Transfer portal impact players of Week 13
Throughout the college football season, On3 is breaking down the top 10 transfer portal impact players based on weekly performances. In the new age of college football, the portal has become a major piece of roster construction. Some programs have gone all-in on free agency while others use it to supplement high school recruiting.
On3 is breaking down the top transfer portal impact players based on weekly performances. Here are the top portal players from Week 13:
1. Ohio State S Caleb Downs
The Alabama transfer was the No. 1 prospect in last offseason’s transfer portal for a reason. He earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors with the Crimson Tide and has started every game this season for the Buckeyes. And on Saturday against Indiana, he returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown, spinning around defenders and making a few miss along the way. The touchdown put Ohio State up 21-7 and the game out of reach for the Hoosiers. It was Ohio State’s first punt return for a touchdown since 2014. Caleb Downs finished the game with five tackles and did not allow a completion on his lone target.
2. Baylor TE Michael Trigg
The former USC and Ole Miss transfer put together his best performance of the season on Saturday. Baylor tight end Michael Trigg finished with four catches for 96 yards with a touchdown catch in a 20-10 win over Houston. The junior also had a 42-yard catch against Houston, showing off his ball skills. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound tight end has 30 catches for 395 yards this season.
3. Texas S Andrew Mukuba
Andrew Mukuba continues to make plays in the Texas secondary. The Clemson transfer had five tackles in Saturday’s 31-14 win over Kentucky. After his pick late in the fourth quarter sealed the win, he and the entire Texas defense ran down and celebrated in front of Bevo. The Longhorns have 17 interceptions this season, which is tied for No. 2 in the nation. Mukuba has four interceptions on the season.
4. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord
A week after setting the Syracuse record for completions in a single season, Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord set a new record for passing yards. He completed 37 of 47 throws for 470 yards and two touchdowns and crossed the 300-yard threshold for the 10th time in 11 games. He’ll have the chance to outduel Miami quarterback and Heisman frontrunner Cam Ward on Saturday.
5. Ohio State QB Will Howard
The Kansas State transfer started the Indiana game 14 of 14 and finished the game 22 of 26 for 201 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for five yards and a score in the 38-15 win. After struggling against Penn State earlier this month, he’s pieced together some strong starts leading up to Saturday’s rivalry game with Michigan.
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6. Miami QB Cam Ward
The Heisman Trophy frontrunner threw for 280 yards with a 71.1 completion percentage as Miami cruised to a 42-14 win over Wake Forest. Miami quarterback Cam Ward was 27 of 38 while also rushing for a touchdown against the Demon Deacons. The Hurricanes are now 10-1 with a visit to Syracuse on deck.
7. Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith had only two catches in Saturday’s upset of Texas A&M, but the Penn State transfer made them count. He had a 60-yard catch in the second quarter to set up a touchdown. And he “Moss’d” a Texas A&M defensive back for a 44-yard catch in the third quarter. Lambert helped deliver the win in the fourth overtime, too, catching a pass from Payton Thorne to complete a two-point conversion.
8. Charlotte WR O’Mega Blake
The former South Carolina wide receiver posted five catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns in Charlotte’s 39-27 win over FAU. O’Mega Blake averaged 41 yards per catch. He has 30 catches for 722 yards this season.
9. Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
The former Michigan State quarterback was 16 of 25 for 247 yards in Arizona State’s 28-23 win over BYU. While Sam Leavitt threw a touchdown and interception in the win, he is a large reason why the Sun Devils are 9-2 with a real shot to win the Big 12 conference.
10. Utah State QB Bryson Barnes
The former Utah transfer threw for three touchdowns and rushed for 193 yards in a win over San Diego State. Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes was 13 of 15 for 139 yards while also racking up nearly 200 rushing yards on 15 carries. Barnes also added a score on the ground.