At long last, we’ve reached the end of the regular season, and it’s time to recognize the most impactful transfers from across the conference. Over the next three days, you’ll read the journeys of 78 different players that left their mark on the conference this year. Enjoy the ride, and let us know which transfers made you jump out of your seat the most this season!
If you missed the 1st team honorees, the link is right here to catch you up, or the 2nd team, which is here. This edition will feature
the third team honorees. Tomorrow, our final edition will cover the honorable mentions and overall results of the roster, including the most well-represented teams.
Note: If players have been in the weekly spotlight, the full write-up on their journey will be linked if you are interested in more details on their career. Also, rankings in parentheses are the players’ Mountain West rank unless otherwise noted.
Quarterback
EJ Warner, Rice to Fresno State, Senior
Stat line: 69.4% (1st), 1,811 pass yards (8th), 12 TDs (7th), 11 INTs; 103 rush yards, TD
The son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, EJ entered college as a three-star recruit and chose Temple over multiple other Group of 5 offers. He immediately won the starting job as a freshman and threw for 3,028 yards, good for second most in program history, before following it up with another 3,000-yard season and a school-record 23 touchdowns. With Temple stuck at three wins in both years, he transferred to Rice for 2023, posting solid but career-low numbers (2,710 yards, 17 TDs) during a 4–8 season. Wanting a real chance to win in his final year, Warner re-entered the portal and committed to Fresno State and their new head coach Matt Entz. He would start the first seven games of the season, helping the Bulldogs to a 5-1 start, but he would be benched following their loss to Colorado State. Returning to the lineup in the second to last game of the year, Warner put up respectable numbers as his squad fell to Utah State and beat San Jose State. He’ll likely start in the Arizona Bowl against Miami of Ohio, which will be his first postseason appearance through 41 games. It’s been quite the journey, with stops in Philadelphia, Houston, and now Fresno, but Warner will leave a collegiate legacy of exciting plays and big time throws when the final whistle sounds on December 27th.
Running Back
DJ McKinney, Sam Houston State to New Mexico, Sophomore
Stat line: 109 carries, 454 rush yards, 7 TDs (8th), 4.2 YPCarry; 14 catches, 156 REC yards; PR TD
Born and raised in Tulsa, DJ McKinney dominated the Oklahoma high school circuit with 2,369 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, yet somehow went unranked by major recruiting sites and held just one offer from Sam Houston State. Joining the Bearkats as they transitioned from FCS powerhouse to FBS newcomer in 2023, McKinney redshirted during a rough 3–9 season before breaking out in 2024. The Oklahoma native played in all 13 games, totaling 481 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and another 99 yards receiving, earning CUSA Freshman of the Year. His best performance came against UTEP, which was a 166-yard, two-score explosion. After helping lead the Bearkats to a 10–3 record and their first bowl win, McKinney entered the transfer portal following coach KC Keeler’s departure and eventually landed at New Mexico, joining Jason Eck’s transfer-built roster as one of the so-called “Four Horsemen” alongside Scottre Humphrey, Damon Bankston, and Deshaun Buchanan. His Lobos career got off to a fascinating start, with him finding his first touchdown by way of a pass to tight end Dorian Thomas in the Big House against Michigan, though his true coming out party would be against a different Power Four opponent two weeks later. In another historic venue in the Rose Bowl, McKinney led the team with 21 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown, routinely bowling over defenders that were seemingly twice his size. He quieted down slightly over the next few games, but got hot in the second half of the season, finding the end zone in five of his last six appearances. Ending the season with the eighth most rushing touchdowns in the Mountain West, Tulsa’s very own projects to be the lead back for Jason Eck in 2026, and could certainly reach an all-conference level if he gets enough touches.
