating an ankle injury is something to watch for Monday night's title game.
6. Josh Wallace
In the offseason, the Michigan Wolverines knew they needed help in the secondary. They hit an absolute home run with the experienced Josh Wallace. Wallace started 34 games at cornerback for Massachusetts and transitioned to Michigan far better than anyone anticipated. He started the season's final nine games and earned All-Big Ten honors. Wallace made a huge play against Alabama, recovering a second-half fumble that helped flip the outcome of the College Football Semifinal. He is tasked with slowing the vaunted Washington passing attack on Monday night.
1. Michael Penix Jr.
The Washington Huskies star quarterback began his collegiate career at Indiana University. He flashed his potential but could not stay healthy due to bad luck and an underperforming offensive line that could not keep him upright. Penix Jr.'s best season came with Kalen DeBoer as his offensive coordinator, and the two reunited in Seattle and have helped transform the Washington offense into one of the nation's best.

Most Impactful Transfers for the Championship Game

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