Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders headline the 25 most impactful 2023 D-II, FCS and Group of 5 transfers making the jump to the Power 5

Plenty has been written about some of the notable Power 5 transfers during the 2023 cycle — we’re talking Sam Hartman to Notre Dame, Devin Leary to Kentucky and AD Mitchell to Texas — but what about some of the lesser-known guys making the jump from the FCS, Group of 5 or even D-II to the Power 5 in 2023?

You know about Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders at Colorado, and both earn a mention on this list, but what about the rest of the most impactful transfers making the leap in competition this fall?

A year ago, guys like Florida State pass rusher Jared Verse (Albany), South Carolina wideout Antwane Wells Jr. (James Madison), Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Louisiana), Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley (Nevada) and TCU corner Josh Newton (Louisiana-Monroe) were guys who made the jump to the Power 5 and emerged as immediate All-Conference contributors. 

So who’s next?

Here is my preseason Top 25 of the most impactful 2023 transfers from D-II, FCS and the Group of 5 who are making the move to Power 5 schools this fall:

1. WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

On3’s No. 1 overall transfer prospect, Hunter figures to make an impact at Colorado at receiver, corner and returner in 2023. The former 5-star recruit was a two-way star at Jackson State as a freshman, picking off two passes while catching four touchdowns.  

2. DT Braden Fiske, FSU 

The 6-5, 300-pound tackle was a dominant interior defender for Western Michigan, recording 27.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and over 100 pressures in 45 games. Fiske is a plug-and-play DT starter for the Seminoles this fall. 

3. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 

Deion Sanders told everyone that the Buffs already had their QB1 for 2023, bringing his son Shedeur Sanders over from Jackson State. The 6-2, 215-pound junior threw for 3,732 yards with 40 touchdowns and six picks in his second season as the Tigers’ starter.  In the spring, Sanders looked smooth operating Sean Lewis’ ‘FlashFast’ offense. While pass protection will be an issue at times, the Jackson State transfer is likely to put up good numbers in the go-go, spread attack. 

4. WR Zakhari Franklin, Ole Miss

Frank Harris’ favorite target recently announced his commitment to Ole Miss, leaving UTSA for Oxford for his senior season. Franklin was an All-American in 2022 after a monster season where he had 93 catches for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

5. EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan 

The Coastal Carolina pass rusher had a great spring for the Wolverines, as the 6-2, 235-pound senior is set to replace Masi Smith off the edge for Big Blue in 2023. Stewart had 12.5 sacks for the Chanticleers in 2021 and 10.0 TFLs in 2022.

6. WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina 

The other former Kent State wideout to hit the portal this offseason, Walker immediately turned heads this spring at UNC. He is set to be Drake Maye’s top target, as the 6-3, 195-pound Charlotte native had 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns for KSU in 2022.

7. OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

An unranked prospect out of high school, Cornelius has skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards after starting at right tackle the last two seasons at Rhode Island. The 6-4, 315-pound was among the most coveted transfers as a premium position this offseason. 

8. QB Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin

The SMU transfer set multiple school records in two seasons as a starter, throwing for 33 touchdowns and 3,500 yards in 2022. Now playing in Phil Longo’s Air Raid at Wisconsin, Mordecai will have the chance to showcase his arm against Big Ten competition.

9. CB Zy Alexander, LSU

Alexander was a two-time FCS All-American at Southern Louisiana, picking off nine passes with another 20 PBUs. The 6-3, 185-pound corner was working with the 1s at LSU this spring. 

10. WR Dante Cephas, Penn State

The ex-Kent State playmaker had a breakout season for the Golden Flashes in 2021, hauling in 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine TDs. Limited to just nine games, Cephas wasn’t quite as productive last fall (744 yards, three scores) but he is poised to be one of Drew Allar’s top targets in Happy Vally in 2023.

THE REST OF THE TOP 25 (in no order)

S Patrick McMorris, Cal

The two-time First-Team All-Mountain West safety opted to enter the transfer portal and stay in-state to finish his career playing for Justin Wilcox at Cal. McMorris was very productive at San Diego State, earning Co-Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.

