Welcome back to the Transfer Portal Team of the Week! Every team except New Mexico saw action this week, with several squads notching big wins. We have another fantastic lineup built from the top performing transfers of week four! We’ll also highlight the best transfer performance from each aspect of the game, complete with their journey to this point. Congrats to the honorees, and let us know what player you think should’ve made this edition!
Offense Spotlight: E.J. Warner
The son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, EJ was
ranked as a three star recruit out of high school. He held offers from multiple G5 programs, but ultimately committed to Temple.
Shortly after arriving on campus, Warner would get his first career start against Rutgers. He never looked back, remaining under center for the rest of the season and putting up 3,028 pass yards, the second most in program history. His sophomore campaign was nearly identical, with Warner notching another three thousand yard season in addition to throwing a program record 23 touchdowns. With Temple not exceeding three wins in either of his campaigns, Warner entered the transfer portal and landed at another American school with an Owl mascot in Rice.
Warner’s one year stint in Houston wasn’t anything spectacular. He threw for 2,710 yards and 17 scores, which are solid totals, but still career-lows. With Rice finishing the season at 4-8, EJ wanted to go somewhere he could win for his final year of collegiate play. After re-entering the portal, he would commit to Matt Entz and Fresno State, going further west than ever before.
The Bulldogs have been one of the surprise teams of the Mountain West season so far, and Warner’s poise under center has been a massive part of that. Despite not finding the end zone until the fourth game of the year, he’s led his squad to four straight wins. His latest showing against Hawaii was his most impressive yet. With the run game being ineffective for the majority of the game, Warner had to manufacture almost all of Fresno State’s offense. It wasn’t flashy, necessarily, but his control over the pace of the contest and decision making were key in his team leaving the Islands with a victory. Much like his father, EJ has somewhat slid under the radar despite his consistent production. Even if the NFL hasn’t taken notice quite yet, there’s no doubt that the Red Wave are keenly aware, and grateful, for how much he impacts their chances to win each week.
Honorable Mention: GR RB Miles Davis, BYU to Utah State — 13 carries, 118 rush yards, TD; 5 catches, 39 REC yards
Defense Spotlight: Jaheem Joseph
A top 1,000 recruit out of Miami, Joseph was courted by several marquee programs, including Michigan and Louisville, but ultimately chose to attend Northwestern. He had to wait in line, for three years in fact, but his first extended action came in 2023. Starting every game for the Wildcats, Joseph racked up 24 tackles and tied for the team lead with three picks. Hoping to play on a larger stage, he entered the transfer portal and chose to join West Virginia for his senior season.
While the Mountaineers were somewhat disappointing, finishing the season with a 6-7 record, Joseph was anything but. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention for his campaign of 40 tackles and an interception. With one year of eligibility remaining, Joseph hopped in the portal for a final time, and chose to play for Dan Mullen at UNLV.
In a secondary that lost almost all of its production from the year prior, Joseph was expected to emerge as a key cog in the Rebels defense. He’s done just that, already reaching 22 tackles and four TFLs through four games. In their closest call yet at Miami of Ohio, Joseph was a game changer. His nine tackles were second most on the team, and his forced fumble helped UNLV come all the way back from being down 14 in the fourth quarter. With all eyes on Vegas as they make a push to the CFP, Jaheem Joseph has solidified himself as a name to watch for all-conference teams and NFL draft boards.
Honorable Mention: SO LB K’Vion Thunderbird, Arizona State to Fresno State — 8 tackles, Pick Six, PFF Grade of 84
Special Teams Spotlight: Hunter Green
A two-sport star from Redmond, Washington, Green only received one offer from Northern Colorado, which he accepted. Following a redshirt season, he served as the Bears primary kicker and punter, going 9 for 12 on field goals and leading the Big Sky with nearly 3,000 punt yardage. His efforts earned him a Jerry Rice Award nomination, which goes to the top freshman in the FCS. Green was even better as a sophomore, switching full time to punting and being named a 3rd team FCS All-American. No longer an unknown prospect, he entered the transfer portal and quickly landed at San Diego State.
While Green was effective in his first two games as an Aztec, his showing against Cal put the rest of the Mountain West’s special teams coaches on notice. Across his six punts in their mammoth upset, he dropped two inside the twenty yard line and none in the end zone for touchbacks. His impact on the Golden Bears offense was clear, as they were shut out for the first time since 2019. It goes to show that a consistent option at punter can do wonders for your defense, especially if they’re on the field for the majority of the game. Green understands that completely, and will continue to push San Diego State towards a resurgent season.
