Transfer portal impact players of Week 2

Throughout the college football season, On3 is breaking down the top transfer portal impact players of the week.

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.

Here are the transfer portal impact players of Week 2:

1. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord

Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord transfer threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday in Syrcause’s 31-28 win over No. 23 Georgia Tech. He completed 32 of 46 passes, touting a 69.6 completion percentage. McCord arrived this offseason with first-year head coach Fran Brown. The duo have Syracuse off to a 2-0 start this season and look like a contender in the ACC.

2. Texas S Andrew Mukuba

In a big-time matchup at Michigan, Andrew Mukuba delivered. The former Clemson safety posted four tackles and two pass breakups. He also intercepted Michigan quarterback Davis Warren in the second quarter, a key turnover that opened up the game for the Longhorns. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just three catches on five targets while allowing just 31 yards.

3. Tulane WR Mario Williams

A former four-star recruit, Mario Williams previously made stops at Oklahoma and USC. With big-time speed, he was one of Caleb Williams’ top targets last season. He could have entered the NFL draft this past offseason but entered the portal and picked Tulane. The 5-foot-9, 178-pound wide receiver has found a place in the Green Wave’s offense. He came up big on Saturday against Kansas State, emerging as one of Darian Mensah’s top targets and pulling down six catches for 128 yards.

4. Miami EDGE Tyler Baron

Tyler Baron had one of the busiest offseason of any player. The former Tennessee EDGE entered the portal and committed to Ole Miss, before flipping to Louisville. He hit the portal again in the spring, picking Miami over USC. Now with the Hurricanes, he’s proven to be a disruptor in the first two weeks of the season. Baron finished with five tackles and three sacks in Week 2.

5. Miami QB Cam Ward

The former Incarnate Word and Washington State quarterback had his coming out party in Week 1 at Florida. But Cam Ward didn’t miss a beat in Week 2, throwing for 304 yards and finishing with four total touchdowns. He was 20 of 26 in the win over Florida A&M with a 76.9 completion percentage. Ward is squarely in the Heisman Trophy mix entering Week 3.

6. Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins

After a slow Ohio State debut in Week 1, Quinshon Judkins showed off what he’s capable of doing in Week 2. The former Ole Miss transfer carried the ball just nine times but rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win over Western Michigan. Judkins and teammate TreVeyon Henderson make one of the top running back duos in the country.

7. Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson

Former Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson dominated in Arkansas‘ double-overtime loss at Oklahoma State. The running back carried the ball 24 times, rushing for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson has emerged as a key playmaker in Bobby Petrino’s offense. He’s rushed for 250 yards and is averaging 7.8 yards per carry in two games.

8. USC RB Woody Marks

USC needed to add a top running back in the transfer portal this offseason. Early returns have shown going all-in on Mississippi State transfer running back Woody Marks was the right move. The 5-foot-10, 108-pound tailback rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown in USC’s win over Utah State. He was also a factor in the passing game, tallying three catches for 39 yards.

9. Oregon WR Evan Stewart

Oregon landed one of the top portal hauls of the season, highlighted by former five-star recruit and Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart. The wide receiver posted five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in the Ducks’ 37-34 win over Boise State. The Ducks will need Stewart to continue to be a contributor in the passing game. They visit Oregon State this weekend.

10. Pitt QB Eli Holstein

Former Alabama transfer Eli Holstein entered the transfer portal in December and quickly landed at Pitt after visiting. In Week 2, the former top-100 recruit rallied Pitt to its largest comeback win since 1971. He threw touchdown passes on three consecutive drives as the Panthers scored 22 unanswered points against Cincinnati. After throwing 7 of 17 passes for 91 yards and an interception in the first half, he finished with 302 passing yards on the day and 36 rushing yards.