Top 10 transfer players to watch in Week 5 of college football ft. Dillon Gabriel
With Week 5 finally here, college football is relying on transfers as teams dive deeper into conference play and massive matchups. Transfer players have had time to carve out new roles on their teams and are continuing to make significant impacts. With the College Football Playoff race heating up, look for that trend to continue.
Here are 10 transfers to watch in Week 5 of college football.
Top 10 Transfer Players to Watch in College Football Week 5
#10. Tyler Shough, Louisville
An Oregon transfer, the 6-foot-5 Shough has taken control of the Cardinals offense in 2024. Through three games, Shough has completed over 68% of his passes for 850 yards and eight touchdowns. Equally impressive, he has yet to throw an interception this year.
#9. Jalen Kimber, Penn State
The Nittany Lions don't tend to take a lot of transfers, but Kimber, who played at both Georgia and Florida, was an exception. A standout cornerback, the 6-foot Kimber will be a significant addition to an increasingly pass-happy Big Ten. So far, Kimber has seven tackles and a pass break up. As more pass-heavy teams appear, look for Kimber to shine.
#8. Keon Sabb, Alabama
A transfer from Michigan, Sabb is a big-play safety who has taken to Alabama quite quickly. Sabb has 11 tackles and has broken up three passes, with two of those being interceptions. In fact, Sabb has the Crimson Tide's only two interceptions of the year, which could be key against No. 2 Georgia and Carson Beck this weekend.
#7. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Injuries have slowed Etienne's emergence with Georgia. A transfer from Florida, he's one of the speediest backs in the nation. In two games played, Etienne has 157 rushing yards at a rate of 6.5 yards per carry. His ability to create big plays and set up the pass will be pivotal this weekend against No. 4 Alabama.
#6. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
As the No. 3 Buckeyes open Big Ten play, they can lean on perhaps the most explosive player who was in the transfer portal. Judkins had two 1,000-yard seasons at Ole Miss and looks to be on his way to another one in Columbus. In three games, Judkins has 336 yards and five touchdowns. He's done that in just 36 carries.
#5. Isaiah Bond, Texas
When Texas lost two top receivers to the NFL draft, it hammered the transfer portal. Enter Bond, who was talented but not quite able to put it all together at Alabama. So far, he has 15 receptions for 290 yards and three touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. The junior playmaker is shining even in a room of stars.
#4. Jayshawn Barham, Michigan
With its proud tradition, Michigan can afford to be picky about transfers. The school doesn't take many, but Barham, a linebacker who came in from Maryland, seems to be a great fit. The 6-foot-3 linebacker is second on the Wolverines in tackles with 18 and has a pair of quarterback hurries to his credit.
#3. Chris Paul, Ole Miss
Coach Lane Kiffin's offenses have been known qualities. It's on defense where the Ole Miss boss had to step up, and the portal has certainly helped. Linebacker Chris Paul was a playmaker at Arkansas, and the 6-foot-1 junior is shining in Oxford now. Paul leads the Rebels in tackles with 29 and tackles for loss with six. He also has four QB hurries and a pair of pass break ups.
#2. Cam Ward, Miami
A likely Heisman Trophy frontrunner, Ward has been everything Miami could have hoped when it nabbed him from Washington State. In playing the No. 7 Hurricanes into the College Football Playoff picture, Ward has passed for 1,439 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has completed over 72% of his passes and only thrown two interceptions in 123 attempts.
#1. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
One of the most highly-regarded standouts in the portal, passing ace Dillon Gabriel has been remarkably solid in early returns for the Ducks. In three games, Gabriel has 914 passing yards and six touchdowns. But in 94 passes, not only hasn't he thrown an interception, he also has just 15 incompletions (84% completion rate).
Which portal addition from a ranked team has caught your eye in 2024? Share your impressions and thoughts below in our comments section!