Lloyd Avant, Tulsa to Colorado State, Sophomore
Stat line: 90 carries, 417 rush yards, 4.6 YPCarry, 5 TDs; 24 catches, 261 REC yards, TD
Rated as a three star recruit out of Humble, Texas, Lloyd Avant was one of the most sought-after Group of 5 running backs, holding offers from the American, Mountain West, Sun Belt, and CUSA before choosing Tulsa so he could see the field early. He made an immediate impact, taking a kick return 100 yards to the house in his very first game and adding 64 rushing yards, setting the tone for a season in which he consistently contributed on the ground and in the return game, finishing with 322 total yards and 392 kick-return yards. But with Tulsa firing head coach Kevin Wilson, the writing was on the wall, and Avant entered the transfer portal, ultimately landing at Colorado State with Jay Norvell. While the on-field product for the Rams was disappointing, the Humble native consistently brought smiles to fans faces with his play. He kicked his season off with 68 yards and two scores against Northern Colorado, followed by a career high 96 yard outing against UTSA. Saving his best for last, Avant went off in the season finale versus rival Air Force, posting career best marks of eight catches and 135 receiving yards in addition to a rushing touchdown. It’s unfortunate that he’s had the head coach he committed to fired for the second straight year, but Avant is poised to star for the Rams under new showrunner Jim Mora or transfer into the Power Four ranks.
Wide Receiver
Leland Smith, Purdue to San Jose State, Junior
Stat line: 43 catches, 688 REC yards (8th), 3 TDs
Hailing from Houston, Texas, Leland Smith went under the radar as a 6 foot 4 tight end prospect, leading him to attend Fullerton Junior College in California. Moving to wide receiver with the Hornets, he emerged as one of the top wideouts at the JUCO level, posting 655 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, including a ridiculous 212 yards performance against Palomar. After taking visits to Miami, Mississippi State, and Purdue, Smith decided to commit to the Boilermakers ahead of the 2024 campaign. In his lone season in West Lafayette, he appeared in all twelve games with six catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns, with his most memorable outing coming against Indiana State, where he blocked a punt in addition to 47 yards. With head coach Ryan Walters getting fired, the Houston native decided to enter the transfer portal, landing at San Jose State. Alongside Danny Scudero and Kyri Shoels, Smith completed arguably the best receiver trio in the Mountain West this year, reaching the century mark on four occasions, including a streak of three straight. His 688 receiving yards puts him soundly in the top ten of the conference, earning him an honorable mention nod despite the Spartans relatively disappointing season. With a year of eligibility to go, he’ll either return to San Jose as one of the best outside receiving threats in the Mountain West or return to the Power Four ranks.
Donovan Brown, Monroe (JUCO) to San Diego State, Junior
Stat line: 30 catches, 475 REC yards, 2 TDs
Hailing from Gaithersburg, Maryland, Donovan Brown was a late-rising recruit with offers from Syracuse and Vanderbilt, and at 6-foot-3 with a track background, he projected as an ideal outside receiver when he committed to Dino Babers and the Orange ahead of 2022. After contributing on special teams as a true freshman, he earned a starting receiver spot in 2023 and logged 27 catches for 321 yards, including a breakout 89-yard, one-touchdown performance against Western Michigan, but he fell out of the rotation late in the season. With Babers fired and Fran Brown taking over, Brown opted for a fresh start and transferred to Monroe University at the JUCO level, where he thrived with 30 catches, 611 yards, and eight scores. Feeling ready to return to Division One, he joined Sean Lewis at San Diego State as the Aztecs rebuilt a depleted receiver room, and he quickly earned a starting job. One of the most consistent transfer pickups in the conference, Brown reached 40 receiving yards in eight games, including a career high 91 yard outing in the regular season finale against New Mexico. Sitting at 475 yards and two touchdowns, he could transfer for a third time, or he can return to San Diego and be a serious breakout candidate in the new PAC 12.
