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Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 3

Nakos updated headshotby: Pete Nakos7 hours agoPeteNakos_
top impact transfer portal players week 3

Multiple transfers had signature moments in Week 2 of the college football season. D-II Ferris State transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss stepped up for Ole Miss, getting his first start. And Mississippi State transfer wideout Mario Craver passed the 200-yard mark for Texas A&M against Notre Dame.

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 3:

1. Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss

In his first career SEC start on Saturday night, Ferris State transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss rushed for two touchdowns as Ole Miss picked up a 41-35 win over Arkansas. With starter Austin Simmons dealing with an ankle injury, Chambliss finished the night 21 of 29 for 353 passing yards to go with a passing touchdown. It’s unclear who will get the Week 4 start against Tulane.

2. Texas A&M WR Mario Craver

A year ago at Mississippi State, Mario Craver turned heads as a true freshman for his speed. But on Saturday night at Notre Dame, he made his presence known to the country. He had an 86-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Craver caught seven passes for a career-high 207 yards on the night. Craver’s 207 yards were the most in a game for the Aggies since Mike Evans’ 279 yards against Alabama during the 2013 season.

3. Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff

The BYU transfer quarterback rushed for four touchdowns as Tulane knocked off Duke and its former quarterback, Darian Mensah. Jake Retzlaff finished with 245 yards passing and 111 rushing, his second 100-yard rushing game in three starts. It’s been an impressive three weeks for Retzlaff, who arrived at Tulane in July. The Green Wave visits Ole Miss in Week 4.

4. Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar

Despite the overtime loss to Georgia, App State and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar proved he can compete in the SEC. He accounted for five touchdowns in the loss. He finished 24 of 36 for 371 yards and added a rushing touchdown. He threw for two picks, but looked comfortable for most of the day and connected with Chris Brazzell on three touchdown passes.

5. Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele continues to put together one of the most impressive freshman campaigns of the 2025 season. Sagapolutele flipped from Cal late in the recruiting process to Oregon before entering the transfer portal and rejoining the Golden Bears this winter. Facing his first Power Four opponent of the season on Saturday night against Minnesota, he finished 24 of 38 for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He’s thrown only one interception to this point.

6. USC DL Jah Jarrett

Georgia transfer Jah Jarrett came up big for USC on Saturday at Purdue. With Purdue driving and trying to make it a one-score game, the defensive lineman grabbed a tipped pass and returned it 70 yards for a pick-six. He was clocked at 18.8 MPH on the interception return for a touchdown.

7. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy

After rushing for 172 yards against Louisiana in 2024 when he was with UL Monroe, Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy topped that on Saturday. Hardy posted 22 carries for 250 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-10 blowout win. It marked a career high in rushing yards and broke the 200-yard barrier for the third time in his college career.

8. Ole Miss WR Trey Wallace

With starting quarterback Austin Simmons sidelined, Penn State transfer wide receiver Trey Wallace emerged as Trinidad Chambliss’ top target. Wallace finished Saturday night with six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. He sits at No. 3 in the SEC in receiving yards.

9. Arizona RB Ismail Mahdi

Texas State transfer running back Ismail Mahdi logged his 10th career 100-yard rushing game and his first at Arizona on Friday night. He finished the night with 221 all-purpose yards and out-gained Kansas State single-handedly, 221-193.

10. LSU S A.J. Haulcy

On a night where LSU picked off Florida quarterback DJ Lagway five times, Houston transfer safety AJ Haulcy looked the part of a top transfer. He finished the game with six tackles and an interception, returning it 10 yards. He wasn’t the only standout transfer defensive back. NC State transfer Tamarcus Cooley added nine tackles and an interception.