The transfer portal has completely changed college football. Players can now find new opportunities and make an immediate difference for their new teams.
In Week 4, several transfers stood out with big performances. Their efforts helped their teams win and boosted their own reputations. If you want the full breakdown, check out On3’s comprehensive report.
Fernando Mendoza Shines for Indiana
No. 9 Illinois came to town for a top-20 matchup, giving Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza a real shot to show what he could do. The Cal transfer made the most of it, completing 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns.
His 91.3% completion percentage was wild, and he led Indiana to a crushing 63-10 victory over Illinois. Next up, Indiana heads to Iowa, then faces Oregon on October 11. That one’s already circled on the calendar.
Trinidad Chambliss Impresses for Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss, in just his second start for Ole Miss, showed why people are whispering Heisman. With Austin Simmons out with an ankle injury, Chambliss stepped up and completed 17 of 27 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns.
He also rushed for 112 yards on 14 carries. Ole Miss rolled to a 45-10 win over Tulane. Now, the Rebels get ready to host No. 4 LSU, but Lane Kiffin still hasn’t named his starter.
Steve Angeli’s Short-Lived Success at Syracuse
Steve Angeli left Notre Dame for Syracuse, hoping to get on the field right away. On Saturday, he led the Orange to a 34-21 win over Clemson, going 18 of 31 for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Angeli managed the game well until a season-ending Achilles injury took him out in the third quarter. He’ll take a medical redshirt and keep two years of eligibility.
Oklahoma’s John Mateer Gets the Job Done
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who transferred from Washington State, played a big role in beating Auburn. Mateer completed 24 of 36 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown.
He also ran for 29 yards and scored on the ground. The Sooners’ defense made life rough for Auburn, racking up nine sacks and keeping Jackson Arnold under pressure.
Ahmad Hardy’s Heisman Campaign
Louisiana Monroe transfer Ahmad Hardy is suddenly in the Heisman talk. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in every game this season.
Against South Carolina, Hardy ran 22 times for 138 yards and a touchdown, helping Missouri grab a 29-20 win. Hardy leads the SEC in rushing and sits second nationally with 600 yards, averaging a huge 7.6 yards per carry.
Justice Haynes Delivers for Michigan
Alabama transfer Justice Haynes keeps making plays for Michigan. Against Nebraska, he rushed for 149 yards, including a wild 75-yard touchdown run late in the second half.
Haynes leads the Big Ten in rushing and is third nationally with 537 yards. He’s already got four touchdowns of 50-plus yards this year. That’s just fun to watch.
Waymond Jordan’s Impact at USC
Waymond Jordan, last year’s No. 1 JUCO player from Hutchinson Community College, is making his mark at USC. He ran for 147 yards against Michigan State and has put up 443 yards this season.
Jordan’s averaging 7.8 yards per carry. His runs have been huge for the Trojans so far.
Isaiah Sategna’s Breakout Game for Oklahoma
Arkansas transfer Isaiah Sategna had his best game yet for Oklahoma against Auburn. He caught nine passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
The highlight? A trick play where he pretended to sub out, then caught a 24-yard touchdown from John Mateer. The SEC later said the play wasn’t legal, but Sategna’s performance still helped Oklahoma get the win.
Johntay Cook’s Potential Realized at Clemson
Johntay Cook, who played for Texas and Washington before, is starting to look like the five-star recruit people expected. Against Clemson, he had six catches for 113 yards, averaging 18.8 yards per catch.
Cook’s big plays powered Clemson’s offense all night.
Jaden Yates Anchors Ole Miss Defense
Marshall transfer Jaden Yates is turning into a rock for the Ole Miss defense. Against Tulane, he led the team with 11 total tackles and added an assisted tackle for loss.
Yates’ work helped Ole Miss hold Tulane to their lowest point total in Oxford since 1992. That’s the kind of stat that gets the locker room buzzing.
Honorable Mention: Dominic Richardson
Tulsa running back Dominic Richardson, once with Oklahoma State, really showed up against his old squad. He carried the ball 31 times for 146 yards.
Richardson’s efforts pushed Tulsa to a win over Oklahoma State on Friday night. If you want to dive deeper into the numbers, check out On3’s full report.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
