2025 Biggest Impact Transfers in College Football After Week 4
The transfer portal has changed the face of college football and allowed instant transformation of teams to contenders. We're witnessing this firsthand so far in 2025.
After the biggest wave of portal players yet moved around, we're seeing impacts at essentially every program across the nation. These days, it's hard to even refer to somebody as a "transfer," because the majority of players change destinations at least once throughout their careers.
For this list, though, they had to be guys who played for another program in 2024, entered the portal and are starring elsewhere this season. JUCO transfers can be included, too.
We left Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli off this list, because of his tragic, season-ending Achilles injury suffered Saturday against Clemson. At the time of his exit, the Orange's signal-caller was the nation's passing leader and would have been one of the top guys on this list. Now, coach Fran Brown must move on without him.
Here are several guys who have already made massive impacts to their new teams and will continue to do so.
Joey Aguilar, Tennessee Volunteers Quarterback
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By now, the story of how Joey Aguilar wound up at Tennessee when he was set to be UCLA's next quarterback is well-documented.
Nico Iamaleava left Knoxville for the Bruins, Aguilar saw the window to fill that void, a basic trade was made via the portal, and the rest is potentially Vol history.
As it turns out, the 24-year-old Aguilar looks like the perfect guy to run Josh Heupel's up-tempo offense, reading through progressions, seeing the entire field and displaying the gunslinger mentality to unleash 50-50 balls and let the Vols' talented pass-catchers go get them.
Aguilar—who played at Appalachian State last year before going through spring practice with the Bruins—has been a hero of near-mythical sorts on Rocky Top. He's thrown for 1,124 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions and was downright lethal in a near-miss loss to Georgia.
In a place where fans look upon their collegiate heroes as legendary, Aguilar is trending toward a one-year player who leaves that kind of unforgettable legacy. Yes, there's a lot of football left, but he took essentially a throw-away year and breathed in life.
David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders Outside Linebacker
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Texas Tech and coach Joey Aguilar spent big in the transfer portal to try to become more of a national player, and Saturday's runaway win over Utah shows it may be working.
The Red Raiders could be the best team in that conference, and they are doing it with essentially a whole new team, especially on the defensive side of the ball where the front seven has been reloaded.
The top new player in that group is David Bailey, a former Stanford standout edge-rusher who was expected to be one of the top difference-makers at that position in the entire portal and is living up to that billing.
The 6'3", 250-pound outside linebacker has eight tackles and 3.5 sacks so far in the early season, proving his worth as a havoc-wreaker getting after quarterbacks.
A year ago, the Red Raiders were 92nd nationally with just 21 sacks. Through four games, they have almost half of that already (10), and Bailey is the biggest catalyst of the crew. McGuire's team will go as far as their defense takes them this year, and it looks like it could be a machine.
Carson Beck, Miami Hurricanes Quarterback
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There are plenty of quarterbacks out there who've put up better numbers than Carson Beck, and he just suffered through a pretty poor game in a lopsided-but-sloppy, rain-soaked win over Florida.
But this is about impact, and Beck has made one for the Hurricanes. As a matter of fact, he's kept them as a contender following the departure of No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward, himself a one-year rented gun.
Beck decided to return to his native Sunshine State and play another college season in Coral Gables rather than return to Georgia or try his hand at the NFL following elbow surgery, and he's only going to improve as the season matures.
The 6'4", 220-pound Jacksonville native has completed 73 percent of his passes for 972 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. But Beck is still trying to jell with his new receiving corps, and he's still not 100 percent recovered from his injury.
It looks like the fourth-ranked 'Canes are going to be a contender for much of the year, and if that's the case, it'll be largely due to Beck.
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Tommy Castellanos, Florida State Seminoles Quarterback
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Tommy Castellanos' career is on its third stop already, but this one looks like the charm for the senior's career.
After the Waycross, Georgia, native started his career at UCF, he played the majority of his college snaps at Boston College before winding up closer to home in Tallahassee with the Seminoles, and he is going to be the centerpiece of the turnaround for coach Mike Norvell's program.
A glance at his stats and they look pretty pedestrian, but the 'Noles have only played three games, and two of those were blowouts against East Texas A&M and Kent State where they were blowouts and Castellanos watched much of the second halves.
Even so, he's thrown for 594 yards, three touchdowns and an interception and run for 139 and three more scores. In a season-opening, two-touchdown win over Alabama, Castellanos accounted for 230 yards and a touchdown.
Castellanos is also acclimating to new pass-catchers like Duce Robinson and Squirrel White and getting on the same page as those other newcomers.
He's the ideal veteran, dual-threat presence to run Gus Malzahn's offense in the coach's first season as offensive coordinator in Tallahassee. Castellanos is a big reason why FSU has the chance to be the ACC's best once again.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss Rebels Quarterback
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It's become obvious that Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin doesn't care each year to build the core of his team through the transfer portal, and that formula has been strong for the Rebels so far.