DaeDae Reynolds, Pitt to UNLV, Graduate
Stat line: 32 catches, 470 REC yards, 5 TDs (8th)
A four star prospect from Loganville, Georgia, DaeJon “DaeDae” Reynolds chose Florida over basically every over Power Four school in the country (he had 37 of them). Unfortunately, during his initial year in Gainesville in 2021, head coach Dan Mullen would be fired. He stayed with the Gators for one more season, putting the country on notice with an eight catch, 165 yards, two score night against Vanderbilt, before entering the transfer portal and committing to Pitt. He posted career high marks of 28 receptions and 316 yards in his sophomore year, but dropped to 189 yards as a junior. With his final year of college football ahead of him, Reynolds re-entered the portal and decided to rejoin the coach he committed to out of high school, joining Dan Mullen for his opening campaign at UNLV. The third stop of his career was the most fruitful, with posting career highs in each receiving stat and finishing top ten in the Mountain West in touchdown receptions. Reynolds also lit up Air Force for 139 yards and a score, his most productive outing since his 2021 outburst against the Commodores. Likely off to the NFL after the Frisco Bowl goes down, the Loganville product is finally starting to reach his true potential.
Tight End
Cade Keith, TCU to New Mexico, Freshman
Stat line: 20 catches, 253 REC yards, 3 TDs
A native of Las Vegas, Cade Keith struggled to gain recruiting momentum despite a strong career at Faith Lutheran High School and chose to walk on at TCU, where a crowded tight end room forced him to redshirt in 2024. Still listed as a freshman but armed with a year of Power Four development, he entered the transfer portal and joined Jason Eck at New Mexico, a perfect opportunity given the Lobos returned zero tight end snaps and were rebuilding the position entirely. Keith began 2025 in a four-man competition with more experienced transfers but steadily carved out playing time, catching four passes in his first three games before finding the end zone for the first time in the Rio Grande Rivalry. His role grew alongside standout Dorian Thomas, and though he didn’t record a catch against Nevada, he erupted the next week in Bronco Mendenhall’s return to Albuquerque, posting a career-best seven receptions, 104 yards, and a 40-yard touchdown that helped stake New Mexico to a commanding halftime lead. Following a 50 yard performance against UNLV, Keith wouldn’t receive a target for the next thirteen quarters of football. As the Lobos entered double overtime against San Diego State in what is arguably their biggest game in program history, it was the Vegas native that would step up to make the play of the year, snagging a pass from Jack Layne with one hand along the sideline, staying in bounds, and turning up field for what would be the game winning 25 yard score. University Stadium went ballistic, and the New Mexico faithful simply wouldn’t have been able to storm the field if it wasn’t for his heroics. Though he won’t be able to legally drink until next August, Keith will never have to buy a drink in Albuquerque, even if he hypothetically transfers back to the Power Four level.
Offensive Tackle
Trenton Scott, Texas State to Nevada, Graduate
Stat line: 314 snaps, PFF Grades of 69.5 OVR, 70.1 RBLK (5th among T), 73.1 PBLK (5th among T)
A two star recruit from Luling, Texas, Trenton Scott stayed in-state by picking Texas State over FCS schools Illinois State and Northern Colorado, beginning his collegiate career in 2020. He’d appear sparingly over the Bobcats next three seasons, before starting eight of thirteen games at left tackle as a sophomore. Instead of his role increasing the next year, Scott’s lone start came in the First Responder Bowl. With only one year of college football left, he entered the transfer portal and left the state to commit to Jeff Choate and Nevada. After working in the rotation the first eight games, Scott stepped up to start in the Wolf Pack’s final four contests, helping his squad go 2-2 during that stretch. Based purely on his .500 winning percentage as a starter, it’s worth wondering if the Luling product could’ve helped turn the tides earlier in the season if given the chance. Regardless, he’ll hopefully take his six years of collegiate experience to the professional ranks.
Nevell Brown, Alabama A&M (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate
Stat line: 213 snaps, PFF Grades of 65 OVR, 69.4 RBLK, 53.1 PBLK
Hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida, Nevell Brown was a three star recruit that would commit to Alabama A&M over offers from Southern Miss and Florida A&M. During his five seasons with the Bulldogs, he would start 21 of the 34 games he appeared in, spending most of his time at left guard. With an extra year of eligibility thanks to his COVID year, Brown entered the portal as a grad transfer and found a home with New Mexico. Rotating in at left tackle throughout the course of the season, the Florida native got his first FBS start in the Lobos win against Nevada, and helped his squad finish the regular season with a nearly unprecedented 9-3 record.
