With the college football season over, coaches are now looking toward the 2022 season.
Transfers have become an integral part of the roster management process and a way too quickly fill needs and holes. Plenty of big names have transferred already, and with nearly 80% of the top 2022 recruits signing in December, we have a good picture of who might make an immediate impact next season.
Factoring in transfers, 2022 prospects and freshmen who didn't see the field this season, here are some of the immediate-impact newcomers for each top-25 team for the 2022 season.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
CB Eli Ricks
Sophomore
Transfer from LSU
Alabama has a few options who could go on this list with Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs transferring in and the staff signing another top-three recruiting class headlined by five-star wide receiver Shazz Preston and ESPN 300 defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis. But Alabama is losing some contributors in the secondary, and as was on display in the national championship game, its youth and lack of experience at corner needed to be addressed. Ricks was a freshman All-American in 2020. He missed most of the 2021 season because of a shoulder injury but should be able to make an immediate impact at Alabama.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
S Tanner McCalister
Senior
Transfer from Oklahoma State
McCalister is following defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Ohio State, so that familiarity will help McCalister see the field early. Ohio State could also use help in the secondary, and McCalister has been versatile in Knowles' defense at Oklahoma State. He had 39 total tackles, one interception and six pass breakups last season.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
ATH Malaki Starks
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 10
Starks is a five-star prospect who's ranked No. 10 overall in the 2022 class and signed with the Dawgs out of Jefferson, Georgia. He's 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, and his versatility could help him see the field early on. The Dawgs' biggest need will be along the defensive line, but the entire defense is losing quite a bit of production, and Starks might be able to help in the secondary right away if he can catch on early and play multiple positions.
4. Texas A&M Aggies
DT Walter Nolen
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 1
The staff got transfer quarterback Max Johnson coming from LSU, who will help with quarterback competition and depth if they run into an injury again. The coaches were also able to sign five-star receiver Evan Stewart, who will have a chance to make an impact right away. It's difficult to overlook the No. 1 prospect overall in the 2022 class, though. Nolen is a 6-4, 325-pound defensive tackle who was targeted by nearly every major program in his recruitment. DeMarvin Leal declared for the draft, so there will be a need for additional help on the interior of the line.
5. Michigan Wolverines
OL Victor Oluwatimi
Senior
Transfer from Virginia
ESPN 300 defensive back William Johnson and defensive end Derrick Moore are on this list with Oluwatimi. Johnson is the No. 19 prospect in 2022, and Moore is ranked No. 23 overall. Johnson will help in a secondary that's losing a few starters, and Moore will help replace a pass-rush void left by Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo departing for the NFL. Oluwatimi was a finalist for the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center, at Virginia last season. Michigan is losing center Andrew Vastardis, who used up his eligibility, and the coaches will be able to plug Oluwatimi in his place. Michigan's offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line unit, and adding Oluwatimi will help keep consistency along the line next season.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
S Brandon Joseph
Sophomore
Transfer from Northwestern
Joseph was a consensus All-American at Northwestern in 2020 and was third on the team in total tackles in 2021 with 80. He also had three interceptions, four pass breakups and a sack. The Irish are returning safety Houston Griffith, as well as DJ Brown, Ramon Henderson and Xavier Watts, who all rotated in last season. But the defense is losing Kyle Hamilton to the NFL, so Joseph has an opportunity to fill that void and give Notre Dame a potent and deep safety position all around.
7. Utah Utes
LB Mohamoud Diabate
Sophomore
Transfer from Florida
Utah is losing its leading tackler in linebacker Devin Lloyd, who had 110 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss and eight sacks this season. It would be difficult to replace his production and talent, given that he's projected as a first-round draft pick. But the coaches were able to get Diabate from Florida. He ranked second on the Gators in total tackles with 89 and 2.5 tackles for loss.