Honorable Mention: SR K Denis Lynch, USC to San Jose State — 1/1 on FGs (48 yard GW), 4/4 on XPs
Team of the Week
Offense
Quarterback
EJ Warner, Rice to Fresno State, Senior || W, 23-21 @ Hawaii || 22/29, 230 pass yards, TD; 38 rush yards (led team)
Running Back (2)
Miles Davis, BYU to Utah State, Graduate || W, 48-7 vs McNeese State || 13 carries, 118 rush yards, TD; 5 catches, 39 REC yards
Malik Sherrod, Fresno State to Boise State, Graduate || W, 49-37 @ Air Force || 7 carries, 80 rush yards, TD; 2 catches, 36 REC yards
Wide Receiver (3)
Danny Scudero, Sacramento State (FCS) to San Jose State, Sophomore || W, 31-28 vs Idaho || 6 catches, 130 REC yards
Brady Boyd, Texas Tech to Utah State, Senior || W, 48-7 vs McNeese State || 4 catches, 84 REC yards, 2 TDs (career high); 6 yard run
Troy Omeire, Arizona State to UNLV, Graduate || W, 41-38 @ Miami(OH) || 7 catches, 76 REC yards (both career highs)
Tight End
Jett Carpenter, Eastern Washington (FCS) to Nevada, Graduate || L, 31-16 @ Western Kentucky || 6 catches, 70 REC yards (both career highs)
Offensive Tackle (2)
Jack Foster, Idaho (FCS) to Nevada, Junior || L, 31-16 @ Western Kentucky || PFF grade of 57.1
Zach Cochnauer, Central Arkansas (FCS) to Nevada, Junior || L, 31-16 @ Western Kentucky || PFF grade of 55.5
Offensive Guard (2)
Liam Wortmann, Central Missouri (D2) to Colorado State, Graduate || L, 17-16 vs UTSA || PFF grade of 68.5
Bayo Kannike, Utah Tech (FCS) to San Diego State, Senior || W, 34-0 vs Cal || PFF grade of 66.9
Center
Jimmy Liston, Illinois to Utah State, Sophomore || W, 48-7 vs McNeese State || PFF grade of 64.1
Defense
Defensive End (2)
Vili Taufatofua, Utah to San Jose State, Junior || W, 31-28 vs Idaho || 5 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 75.5
Finn Claypool, Drake (FCS) to Fresno State, Graduate || W, 23-21 @ Hawaii || 4 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 81.7
Defensive Tackle (2)
De’Jon Benton, New Mexico to Hawaii, Graduate || L, 23-21 vs Fresno State || 2 tackles, 2 TFLs, sack, PFF grade of 93.1
Carson Tujague, BYU to Utah State, Freshman || W, 48-7 vs McNeese State || 11 tackles (career high), PFF grade of 62
Linebacker (3)
K’Vion Thunderbird, Arizona State to Fresno State, Sophomore || W, 23-21 @ Hawaii || 8 tackles (career high), Pick Six (first INT of career), PFF grade of 84
Jacob Ellis, Iowa State to Colorado State, Senior || L, 17-16 vs UTSA || 7 tackles, 2 deflections, PFF grade of 56.7
Jadon Pearson, Utah State to Fresno State, Graduate || W, 23-21 @ Hawaii || 7 tackles, PFF grade of 68.6
Cornerback (2)
Lemondre Joe, Missouri State to Colorado State, Senior || L, 17-16 vs UTSA || 7 tackles, 3 deflections, TFL, INT, PFF grade of 59.6
AJ Odums, UTEP to Nevada, Graduate || L, 31-16 @ Western Kentucky || 6 tackles, 2 deflections, PFF grade of 74.3
Safety (2)
Jaheem Joseph, West Virginia to UNLV, Graduate || W, 41-38 @ Miami(OH) || 9 tackles (T-career high), TFL, forced fumble, PFF grade of 83.5
Jake Jarmolowich, Holy Cross (FCS) to Colorado State, Graduate || L, 17-16 vs UTSA || 6 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, PFF grade of 76.4
Special Teams
Kicker
Denis Lynch, USC to San Jose State, Senior || W, 31-28 vs Idaho || 1/1 on FGs (48 yard game-winner), 4/4 on XPs
Punter
Hunter Green, Northern Colorado (FCS) to San Diego State, Junior || W, 34-0 vs Cal || 6 punts for 265 yards (average of 44.2), 2 downed inside 20 yard line
Returner
Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, RB, Arizona to Fresno State, Junior || W, 23-21 @ Hawaii || 9 carries, 34 rush yards; 3 catches, 17 REC yards; 2 KRs for 57 yards, long of 38