This season, it's no different with guys like receiver Harrison Wallace Jr. (Penn State) and running back Kewan Lacy (Missouri) turning into offensive catalysts. But a bit of a wild card on this list—especially considering he could be relegated to the bench at any time—is quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
The Rebels were all set under center with Austin Simmons doing well, but when Simmons went out with an injury, the Ferris State transfer came in and has revolutionized the '25 edition of the Rebels offense.
Simply put, with Simmons limited, Chambliss has been brilliant in wins over Arkansas and Tulane. Truly at this point, how do you take him out?
In really just two games of play (plus mop-up time), Chambliss has completed 68 percent of his passes for 719 yards and four touchdowns. He's also rushed for 195 yards and two more scores.
Mario Craver, Texas A&M Aggies Wide Receiver
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As Texas A&M coach Mike Elko tried to rebuild his wide receiving corps with instant-impact talent this offseason, all the talk centered on grabbing North Carolina State veteran KC Concepcion.
While he's been good, Mario Craver has gone out and stolen the thunder.
The 5'9", 165-pound Birmingham, Alabama, native had a quality freshman season with Mississippi State, but he entered the transfer portal seeking greener pastures (and likely more other green things) and wound up in College Station.
They're glad he did. All the diminutive speedster has done so far is lead the entire nation in yards per game with 147.7. In three contests, the Aggies sophomore has 20 catches for 443 yards and four touchdowns.
He's a big play maker and game breaker who straight-up torched Notre Dame, and Craver has a huge career on tap with the Aggies. While he was expected to be a nice complementary piece, nobody expected this type of impact from Craver.
He's Marcel Reed's go-to guy.
Jordan Dwyer, TCU Horned Frogs Wide Receiver
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TCU quarterback Josh Hoover is one of the top under-appreciated players at his position in al of college football, so there's a reason why he instantly makes pass-catchers better.
But Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes has struck portal gold at that position in each of the past two seasons.
Last year, getting Boise State star Eric McAlister was a major coup, and they did the same thing this year grabbing former Idaho standout Jordan Dwyer. The fact that a player of Dwyer's ilk was hiding on the Vandals roster is a testament to the fact that talent is everywhere.
Now, Dwyer is complimenting McAlister and doing a great job of giving the Horned Frogs a two-headed monster on the perimeter.
So far this year, the 6'0", 195-pound receiver has 17 grabs for 257 yards and has scored a pair of touchdowns, and remember TCU has played one fewer game than a lot of teams, too.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, he played in 14 games and 78 receptions for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns, and now, he's showing he can be an impact playmaker in the Big 12.
Ahmad Hardy, Missouri Tigers Running Back
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Perhaps nobody besides maybe Ole Miss transformed their stable of offensive playmakers in the SEC more so than the Missouri Tigers.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz knew what he needed, and he went out and hit on two major stars in offensive skill positions, as former Penn State backup Beau Pribula now leads the offense under center. It doesn't hurt that he's got one of the top runners in the nation to hand the ball to.
That would be former Louisiana Monroe running back Ahmad Hardy who was brilliant as a freshman with the Warhawks last year, rushing for 1,351 yards and scoring 13 times. He's on a pace for an even better sophomore season in the SEC.
The 5'10", 206-pound runner already has 600 rushing yards on 79 carries, has scored six times and has a 7.6 yard average. He's second in the nation in yards per game and rushing yards, and he is a tailor-made, every-down SEC back.
Hardy is a perfect example of a star-in-hiding who was just needing somebody to give him a shot at the big time. Now, he's a catalyst on an unbeaten SEC team.
Justice Haynes, Michigan Wolverines Running Back
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When Justice Haynes committed to play football for Alabama, he was just another 5-star prospect heading to Nick Saban's vaunted program, and in two years in Tuscaloosa, he was a big part of the offense.
But Haynes just didn't quite fit coach Kalen DeBoer's system, so he left Alabama after a sophomore season where he shared the load.
Now, as a junior, he's playing for the Michigan Wolverines—a running back-friendly offense that allows him to carry the load while the program grooms elite freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. While Haynes is the starter, he's got plenty of help from Jordan Marshall, too.
Haynes looks like one of the biggest stars at the position in the country. So far this season, the junior has 536 years and scored six touchdowns. He's also averaging 8.1 yards per carry, and he's caught nine passes, too.
This is a player who can do it all, and he will get the chance to for a Wolverines team that is trying to return to the type of championship game contender under coach Sherrone Moore.
If they get there, Haynes will be a huge part of it.
Waymond Jordan, USC Trojans Running Back
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All the guys on this list entered the transfer portal because they wanted a different opportunity, but Waymond Jordan is a traditional transfer who headed to a four-year institution.
Last year, Jordan ran for Hutchinson Community College where he was the NJCAA Division I Football Offensive Player of the Year, running for 1,614 yards and 20 touchdowns and leading the powerhouse program to the national championship.
Jordan signed with the USC Trojans, and now, he's the starting running back for coach Lincoln Riley and doing a great job of adding a dimension the Big Ten program didn't have a season ago.
The 5'9", 210-pound runner has 443 rushing yards on 57 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. After a slow start against Missouri State, Jordan showed everybody he needs to be RB1, and he hasn't done anything but shine every since.
This is a dude who had no Division I offers out of high school.
