Welcome back to the Transfer Portal Team of the Week! This was the lightest slate of the year so far, with only seven teams from the conference taking the field (one of which was Air Force). Regardless, we’re still able to field a fantastic roster based on the top performing transfers of week three! 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 transfer has impressed you the most
since the start of the season!
Offense Spotlight: Damon Bankston
lded by the Texas high school football scene, Damon Bankston began his collegiate career as an unranked prospect. He only had two FCS offers despite rushing for over 1,600 yards as a senior, and ultimately chose to attend Weber State. Bankston would become a staple of the Wildcats rushing attack, racking up over 700 yards in 2022 and 1,104 yards in 2024. With one year of eligibility remaining, Bankston looked for greener pastures and entered the transfer portal. After some time, Jason Eck and New Mexico connected with him, and the rest is history.
Although the Lobos running back room is stacked, Bankston’s utility as a Swiss Army knife has been on full display. In the second game of the year, he found pay dirt for the first time in 2025, along with 166 total yards spread across rushing, receiving, and kick return duties. His best was yet to come, though, with Bankston dominating UCLA in the Rose Bowl, leading his squad to their first road P4 win since 2007. Not only did he tally 154 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but his 43 yard house call on a 4th quarter screen pass will live in New Mexico fans memories forever. Jason Eck built his roster out of FCS standouts that just needed a bigger opportunity; and Bankston may be seizing it better than anyone.
Honorable Mention: JR WR Braden Pegan, UCLA to Utah State — 7 catches, 147 REC yards, 2 TDs (all career highs)
Defense Spotlight: Tyree Morris
Lightly recruited out of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Tyree Morris chose to start his college career at Lafayette. He had a solid freshman campaign, with 12 tackles across 10 games, but missed the 2023 season with an injury. Returning more driven than ever, Morris broke out as a junior, starting every game for the Leopards and amassing 65 tackles, an absurd number for an interior defensive lineman. With enough tape to show he was ready for the next level, Morris entered the transfer portal and landed at Utah State.
Wasting no time to make an impact, Morris slotted in as a starter on Bronco Mendenhall’s defense. This past week against Air Force was his coming out party, with a ridiculous 10 tackles and a TFL. The Falcons struggled to get much consistency in their run game down the stretch, and Mechanicsburg’s very own was a major part of that. With Utah State starting to emerge as a potential contender, the otherworldly tackling ability from Morris will be highlighted even more down the stretch.
Honorable Mention: JR LB Jaxton Eck, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico — 11 tackles, deflection (led to INT), PFF Gr. of 73.7
Special Teams Spotlight: Daniel Hughes
Per tradition, the most interesting journey takes place in the special teams. Like our week zero selection, Hawaii punter Billy Gowers, Daniel Hughes is an Australian native that dreamt of playing Australian Rules Football. He reached the semi-pro level with the Northern Bullants, but at 25, made the switch to American football with ProKick Australia. Hughes would eventually earn a spot with the City College of San Francisco, where he honed his craft over the 2024 junior college season. Looking for a larger opportunity, Hughes accepted an offer to join New Mexico (which he thought was Mexico the country).
Not only has Hughes been great on the field, with no touchbacks through three games, he’s also built a decent social media presence on Instagram and TikTok.
“Two years ago, I was working at construction sites. Tonight, I just played in front of 110,000 people in Michigan… Anyone who wants to chase their dreams, if you’re not happy with what you’re doing, this is your sign to go do it.”
Last weekend, in another historic venue in the Rose Bowl, Hughes landed both of his punts inside UCLA’s 11 yard line, with his longest boot traveling 57 yards. At 27 years old, he’s become the latest in a string of punters from down under in the Mountain West, and Hughes may be having more fun than all of them.
Honorable Mention: JR K Tanner Rinker, Garden City (JUCO) to Utah State — 7/7 on extra points
Team of the Week
Offense
Quarterback
EJ Warner, Rice to Fresno State, Senior || W, 56-7 vs Southern || 20/24 (career best), 240 pass yards, 4 TDs
Running Back (2)
Damon Bankston, Weber State (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 15 carries, 154 rush yards, TD; 3 catches, 49 REC yards, TD
Javen Jacobs, New Mexico to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 9 carries, 71 rush yards, TD; 3 catches, 36 REC yards
Wide Receiver (3)
Braden Pegan, UCLA to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 7 catches, 147 REC yards, 2 TDs (all career highs)
Jordan Brown, Texas Tech to Nevada, Graduate || L, 14-13 vs MTSU || 5 catches, 58 REC yards
Brady Boyd, Texas Tech to Utah State, Senior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 4 catches, 72 REC yards
Tight End
Dorian Thomas, Arizona to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 3 catches, 41 REC yards
Offensive Tackle (2)
Tyler Lawrence, Air Force to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || PFF grade of 67.3
Zach Cochnauer, Central Arkansas (FCS) to Nevada, Junior || L, 14-13 vs MTSU || PFF grade of 78.8
Offensive Guard (2)
Israel Mukwiza, Mercer (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || PFF grade of 79.4
Hadine Diaby, Tennessee Tech (FCS) to Nevada, Junior || L, 14-13 vs MTSU || PFF grade of 66.7
Center
Kaden Robnett, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Freshman || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || PFF grade of 82.8
Defense
Defensive End (2)
Finn Claypool, Drake (FCS) to Fresno State, Graduate || W, 56-7 vs Southern || 3 tackles, 0.5 sack, PFF grade of 90.4
Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 2 tackles, 10 QB hurries, PFF grade of 90.3
Defensive Tackle (2)
Tyree Morris, Lafayette (FCS) to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 10 tackles, 0.5 sack, PFF grade of 76.4
Martin Owusu, Minnesota to Fresno State, Sophomore || W, 56-7 vs Southern || 4 tackles, 0.5 TFL, PFF grade of 74.8
Linebacker (3)
Jaxton Eck, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 11 tackles, deflection, PFF grade of 73.7
Brayden Johnson, Oklahoma Baptist (D2) to Wyoming, Senior || L, 31-6 vs #20 Utah || 6 tackles, PFF grade of 60.1
Nahji Logan, North Texas to Nevada, Graduate || L, 14-13 vs MTSU || 4 tackles, PFF grade of 63.8
Cornerback (2)
Desman Hearns, Southern Illinois (FCS) to Wyoming, Junior || L, 31-6 vs #20 Utah || 9 tackles, PFF grade of 67
Caleb Coleman, Texas State to New Mexico, Senior || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 6 tackles, PFF grade of 61.3
Safeties (2)
Noah Avinger, New Mexico to Utah State, Senior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 9 tackles, INT, PFF grade of 75
Brevin Hamblin, Utah Tech (FCS) to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 7 tackles, PFF grade of 69.6
Special Teams
Kicker
Tanner Rinker, Garden City (JUCO) to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Utah State || 7/7 on XPs
Punter
Daniel Hughes, City College of San Francisco (JUCO) to New Mexico || W, 35-10 @ UCLA || 2 punts for 100 yards, long of 57, both downed inside 20 yard line
Returner
Javen Jacobs, RB, New Mexico to Utah State, Junior || W, 49-30 vs Air Force || 9 carries, 71 rush yards, TD; 3 catches, 36 REC yards; 1 KR for 5 yards (no other qualifiers)
