Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 2

NCAAF College Football
September 14, 2026
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In the new era of college football, the transfer portal has become a significant component of roster construction. Throughout the 2026 college football season, On3 is breaking down the top 10 transfer portal impact players based on weekly performances. Here are the most impactful transfer portal players from Week 2:

1. Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker

After a disappointing Week 1 in a loss to Tulsa, Drew Mestemaker proved he was not going to take a step back this season at Oklahoma State. In a statement game for the quarterback and his head coach, Eric Morris, Mestemaker accounted for 426 total yards and three touchdowns to knock off No. 6 Oregon. He completed 26 of 43 passes for 317 yards and two scores and added 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. A North Texas transfer, he hurdled an Oregon defender for a 10-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The win snapped a 12-game losing streak for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys had a 21-game losing streak against FBS teams.

2. Cal safety Kingston Lopa

Viewed as a breakout candidate in the Cal defense entering the season, Kingston Lopa had the best performance of his college career. The Oregon transfer intercepted Steve Angeli three times, including returning one for a touchdown. Lopa added five tackles in the 21-18 win at Syracuse. The performance gives Lopa four interceptions in just two games.

3. Arizona State WR Reed Harris

The Boston College transfer has settled in nicely in Kenny Dillingham’s offense. Harris caught nine passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns at No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday. He caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Cutter Boley and another 58-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The Sun Devils pushed Texas A&M, ultimatley falling 48-20. Harris has 15 catches for 326 yards in just two games.

4. Michigan EDGE John Henry Daley

John Henry Daley announced his arrival at Michigan on Saturday. A former BYU and Utah transfer, Daley finished with eight tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack as Oklahoma’s offense struggled to move the ball on the Wolverines. Daley had six tackles and the sack in the first half alone, as Michigan built a 10-0 halftime lead and ultimately won 17-10. The Oklahoma offense was 3 for 13 on third downs.

5. Missouri LB Robert Woodyard

With the Border War tied up at 14 in the third quarter, Auburn transfer Robert Woodyard flipped the game. He forced and recovered a fumble in Kansas territory to set up a go-ahead score for the Tigers. And on Kansas’ next offensive snap, he picked off quarterback Isaiah Marshall and returned it 29 yards to set up another Missouri score.

6. Texas RB Hollywood Smothers

The Texas running game could not get started in the first half against Ohio State. But as the Longhorns’ offensive line started to open up holes in the second half, NC State transfer running back Hollywood Smothers took advantage. He finished with 74 yards on 24 carries, but scored two critical touchdowns for the Longhorns. That included the go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds remaining from the goal line.

7. Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz

A week after taking Ole Miss down to the wire, Lincoln Kienholz built out another solid performance. The Ohio State transfer was 16 of 21 for 332 yards and two touchdowns in a rout of Villanova. Kienholz flashed his ability in the running game, rushing for 42 yards and two scores. Through two weeks, he’s combined for seven total touchdowns for the Cardinals.

8. Boston College LB Anthony Palano

The Washington State transfer wreaked havoc on the Rutgers defense on Friday night. Anthony Palano posted nine tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions in Boston College’s 28-21 win over the Scarlet Knights. Palano’s two interceptions came in the fourth quarter and were critical in BC’s win in the Red Bandanna Game.

9. Memphis TE Hunter Tipton

A Middle Tennessee transfer, Hunter Tipton put up one of the top stat lines of Week 2. The Memphis tight end caught nine passes for 229 yards and a touchdown at Boise State. He averaged 25.4 yards per catch in the 38-20 loss to the Broncos.

10. Tulane RB Jaylin Lucas

A former Indiana and Florida State transfer, Jaylin Lucas is finding his footing at Tulane. A Louisiana native, Lucas rushed for 214 yards on 11 carries. His 19.5 yards per carry set an American Conference record and was highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown run that was key in Tulane pulling away from South Alabama 28-24.

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