Under-the-Radar Impact Transfers for the 2025 College Football Season
The biggest names in the transfer portal will always command the most attention around college football, and that should not change.
Simultaneously, there are thousands of players on the move during the offseason. Within that group, hundreds of them are destined to make a significant impact with their new program in the fall.
The under-the-radar talents merit a spotlight, too.
While the list is subjective, it's based on previous production and projected contributions in 2025. None of the players included have a 4- or 5-star rating, according to the 247Sports transfer rankings.
Matthew Sluka, QB, James Madison
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Early in the 2024 season, Matthew Sluka guided UNLV to victories over Houston and Kansas. Then, he left the program due to a disagreement—wherever the truth falls—about name, image and likeness (NIL) payments.
Sluka has since landed at James Madison, which has surged into the Football Bowl Subdivision with three straight eight-win years.
A talented dual-threat QB, Sluka starred at Holy Cross before his brief stay at UNLV. He threw for 318 yards and six touchdowns with 253 rushing yards and another score in three appearances for the Rebels.
James Madison, a front-runner to win the Sun Belt in 2025, will lean heavily on Sluka to guide that championship pursuit.
Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana
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After a dream season led to a College Football Playoff berth, the Hoosiers are aiming to rekindle the magic with a rebuilt offense.
The featured player is Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza, who's set to replace Kurtis Rourke at quarterback. However, the program also added a versatile piece in Maryland running back Roman Hemby.
Over the last three seasons, Hemby has collected at least 33 receptions, 880 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in each year.
Hemby and Kaelon Black are poised to form a dangerous duo at IU.
Javonnie Gibson, WR, Oklahoma
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Around the program, Javonnie Gibson is a familiar name. Because he transferred from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, he's certainly not well-known nationally.
Soon enough, that may change.
Gibson is coming off a season in which he nabbed 70 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns for UAPB. He's expected—and needed—to hold a key role in an Oklahoma receiving corps that watched Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq and Andrel Anthony all depart via the transfer portal.
Oklahoma's hopes of a resurgent year are largely pinned on new QB John Mateer, but Gibson's presence on the outside will be vital, as well.
Hudson Clement, WR, Illinois
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Given the depth and experience of returning talent, Illinois has rightfully become a bit of an offseason darling.
If there's one major question mark, though, it's at receiver. The unit has to replace All-Big Ten wideout Pat Bryant and key secondary target Zakhari Franklin, the Illini's only players to surpass 300 receiving yards last season.
Hudson Clement has a huge opportunity ahead of him.
Last year, he paced West Virginia in each major category with 51 catches for 741 yards and five touchdowns. Clement, who also had 22 receptions for 480 yards and four scores in 2023, brings plenty of experience to U of I.
Together with Ball State transfer Justin Bowick—an underrated transfer to watch in his own right—Clement could solidify a real CFP threat.
Mohamed Toure, LB, Miami
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The best version of Mohamed Toure can be special.
Few, and perhaps nobody, can know that better than new Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. Before his excellent year as Minnesota's DC in 2024, he helped mold Toure as the linebackers coach at Rutgers.
Toure, who missed last season due to a knee injury, racked up 93 tackles with 9.5 for loss (4.5 sacks) with Hetherman in 2023.
Provided his recovery stays on track, Toure should be an essential part of a transfer-fueled defense at Miami this season.
Travion Barnes, LB, Baylor
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After watching Arizona State obliterate its 2024 projection, who's to say Baylor—already moderately respected—can't swipe the Big 12 in the fall?
Well, that debate is centered on the defense.
Fortunately for the Bears, they picked up Florida International linebacker Travion Barnes to reinforce the unit. He amassed 129 tackles with 10.5 for loss (3.0 sacks) as the Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA last season.
Barnes and Keaton Thomas, a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, give Baylor a powerful pair in the middle of the defense.
Theran Johnson, CB, Oregon
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Oregon's trip to the CFP ended in disastrous fashion last season, but there's no question the Ducks are built to thrive again in 2025.
While that's no surprise—especially given the coaching staff and program's NIL resources—it wasn't a sure thing. Oregon had to rebuild the secondary, and All-American safety Dillon Thieneman from Purdue was simply one piece.
Also in the mix is Theran Johnson, a two-year starter at corner for Northwestern. He garnered second-team All-Big Ten recognition last season.
Johnson's performance should improve with higher surrounding talent. Pair that with his own development, and Johnson could be a star at UO.
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