Transfer portal impact players of Week 11
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 11:
1. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel made NCAA history on Saturday. The Oregon quarterback’s touchdown pass to Gernorris Wilson in the second half of Oregon’s 39-18 win over Maryland broke Case Keenum’s NCAA record for total touchdowns. The former UCF and Oklahoma transfer has thrown for 179 touchdowns in his career. Keenum set the record during his Houston career from 2007 to 2011, where he previously set the record for touchdowns responsible with 155 passes and 23 rushing touchdowns.
Gabriel matched the record in the first half with a touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson. He finished the game with another touchdown passing, bringing the total to 180. The sixth-year transfer has also started 59 career games, two short of the NCAA record set by former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Gabriel finished 23 of 34 for 183 yards.
2. South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders
South Carolina continues to lean on Rocket Sanders. The former Arkansas running back carried the ball 15 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ 28-7 win over Vanderbilt. Sanders has emerged as the go-to option in South Carolina’s offense this season, rushing for 696 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Gamecocks are now 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC.
3. Ole Miss wide receiver Juice Wells
With star Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris sidelined, the Rebels needed another wide out to play a factor against Georgia. Former South Carolina wide receiver Juice Wells has struggled at times this season, but he stepped up Saturday. Wells finished with just three catches for 27 yards, but his touchdown catch late in the third quarter extended Ole Miss’ lead over Georgia to 12 points.
4. Indiana defensive tackle CJ West
Former Kent State defensive lineman CJ West was a major transfer portal addition for head coach Curt Cignetti and this first-year Hoosiers staff in May. On Saturday against Michigan, West posted nine tackles and a pass deflection in a 20-15 win. Indiana’s defense ranks No. 1 in the nation in rush defense, allowing just 72.2 yards per game. West has been key in helping the Hoosiers establish their defense under Cignetti.
5. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard
A week after squeezing by Penn State and turning the ball over twice, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard put together one of his best performances with the Buckeyes. The former Kansas State transfer was 21 of 26 for 260 yards with three touchdowns in a blowout 45-0 win over Purdue. Howard finished with an 80.8 completion percentage. He also rushed for a touchdown.
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6. Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond
Back to full health after missing a chunk of October, Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond woke up the Longhorns offense against Florida. The Alabama transfer caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in the 49-17 win over the Gators. He also had a 44-yard end around. Bond proved to be a problem after the catch, with 43 of his 55 receiving yards coming after the catch.
7. South Carolina EDGE Kyle Kennard
Kyle Kennard has emerged as the pillar of South Carolina’s defense, which ranks No. 12 in the nation in total defense. The former Georgia Tech transfer has 9.5 sacks this season. But against Vanderbilt, Kennard strip-sacked Diego Pavia and recovered the fumble.
8. Colorado linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green
The former Michigan and Charlotte linebacker had one of the most incredible interceptions of the season. With 11:40 remaining and Colorado hanging on to its 31-20 lead, Nikhai Hill-Green deflected a pass and came down with the interception. He finished the game with nine tackles as Colorado escaped Lubbock with a 41-27 win and remained in contention for the College Football Playoff.
9. Georgia Tech EDGE Romello Height
The former Auburn and USC transfer came up big Saturday against Miami. With under two minutes to play, Romello Height stripped the ball from Miami quarterback Cam Ward to seal with upset win for Georgia Tech. Height finished the game with two tackles, but the strip sack clinched the victory.
10. ECU quarterback Katin Houser
Katin Houser was 17 of 22 passing for 343 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another score on Thursday night to help East Carolina beat Florida Atlantic 49-14. The former Michigan State transfer finished with a 77.3 completion percentage. He’s helped ECU win two consecutive games to improve to 5-4.