And we’re back! Good news, this series has not been canceled yet. That is more than can be said about the IU vs Louisville series. By the way, look out for Jamari Thrash [Georgia State ➔ Louisville] getting in the end zone again in that game this Saturday. Let’s get into it. Here are my power rankings of the top transfer headlines of Week 2.
1) Until someone knocks them off, it’s Coach Prime’s transfer recruiting
There was some drama this week after the Colorado vs Nebraska game about a rumored drama that happened before the game, which turned out to be kind of a non-drama. I have a feeling this is going to be a trend this year. Opposing coaches are licking their chops at the opportunity to get their name in headlines by saying some nonsense about Coach Prime or how the roster was constructed. But we are here to talk about what happened during the game. It is only Week 2, and we already know the big names that followed Coach Prime from Jackson State: Shedeur Sanders [Jackson State ➔ Colorado], Travis Hunter [Jackson State ➔ Colorado], Shilo Sanders [Jackson State ➔ Colorado]. This week, I want to highlight this stud WR core that Coach Sanders put together this offseason. Check out the season totals after just two games:
Xavier Weaver [USF ➔ Colorado]
16 catches, 288 yards, 1 TD
Jimmy Horn Jr. [USF ➔ Colorado]
19 catches, 181 yards, 1 TD
Tar’Varish Dawson [Auburn ➔ Colorado]
6 catches, 50 yards, 2 Total TDs
Travis Hunter [Jackson State ➔ Colorado]
14 catches, 192 yards (oh, plus 7 tackles and an INT on defense)
2) Defense wins championships, or at least Week 2 games
There were a number of really great defensive performances by the transfer class of 2023 this week. This included three pick-sixes! One each by Antonio Grier [USF ➔ Arkansas], Dashaun Jerkins [Ole Miss ➔ UMass], and Jarron Morris [Texas State ➔ FAU]. Grier’s teammate, Jaheim Thomas [Cincinnati ➔ Arkansas] had himself a day racking up 12 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks against an overmatched Kent State team. Myles Heard [SFA ➔ LaTech] led all 2023 transfers with 15 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, in their win. JB Brown [Arizona ➔ Kansas] also led his team to a victory, helping the defense with 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 QB Hurry, and even 1 pass deflection.
3) Nathan Carter is a stud
Yeah, I know, Michigan State has some problems off the field with the Mel Tucker situation, but they also have a “problem” on the football field (in the best way possible) with transfer RB Nathan Carter [UConn ➔ MSU]. Carter has tallied 259 total yards and 4 rushing TDs so far this season in just two games. He leads all 2023 transfers with those 4 rushing TDs and is third in rushing yards. The opponents for MSU these first two weeks haven’t exactly been world beaters (Central Michigan and Richmond), but you can’t argue with that production. Plus he seems like a good dude off the field, and I like rooting for good dudes. We’ll see how the rushing attack fairs against #8 Washington this week. Side bar, if MSU decides to fire Mel Tucker, there could be some pretty substantial transfer implications come December.
We do also have a few honorable mention candidates too. Quinn Ewers [OSU ➔ Texas] beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa with 349 yards and 3 TDs. Shedeur’s back-to-back impressive performances to start the season launched him into the top ten odds for the Heisman Trophy, where there are now seven former transfers in the top ten according to FanDuel’s odds. Another week of college football in the books, and another week with plenty of transfer headlines. This is fun. I’ll talk to you next week!