As a junior, Jordan could be a star for a couple of seasons in Los Angeles, and he looks like exactly the kind of runner USC needs to be a weapon in the Big Ten.
Clev Lubin, Louisville Cardinals Defensive Lineman
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One of the most interesting and unassuming transfers who has made one of the biggest impacts is Louisville Cardinals junior Clev Lubin.
When the 6'3", 250-pound defensive lineman decided to leave Coastal Carolina and enter the transfer portal, the interest around the nation was a bit spotty because he didn't have elite size. Still, Lubin had been a mass-producer for the Chanticleers, finishing 2024 with 43 tackles, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
He chose Louisville over Auburn, Minnesota and others, and he has picked up right where he left off. Changing scenery to the ACC hasn't hurt his statistical line a bit.
So far for coach Jeff Brohm's Cardinals, Lubin has 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks already in four games. This is his fourth start after beginning his career at Army, leaving for Iowa Western Community College and then going to Coastal Carolina.
Louisville loved Lubin's high energy.
"Now physically, he maybe wasn't as long and maybe didn't have the natural physical gifts that elite edge players have," defensive line coach Mark Hagan said. "But there was not a guy we watched that compared to him from a motor standpoint, and to me that always wins out in the end."
John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners Quarterback
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Not only has John Mateer arguably made the biggest difference of any transfer in the portal, he may be the early-season favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
The former Washington State signal-caller followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Oklahoma, and the offensive duo has taken Norman by storm. A season ago, Jackson Arnold and an injury-riddled Sooners skill position cast couldn't muster anything.
Mateer has changed all that. Unfortunately, it was announced Tuesday after publish for this article that Mateer is going to miss some time following surgery on his hand/thumb.
He has now gone 10 consecutive games with at least a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown, the first such streak since D'Eriq King, who played for Houston and Miami.
With Mateer under center, no play is dead and no game is finished. He is a gamer and a leader, and he's posting some impressive numbers for a proud and unbeaten OU program that has high aspirations of the College Football Playoff.
So far, Mateers has thrown for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, and he's run for 190 yards and five more scores. Those aren't the top numbers in the nation, but Oklahoma already has played Michigan and Auburn, so the competition has been stiff.
Mateer is one of the sport's biggest stars.
Darian Mensah, Duke Blue Devils Quarterback
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There was a lot made of Darian Mensah leaving Tulane for Duke of all places and the reported price tag of $4 million to head to Durham and play for the Blue Devils.
So far, though, the sophomore is showing he's worth a ton to a program that's trying to do big things in the ACC. Coach Manny Diaz's program isn't there yet, but they've got the quarterback part covered.
Mensah is coming off a massive game where Duke dominated North Carolina State, and while they've lost games to Illinois and Mensah's old team, the Green Wave, Mensah has enjoyed a terrific start to the season.
The 6'3", 205-pound California native has completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,305 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Against a stout schedule that boasted games against the two aforementioned team and Illinois, Mensah has three touchdown passes in all but one of the games.
He can make all the throws, and he's still got at least one and possibly two more full seasons to star for the Blue Devils. He has as much upside as any young quarterback in the sport.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Hoosiers Quarterback
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Last year, as first-year coach Curt Cignetti built his shocking College Football Playoff participant Indiana Hoosiers from out-of-nowhere, he did so on the strength of star transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke.
After Rourke's fantastic one year in Bloomington, though, Coach Cig needed another lightning-in-a-bottle upperclassman to keep the upward trajectory of the program.
Fernando Mendoza has been the perfect plug-and-play option.
The uber-intelligent junior is a 6'5", 225-pound signal-caller who has stepped into the Indiana offense and runs it to perfection. He may be around for a couple of seasons, and with him at the helm, the Hoosiers are terrific. Mendoza balances an offensive attack that is already dangerous.
He's also a fiery team-first guy.
Just this past weekend, Mendoza was nearly perfect in a 63-10 thrashing of Illinois, and he has thrown an astounding 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions this year, completing 77 percent of his passes for 975 yards.
Cignetti is proving he's a quarterback whisperer, and Mendoza has been the perfect pupil. The Hoosiers appear to be extremely underrated again this year, just like they were in '24.
Isaiah World, Oregon Ducks Offensive Tackle
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This time last year, few had heard of Isaiah World. The massive, 6'8", 318-pound offensive tackle was doing big things at Nevada, but he wasn't in the spotlight of college football.
Thanks to the transfer portal, now all that has changed.
The senior from San Diego is lined up to be one of the top offensive linemen taken in the NFL draft and is almost certain to be a first-round pick if he keeps dominating in the Big Ten for the Oregon Ducks, where he is now blasting holes for Ducks running backs and protecting Dante Moore.
World is showing the college football world what he can do on the big stage.
The former top-ranked offensive lineman in the portal has adjusted to the offensive scheme quickly, and he is providing a massive impact on offense for coach Dan Lanning's team, just like safety Dillon Thieneman is on the other side of the ball.
World has meshed with the rest of the unit, and with all the talented transfers Lanning has brought in, that unit is among the best in the nation.
The massive athlete has first-round star written all over him.
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