- Key transfers include quarterbacks John Mateer to Oklahoma and Carson Beck to Miami, both expected to significantly impact their teams’ offenses.
- Other notable transfers include Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), David Bailey (Texas Tech), and Darian Mensah (Duke).
- These transfers are expected to shake up the College Football Playoff race and contend for individual awards.
Based on what we’ve seen the past few college football seasons, look for Bowl Subdivision transfers to compete for All-America status, contend for the Heisman Trophy and completely shape the trajectory of the 2025 season.
That’s the hope at Oklahoma, at least, where the Sooners have boosted their chances of a much-needed turnaround under coach Brent Venables by adding transfers such as former Washington State quarterback John Mateer and former California running back Jadyn Ott.
Likewise at Oregon, which aims to repeat atop the Big Ten with the additions of safety Dillon Thieneman (Purdue), offensive tackle Isaiah World (Nevada) and running back Makhi Hughes (Tulane).
PATH TO PLAYOFF: Sign up for our college football newsletter
Those aren’t the only teams across the Power Four that have remade their rosters heading into the start of the regular season. These are the transfers set to make the biggest impact at their new stops:
1. QB John Mateer, Oklahoma (Washington State)
No single transfer may have a bigger impact on the College Football Playoff race. Mateer, along with his former coordinator Ben Arbuckle, could transform the Sooners’ middling offense and turn them into a legitimate contender in the SEC. Last season, the junior threw for 3,139 yards, ran for 826 yards on 4.6 yards per carry and had 44 combined scores.
2. QB Carson Beck, Miami (Georgia)
The former Georgia starter has started to prove himself healthy after last season’s elbow injury, giving Miami another high-profile quarterback transfer capable of making a run at the Heisman Trophy. While his 2024 season was far from spectacular, you need only look back at Beck’s first year as the Bulldogs’ starter to see why he’s viewed as a top-end college passer.
3. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (Purdue)
An in-conference transfer after two overlooked but highly effective seasons at Purdue, Thieneman is the type of addition that could help carry Oregon back to the top of the Big Ten and make a deeper playoff run. He has a nose for the football and is an asset against the run, placing the junior alongside Ohio State’s Caleb Downs as the top safeties in the Big Ten.
4. LB David Bailey, Texas Tech (Stanford)
Bailey is one of several impressive additions in what is another exemplary transfer class for the Red Raiders. At Stanford, he flashed an often unstoppable first step that yielded 22½ tackles for loss and 14½ sacks. He’ll be asked to set the edge and get after the quarterback as Texas Tech looks to book a playoff spot.
5. QB Darian Mensah, Duke (Tulane)
One of two major offseason losses for the preseason American favorites, Mensah is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the Power Four after going for 2,723 yards and 22 scores on 9.5 yards per throw in his one season as the Green Wave’s starter. He represents an upgrade over former starter Malik Murphy, now at Oregon State, and makes the Blue Devils an under-the-radar contender for an at-large playoff berth.
6. DE Damon Wilson II, Missouri (Georgia)
It’s fascinating to consider what Wilson can do with increased snaps after being one of Georgia’s most effective pass rushers last season in a limited role. Even when sharing snaps in the Bulldogs’ crowded line rotation in 2024, the former five-star recruit flashed his deep potential with 22 tackles, six for loss, along with three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles and recoveries.
7. RB Jadyn Ott, Oklahoma (California)
Part of an offseason exodus in the backfield for the Golden Bears, Ott is guaranteed to play a big role behind Mateer after running for more than 2,500 yards in his first three years. He was at his best in 2023, when he went for 1,315 yards and 12 scores, but was hampered by an ankle injury and managed just 385 yards on 3.3 yards per carry last season.
8. WR Eric Singleton, Auburn (Georgia Tech)
Singleton is one of a few new pieces set to remake Auburn’s offense. While the quarterback situation is still uncertain, Hugh Freeze’s pick under center will lean on his track record in the Power Four (104 receptions in two seasons with the Yellow Jackets). Singleton and holdover Cam Coleman form a very intriguing one-two punch at wide receiver.
9. WR Dane Key, Nebraska (Kentucky)
Key’s experience and production in the SEC — he accounted for nearly a third of Kentucky’s total receiving yardage in 2024 — makes him an invaluable get for a program poised to take a big step forward in coach Matt Rhule’s third season. Key will be sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola’s favorite target and security blanket as offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s system takes hold.
10. OT Isaiah World, Oregon (Nevada)
The 6-foot-8, 318-pound senior never earned more than honorable mention all-conference honors in the Mountain West but should see his profile explode as the Ducks’ primary protector for new quarterback Dante Moore. World has the size and athleticism to parlay his transfer into a spot in the first round of next year’s NFL draft. But he’ll have to clean up his game first, especially in the high number of penalties he committed last season with the Wolf Pack.
