Transfer portal impact players of Week 10

Indiana and South Carolina’s transfers showed out in Week 10 wins. In his first game after thumb surgery, quarterback Kurtis Rourke helped Indiana rally at Michigan State and remain perfect. And in Columbia, running back Rocket Sanders was key in South Carolina’s 44-20 win over No. 10 Texas A&M.

In the new age of college football, the transfer portal has become a major piece of roster construction. Throughout the college football season, On3 is breaking down the top 10 transfer portal impact players based on weekly performances.

Here are the most impactful transfer portal players from Week 10:

1. South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders

The All-SEC transfer from Arkansas rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in South Carolina’s 44-20 blowout win over No. 10 Texas A&M. Rocket Sanders has found success with the Gamecocks this season, coming up big to knock off the Aggies. He was also a factor in the passing game, with five catches for 92 yards. Sanders finished the game averaging 7.2 yards per carry.

2. Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara

On the road at Michigan State, Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara wreaked havoc on the Spartans’ offensive line. The James Madison transfer finished with seven total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry in Indiana’s dominant 47-10 win at East Lansing. The Hoosiers sit atop the Big Ten with a perfect 9-0 record.

3. SMU running back Brashard Smith

In a top-25 matchup against Pitt, SMU running back Brashard Smith rushed for 161 yards on 23 carries for two touchdowns. That included a 71-yard touchdown run while averaging 7 yards per carry. He also added a touchdown in the passing game during the 48-25 win, pulling in four catches for 21 yards. Smith currently ranks No. 4 in the ACC in rushing.

71-YARD 🏠 CALL

Brashard Smith scores the touchdown to extend No. 20 @SMUFB lead over No. 18 Pitt, 21-3#PonyUpDallas
pic.twitter.com/JE3tMmIAo9

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 3, 2024

4. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke

In his first game back from thumb surgery, Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke was 19 of 29 for 263 yards for four touchdowns. The Ohio transfer finished with a 65.5% completion percentage. With the 47-10 win at Michigan State, Rourke has Indiana positioned for a run at the Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

5. Miami quarterback Cam Ward

One of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy entering the month of November, Cam Ward and Miami avoided a scare Saturday against Duke. The former Washington State transfer was 25 of 41 for 400 yards in the 53-31 win. Ward also threw for five touchdowns and an interception, overcoming a 21-17 halftime deficit.

6. Texas Tech wide receiver Josh Kelly

The Washington State transfer has emerged as a key piece of the Texas Tech offense this season. Josh Kelly caught eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ upset of No. 11 Iowa State. Kelly averaged 15.9 yards per catch, including a 35-yard touchdown catch on Texas Tech’s first series.

7. South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight

Demetrius Knight led South Carolina in tackles during its 44-20 win over Texas A&M. The Charlotte transfer posted 11 tackles with .5 tackles for loss in the win over the No. 10 Aggies. South Carolina’s defense held Texas A&M to 350 total yards and just 206 yards in the air along with forcing two turnovers.

8. SMU defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte

A key piece in SMU’s win over Pitt, Miami transfer Jared Harrison-Hunte tallied five pressures including a sack and four hurries. He also had three tackles as the Mustangs forced two turnovers. SMU is now 8-1 and in position to make the ACC title game.

9. Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright

With wide receiver Tre Harris sidelined, tight end Dae’Quan Wright stepped up in the passing game for Ole Miss. A Virginia Tech transfer, Wright posted nine catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns as the Rebels routed Arkansas 63-31. Ole Miss is still in the College Football Playoff conversation ahead of this week’s matchup with Georgia.

10. Washington running back Jonah Coleman

Washington running back Jonah Coleman rushed for 104 yards for the second consecutive week, helping the Huskies pull out a 26-21 win over USC. The Arizona transfer averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Washington is now 5-4 and a win away from bowl eligibility.