Transfer portal breakdown: The On3 transfers of the week from Week 3

Here are the On3 transfer players of the week for Week 3 of the season.

Each week, we pick a transfer of the week in each Power 5 conference as well as an overall Group of 5 transfer of the week. It’s not just transfers from this past offseason; all players who have transferred from other four-year schools are eligible to be selected

Everything being equal, more weight is given to big performances against “good” opponents.

ACC

WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
The buzz: Wilson had 18 receptions in two seasons at Arizona State before transferring to FSU in the offseason; he had the best game of his career Friday night as Florida State – playing with a backup quarterback – beat Louisville 35-31. Wilson, a 6-foot-7, 235-pounder, had seven receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came in the fourth quarter from backup QB Tate Rodemaker. The second was on a 2-yard fade midway through the period that gave FSU the eventual winning margin. It was the first 100-yard game of his career; heck, he had just 154 receiving yards last season total and only 89 in 2020.

Big Ten

WR Charlie Jones, Purdue
The buzz: Jones continues to show why he was one of the best transfer portal pickups of the offseason. He had 11 receptions for 188 yards and a TD in a 32-29 loss at Syracuse; the teams combined for six touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including two in the final 51 seconds. His TD reception, a 55-yarder, helped Purdue cut the lead to 25-22 with 6:41 remaining in the game. Jones had 21 receptions and three TDs in two seasons at Iowa; he now has 32 receptions and five TDs in three games for the Boilermakers.

Big 12

RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
The buzz: Gray, who began his career at Tennessee before transferring after the 2020 season, had his best game as a Sooner in OU’s 49-14 demolition of Nebraska. He rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries (10.3 yards per attempt); he had scored two rushing TDs in his previous 15 games with OU. Gray scored on a 16-yard run late in the first half, then on a 21-yarder early in the third quarter for a 42-7 lead.

Pac-12

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The buzz: Penix and the Huskies easily passed their first test of the season, beating Michigan State 39-28 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. Washington led 39-14 before the Spartans scored two TDs in the fourth quarter. Penix, a transfer from Indiana, had started twice against Michigan State with the Hoosiers. He threw for 397 yards and four TDs Saturday; it was his third consecutive 300-yard game. Three of his TD passes went to Ja’Lynn Polk, who also deserves notice. Polk began his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Washington after the 2020 season. Polk had six receptions for 153 yards and the three touchdowns.  

SEC

QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The buzz: Daniels came alive in the fourth quarter as host LSU rallied to beat Mississippi State. He guided three TD drives as the Tigers battled back from a 16-10 deficit entering the period to win 31-16. Daniels, who transferred from Arizona State in the offseason, threw for 210 yards and a touchdown, and also led LSU in rushing with 93 yards and another score. He scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give LSU its first lead at 17-16. He guided TD drives on the Tigers’ next two possessions as they pulled away to give Brian Kelly his first SEC win.

Group of 5

QB Matt McDonald, Bowling Green
The buzz: McDonald is a sixth-year senior who signed with Boston College as part of the 2017 recruiting class. He played in two games in two seasons at BC, then transferred to Bowling Green. After sitting out 2019 as per NCAA transfer rules, he now is in his third season as the Falcons’ starter. He had one of the best games of his career Saturday, throwing for 280 yards and four TDs as the previously winless Falcons upset Marshall 34-31 in overtime. Marshall was coming off a shocker against Notre Dame. McDonald rallied BG from an early 14-0 deficit, and tossed the game-winning TD pass in overtime. During one stretch in the second quarter, he went 15-of-16 with three TDs.