When an elite talent like Cam Ward, Caleb Downs and Walter Nolen enters the NCAA transfer portal, everybody wants them and not many can afford them.
The battles for the most coveted college football players in the portal get all the attention in December and January. Year after year, though, there are hundreds of transfer transactions that fly under the national radar but end up seriously paying off.
Four weeks into the 2024 college football season, let's celebrate some of these September surprises from the portal. To be clear, this is not a redo of our preseason all-transfer team. Consider it more like an all-sleeper team.
The following players did not make our top 100 newcomers list in August but are already making a big impression. Some of them moved up to bigger programs, and a few moved down. Most are experienced players who've helped address big needs. All of them appear to have found good new homes after transferring this offseason.
Jump to a topic:
Offense | Defense | Special teams
OFFENSE
QB: Eli Holstein, Pitt (via Alabama)
The comeback kid was an easy pick for this squad. After redshirting during his lone season at Alabama, Holstein has quickly emerged as a game-changer for Pitt and currently ranks fifth in FBS in total offense. His Panthers have rallied back from double-digit, fourth-quarter deficits to stun Cincinnati and West Virginia in consecutive weeks. Holstein has pulled that off by throwing for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions in the first three games of his career and has already earned ACC Rookie of the Week three times.
RB: Desmond Reid, Pitt (via Western Carolina)
After two productive years at Western Carolina and an FCS All-America sophomore season, Reid made the move up and is making the absolute most of his opportunity at Pitt. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound back leads the nation in all-purpose yards (564) and is averaging 9.7 yards per touch with five total touchdowns as a rusher, receiver and return man. Against Cincinnati, he became the first player in program history to put up 100 rushing and 100 receiving yards in the same game. Reid has 319 yards on the ground, 167 as a pass-catcher and has also taken a 78-yard punt return to the house.
RB: Ja'Quinden Jackson, Arkansas (via Utah)
Jackson began his career as a quarterback at Texas, developed into a dynamic back at Utah and is now playing his best football yet for the Razorbacks. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound redshirt senior has surpassed 100 rushing yards in every game this season and leads the SEC in yards from scrimmage with 446 yards and 6 touchdowns. Jackson is averaging a ridiculous 8.5 yards per carry this season. Among backs with more than 30 carries, only Boise State's Ashton Jeanty has been more efficient.
WR: Kevin Coleman Jr., Mississippi State (via Louisville)
The former top-100 recruit played one season with Deion Sanders at Jackson State and earned SWAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, had a solid season at Louisville and is emerging as a big-time playmaker for coach Jeff Lebby in Starkville. Coleman ranks third in the SEC in receiving, turning 16 catches into 268 yards and three touchdowns. He's also second in the conference in punt return yards and leads all players in FBS with three punt returns of 30-plus yards.
WR: Mario Williams, Tulane (via USC)
After stops at Oklahoma and USC, Williams is getting his groove back at Tulane. The 5-foot-9 speedster ranks second in the AAC in receiving with 288 yards on just 13 receptions (22.2 yards per catch) and got rolling for the Green Wave with consecutive 100-yard performances for the first time in his career. For a new coaching staff and a redshirt freshman QB in Darian Mensah, his experience and big-play ability has been a huge help.
WR: Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska (via Texas)
Neyor was one of the best wideouts in the Mountain West at Wyoming in 2021 and has put in a ton of hard work to get back to being a difference-maker after suffering a torn ACL at Texas in 2022. He's become a favorite target for freshman phenom Dylan Raiola with 12 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns and has provided a big boost for the Huskers' passing attack during their 3-0 start and rise into the AP top 25.
TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati (via Ohio State)
After recording just four catches over four seasons at Ohio State, Royer has found a nice role in Cincinnati's passing game. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior ranks eighth among all FBS tight ends in receiving yards with 11 receptions for 166 yards and has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games for the Bearcats.
OT: Melvin Priestly, Illinois (via Grambling)
We highlighted Illinois left tackle J.C. Davis as a top 100 newcomer for this season, but the Illlini found another gem in the portal in Priestly. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior was a fascinating take as a big, explosive blocker with raw technique who led all FCS linemen in penalties in 2023. Priestly is showing serious progress in his transition to Big Ten ball with lots of knockdown blocks in the run game, no sacks surrendered and only one penalty in three games at right tackle for the No. 24 Illini.
OT: Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State (via Colorado)
Oregon State picked up three transfers on offense from Colorado who are all making a difference. Christian-Lichtenhan hasn't allowed a sack at left tackle, Van Wells has played well at center and Anthony Hankerson (283 rushing yards, five TDs) has emerged as the Beavers' leading rusher. They've helped power a top-20 rushing offense in Corvallis.
OG: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M (via Kansas)
Reed-Adams, a 15-game starter for the Jayhawks and Texas native, transferred closer to home to help solidify Texas A&M's offensive line and is having a strong season so far at right guard. The Aggies have flexed their muscle up front with 300-yard rushing performances in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2012.
OG: Enokk Vimahi, Washington (via Ohio State)
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior earned two starts over his five years at Ohio State but was a much-needed addition for the Huskies' rebuilt offensive line at right guard. Vimahi has already played more snaps through three games (182) than he saw in any season with the Buckeyes and hasn't allowed a sack in pass protection.
C: Zach Carpenter, Miami (via Indiana)
Carpenter didn't get as much hype as the Hurricanes' many high-profile portal pickups, but the former Michigan and Indiana lineman has been a valuable addition as the successor to Matt Lee at center. The redshirt senior earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his debut game against Florida.