8. NC State Wolfpack
ATH Michael Allen
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 239
NC State isn't losing much from this 2021 team, so there won't be a ton of opportunities for new contributors. The offense is losing running back Ricky Person Jr., who ranked second on the team in rushing yards behind Zonovan Knight, but was first on the team with five touchdowns. Knight recently declared for the NFL draft, so the top-two rushers are off the roster. Allen is an ESPN 300 recruit and the highest-ranked commit in the class. With Person and Knight gone, the offense could use some help from Allen right away.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
WR Talyn Shettron
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 73
Oklahoma State is losing its leading receiver in Tay Martin, who had 10 of the Pokes' 25 receiving touchdowns this season. Shettron had been committed to Oklahoma, but Oklahoma State was able to flip him and sign him and his brother, tight end Tabry Shettron. Talyn is the No. 73 prospect overall in the class and one of the top receivers overall. The staff does have some young receivers on the roster, but with Martin leaving, there is an opportunity for Shettron to contribute right away.
10. Michigan State Spartans
LB Jacoby Windmon
Junior
Transfer from UNLV
Michigan State has a good number of players returning on defense, but the staff is looking for help to fill voids through transfers. Mel Tucker added defensive end Khris Bogle from Florida, linebacker Aaron Brule from Mississippi State and Windmon from UNLV. Windmon led UNLV with 118 total tackles this season; the next closest, Austin Ajiake, had 74. Windmon also led the team in sacks with six and should pair well with current Michigan State starter Cal Haladay.
11. Clemson Tigers
QB Cade Klubnik
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 66
Klubnik is the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2022 class and signed with Clemson out of Texas. Clemson has D.J. Uiagalelei returning at quarterback, but not much behind him. On top of that, Uiagalelei did not have a great season for the Tigers, finishing No. 77 in total passing yards (2,246), No. 101 in passing touchdowns (nine) and No. 92 in interceptions (10). Klubnik has a shot at coming in and competing for the starting spot. He might not win the job, but given his talent and Uiagalelei's struggles this season, Klubnik should contribute in some fashion.
12. Oregon Ducks
QB Bo Nix
Junior
Transfer from Auburn
Oregon's new offensive coordinator, Kenny Dillingham, is being reunited with Nix in Eugene. Dillingham coached Nix at Auburn for Nix's freshman season, the best season of his career when he threw for 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. This season's starter, Anthony Brown, won't be back next season, and Robby Ashford entered the transfer portal, leaving Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield as the quarterbacks Nix will compete with.
13. Houston Cougars
WR Matthew Golden
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 252
Houston is returning its leading receiver in Nathaniel Dell, who had 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. The team needs more playmakers, though, and Golden might have an opportunity to contribute early on. He's a 6-foot, 190-pound receiver, ranked No. 252 overall out of Houston.
14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
DT Kobie Turner
Senior
Transfer from Richmond
Turner had an excellent career at Richmond, where he had 158 tackles, 15 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss in four seasons. Wake Forest is losing Miles Fox and Sulaiman Kamara on the interior of the line, so Turner will have an opportunity to fill that void. Wake Forest has quite a bit returning around him on defense, so he should get a ton of help from his teammates and won't have to be a star from the get go.
15. Iowa Hawkeyes
S Xavier Nwankpa
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 161
Nwankpa is an ESPN 300 safety that the Iowa coaches are very high on. He is an in-state prospect that chose Iowa over Ohio State and Notre Dame, which gives a good picture of how highly-sought after he was. Iowa's defense is losing safety Jack Koerner, who had 89 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups this season. Nwankpa might not start right away, but he's too talented to keep off the field.
16. Baylor Bears
WR Armani Winfield
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 127
Baylor is losing its top two receivers in Tyquan Thornton and R.J. Sneed. Thornton had 948 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season, accounting for almost half of Baylor's total receiving touchdowns, so replacing him will be difficult. Winfield signed in the 2022 class and was ranked as the No. 127 prospect overall.
17. Oklahoma Sooners
QB Dillon Gabriel
Junior
Transfer from UCF
The Sooners have had quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams enter the transfer portal, leaving a clear path for Gabriel to start. New offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby coached Gabriel at UCF. Gabriel threw for 3,653 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2019 under Lebby, and now the two have a chance to put together an explosive offense once again.
