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Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 2

Nakos updated headshotby: Pete Nakos09/08/25PeteNakos_
top impact transfer portal players week 2 college football

Oklahoma knew it needed to hit the reset button on offense this offseason. Brent Venables targeted Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and, later, quarterback John Mateer in the transfer portal. Both joined the Sooners in Norman and were the difference-makers Saturday night against Michigan.

In the new age of college football, the transfer portal has become a major piece of roster construction. Throughout the college football season, On3 is breaking down the top 10 transfer portal impact players based on weekly performances. Here are the most impactful transfer portal players from Week 2:

1. Oklahoma QB John Mateer

In his first big spot with a top-25 matchup, John Mateer proved that the money spent to get him out of the transfer portal was well spent by Oklahoma. The Washington State transfer quarterback accounted for 344 yards and three touchdowns in the 24-13 win over Michigan. The Sooners had 408 total yards. Mateer posted 74 rushing yards on 19 carries for two touchdowns. The rest of the Oklahoma roster combined for 21 carries.

2. Florida State WR Duce Robinson

USC transfer Duce Robinson pulled in five catches for 173 yards on Saturday against East Texas A&M. The Florida State wide receiver’s performance ranks second in program history for single-game receiving yards. He averaged over 34 yards a catch and had an 82-yard touchdown. He also pulled in a one-handed touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. Robinson put together the stat time in 15 football minutes.

3. Missouri QB Beau Pribula

Facing a 21-6 deficit in the first quarter, which included a strip sack returned for a touchdown, Beau Pribula rallied Missouri for a comeback win in the Border War. The Penn State transfer finished 30 of 39 for 334 yards and three touchdowns. In the first meeting in 14 years between Kansas and Missouri, Pribula delivered for the Tigers. He finished Saturday with a 76.9% completion percentage.

4. Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy

With the Ole Miss offense struggling against Kentucky, highlighted by two Austin Simmons interceptions, the Rebels turned to running back Kewan Lacy. The Missouri transfer carried the ball 28 times for 138 yards as Ole Miss grinded out a 30-23 win on the road in the SEC opener. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back averaged 4.9 yards per carry and leads the SEC in rushing yards through two weeks.

5. NC State LB Cian Slone

Cian Slone did not make his impact on the nonconference Virginia-NC State matchup on Saturday on the pass rush. The Utah State transfer picked off UVA quarterback Chandler Morris late in the fourth quarter, jumping the route to end the game. He has 11 tackles in two weeks.

6. Louisville DL Clev Lubin

With Louisville in a 14-14 deadlock with James Madison in the fourth quarter on Friday night, Clev Lubin proved to be the difference maker. The Coastal Carolina transfer sacked quarterback Alonza Barnett in the end zone, forcing a fumble which was jumped on by AJ Green. Through two weeks, Lubin has 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.

7. Michigan RB Justice Haynes

Justice Haynes exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run to open the second half and draw Michigan within a touchdown. The Wolverines were unable to take the lead, falling 24-13 on the road at Oklahoma. But Haynes finished the game with 125 yards on 19 carries, averaging over 6.6 yards per run.

8. Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson

Former Texas and Oklahoma transfer Brenen Thompson had six catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns, setting new career highs across the board and notching the first 100-yard performance of his career in Mississippi State’s upset of Arizona State. Thompson capped his monster performance with a 58-yard touchdown in the final 30 seconds to give the Bulldogs the win. He hit 20.1 MPH on the touchdown to seal the game.

9. SMU RB TJ Harden

While SMU lost in double overtime on Saturday to Baylor, UCLA transfer running back TJ Harden was a bright spot. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound running back carried the ball 19 times for 115 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Harden averaged 6.1 yards per carry and broke off a 40-yard touchdown run.

10. Texas A&M WR Mario Craver

Through the first two weeks of the college football season, Mississippi State transfer Mario Craver has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the country. In Week 2 for Texas A&M, Craver had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 22.8 yards per catch. Craver also had a 72-yard touchdown catch and ranks second in the SEC in receiving yards.

Honorable Mention: Penn State transfer wide receiver Trey Wallace had four catches for 117 yards in Ole Miss’ win over Kentucky. Wallace averaged 29.3 yards per catch.