Offensive Guard
Israel Mukwiza, Mercer (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate
Stat line: 355 snaps, PFF Grades of 60.1 OVR, 61.5 RBLK, 65.1 PBLK
Raised in the Bronx, Israel Mukwiza committed to Alabama A&M out of high school and joined them for their 2020 campaign. After redshirting and only playing in three games the year after, he decided to transfer out to Mercer, where he would become one of the top offensive lineman in the Southern conference. He started all thirteen of the Bears games as a junior, and all fourteen as a senior, earning first team all conference honors. Using his final year of eligibility to re-enter the portal, he joined Jason Eck and New Mexico, projecting as one of their key starters at guard. Mukwiza would man the left guard position for seven starts in 2025, including the Lobos emphatic victory over San Diego State in the regular season finale. Once the Rate Bowl is taken care of, the kid from the Bronx will set his sights on professional at the next level.
Malik McGowan, North Carolina to UNLV, Senior
Stat line: 822 snaps (4th among G), PFF Grades of 65.1 OVR, 62.4 RBLK, 73 PBLK
A three star recruit out of Charlotte, Malik McGowan picked North Carolina over South Carolina in 2020. During his five seasons with the Tar Heels, he appeared in 39 games but never received a starting nod. He entered the portal as a grad transfer, picking UNLV as his final collegiate stop. The Rebels appreciated McGowan’s talents, with him starting all thirteen games at left guard, playing more snaps this season than he did across his entire time in Chapel Hill. Odds are that the NFL took notice of the former Power Four rotation piece jumping to a near all-conference level, with the only thing changing being the opportunity given to him.
Center
Reid Williams, Chattanooga (FCS) to UNLV, Graduate
Stat line: 885 snaps (3rd among all OL), PFF Grades of 70.7 OVR (3rd among C), 65 RBLK, 79.3 PBLK (4th among all OL)
Unheralded out of Ringgold, Georgia, Reid Williams joined FCS Chattanooga in 2020. He played in six games across his first two seasons with the Mocs before starting the final eight games of 2022. Williams would start every game over the next two seasons, earning second team All-SoCon honors as a sophomore and the Rimington Award for the best center in the FCS as a junior. Ready to make a run at the NFL, he entered the transfer portal and committed to UNLV to replace Jack Hasz. Named second team All-Mountain West in his debut with the Rebels, Williams played the third most snaps of any offensive lineman in the conference, and will end his collegiate career with an absurd streak of 47 straight starts.
Defensive End
Niles King, Grand Valley State (D2) to San Diego State, Graduate
Stat line: 26 tackles, 10 TFLs (6th), 6.5 sacks (7th), PFF Grade of 76.4
A native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Niles King committed to Division II juggernaut Grand Valley State out of high school in 2021. After redshirting his first season on campus, he played in eight games as a freshman before turning into a monster pass rusher, with 25.5 TFLs and 18.5 sacks over the next two years. King transferred to San Diego State for his final year of college football, and continued his quarterback-hunting ways, finishing top seven in the Mountain West in TFLs and sacks. He set a career high mark of two sacks against Colorado State, only to best it in the regular season finale with 2.5 sacks versus New Mexico. In all likelihood, the NFL has room for a player with a skillset like The Sack King’s.
Darren Agu, Vanderbilt to New Mexico, Junior
Stat line: 29 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, PBU, forced fumble, PFF Grade of 75.4
A fascinating journey, Darren Agu was born in Ireland but raised in England. Ranked inside the top 500, he had offers from programs like Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami, but opted to commit to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2022 season. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, notching fourteen tackles and sack, and followed that up with sixteen tackles and a tackle for loss across five starts as a sophomore. Unfortunately, he fell off the depth chart in 2024, leading him to enter the portal and sign with New Mexico. Agu posted career high marks in almost every statistical category, truly breaking out over the last two games of the year with 11 tackles and a sack. He could return to the Power Four, or return to Albuquerque to try and replace Keyshawn James-Newby on the All-Mountain West first team.