18. BYU Cougars
OL Kingsley Suamataia
Freshman
Transfer from Oregon
Suamataia was one of the top offensive tackles in the 2021 class out of Utah. He had considered BYU out of high school, but chose the Ducks and is now at BYU after one season in Eugene. The Cougars are returning most of the offensive line, but Suamataia should have an opportunity to play right tackle right away and give BYU a big presence for the next few years.
19. Cincinnati Bearcats
LB Ivan Pace Jr.
Sophomore
Transfer from Miami (Ohio)
Cincinnati has become known for great defense, and the defense is losing quite a few pieces after this season. The team's leading tackler, linebacker Joel Dublanko, is not returning, so that production needs to be replaced. Pace led Miami (Ohio) in total tackles last season with 125 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and three pass breakups. He was all over the field and still has a few years of eligibility left to play for Cincinnati.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
WR Jadon Haselwood
Redshirt sophomore
Transfer from Oklahoma
Arkansas is losing its top two receivers from this season in Treylon Burks and Tyson Morris. Burks had 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, so replacing that production is going to be important. Haselwood is a former five-star prospect in the 2019 class and was committed to Georgia before decommitting and signing with Oklahoma. He was second on the team this season with 399 receiving yards and led the team in receiving touchdowns with six. Adding in Haselwood after losing Burks will help fill that void next season.
21. Kentucky Wildcats
WR Tayvion Robinson
Sophomore
Transfer from Virginia Tech
Wan'Dale Robinson transferred in to Kentucky from Nebraska and led the team in receiving yards with 1,334 yards and also had seven touchdowns. Robinson is leaving for the NFL, so the staff needs to replace that production. Tayvion led Virginia Tech with 592 receiving yards in 2020 and added three touchdowns. He was second in receiving yards in 2021 with 559 yards, but led the Hokies in touchdowns with five.
22. USC Trojans
CB Domani Jackson
2022 recruit
ESPN 300 ranking: 6
Jackson is a five-star in the 2022 class, ranked No. 6 overall. He committed to USC, decommitted and then recommitted after considering Alabama and Michigan. He sustained a knee injury that kept him out of his senior season, so if he's fully healthy, he should make an immediate impact in the secondary. If he's not, then USC could be looking at running back Raleek Brown as the instant-impact prospect. Of course, this pick could change dramatically if quarterback Caleb Williams decides to transfer to USC. The Trojans need a quarterback now with Kedon Slovis and Jaxson Dart transferring, and Williams would be able to start right away for Lincoln Riley.
23. Ole Miss Rebels
RB Zach Evans
Sophomore
Transfer from TCU
The Rebels are losing their leading rusher from this past season, Jerrion Ealy, who had 768 yards and five touchdowns, as well as the second-leading rusher, Snoop Conner, who had 647 yards and 13 touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Corral, the third-leading rusher on the team, is off to the NFL as well. Lane Kiffin and his staff were able to get Evans to commit after announcing he was transferring from TCU. Evans is a former five-star and had 657 yards with five touchdowns this past season. He has a clear path to contribute immediately and should be able to up his numbers in Kiffin's offense.
24. Wisconsin Badgers
OL Nolan Rucci
Redshirt freshman
Rucci was the No. 36 prospect overall in the 2021 class and one of the top offensive tackles. He was a big get for the Badgers at the time and spent the 2021 season sitting behind Logan Bruss at left tackle. Bruss is leaving, and Rucci has an opportunity to step in and provide a boost to Wisconsin's offensive line in 2022.
25. South Carolina Gamecocks
QB Spencer Rattler
Redshirt sophomore
Transfer from Oklahoma
South Carolina needed help at quarterback, and head coach Shane Beamer addressed that position this offseason. Rattler is the pick, but he could be pushed by ESPN 300 signees Tanner Bailey and Braden Davis. Rattler has the experience, though, and despite being pulled this past season for Caleb Williams, Rattler is an upgrade for South Carolina at the position. In nine games, Rattler threw for 1,483 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions on 187 attempts.