College football transfer portal’s 12 home-run fits from 2022 cycle

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 67

The word: Hudson led Auburn in every statistical category at wide receiver last season and likely will be UCF’s No. 1 in the passing game this fall after Knights playmaker Jaylon Robinson entered the portal and wound up at Ole Miss. Hudson reunites with former Tigers coach Gus Malzahn, who recruited him to the Plains as a four-star prospect. Per Auburn Undercover, Hudson is is the sixth former Auburn player to follow Malzahn to UCF since he was hired last February. A player with SEC-level talent, Hudson could quickly emerge as one of the top threats in the American Athletic Conference with a ton of targets in Orlando.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 8

The word: As a sophomore in 2021 at TCU, Evans managed 648 yards rushing and five touchdowns. His numbers should pop as one of the focal points of a transfer-rich Ole Miss offense that will include several new starters coming off the program’s first 10-win regular season under coach Lane Kiffin. Evans was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2020, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. The 247Sports Composite considered Evans to be the No. 16 overall prospect, no. 2 running back and No. 1 player in Texas for the 2020 cycle. With enough touches, Evans should exceed 1,000 yards of total offense this fall as a speed threat for the Rebels.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 17

The word: Joseph finds himself in an ideal scenario with the Fighting Irish as a top-end player in the secondary who will now be coached by Marcus Freeman, a former star himself at the back end of the defense at Ohio State. After losing first-round pick Kyle Hamilton to the NFL Draft, Notre Dame had a massive hole in centerfield and it’s not often an elite program can fill that void with an equally-talented player such as Joseph. He has intercepted nine passes over the last two seasons at Northwestern, including six in nine games during his redshirt freshman season in 2020.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 33

The word: After turning heads during spring ball as a projected starter at guard, Torrence has made his presence felt quickly with the Gators. First-year Florida coach Billy Napier knew exactly what he was doing grabbing his former top layer along with the offensive front from Louisiana Lafayette. Torrence spent three years at guard with the Ragin ‘Cajuns and has the flexibility to move to tackle this season if the Gators have any issues with Michael Tarquin and Richard Gouraige. Torrence has proven to be reliable on the inside during his career and that’s where he’ll begin for a Florida offense that could surprise folks in 2022 with Anthony Richardson in charge at quarterback.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 12

The word: Acquiring help from a pass-rush standpoint was a priority for the Huskers this recruiting cycle, and Nebraska’s ability to win Mathis’ commitment over Texas was a major win for Scott Frost and staff. After collecting 40 tackles with 2.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2019 at TCU, Mathis burst onto the scene with a huge sophomore campaign in 2020. Mathis finished with a team-best nine sacks, which ranked second in the Big 12, and his 14 tackles for loss was good enough for third in the conference. Last season, Mathis started all 12 games for TCU and had four sacks and seven TFLs, finishing with 45 tackles and three pass breakups. He’s an immediate fit in the trenches for the Huskers.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 21

The word: Versatility is paramount within Florida State’s front seven defensively and the Seminoles believe they signed a special talent in Verse out of Albany. He’ll line up at defensive end and outside linebacker in spots – wherever this staff feels his athleticism can be best utilized. After spring practice, Noles247 noted that Verse will likely lead the defensive front in total snaps this season despite not having a true, every-down position. Paired with fellow edge rusher Derrick McLendon and Derrick Bridge at the Fox position, Verse should be an instant playmaker and will help make up for the loss of Jermaine Johnson – especially in passing situations.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 15

The word: Sanders flexed his talents quickly when he arrived on campus with the Razorbacks and emerged as one of the team’s top linebackers during the spring. He played off the edge at Alabama with minimal snaps, but will assume a role in the middle of Barry Odom’s defense this season. At 6-foot-5, 232 pounds, Sanders’ presence is imposing and his aggression noticeable. He’s a home-run fit for an Arkansas defense forced to replace pair of linebackers in Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry who combined for over 200 tackles during the 2021 campaign. A former five-star, Sanders has the talent to be an All-SEC caliber starter.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 20

The word: Paired with talented pass-catchers Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington This fall in the projected starting lineup, Neyor’s number will impress. He’ll also take some of the pressure off of Biletnikoff candidate Worthy given his talent level and reliability. As a redshirt freshman last season, Neyor recorded 44 receptions for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns at Wyoming. One of several new additions on offense for the Longhorns, Neyor will have three years of eligibility remaining and is one of the headliners in the deepest wide receiver room in the Big 12. Steve Sarkisian is a master at scheming ways to get his best players the football and Neyor will reap those benefits.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 4

The word: One of five Alabama transfers this cycle rated in the final top 50, according to 247Sports, Gibbs is the headliner. Gibbs first stepped on campus during prep for the College Football Playoff last season and made an instant impression on his new teammates and coaching staff as a player with a different gear out of the backfield. THe arrived in Dalton, Georgia, native in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after spending the last two years at Georgia Tech, where he contributed 2,773 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns on 323 plays (8.6 yards per play). As a sophomore this past season, he rushed for 746 yards and four touchdowns on 143 attempts.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 1

The word: If you’re placing preseason wager, Williams is a solid bet to be the most impactful transfer during the 2022 season after he was given the keys to USC’s offense by new coach Lincoln Riley. The former Oklahoma quarterback knows this system like the back of his hand the Trojans helped him out by adding several elite-level weapons around him, including but not limited to Jordan Addison and Mario Williams. Williams was the top-rated transfer this cycle, according to the 247Sports transfer rankings, and makes USC an instant contender in the Pac-12. As a freshman last season at Oklahoma, Williams threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games, and added 442 yards and six scores on the ground.

247Sports transfer ranking (overall): No. 14

The word: One of the most veteran elite players to emerge in the portal, McCalister played four seasons at Oklahoma State with three productive years as a starter at safety (23 starts). McCalister is a complete defensive back in the fact that his productivity matches his skill set, notes 247Sports analyst Clint Brewster. McCalister has the positional athletic traits and instincts to go along with outstanding football smarts and IQ. He’s a playmaker at the back end and knows how to track when the football’s in the air. New Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles McCalister appreciates as a reliable corner and he knows this scheme better than anyone with several years in the system.