Defensive Tackle
Luther McCoy, Minnesota to Hawaii, Graduate
Stat line: 21 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles (1st), PFF Grade of 67.5
Hailing from St. Johns, Florida, Luther McCoy committed to Minnesota over offers such as Florida State, Penn State, and Tennessee in 2021. He would only play in nine games over four seasons, recording his first tackle in 2024 against Rhode Island before transferring to Hawaii. In his first chance to start in college, McCoy was excellent for the Rainbow Warriors, playing 279 snaps over ten games. He had a career outing against Colorado State, posting 1.5 sacks with a forced fumble. It took some time, and some mileage, but the Florida native finally got his time to shine on the islands.
Brian Booker, Texas Southern (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior
Stat line: 16 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, sack, PBU, fumble recovery, PFF Grade of 71.8
Unranked out of Mansfield, Texas, Brian Booker committed to in-state FCS school Texas Southern out of high school. He would redshirt his first year on campus before starting the next two seasons for the Tigers, posting 46 tackles and seven TFLs during that stretch. Aiming to play at the next level, he transferred up to New Mexico, where he would lead all Lobo defensive tackles in tackles with sixteen. He also graded out as a top ten interior lineman in the Mountain West. With a year of eligibility to go, he should be penciled in as a starter once again in 2026.
Linebacker
Mercury Swaim, St. Francis (PA) (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior
Stat line: 46 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 PBUs, PFF Grade of 77.3
Staying close to home out of Bedford, Pennsylvania, Mercury Swaim joined St. Francis of the FCS out of high school. He redshirted his first year with the Red Flash, though he did have a tackle for loss in their playoff game against Delaware. Swaim started 21 games over the next two seasons, combining for 103 tackles and sixteen TFLs during that span. Ready to leave his home state, he transferred to New Mexico to join their stacked linebacker room. After being a rotation piece in the first half of the season, Swaim started the back half of the year and emerged as a key contributor for the Lobos. His best outing came against Air Force, with eleven tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup. If he returns to Albuquerque in 2026, Swaim will be a true breakout candidate that is capable of being an all-Mountain West selection.
Robert Edmonson, Prairie View A&M (FCS) to Colorado State, Sophomore
Stat line: 49 tackles, 4 TFLs, sack, INT, PFF Grade of 70.2
Unranked out of Houston, Texas, Robert Edmonson picked Prairie View A&M over Arkansas State and Texas State. Redshirting his first year with the Panthers in 2023, he showed promise with 27 tackles, three TFLs, and a forced fumble in his first year of action, leading him to enter the transfer portal and commit to Colorado State. A key cog in the Rams defense this season, Edmonson had eight tackles in his debut against Washington, and followed it up with his first career interception versus UTSA. Ending the year with 49 tackles, the Houston native is one of several CSU players that will have to pick between remaining in Fort Collins under a new regime or looking for a new home.
EJ Smith, Cerritos (JUCO) to Nevada, Junior
Stat line: 29 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, forced fumble, PFF Grade of 67
A native of Downey, California, EJ Smith had 108 tackles as a senior in high school but still wasn’t noticed by major programs, leading him to play for Cerritos Junior College in 2022. After posting 111 tackles and six interceptions over two seasons, he held offers from Florida State, Missouri, and Fresno State, but opted to commit to Nevada. He was an immediate starter for the Wolf Pack, manning a linebacker spot for the first seven games of the year before an injury ended it prematurely. He had back to back games with an interception against Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky, and had fourteen tackles with 1.5 TFLs in his last two full starts. Once he’s healthy, Smith clearly has the talent to become an All-Mountain West talent if he remains in Reno.
