The number of college football transfers and the impact they could have was one of the bigger talking points this past offseason.
The popularity of the transfer portal and the necessity for coaches to use it have increased to the point that quite a few teams are currently in the College Football Playoff hunt because of the transfers they brought in before the season.
Through Week 9, there are a number of transfers leading the way for their respective teams and making a big impact. Here are the top 20 most impactful transfers at this point in the season.
1. RB Kenneth Walker III
Michigan State
Walker has been a game-changer for Michigan State, rushing for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. The Wake Forest transfer is third in rushing touchdowns, second in total rush yards and first in rush yards after contact among all FBS players. His five touchdowns against rival Michigan helped propel Michigan State to its eighth win, and he has firmly put himself in the Heisman conversation.
2. QB Bailey Zappe/WR Jerreth Sterns
Western Kentucky
This one is a combo. Zappe has ridiculous numbers this season and so does Sterns. Zappe transferred from Houston Baptist and has been lighting up defenses this entire season. He has 3,407 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He ranks fifth in completion percentage, second in total passing yards and first in touchdown passes among all FBS quarterbacks. Sterns leads all receivers in receiving yards with 1,166 and has 11 touchdowns on the season. This was somewhat of a chicken-or-the-egg argument, but both deserve to be on the list. An offense that ranked 112th in passing yards per game (164.3) in 2020 now ranks first in 2021 with 432.6.
3. QB Tanner Mordecai
SMU
Mordecai, who transferred from Oklahoma, is the starter for SMU and has helped the Mustangs to a 7-1 start to the season. He is seventh in total pass yards with 2,625, second in passing touchdowns with 32 and has the eighth-best completion percentage among all FBS quarterbacks.
4. LB Henry To'o To'o
Alabama
To'o To'o was a leader on defense for Tennessee and a former top-50 recruit, so it was expected that he would make an immediate impact at Alabama once he transferred. The inside linebacker has not disappointed, leading the Crimson Tide in total tackles (59).
5. DE Arnold Ebiketie
Penn State
Ebiketie was all-conference at Temple before transferring to Penn State and came in at a crucial time for the Nittany Lions. The defense lost a lot of its pass rush from last season, and Ebiketie has filled in nicely. He is third on the team in total tackles (44) and leads the team in both sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (12.5). He ranks 18th among all FBS defenders in defensive pressures this season and has been an important piece of Penn State's defense.
6. WR Wan'Dale Robinson
Kentucky
Robinson is Kentucky's leading receiver this season with 58 receptions for 645 yards. Josh Ali is the next closest with 19 receptions for 257 yards, which shows how important Robinson has been for the Wildcats' offense. He leads the team in receiving touchdowns with five and ranks 11th nationally in receptions.
7. WR Jameson Williams
Alabama
Williams transferred from Ohio State and started immediately for the Crimson Tide. He has 35 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns on the season. His 20.29 yards per reception puts him at No. 7 among all FBS receivers, and he has made an impact in other areas as well for Alabama. Williams has eight kick returns for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
8. DE Jermaine Johnson II
Florida State
Florida State needed help on defense, and the coaches were able to get it in Johnson, who transferred from Georgia. He is second on the team in total tackles with 49 and leads the team in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (eight).
9. WR Charleston Rambo
Miami
Rambo transferred from Oklahoma and is now the leading receiver at Miami. He has 549 receiving yards on 44 catches and four touchdowns this season. Rambo led the way in Miami's recent win against Pitt with 101 yards.
10. DB Derion Kendrick
Georgia
Kendrick transferred from Clemson and faced his old team in the first game of the season, when he had three tackles in the win. Kendrick has 20 total tackles, 2 pass breakups, 3 quarterback hurries and 1 interception. He starts for the best defense in college football and has contributed greatly in the secondary.
11. RB Zach Charbonnet
UCLA
Charbonnet transferred from Michigan and started out hot for the Bruins with 106 yards and three touchdowns on six carries in his first game of the season. He followed the performance with 117 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries in a win against LSU and has had five games this season with 100 yards or more. He is 20th in total rush yards and 36th in rushing touchdowns.
12. DB Key Lawrence
Oklahoma
Lawrence is one of several Tennessee transfers who chose the Sooners and has made an impact on defense so far this season. He is fifth on the team in total tackles with 35 and also has three pass breakups and a forced fumble to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss.
13. WR Puka Nacua
BYU
Nacua transferred from Washington with his brother, Samson, who transferred from Utah. Nacua is second on the team in receptions and first in receiving yards with 551. He has two touchdowns on the season and had one of his best games at BYU against Virginia with eight receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
14. OL Jahmir Johnson
Texas A&M
Johnson is yet another Tennessee transfer who is starting for another team this season. He picked Texas A&M and has been the starter at left tackle. Johnson was a big addition to the A&M offensive line and has helped fill a need this season for the Aggies.
15. QB Hendon Hooker
Tennessee
Hooker wasn't the starter at the beginning of the season, but he eventually replaced Joe Milton. Hooker has 1,578 pass yards, 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions, as well as 519 rush yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He has given Tennessee some stability on offense that it didn't have to start the season. The Vols are 4-4, but it's not out of the question to think that record would be worse without Hooker at quarterback.
Ika played for Baylor head coach Dave Aranda at LSU and followed him to Baylor. Ika has 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss on the season, but has made his presence known by helping to stuff the run and bringing pressure up front. He had a big game with two tackles and a sack in Baylor's 31-24 win over Texas.
17. OL Marcus Minor
Pittsburgh
Minor transferred to Pitt from Maryland and has started at guard for the Panthers this season. Offensive linemen don't have stats to throw up as evidence of their presence, but Minor has played a big role in Pitt's success on offense this season.
18. RB Keaontay Ingram
USC
Ingram transferred from Texas, and while he got off to a slower start, he has been a major contributor the last few weeks. He has 342 rush yards and two touchdowns in his last two games and leads the Trojans with 794 rushing yards. He also leads the team in rushing touchdowns with five. The next-closest rusher on the team is Vavae Malepeai, who has 249 yards, which shows how important Ingram is to USC's offense.
19. QB Jack Coan
Notre Dame
Coan transferred in from Wisconsin and was named the starter to begin the season. He has thrown for 1,610 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games for the Irish. Coan has dealt with some injuries and has seen Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner receive playing time as well, and while it hasn't been a perfect season, Coan deserves some credit for the Irish's 7-1 start.
20. QB Will Levis
Kentucky
Levis, a transfer from Penn State, was named Kentucky's starter to open the season and has played a major part in its 6-2 start. He has 1,476 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions on the season. He hasn't been perfect, but he has given the Wildcats a chance to succeed in the eight games he has played.