Transfer portal breakdown: 10 more-important-than-you-think Pac-12 transfers

We’re going to continue our dive into the transfer portal with a look at some underrated Pac-12 transfers.

Everyone knows the big-name transfers in the Pac-12; just take a look at the specific position rankings of those who entered in the portal. Today, though, we’re looking at some lower-ranked players who still will play important (and maybe even vital) roles for their new teams this fall.

The players are listed alphabetically.

Colorado EDGE Jordan Domineck

Transfer from: Arkansas
The buzz: Colorado will be the third school in as many years for Jordan Domineck (6 feet 3, 251 pounds), who was at Georgia Tech from 2019-21 before making a one-season stopover at Arkansas. Domineck was second on the Hogs in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (9.5). He joins a Buffs defense that had just 49 TFL last season (tied for second-fewest nationally, ahead of only Minnesota’s 47). Domineck can be used as a hand-down end or a standup outside linebacker, giving defensive coordinator Charles Kelly some options.

Arizona State C Leif Fautanu

Transfer from: UNLV
The buzz: New coach Kenny Dillingham did a lot of heavy lifting in the transfer portal, bringing in 25 new players. ASU needed a new center and it got one with the arrival of Leif Fautanu (6-2, 305). Fautanu was a three-year starter at center for UNLV. Fautanu figures to be one of at least three new starters up front for the Sun Devils. Two other transfers who could start up front are T Aaron Frost from Nevada and Ben Coleman, who started at guard and tackle at Cal.

California WR Brian Hightower

Transfer from: Illinois
The buzz: Cal lost leading receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (65 receptions, seven TDs) to UCLA via the transfer portal. Brian Hightower (6-3, 215) isn’t as talented as Sturdivant, but he proved in 2022 at Illinois that he can be a nice complementary piece. He had 37 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns in ’22 for an offense predicated on the run. Hightower had 23 career receptions before 2022; he began his career at Miami in 2018. Cal returns starting WRs Mavin Anderson and Jeremiah Hunter. Hightower figures to be the third starter for new coordinator Jake Spavital, who will rev up the passing attack.

Oregon LB Jestin Jacobs

Transfer from: Iowa
The buzz: Oregon’s defense had some issues at times during 2022 and needs to get more physical. Jestin Jacobs (6-4, 238) should help in that regard. He seems all but certain to line up next to holdover starter Jeffrey Bassa at inside linebacker for the Ducks. Jacobs was an important piece for a defense-first Iowa team in 2021 as an eight-game starter, finishing with 53 tackles. Big things were expected from him in 2022 because of his mix of size and athleticism, but he was injured and played in just two games. Jacobs has a big upside in Dan Lanning’s defense.

Washington State WR Josh Kelly

Transfer from: Fresno State
The buzz: Washington State lost its top four wide receivers (two via graduation, two via the transfer portal), so there will be ample opportunities for Josh Kelly (6-1, 185). Kelly was a three-year starter for Fresno State, though his 2022 season was cut short by injuries. He was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection in 2021, when he had 52 receptions for 778 yards and three touchdowns. Kelly has the ability to get deep against Pac-12 defenses, as he showed in games against Oregon State (four catches for 95 yards in 2022), Oregon (five for 72 in 2021) and UCLA (eight for 120 in ’21). He and holdover starting QB Cameron Ward could prove to be a potent duo.

UCLA OT Khadere Kounta

Transfer from: Old Dominion
The buzz: Khadere Kounta (6-6, 306) joins a UCLA offensive line that is being rebuilt; Kounta likely will slide into the left tackle vacancy left by the graduation of Raiqwon O’Neal. O’Neal transferred from Rutgers last offseason and helped stabilize the line. Kounta will be expected to do the same. He was a three-year starter at left tackle for ODU, beginning with his true freshman season. UCLA also added touted G Spencer Holstege (Purdue) from the portal.

Washington State G Christy Nkanu

Transfer from: Southern Utah
The buzz: The Cougars are losing starting G Grant Stephens to graduation, and Christy Nkanu (6-4, 300) – a three-season starter for the FCS Thunderbirds who earned some All-WAC honors this season – figures to slide right in. He started at both tackle and guard for Southern Utah, but is best-suited for guard. Washington State had issues in pass protection this past season – the Cougars allowed 46 sacks – and retooling the line is perhaps the highest offensive priority in the offseason. Getting a commitment from Nkanu, who has one season of eligibility remaining, and signing junior college OT Eliesa Pole is a good start.

Arizona EDGE Orin Patu

Transfer from: California
The buzz: Going by what Orin Patu (6-4, 235) did at Cal, his was not an important signing. But he has an upside and Arizona has a desperate need for EDGE guys. Patu had 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 25 career games with Cal. But he did have a strip-sack in the Golden Bears’ victory over Arizona this past season. The Wildcats’ top two EDGE guys, Jalen Harris and Hunter Echols, have graduated, meaning there will be ample opportunity for Patu. At the least, he should be a key player in the rotation.

USC DE Jack Sullivan

Transfer from: Purdue
The buzz: USC’s defense was a sieve last season and the goal this season should be to be … well, less of a sieve. The talent is not there for a dominating defense; “adequate” should be the goal. Jack Sullivan (6-5, 275), who was one of three starting Purdue defensive linemen to enter the transfer portal in December, was an underrated pickup. If he doesn’t start, he still will be a key rotation piece. He will help add some physicality to a unit that desperately needs it. Sullivan led Purdue with 5.5 sacks this past season, his first as a starter, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten notice. He was a key reserve from 2019-21 and does a nice job against the run.

Colorado OT Savion Washington

Transfer from: Kent State
The buzz: Savion Washington (6-8, 320) is the epitome of a developmental prospect, and Colorado will benefit. Washington played in one game in his first two seasons at Kent State, then blossomed into the fulltime starter at right tackle for the Golden Flashes. He played for Sean Lewis at Kent State, and Lewis gave up his head-coaching duties to become Colorado’s offensive coordinator. Washington’s familiarity with Lewis’ offense (as well as his upside) gives him an inside track on a starting job for a Buffs offense that needs all the help it can get. Colorado had the second-worst Power 5 offense (better than only Iowa) in the nation in 2022.