Welcome back to the Transfer Portal Team of the Week! Two-thirds of the Mountain West took the field on Saturday, with some teams looking better than others (looking at you, Colorado State, please figure
it out). We have another elite lineup for Week 5, built out of the top performing transfers! 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 if there’s any transfers that you think got snubbed!
Offense Spotlight: Jack Layne
Hailing from Lake Oswego, Oregon, Jack Layne lit up his high school opponents on his way to a state Gatorade Player of the Year award. This wasn’t enough to get him too much attention, however, as he was only rated as a two-star prospect. His lone offer was from Valparaiso, in addition to a handful of preferred walk-on opportunities. One of those was from Idaho, who had just locked in South Dakota State OC Jason Eck as their head coach. It’s impossible to say how much Eck played into Layne’s decision to play in the Kibbie Dome, but regardless, the two would be tied at the hip going forward.
Getting to work immediately upon arriving in Moscow, Layne redshirted his first year on campus and won the backup job in 2023. His lone start that year showed the talent that was waiting in the wings, as he torched rival Idaho State for 275 yards and six touchdowns. With starter Gevani McCoy heading to Oregon State, it was Layne’s turn to run the show. Unfortunately, he’d battle injuries throughout his sophomore campaign, but was still able to rack up 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns across eight starts. With Coach Eck taking the Vandals to their third straight FCS playoffs, many on the roster felt they were ready to make the jump to the FBS level. Once Eck accepted the head coaching job at New Mexico, it wasn’t long before several of his players would follow him to Albuquerque. Among them was Jack Layne.
One of seven starters from Idaho’s 2024 team to commit to New Mexico, Layne was immediately penciled in as the Lobos quarterback going forward. His first snaps of the season would come in the Big House against Michigan, not exactly the easiest off ramp for a former walk-on. Though he would throw three interceptions, he was clearly not scared of the competition or the magnitude of the moment. The Lobos would knock off their next two opponents, Idaho State and UCLA, with the running game leading the way. Trying to start 4-1 for the first time since 2007, all New Mexico had to do was beat their bitter rival, New Mexico State, in the Rio Grande Rivalry. With the ground game struggling, Layne’s arm took center stage, as he threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns to lead New Mexico to a convincing 38-20 win in front of a sold out crowd, which fittingly also hasn’t happened since 2007. There’s more excitement surrounding football in Albuquerque than there has been in a long time, and Layne has to be commended for his role in that resurgence.
Honorable Mention: SO WR Danny Scudero, Sacramento State (FCS) to San Jose State — 11 catches (career high), 135 REC yards, 2 TDs (career high)
Defense Spotlight: Noah Avinger
A highly regarded recruit out of Cerritos, California, Avinger had his pick of where he wanted to go to college. He held offers from Oregon, Arizona, Boston College, and Utah, but none of them were able to convince him to leave home. Avinger committed to San Diego State, joining them for what would be a legendary 2021 campaign.
Becoming the first true freshman to start at corner since 2009, Avinger tallied 15 tackles, two deflections, and an interception during the Aztecs 12-2 season. While this was the peak for Brady Hoke’s time in San Diego, it wasn’t for Cerritos’ very own. He would rack up 36 tackles, in addition to grabbing another pick and forcing his first career fumble. Everything was lining up for Avinger to become one of the top corners in the Mountain West, in his home state no less, but life never seems to be that easy. A dislocated shoulder would cost him his 2023 season, and following a 4-8 finish and the retirement of Coach Hoke, what was once a perfect situation had turned into a dead end. Avinger regrouped, entered the transfer portal, and committed to Bronco Mendenhall and New Mexico.
Due to a lack of established talent at the back end, Avinger was asked to move to safety for his junior year. In his first action in over a year, he opened the season with a stat line that included 14 tackles, two deflections, and a fumble return for a touchdown. He would continue his stellar play throughout the season, as he finished with a team leading 91 tackles, earning him an All-Mountain West honorable mention. However, life would throw another curveball at Avinger, as Coach Mendenhall bolted for Utah State after one season in Albuquerque. Deciding to follow him to Logan, he re-entered the portal to join his third Mountain West squad.
Although his uniform keeps changing, there’s no longer any doubt whether or not Avinger belongs at the next level. Originally, the plan was for him to move back to corner for his final collegiate season, but with star Ike Larsen being suspended for the first half of the season, Utah State needed his leadership and tackling ability at the last level of the defense. It’s safe to say he’s filled Larsen’s shoes well. This past week, against nationally ranked Vanderbilt, he posted a season-high twelve tackles, along with an interception. Across his five games with the Aggies so far, he already has 41 tackles and three interceptions, doubling his previous career total. No player in the conference has had to deal with more unexpected change over the last few seasons than Noah Avinger, and the fact that he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the Mountain West is a testament to his undeniable work ethic and talent. Hopefully, the next uniform he puts on will have an NFL shield stitched onto the center.
Honorable Mention: GR DE Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico — 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 deflections, PFF grade of 54.2
Special Teams Spotlight: Colton Boomer
One of the most appropriate names in sports, Colton Boomer was an excellent specialist at Lake Mary High School, but it wasn’t enough to earn him any offers. Undeterred, he drove twenty minutes down the road and walked on at UCF ahead of the 2022 season.