Cornerback
Bryson Snelling, Butte College (JUCO) to Nevada, Sophomore
Stat line: 14 tackles, INT, 4 PBUs, PFF Grade of 76.3
Despite being the son of Boise State and Tennessee Titans alum Robby Snelling, Bryson Snelling had to fight for recognition from the start, receiving no Division One interest out of high school despite his 6-foot-3 frame and two-way production. With nowhere to play as a freshman, he headed to Butte Junior College, where his father had long developed future FBS talent, and shifted full-time to cornerback. After sitting out the opener, Snelling started every game, earning all-conference honors with 52 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups while helping the Roadrunners finish 10–1 and win the Gridiron Classic Bowl. Offers came from Eastern Washington and McNeese State, but Nevada’s staff made the strongest push, and he committed to the Wolf Pack alongside two fellow Butte products. Though Coach Jeff Choate had to replace his entire secondary, Snelling still waited behind more experienced players, contributing on special teams through the season’s first nine games before injuries thrust him into the lineup. He immediately delivered, knocking down a pass and grabbing his first FBS interception against San Jose State’s top-ranked passing attack, and followed that up by posting three deflections and three tackles the next week against Wyoming. Even with a small sample size, Snelling looks every bit like a future star; now the question is whether Nevada can keep him or if a bigger stage awaits in 2026.
Quandarius Keyes, Pearl River (JUCO) to UNLV, Junior
Stat line: 14 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs, Pick Six, 6 PBUs, PFF Grade of 78.6
Hailing from Laurel, Mississippi, Quandarius Keyes had a solid frame at 6 foot 1, but no real heat on the recruiting trail. He would play for Pearl River Community College in 2023, building up his pedigree with four pass breakups with a pick six as a freshman and twelve deflections as a sophomore. One of the top corners out of junior college, Keyes committed to UNLV over offers from Michigan State, Boise State, USF, and Memphis. He wouldn’t be fazed by the jump in competition, grading out as the fourth best corner in the Mountain West this season. He snagged an interception in the snow against Wyoming and added a pick six versus New Mexico. If he stays with the Rebels for his senior year, Keyes will be a major part of Dan Mullen’s secondary as they take a fourth crack at trying to win the Mountain West.
Safety
Jaheem Joseph, West Virginia to UNLV, Graduate
Stat line: 66 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles (1st), PFF Grade of 64.9
A top-1,000 recruit out of Miami, Jaheem Joseph drew interest from major programs like Michigan and Louisville before committing to Northwestern, where he waited three years for meaningful snaps. His breakthrough came in 2023, when he started every game, logged 24 tackles, and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Seeking a bigger stage, he transferred to West Virginia and delivered an All-Big 12 honorable mention season with 40 tackles and a pick, then used his final transfer to join Dan Mullen at UNLV. The elder statesmen of the safeties, Joseph currently leads the team in TFLs and forced fumbles, and ranks second in tackles. After he plays his 52nd career game against Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, the Miami native will end his time in college for good. With all of the experience he has, there’s no doubt he’ll get an opportunity to play on Sundays.
Murvin Kenion III, Sacramento State (FCS) to Nevada, Graduate
Stat line: 59 tackles, 5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 5 INTs (1st), 3 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles (1st), PFF Grade of 75.9
Originally a three star wideout from Vallejo, California, Murvin Kenion III had to go the JUCO route, playing for the City College of San Francisco in 2021. He parlayed that into a roster spot at Idaho, breaking out with 36 tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass breakups as a sophomore. His role decreased as a junior, leading him to transfer to Sacramento State. He had the best year of his career to that point with the Hornets, tallying 51 tackles and another seven deflections. With a year to spare thanks to the Diego Pavia ruling, Kenion re-entered the portal for a third time, committing to his first FBS team in Nevada. Named a captain before the season kicked off, the Vallejo product was one of the Wolf Pack’s few bright spots, tying for the Mountain West lead with five interceptions and two forced fumbles on his way to an second team all-conference nod. He also snagged two interceptions in two separate contests. With his eligibility exhausted, he’ll now take his talents to the NFL level.
