NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ranking the Top 10 Game-Changing College Football Transfers in the CFP

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Trevor Etienne spent two solid seasons at Florida as part of a two-headed backfield before transferring to Georgia in the offseason. The running back dealt with some injury issues, but down the stretch of the season, the junior showed why he was a big-time pickup in the transfer portal. Etienne has rushed for 571 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season, and his role in the Bulldogs offense will likely increase as the team hopes to go on a run in the postseason without their starting quarterback.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
1) QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon in the offseason and immediately became the successor to Bo Nix. Knowing he was building a championship-caliber team, Dan Lanning searched for a proven passer in the portal to put the Ducks in this position. The Heisman finalist has been consistent and steady all season long for Oregon, tossing 28 touchdowns and rushing for seven touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions while leading the team to a perfect 13-0 regular season season. If he can put together the same performances he has in the regular season in the Ducks' postseason run, Oregon will be hard to take down.

Keep track of the top players in the college football transfer portal and their potential destinations!
2) RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo is a name that many people feel was snubbed from the Heisman finalists list after the season he had for Arizona State. Skattebo began his career at Sacramento State before finding a role at ASU in 2023. The Sun Devils running back racked up 1,568 rushing yards, 506 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns on the season, and he's consistently provided the edge that Arizona State has needed down the stretch to win out and clinch the Big 12 Championship. Considering Arizona State enters its matchup against Texas as an underdog, it's fitting to be led by a player who's consistently carried a chip on his shoulder his whole career.

Texas vs. Arizona St. Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
3) S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is one of several top players who opted to leave their situation to join Ohio State with a chance to make a playoff run this season. Downs left Alabama following the retirement of Nick Saban and immediately joined the Buckeyes to sure up the team's secondary. The talented sophomore has been a reliable option on defense and his versatility in the secondary alone makes him one of the biggest transfer portal additions on this list.

Spread: Ohio State -2.5 | Moneyline: Ohio State -134 | Total: 55.5
4) WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Tez Johnson transferred to Oregon last offseason after three solid seasons at Troy. The wideout's decision to return to Oregon for another season after a strong year in 2023 was one of the most significant boosts for the Ducks offense for their championship run. The wideout has been a top target for Dillon Gabriel this season, and his reliability in the passing game has opened up the offense for the Ducks. With a big matchup against Ohio State on the horizon, Johnson will be relied on heavily, considering how well he performed in the team's win over OSU during the regular season.

Ohio St. vs. Oregon Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
5) QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Will Howard is the second signal caller to find his way on this list. The dual-threat quarterback joined the Buckeyes in the offseason after transferring from Kansas State. Ryan Day had a vision and he believed that Howard could be the game manager that would elevate his team to the level it needed to win a National Championship. Following his 311 passing yards and two passing touchdown performance to knock out Tennessee in round one, Howard seems poised for the moment. His success alone could completely alter the Buckeyes' playoff run.
6) QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers initially committed to Ohio State out of high school as a five-star prospect. However, after being buried in the depth chart as a true freshman, the pocket passer transferred to Texas, where he's played three seasons for the Longhorns, proving to be one of the most consistent signal callers in the nation. While Ewers may not wow anybody with arm strength, his accuracy and decision-making alone are why he's managed to fend off Arch Manning for the starting job up to this point. While his future at Texas beyond this season is unknown, he can end his tenure and secure his legacy with the Longhorns the right way if they can make a deep run.

Spread: Texas -12.5 | Moneyline: Texas -465| Total: 51.5
7) QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Riley Leonard entered the transfer portal last offseason with a "Do Not Contact" tag beside his name after multiple impressive seasons at Duke. Not long after entering, the quarterback announced he was transferring to Notre Dame, where he saw a chance to suit up for head coach Marcus Freeman and lead the team on the run; so far, Leonard hasn't disappointed this season with 17 passing touchdowns, 15 rushing touchdowns, and only six interceptions. With the dual-threat quarterback posing a threat as part of the team's backfield, Leonard can be a top game-changer on this list, especially with a big matchup against Georgia.

Spread: Georgia -1.5 | Moneyline: Georgia -125 | Total: 44.5
8) RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins spent two seasons at Ole Miss, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards in each. Despite his success with the Rebels, the talented running back opted to transfer to Ohio State for a chance to contend for a national championship and share a backfield rather than boost his stats. With the Buckeyes, Judkins has continued to dominate rushing for 839 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Judkins will play a big part in the Buckeyes' run down the stretch as part of a two-headed backfield.

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9) WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Matthew Golden transferred to Texas in the offseason after two solid years at Houston. Since joining the Longhorns, the Texas product has quickly become a reliable downfield option in Steve Sarkisian's offense. The wideout has racked up 787 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season and has continuously stepped up in big moments for the Longhorns throughout the season.
10) RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Trevor Etienne spent two solid seasons at Florida as part of a two-headed backfield before transferring to Georgia in the offseason. The running back dealt with some injury issues, but down the stretch of the season, the junior showed why he was a big-time pickup in the transfer portal. Etienne has rushed for 571 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season, and his role in the Bulldogs offense will likely increase as the team hopes to go on a run in the postseason without their starting quarterback.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
1) QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon in the offseason and immediately became the successor to Bo Nix. Knowing he was building a championship-caliber team, Dan Lanning searched for a proven passer in the portal to put the Ducks in this position. The Heisman finalist has been consistent and steady all season long for Oregon, tossing 28 touchdowns and rushing for seven touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions while leading the team to a perfect 13-0 regular season season. If he can put together the same performances he has in the regular season in the Ducks' postseason run, Oregon will be hard to take down.

Keep track of the top players in the college football transfer portal and their potential destinations!

Ranking the Top 10 Game-Changing College Football Transfers in the CFP

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