This proved to be an amazing decision, as Boomer won the starting kicking job out of camp. While this is an accomplishment in itself, his play on the field proved the coaching staff right and then some. He led the American in field goal percentage at 93.3%, going 14 for 15 on the year. As a sophomore, Boomer would have his most memorable performance on the blue turf in Boise. In what was a bizarre game from start to finish, the homegrown kicker had put the Knights on his back. He hit two field goals from beyond fifty yards, and down 16-15 with one play to spare, Boomer nailed a game-winning forty yard attempt to silence Albertsons Stadium. After the game, head coach Gus Malzahn would call him “one of the best kickers in college football”.
Almost as if that praise jinxed him, Boomer would struggle down the stretch, going 3 for 8 across his last five games. The first two games of his junior year would go well, but after missing three straight field goals against TCU and Colorado, he would be benched for the remainder of 2024. Using the rest of the season to get fully healthy, Boomer entered the transfer portal with intentions of starting once again. Ironically, no team was more aware of his capabilities than Boise State. Needing a new kicker with Jonah Dalmas out of eligibility, Spencer Danielson offered Boomer a chance to return to the Blue, and he took it.
Although he missed his lone field goal attempt from his first three games, Boomer looked to be back to his sharpshooting self again against Appalachian State. He knocked in a chip shot at the end of the first half, and drilled a 40 yard attempt later in the third quarter. He’s also a perfect 15/15 on extra points in 2025. It’s a fascinating tale, as Bronco fans saw Boomer as the villain two years ago. They can’t be blamed after he ripped their hearts out as time expired. Now, as a senior, his made field goals spread joy across the state of Idaho instead of sorrow.
Honorable Mention: JR P Hunter Green, Northern Colorado (FCS) to San Diego State — 6 punts for 282 yards (average of 47), 5 downed inside 20 yard line
Team of the Week
Offense
Quarterback
Jack Layne, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 23/30, 303 pass yards, 4 TDs; 13 rush yards
Running Back (2)
Javen Jacobs, New Mexico to Utah State, Junior || L, 55-35 @ #18 Vanderbilt || 4 carries, 63 rush yards; 6 catches (T-career high), 48 REC yards, TD
Lloyd Avant, Tulsa to Colorado State, Sophomore || L, 20-3 vs Washington State || 5 carries, 33 rush yards; 4 catches, 43 REC yards (career high)
Wide Receiver (3)
Danny Scudero, Sacramento State (FCS) to San Jose State, Sophomore || L, 30-29 @ Stanford || 11 catches (career high), 135 REC yards, 2 TDs (career high)
Jackson Harris, Stanford to Hawaii, Sophomore || W, 44-35 @ Air Force || 7 catches, 144 REC yards, 2 TDs (all career highs)
Keagan Johnson, Kansas State to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 7 catches, 135 REC yards (career high), TD
Tight End
Dorian Thomas, Arizona to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 6 catches, 79 REC yards (career high), TD
Offensive Tackle (2)
Tyler Lawrence, Air Force to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || PFF grade of 56.2
Jake Eichorn, BYU to Utah State, Senior || L, 55-35 @ #18 Vanderbilt || PFF grade of 62.1, left game with an injury after 18 snaps (no other qualifiers)
Offensive Guard (2)
Kalan Ellis, Syracuse to San Diego State, Junior || W, 6-3 @ Northern Illinois || PFF grade of 61.3
Israel Mukwiza, Mercer (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || PFF grade of 60.4
Center
Kaden Robnett, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Freshman || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || PFF grade of 59.4
Defense
Defensive End (2)
Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 deflections, PFF grade of 54.2
Malakai Williams, Idaho (FCS) to Boise State, Senior || W, 41-17 vs Appalachian State || 2 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 84.6
Defensive Tackle (2)
Luther McCoy, Minnesota to Hawaii, Graduate || W, 44-35 @ Air Force || 2 tackles, TFL, PFF grade of 76.1
Qwyn Williams, Ohio Dominican (D2) to Hawaii, Graduate || W, 44-35 @ Air Force || 3 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 65.7
Linebacker (3)
Jaxton Eck, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 7 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 73.7
JaQues “Donut” Evans, Baylor to Colorado State, Graduate || L, 20-3 vs Washington State || 5 tackles, PFF grade of 60
Brett Karhu, Memphis to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || TFL, PFF grade of 63
Cornerback (2)
Lemondre Joe, Missouri State to Colorado State, Senior || L, 20-3 vs Washington State || 7 tackles, 2 deflections, PFF grade of 47.6
Jon Johnson, Montana State (FCS) to New Mexico, Senior || W, 38-20 vs New Mexico State || 4 tackles, deflection, PFF grade of 86.4
Safety (2)
Noah Avinger, New Mexico to Utah State, Senior || L, 55-35 @ #18 Vanderbilt || 12 tackles, INT, PFF grade of 58.5
Dylan Tucker, Elon (FCS) to Utah State, Graduate || L, 55-35 @ #18 Vanderbilt || 6 tackles, PFF grade of 67.1
Special Teams
Kicker
Colton Boomer, UCF to Boise State, Junior || W, 41-17 vs Appalachian State || 2/2 on FGs (long of 40), 5/5 on XPs
Punter
Hunter Green, Northern Colorado (FCS) to San Diego State, Junior || W, 6-3 @ Northern Illinois || 6 punts for 282 yards (average of 47), 5 downed inside 20 yard line
Returner
Javen Jacobs, RB, New Mexico to Utah State, Junior || L, 55-35 @ #18 Vanderbilt || 4 carries, 63 rush yards; 6 catches (T-career high), 48 REC yards, TD; 2 KRs for 42 yards (long of 25), 1 PR