All-purpose: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (via New Mexico State)
Yeah, you guessed it, we're just looking for a way to sneak Pavia onto this team. The 6-foot, 207-pound wild card has made Vanderbilt much more fun to watch while putting up 543 passing yards, 195 rushing yards, six total TDs and zero interceptions and leading the Dores' wild overtime upset win over Virginia Tech in Week 1.
DEFENSE
DL: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (via Georgia Tech)
Kyle Kennard makes timely sack vs. Old Dominion
The 6-foot-5, 254-pound super senior is off to an impressive start as a disruptive edge rusher for South Carolina and is currently tied for the national lead in both sacks (5) and tackles for loss (7) through three games. The relentless duo of Kennard and five-star freshman Dylan Stewart has been fun to watch and has already combined for 23 pressures and four forced fumbles for a Gamecocks defense that has the second-most sacks in FBS.
DL: Mikail Kamara, Indiana (via James Madison)
Kamara, a 22-game starter at James Madison, joined a dozen of his teammates in following Curt Cignetti and his coaching staff to Bloomington. The redshirt junior has recorded three sacks, tied for most in the Big Ten, and has consistently generated pressure while playing in a variety of roles along the Hoosiers' front during their 3-0 start.
DL: T.J. Jackson, West Virginia (via Troy)
Jackson might not have prototypical size at 6-foot-1 and 282 pounds, but he sure knows how to get pressure. The Troy transfer picked up Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors on Monday after recording 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Pitt, pushing him up to best in the Big 12 and tied with Kennard for the national lead in TFLs.
DL: Aidan Keanaaina, Cal (via Notre Dame)
Keanaaina has already played more snaps through three games with the Bears than he did over four years at Notre Dame. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound redshirt junior isn't putting up big numbers (12 tackles, one pass breakup) but is making a big impact as a run-stuffing defensive tackle for a 3-0 Cal squad that found quite a few underrated starters in the portal.
LB: Teddye Buchanan, Cal (via UC Davis)
Buchanan was one of the top FCS players to hit the portal in December, and the San Francisco native stayed home by picking the Bears for his final year of eligibility. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker was unstoppable in the Bears' upset win at Auburn: 11 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks plus a forced fumble. Buchanan ranks second among ACC linebackers in tackles (31) and looks well on his way to an all-conference caliber season if he keeps this up.
LB: Deshawn Pace, UCF (via Cincinnati)
After playing in 46 games in four seasons at Cincinnati, Pace transferred within the Big 12 and has wowed his new coaches with his fast, physical and versatile play. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound super senior is the Knights' leading tackler and is coming off a terrific performance with 11 tackles in their comeback win at TCU. Pace also grabbed his seventh career interceptions in UCF's opener.
LB: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (via Utah State)
Dolac left Buffalo after an injury-shortened season in 2023 and transferred to Utah State. After one semester, he went back in the portal in May and rejoined the Bulls under their new coaching staff. That was a good call. Dolac has racked up 43 tackles, tied for most in FBS, as well as 5 TFLs, two sacks and an interception.
CB: LaMareon James, TCU (via Old Dominion)
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior corner who goes by the nickname "Scud" has been a dynamic player on defense and special teams throughout his career and hasn't had any trouble transitioning up to the Big 12. He's been a lockdown corner for the Horned Frogs who has only allowed 11 passing yards on five targets with two pass breakups and has also blocked a field goal.
CB: Kobee Minor, Memphis (via Indiana)
Minor played three seasons at Texas Tech, started in his lone season at Indiana and is proving to be a terrific post-spring pickup for Memphis. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound senior cornerback has held receivers to 54 receiving yards on nine targets, has made three tackles for loss and shined in the Tigers' upset of Florida State on Saturday.
S: Jalen Catalon, UNLV (via Texas)
The former All-SEC defender dealt with several injury setbacks during his four seasons at Arkansas and one season at Texas but is finally healthy and thriving again. Catalon has grabbed three interceptions in three games at UNLV, including a 36-yard pick-six, and brings invaluable leadership to a Rebels squad that's now in the hunt for a College Football Playoff bid after upset wins over Kansas and Houston.
S: Kitan Crawford, Nevada (via Texas)
First-year Nevada coach Jeff Choate knew what he was getting in Crawford after their time together at Texas: a true Swiss Army knife of a talent. The fifth-year senior has 22 tackles and three pass breakups as their starting free safety, excels on special teams coverage, returns kicks and has even played a few snaps on offense for the Wolf Pack.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Dominic Zvada, Michigan (via Arkansas State)
Zvada, a two-year starter at Arkansas State, is off to a great start for the Wolverines. He's a perfect 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts -- including some impressive makes from 52, 53 and 55 yards -- and has converted all of his extra-point tries.
P: Keelan Crimmins, Purdue (via Mississippi State)
Crimmins had the unfortunate duty of punting 10 times on Saturday during the Boilermakers' 66-7 loss to Notre Dame and the Aussie delivered a great performance in averaging 47.3 yards per boot, bumping him up into the top 10 in FBS in punting average.
Returner: Mekhi Mews, Houston (via Georgia)
The former Georgia walk-on was seeking an opportunity to play a more significant role and is making an early impact at Houston. Mews scored on a 75-yard punt return touchdown in the Cougars' 33-7 win over Rice on Saturday and also leads the team in catches with 11 for 102 yards.