Offensive Transfers Who Could Have the Biggest Impact in 2023 CFB Season
While the activity level of the transfer portal continues to rise, the number of impact players presumably should grow.
Only a select group of additions, however, will legitimately have a major influence on an offense's level of success in 2023.
Naturally, the obvious choices are quarterbacks such as Wake Forest-to-Notre Dame mover Sam Hartman. In the interest of not highlighting a bunch of signal-callers, though, we've selected three QBs and rounded out the list across the other positional groups on offense.
The list is subjective but includes players who can solidify a contender, engineer a philosophical change or provide a rapid one-year turnaround at their position.
Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
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During the 2021 season, Devin Leary amassed 3,433 passing yards at a solid 8.0 per attempt with 35 touchdowns to five interceptions. He guided North Carolina State to a superb 9-3 record.
Unfortunately for Leary and NC State, the 2022 campaign wasn't as kind. Although the Wolfpack went 5-1 in his starts, Leary's efficiency dipped considerably before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. He ultimately chose to transfer and jumped from the ACC to SEC.
Kentucky landed him to replace Will Levis, a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft despite his inconsistencies in college.
And the 'Cats have an encouraging outlook for Leary.
Barion Brown, Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson each tallied at least 37 receptions for 497-plus yards, combining for 13 touchdowns. They're all returning to UK, along with 20-catch tight end Jordan Dingle.
Kentucky isn't suddenly a threat to dethrone Georgia in the SEC. But after a 7-6 campaign that included 20.4 points per game, the 'Cats should improve considerably as Leary assumes the QB1 spot.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
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Even without Sam Hartman, Notre Dame headed into the offseason as a respected team. Following an ugly 3-3 start to Marcus Freeman's tenure, the Fighting Irish surged to 9-4.
Hartman bolsters their perception, though.
While at Wake Forest, he smashed both single-season and career program records. Most notably, Hartman put together a pair of 3,700-yard, 38-touchdown seasons as a passer. The previous records, set by John Wolford in 2017, were 3,192 and 29, respectively.
Notre Dame has a clear need at receiver, so Hartman isn't entering a super-favorable spot in South Bend. But he, nonetheless, is the caliber of quarterback who can elevate an offense.
If he can accomplish that, the Irish will hover around the fringe of the College Football Playoff discussion.
Tanner Mordecai, QB, Wisconsin
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From a schematic perspective, it's pretty tough to eclipse what Tanner Mordecai is bringing to Wisconsin.
Although the Badgers have previously run spread concepts, they're about to embrace an unparalleled amount of modern offense. New offensive coordinator Phil Longo is about to revamp a traditional pro-style attack into an up-tempo, spread-focused philosophy.
On paper, Mordecai is an ideal fit. He initially played under now-USC coach Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, then transferred to SMU and led offenses overseen by now-TCU boss Sonny Dykes and Rhett Lashlee.
During the last two years, Mordecai posted a pair of 3,500-yard, 33-touchdown seasons with only 22 interceptions in a total of 897 attempts—one in every 40.8 throws.
Mordecai, who's also a capable runner in a limited volume, will be instrumental to a huge transition in Madison.
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Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
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Given the amount of time Colorado has spent and will spend in the headlines this offseason, fans might experience a breaking point. Enough with Deion Sanders already—we get it.
But his son, Shedeur, is an absolutely pivotal transfer.
Last season, Colorado ranked 120th nationally with 5.8 yards per attempt and 127th at 15.4 points per game. For the season, the Buffs tossed 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. They ranked 127th in completion percentage (49.7). The only offense—excluding service academies Air Force, Army and Navy, who run option-based offenses—holding a worse rate was UMass, a program with a 3-37 record since 2019.
In short: Sanders, the quarterback, is a major upgrade. He threw for 3,732 yards and 40 touchdowns with six interceptions last season, guiding Jackson State to a 12-1 record and conference title.
Colorado won't immediately be a Pac-12 contender, barring a jaw-dropping surge from the defense. But the offense, at minimum, will actually be a threat to score with Sanders taking the snaps.
Michigan's Linemen
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Among the many notable improvements at Michigan, the performance of the offensive line has fueled the program's rise.
During the 2021 season, the Wolverines ranked 18th nationally in yards per carry (5.2) and third in rushing touchdown (39). They climbed to third (5.6) and second (41) in 2022, winning the Big Ten and reaching the CFP in both years.
The bad news is center Olu Oluwatimi and left tackle Ryan Hayes are headed to the NFL. The good news is guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter are back, while U-M added Arizona State's LaDarius Henderson and both Drake Nugent and Myles Hinton from Stanford.
Nugent is expected to start at center, while Henderson—a guard for the last two seasons—and Hinton both have experience at tackle. Either or both could be starters on the outside of the line.
Throw in the unanticipated return of star runner Blake Corum, and the Wolverines should excel on the ground again in 2023.
Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State
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Florida State must actually back up the hype. But as the calendar turns to February, however, few—if any—programs have enjoyed a more encouraging start to the 2023 offseason.
The roster is poised to return several key draft-eligible offensive players—quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Trey Benson and wideout Johnny Wilson—who passed up the NFL for another year.
Based on Travis, Benson and Wilson alone, the Seminoles would be a respected offense. But they also snagged South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell out of the transfer portal.
Bell is versatile enough that South Carolina used him as a running back for most of November. He finished the campaign with 261 rushing yards, 25 catches for 231 yards and five touchdowns. Bell tallied 30 receptions for 497 yards and five scores in 2021, as well.
FSU coach Mike Norvell can unveil a unique brand of creativity with Bell in an experienced offense as the 'Noles pursue an ACC crown.
Dorian Singer, WR, USC
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Last offseason, Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison left Pitt for USC. In the moment, the Trojans seemed to have built an unstoppable connection of a rising star at quarterback with an elite receiver.
Reality didn't quite match expectations, but Caleb Williams still won the Heisman Trophy with Addison as USC's leading target. Addison reeled in 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns before heading to the 2023 NFL draft, where he could be a first-round pick.
And now, it's Dorian Singer's turn.
Singer flashed his upside as a freshman at Arizona in 2021 with 18 catches for 301 yards in five appearances. Last year, he gathered 66 receptions for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns.
Once again, USC has a dynamic duo on paper. Williams and Singer are not guaranteed to thrive together, but it's certainly risky to overlook the potential of two proven standouts.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