WR Drae McCray, Texas Tech

The former Austin Peay receiver was a first-team All-Atlantic Sun standout in 2022, catching 76 balls for 1,888 yards and nine touchdowns. Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire called McCray one of the fastest players in the country and he should flourish in TTU’s spread offense.

OT Gunner Britton, Auburn

The former Western Kentucky tackle comes to Auburn after starting all 12 games for the Hilltoppers in 2022. Capable of playing left or right tackle, the 6-6 senior figures to start at one of the two spots for Huge Freeze this fall on The Plains. 

C Avery Jones, Auburn 

Jones was a last-minute flip to Auburn during the winter window, opting to play in the SEC over heading to Illinois as originally planned. A three-year starter at center at East Carolina, the 6-4, 310-pound center has already grabbed a spot with the 1s for the Tigers. 

WR Ali Jennings, Virginia Tech

Jennings is one of the best receivers you’ve never heard of, averaging 107 yards per game in 2022 — third-most nationally. The 6-2 wideout averaged 17.6 yards per reception and had 14 touchdowns in the last two seasons. 

RB Carson Steele, UCLA

Steele was awesome for Ball State last season, finishing sixth nationally in rushing with 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns. The First-Team All-MAC standout should flourish in Chip Kelly’s run-first attack with the Bruins in 2023. 

OT Jeremiah Byers, Florida State

The 6-6, 300-pound tackle was an All-Conference honoree at UTEP the last two seasons. He started 30 games for the Miners, and while he hasn’t totally locked down the right tackle job with the ‘Noles, at worst he figures to be a key rotational lineman this fall.  

OT Marques Cox, Kentucky 

The Wildcats added some much-needed veteran experience at tackle this offseason in the former Northern Illinois left tackle. After redshirting in 2018, Cox was a four-year starter for the Huskies and is expected to be UK’s left tackle in 2023.

EDGE Andre Carter, Indiana 

The former 3-star prospect has developed into a future NFL Draft pick, and he will get an opportunity to showcase his ability in the Big Ten this fall. Carter had a big junior season at Western Michigan in 2022, recording 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles. 

EDGE Daniel Grzesiak, Cincy

The ex-Utah State pass rusher is undersized at just 6-1, 230 pounds, but Grzesiak has 16 career sacks in three seasons — including a team-high 8.5 in 2022. He also had 13 tackles for loss and fills an immediate need for a Cincy defense that’s lost a lot of talent the last two seasons.

TE Kyle Morlock, Florida State

The 6-7 tight end from Shorter College — a D-II school in Georgia — was an All-American in 2022 and comes to FSU as a versatile tight end. Morlock is considered a physical blocker and a capable receiver, leading Shorter in catches (30), yards (446) and touchdowns (six) last season.

RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

The North Carolina A&T tailback should immediately bolster a barren RB room in Blacksburg, as Tuten rushed for more than 1,300 yards in 2022. He was an FCS All-American honorable mention with 17 total touchdowns. 

CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina

Huzzie was an FCS All-American at East Tennessee State in 2022, collecting six INTs and 16 PBUs in his junior season. The 5-11, 190-pound corner was a three-year starter and is set to start for a new-look Tar Heels’ secondary.

TE Var’Keyes Gumms, Arkansas 

The former North Texas tight end made the unusual decision to enter the transfer portal, commit to Arkansas, re-enter the portal and then wind up recommitting to the Razorbacks. He was a First-Team All-Conference standout in 2022 after catching 34 balls for 458 yards and five touchdowns.

OG Cam’Ron Johnson, Missouri

The First-Team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2022, Johnson was among the exodus of offensive linemen at Houston this offseason. The left guard started 13 games for the Cougars in 2022 and reunited with his former OL coach Brandon Jones at Mizzou. 

Honorable Mention: DT CamRon Jackson, Florida, WR Jimmy Horn, Colorado, RB Brian Battie, Auburn, EDGE Isaac Ukwu, Ole Miss, DB Jaylen Key, Alabama.