The top college football transfers to watch in 2022

It can be argued that the most significant move in college football from 2021 to ’22 was coach Lincoln Riley‘s decision to leave Oklahoma for USC. Perhaps the biggest transfer decision for 2022 is 2021 Biletnikoff Award  winner Addison’s choice to leave Pittsburgh for Riley’s Trojans. Addison ranked sixth in the nation with 100 catches last season, and totaled 1,593 yards while tying for the national lead in touchdowns (17). Addison will also have a familiar face to Riley and himself throwing him the ball in Los Angeles (more on that soon).

Bernard-Converse started 47 consecutive games over four seasons at Oklahoma State. Now, he’ll try to anchor the Tigers’ secondary under new coach Brian Kelly. He recorded 216 tackles, seven for loss with five sacks, making him one of the more versatile and hard-hitting corners in the game. In coverage, Bernard-Converse had two interceptions while defending 23 passes for the Cowboys. Bernard-Converse is one of eight transfers joining the LSU program in 2022.

We’ll talk about the quarterback and receiver Texas added, but perhaps the biggest get for the Longhorns through the 2022 transfer portal is former Alabama tight end Billingsley. He played under Texas coach Steve Sarkisian at Alabama, where he caught 37 passes for 559 yards with six touchdowns in three seasons. However, his targets shrunk as he slipped further down the depth chart. A catch-first tight end, Billingsley now gets a chance to prove his worth at a place he’ll likely be more appreciated. 

As we’ll see, the rich just seem to get richer. After helping Georgia beat Alabama for the national title last season, Burton will be part of the Crimson Tide program in 2022 . In 2021, Burton recorded 26 receptions while sitting second on the team with 497 yards and five touchdowns. Now, with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young throwing him the ball, Burton could be in for a career campaign as Alabama tries to regain its spot atop the college football world.

One of the great stories of the 2021 season was UTEP’s 7-6 campaign after totaling five wins the previous four years. Cowing was a big reason for the Miners’ turnaround, ranking sixth nationally with 1,354 receiving yards on 69 catches — to go with seven touchdowns. However, Cowing has taken his act to Arizona, where Washington State transfer Jayden de Laura should be throwing him the football. The Wildcats are 1-16 over the last two seasons, but the addition of Cowing, and a new quarterback, offer some hope.

For those keeping track at home, this is Daniels third school in five seasons. He began his career at USC, where an ACL injury ended his 2019 sophomore season after one game. Then it was off to Georgia, where Daniels couldn’t win the starting job outright and played just nine games in two years. All totaled, Daniels takes over the West Virginia quarterback position having thrown for 4,840 yards with 32 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 21 career games spanning four seasons. Playing under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who also coached him at USC, makes this seems like the right move.

Speaking of former USC quarterbacks playing for a new school. Let’s turn our attention to Dart, who is expected to fill the void left by Ole Miss star Matt Corral. Dart played six games for the Trojans last season as a freshman, throwing for 1,353 yards, including a USC debut-record 391 at Washington State on Sept. 18, 2021. There is obviously plenty of upside for Dart, and under Lane Kiffin, one would assume he has the ability to succeed right out of the gate.

We’re dropping under the radar here. Ducker wasn’t expected to be a factor at all as a freshman for Northern Illinois in 2021. However, due to injuries in the Huskies’ backfield, Ducker’s number was called and he ran for 1,184 yards, averaging 5.4 per carry, to earn Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. Turns out, Ducker reportedly had issues with some of the NIU coaching staff, so he entered the portal and found a new home in Memphis. The Tigers have a crowded backfield with top-returning rushers Brandon Thomas and Rodrigues Clark in front of him, but keep an eye on Ducker to get his shot.

After spending the last four seasons at Oregon, and facing USC twice during that span, Dye will suit up for the Trojans in 2022. One of the more versatile backs in the country, Dye ranks fourth on Oregon’s all-time rushing list (3,111 yards), and also has 83 career receptions for 869 yards in his career. He’ll be just another talented option for Lincoln Riley’s USC group, which looks more like a college all-time squad.

Steve Sarkisian’s first season at Texas was a major disappointment. The Longhorns were expected to challenge for a Big 12 title, instead went 5-7 and didn’t make a bowl. With that move to the SEC down the road, the Longhorns need to get good fast under Sarkisian. Enter the 6-foot-3 Ewers, already an NIL star, who has taken just two collegiate snaps. He enrolled early at Ohio State, but left for Texas, where he could be the man this season. However, Arch Manning is headed to Austin in 2023, so it remains to be seen if this is a temporary stop for Ewers.

If last summer we said the 2022 starting quarterback for Oklahoma would be former UCF star Dillon Gabriel, there would be laughs and snickers aplenty. The Sooners actually lost two quarterbacks from last season (who we’ll talk about later), but Gabriel is a solid addition for Brent Venables’ first team in Norman. In 26 games spanning two-and-half seasons for the Knights, Gabriel threw for 8,037 yards with 70 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran for eight touchdowns. However, it might be Gabriel’s confidence as a leader that is most impactful for these Sooners.

Another significant addition for the Crimson Tide. Gibbs totaled 1,206 rushing yards and averaged 5.2 per carry with eight touchdowns in 19 games during his two seasons at Georgia Tech. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Gibbs possesses an excellent combination of strength and speed. He can also catch the ball well out of the backfield, as his 60 receptions for 773 yards and five touchdowns have shown. Alabama fans should be excited to see what Gibbs can do on a bigger stage.

