Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 3

NCAAF College Football
September 21, 2026
Aaron Philo (24 - Prince Avenue Christian School), Aidan Chiles (23 - Downey), Amaree Williams (25 - The Benjamin School), Bruin Report Online, CaneSport, Cardinal Sports, Darian Mensah (23 - St Joseph), Florida Gators Network, Gators Online, Kenny Minchey (23 - Pope John Paul II), Kentucky Wildcats Network, KSR, Lincoln Kienholz (23 - T.F. Riggs), Louisville Cardinals Network, Luke Reynolds (24 - Cheshire Academy), Maroon and White, Maroon and White Football, Miami Hurricanes Network, Michael Hawkins (24 - Frisco Emerson), Mississippi State Bulldogs Network, Northwestern Wildcats Network, Ole Miss Rebels Network, OMSpirit, On3, On3 Football, Samuel Omosigho (23 - Crandall), Sharif Denson (23 - Bartram Trail), Sports, Transfer Portal College Football, Transfer Portal Home, UCLA Bruins Network, Virginia Tech Hokies, Virginia Tech Hokies (Football), West Virginia Mountaineers Network, Wildcat Report, WV Sports

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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 3:

1. Miami QB Darian Mensah

The former Duke and Tulane transfer was nearly perfect in Miami’s 33-20 win at Wake Forest on Friday night. Darian Mensah finished the game 30 of 34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns, pushing the Hurricanes to 3-0 on the season. He opened the game by completing 24 consecutive passes, setting an ACC record and tying for third-most in a game in FBS history. He’s also the first FBS player in at least 30 years to complete 85% of his passes in three straight games.

2. Kentucky QB Kenny Minchey

Kenny Minchey delivered the best game of his college career on Saturday in College Station. The former Notre Dame transfer was 14 of 18 for 252 yards and two touchdowns, stunning No. 9 Texas A&M 31-21. It’s Kentucky’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2024 and a statement for the Minchey in his first road test of his Kentucky career. He averaged 14 yards per pass.

3. West Virginia QB Michael Hawkins Jr.

Virginia could not find an answer Saturday night in Charlotte to slow down Michael Hawkins Jr. The former Oklahoma transfer led West Virginia to a 38-27 win over the Cavaliers. Hawkins was 10 of 17 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 123 yards and three more scores. The five-touchdown performance went for more than 300 yards, making him the first West Virginia quarterback with three rushing and two passing touchdowns in a game since Pat White in 2008. The Mountaineers are 3-0 for the first time since 2018.

4. Virginia Tech TE Luke Reynolds

Luke Reynolds was targeted 12 times in Saturday’s win at Maryland, catching all 12 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. He’s the first Virginia Tech tight end with back-to-back 100-yard games since 2018. He’s picked up where he left off with old Penn State teammate, quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer. The Hokies are 3-0 to open the season for the first time since 2017.

5. Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz

The Ohio State transfer wasn’t perfect Saturday against SMU, but he did enough to give the Cardinals a key early-season top-25 win against the Mustangs. Lincoln Kienholz was 14 of 23 for 177 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score. Louisville now sits at 2-1 and is in position to contend for an ACC title.

6. Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles

The former Oregon State and Michigan State transfer quarterback accounted for five total touchdowns in Northwestern’s 41-7 rout of Colorado. Aidan Chiles was 17 of 22 for 241 yards with three touchdown passes to Joseph Himon. Chiles also rushed for two scores on the ground. He’s the first Northwestern quarterback to throw for three touchdowns and rush for two more in a game since 1995.

7. Mississippi State EDGE Amaree Williams

The Florida State transfer was pivotal in Mississippi State’s road win over South Carolina. Amaree Williams led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, causing problems for the South Carolina offense. A former tight end turned EDGE, he’s settled in well to Zach Arnett’s defense. Williams also picked off LaNorris Sellers, but it was taken back due to a penalty.

8. Ole Miss S Sharif Denson

Making his Ole Miss debut against LSU, Sharif Denson proved to be an answer the Rebels’ secondary needed. He posted eight tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the 32-24 win over the Tigers. He slotted right into Pete Golding’s defense after appearing in 36 games at Florida.

9. Florida QB Aaron Philo

In his first SEC start as a quarterback, Aaron Philo did enough to get Florida a win at Auburn. The former Georgia Tech transfer threw for 202 yards and a score for the Gators, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2019. Philo was intercepted, but it came on a dropped catch. It’s his third consecutive game crossing the 200-yard mark. He’s been effective for the Gators and finished 15 of 22 passing.

10. UCLA LB Sammy Omosigho

The former Oklahoma transfer was everywhere for UCLA in the 52-38 win over Purdue. Omosigho posted 12 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in the win. It marked his third consecutive games forcing a fumble for the Bruins, who are now 3-0.

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