Kicker
Tanner Rinker, Garden City (JUCO) to Utah State, Junior
Stat line: 13/17 on FGs (76.5%), 42/44 on XPs, long of 49 yards
Born with kicking in his DNA thanks to his father James, a former pro soccer player with the Greensboro Dynamo, Tanner Rinker grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado, where he earned all-conference honors in soccer but drew little football interest despite going 7-for-11 with a 54-yarder as a senior. With no major offers, he headed to Grambling State, scoring 50 points and hitting 7 of 13 field goals before seeking a bigger opportunity at powerhouse Garden City Community College. There, he went 10-for-13 with a long of 51 yards, led all JUCO kickers in points, and earned first-team all-conference honors. This was enough to secure a Group of Five scholarship, which he used to join Bronco Mendenhall at Utah State. Rinker started the season perfect through eight games, and ended the year with 13 makes, the most by an Aggie kicker since 2021. It took three stops in three years, but the Rocky Mountain kid has finally secured a starting spot, seemingly for the long haul.
Punter
Oscar Doyle, Weber State (FCS) to Boise State, Junior
Stat line: 52 punts for 2,270 yards (average of 43.7), 17 downed inside 20 yard line, 5 TBs, long of 59; 2/2 passing, 21 yards, TD
Born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, Oscar Doyle grew up dreaming of starring in Australian Rules Football and even earned a spot with the Lions Academy in the Coates Talent League. After joining Prokick Australia, he shifted his focus to American football and parlayed his natural kicking ability into a punting opportunity at Weber State. He immediately became the starter, averaged 44.4 yards per punt, ranked 11th in the FCS and fourth in school history, and earned a semifinalist nod for FCS Punter of the Year. He would enter the spring portal and land at Boise State, which needed a replacement for fellow Prokick alum James Ferguson-Reynolds. Doyle did everything that was asked of him as a starter, sending 52 punts into the air for 2,270 yards, as well as holding all field goal and extra point attempts. The latter job is typically uneventful, but the Aussie was called into action at the most unique of times against New Mexico. In the fourth quarter, kicker Colton Boomer trotted out for a 27 yard field goal, looking to push the Broncos lead to 13. Long snapper Troy Grizzle sent the ball towards Doyle, who was unable to cleanly field the ball on a hop. With no other option, the unit shifted into the fabled “fire” call, with Grizzle sprinting to the end zone and looking for a pass. No way the guy in his third year ever playing can throw a pass here, right? Well, Doyle effortlessly rolled out to his right and threw a perfect jump pass to his long snapper, who dove to complete the improbably touchdown. Now claiming the title as the first kicker or punter to throw a touchdown since 2023 (as well as the first in the Mountain West since 2004!), Brisbane’s very own will likely return to the blue turf for his senior campaign.
Returner
Lloyd Avant, RB, Tulsa to Colorado State, Sophomore
Stat line: 11 kick returns (6th), 268 KR yards (7th), average of 24.4 (1st)
Keeping Avant’s contributions to strictly special teams here, the kid from Humble, Texas has been a problem at kick returner since he joined Tulsa as a freshman in 2024. In his very first game, he took a kickoff 100 yards to the house against Northwestern State, and went on to finish the year with 392 kick return yards, the most by a member of the Golden Hurricane since 2017. Upon transferring to Colorado State, Avant was just as impressive, putting up 95 yards across three returns in his Ram debut versus Washington, as well as 87 yards in the Border War with Wyoming. He ended the season with 268 yards with an average 24.4 yards per return, the best rate in the Mountain West. As mentioned in his earlier entry, Avant will have to decide between being the potential focal point of CSU’s offense in 2026, or transferring for a second time to a Power Four school.
Long Snapper
Walker Himebauch, Kentucky to Colorado State, Junior
Born and raised in Monument, Colorado, Walker Himebauch walked-on at Kentucky in 2023 and was immediately thrust into a key role, starting the final nine games of the year on his way to All-SEC Freshman team honors. After dropping to six games played as a sophomore, he entered the transfer portal and returned to his home state by way of Colorado State. Himebauch started all twelve games for the Rams, the first time he’s done that in his career, and helped kicker Bryan Hansen be named to the All-Mountain West first team. With his senior year ahead of him, the Monument native will either finish out his time in college with CSU or transfer for a second time to greener pastures.
Thank you for following along with the Transfer Team of the Week and spotlight series all season long, make sure to come back tomorrow for the final edition, featuring the honorable mentions and trends from the overall team!