The Irish lost Kyle Hamilton to the NFL, but replace him with a good one in Joseph. In 2020 and 2021, Joseph recorded nine interceptions, with six coming in nine games for Northwestern during his first full season. Just a junior, Joseph is both strong in coverage, and a solid enough tackler after finishing third on the Wildcats’ roster with 80 combined tackles during a dismal three-win ’21 campaign. Joseph is undoubtedly All-American caliber, and the Irish get another defensive playmaker to boast about for ’22.

If it seems like Martinez has been playing college football for a decade, it only seems that way. Martinez played 39 games over four seasons at Nebraska, throwing for 8,491 yards and rushing 2,301, while recording a combined 80 touchdowns. However, he never played on a winning team with the Huskers, and believes that will change at Kansas State. Martinez was blamed — by fans or the media — for several of Nebraska’s close losses over the years, but his experience should be invaluable to Chris Klieman’s Wildcats.

From one player leaving Nebraska, to another ready to suit up for the Cornhuskers. Mathis was regarded as one of the top defensive players in the transfer portal after he totaled 15 1/2 sacks in 38 games over four seasons for TCU. He also had 30 1/2 tackles for loss during his run with the Horned Frogs. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds seems poised to be a pain for opposing offensive linemen in the Big Ten. And, certainly addresses a need for Nebraska, which recorded just 20 sacks in 2021.

McCallister is reunited with new Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was an assistant during the Texas native’s four seasons at Oklahoma State. During his time with the Cowboys, McCalister recorded 123 tackles, 4 1/2 for loss and broke up 12 passes over 41 games. Bringing plenty of experience to Columbus, McCalister is a versatile defensive back, who seems slated to be plugged in at safety for a Buckeyes secondary looking to refill the talent pool.

At 6-foot-3 and roughly 200 pounds, Neyor is a solid target for the aforementioned Quinn Ewers — or anybody else throwing the ball for the Longhorns in 2022. A year ago, Neyor led Wyoming with 44 receptions, 878 yards and whose 12 touchdowns tied for eighth in the nation. Now, Neyor returns close to his Arlington, Texas home , hoping he can be part of the Longhorns’ potential turnaround season. Neyor should be a nice compliment to Xavier Worthy, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year after catching 62 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2021.

It’s fitting that touted prospect Bo Nix’s college career began by throwing the winning touchdown in the final seconds to beat Oregon in his Auburn debut on Aug. 31, 2019. Now, it appears Nix’s collegiate run will end with the Ducks. Nix endured an up-and-down three-year career for the Tigers, throwing for 7,251 with 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The Tigers never reached the level of success expected with him there. But if anything, Nix likely brings stability under center after some inconsistency at the position the past two seasons.

The Wolverines are getting a stud in Oluwatimi. Standing 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Oluwatimi started 32 straight games for Virginia from 2019-’21 — after he began his college career at Air Force. A Rimington Trophy finalist last season for the Cavaliers, Oluwatimi could very well be the Big Ten’s best center this season. Intelligent and strong, Oluwatimi adds another layer to an already menacing Michigan offense that looks for another big season in 2022. 

Player might not be an immediate starter amid a deep defensive linemen group for the Bears, but expect him to get his reps consistently in 2022. He played 41 games in four seasons at Tulsa, totaling 115 tackles, including 31 for loss, to go along with seven sacks during his time as one of the best defensive performances in the American Athletic Conference. Adding Player to the mix only strengthens Baylor’s chances of repeating as Big 12 champion. 

Rattler entered the 2021 season as the Heisman Trophy favorite. By the time the campaign ended, Rattler lost his job as Oklahoma’s starter and essentially had one foot out the door. Then Lincoln Riley left for USC, but Rattler was ready for a new environment. After throwing for 3,031 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2020, Rattler was plagued by inconsistency and an apparent lack of confidence while throwing for 1,483 with 11 touchdowns and five picks. While it’s uncertain how much South Carolina will improve with Rattler in tow, he might be the one transfer truly under the microscope in 2022. 

Granted, Ricks’ Alabama tenure got off to a rocky start with his arrest for speeding and failure to prove insurance, while also possessing marijuana. The fact remains that he’s still considered one of the top defensive backs in the nation. Though a shoulder injury cut Ricks’ 2021 season at LSU short, the potential for greatness is still there after he recorded four interceptions, 20 tackles and five pass breakups in 2020. Perhaps a change of scenery in a more organized and structured program will be what Ricks needs to rebound.

Slovis seems more than capable of stepping in for Kenny Pickett at Pitt. However, he will compete for the starting job, but after three seasons at USC, Slovis has the experience one would assume can help the Panthers in their defense of the ACC championship. He threw for 7,576 yards with 58 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in 27 games with the Trojans. However, he completed just 65 percent of his passes and totaled 11 touchdowns to eight interceptions in nine 2021 games. Then with Lincoln Riley coming to L.A., Slovis opted to play elsewhere, and still with the potential to shine.

To say the Cougars are excited about Suamataia joining the program would be a severe understatement. A former five-star recruit from Utah’s Orem High, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Suamataia initially shunned BYU and left the state to play at Oregon. However, he played just one game as a freshman during his 2021 freshman season for the Ducks. Then with Mario Cristobal bolting to Miami, Suamataia decided to leave and land where Cougars fans hoped he originally would. 

After a stellar freshman season at Oklahoma in 2021, where he took the starting job from Spencer Rattler and threw for 21 touchdowns and ran for another six, Williams followed Lincoln Riley to USC . Regardless of where Williams played this season, he likely would be in the Heisman Trophy conversation. And, his chances for contention appear stronger with the Trojans. With whom he’ll have the aforementioned Jordan Addison and Travis Dye, and former Sooners teammate in receiver Mario Williams, to work alongside.