Transfer Portal Player Rankings: Tez Johnson, Blake Watson and DJ Uiagalelei crash into Top 10

Each Thursday, we update the 2023 Transfer Portal Player Rankings, looking at the Top 10 transfers — based on their impact on the field and not their preseason ranking.  

As was the case last week, we have some real movement in the Top 10. So long Tre Harris, whose surge back into the rankings was short-lived after the Ole Miss wideout was held to just two receptions for 12 yards in the blowout loss to Georgia. 

Also out? Kentucky tailback Ray Davis, who scored two more touchdowns in an ugly loss to Alabama but had just 29 yards on 12 carries and has had over 80 yards just once in his last five games. USC tailback Marshawn Lloyd was similarly bumped (missed the loss vs. Washington, had just 37 yards and a touchdown in the defeat to Oregon).

So who did join the latest Transfer Portal Player Rankings? Scroll down to find out. 

(NOTE: I’m not an OL guru and it’s hard to judge those players. That being said, it’s clear that Drake Nugent at Michigan, Matt Lee at Miami and Ajani Cornelius at Oregon have been among the most impactful transfers thus far this season. All were represented on our Midseason All-Transfer Team.)

1. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

For much of FSU’s tight game with Miami, Coleman was held in check, but then the blue-chip transfer did what he’s done throughout the 2023 season — making a couple of game-changing plays.  The Michigan State transfer nearly took a punt to the house, sprinting 57 yards to set up the what ended up being the deciding touchdown — a six-yard reception he hauled in.

Coleman, who continues to rise up 2024 NFL Mock Drafts, now has 10 receiving scores — three more than any other wideout in the ACC.

2. WR Malik Washington, Virginia

Washington had his fifth-consecutive 100-yard game, hauling in nine passes for 155 yards and a score in Virginia’s close loss to No. 9 Louisville. 

In a scary play where teammate Perris Jones suffered a serious spinal injury, Washington scooped up Jones’ fumble on the scary play, sprinting 42 yards for a touchdown that gave the Cavs a lead.  The Northwestern transfer ranks second nationally in receptions (88) and yards (1,199) — both tops in the ACC.

3. WR AD Mitchell, Texas

The Georgia transfer recorded his fourth game in a row with a touchdown, reconnecting with Quinn Ewers after the Longhorns’ QB missed the last three weeks. 

In the 29-26 win over TCU, Mitchell had three receptions for 61 yards — catching a short goal line touchdown just before halftime. Mitchell is now tied with Oklahoma’s Drake Stoops with nine touchdowns, tops in the Big 12.

4. WR Tez Johnson, Oregon

The Troy transfer makes his debut in the Top 10, and it’s probably a little late to be honest. But Johnson has delivered his best two performances in the last two weeks, torching Cal for 12 catches and 180 yards and two scores. Bo Nix’s best friend then caught seven passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the win over USC. 

On the season, Johnson has 53 catches for 725 yards and eight touchdowns — all three figures that rank in the Top 10 among all Pac-12 wideouts.

5. LB Francisco Mauigoa, Miami

The Washington State transfer continues to climb up the rankings with another impressive showing in a Hurricanes loss. Mauigoa gave Florida State’s OL problems, with two big sacks that accounted for 25 yards lost. He also had a team-high nine tackles, a hurry and 2.5 TFLs. 

He now leads Miami in sacks with 6.5 and is tied for first in the ACC with 15 TFLs.

6. ATH Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter again played both ways for the Buffs in a 34-31 loss against Arizona. The former 5-star transfer had one of his poor performances in terms of pass coverage against the Wildcats’ deep WR core, allowing eight catches on 12 targets — including one touchdown. Hunter played 65 snaps on defense, per PFF, and did have two PBUs and one tackle for loss. 

Offensively, Hunter caught a team-high five passes for 74 yards. He had a 47-yard reception and also drew one pass interference penalty.

7. RB Blake Watson, Memphis

Watson has been one of the most underrated transfer all season, as the ex-Old Dominion tailback has paced an explosive Tigers offense as both a runner and receiver. In a wild 44-38 win over Charlotte, Watson had 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with eight catches for 41 yards and a score. 

Watson ranks No. 2 in the AAC with 909 rushing yards and leads the conference with 14 total touchdowns and 1,302 yards from scrimmage.  

8. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Against a solid Arizona defense, Sanders passed for 262 yards and two scores while completing just 59.5% of his throws (22 of 37). The Jackson State transfer was plagued by four drops, and he was sacked another three time (now 49 sacks on the season, most among quarterbacks in college football this season).

On the year, Sanders ranks No. 4 nationally in yards (3,144) and tied for 5th in touchdowns (26). He’s also thrown just three picks despite ranking No. 3 in the country in attempts (420).

9. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State 

In a 62-17 rout over Stanford, Uiagalelei had one of his most efficient games as Oregon State’s quarterback, playing just the first half and going 12 of 19 for 240 yards and two scores. He averaged a season-high 12.6 yards per attempt. 

The Clemson transfer is still completing under 60% of his passes this season (58.6), but he’s averaging 2.4 more yards per attempt than last season and has 26 total touchdowns to just four turnovers. He has five straight games without a turnover, throwing 12 touchdowns. The Beavers are 8-2 with a chance to upset No. 5 Washington this Saturday and play their way into the Pac-12 title race.

10. WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville

Thrash missed Louisville’s blowout over Virginia Tech and still looked slowed by an injury in the win over Virginia, recording a season-low three receptions for 22 yards. He hasn’t scored a touchdown in a month, and the Cardinals will need their top playmaker to rediscover his mojo if they hope to upset Florida State in the ACC Championship. 

Still, Thrash has been among the most productive transfer receivers this salons. He’s averaging 15.0 yards per reception and has 49 catches for 734 yards. His six TDs are tied for No. 3 in the ACC.

Best of the rest: WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina; Ray Davis, Kentucky; QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech; DL Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech; LB Nick Jackson, Iowa; QB TJ Finley, Texas State; RB Ismail Mahdi, Texas State; Marshawn Lloyd, USC.