The 2023 College Football season is approaching and here are five transfers to keep an eye on this fall.
2023 College Football Transfer Portal: Players to Watch
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter has high expectations coming into the 2023 campaign as he was ranked the number one player in the transfer portal by ON3. Playing both sides of the ball last season, Hunter recorded two interceptions and four touchdowns for the Jackson State Tigers.
In the offseason, he transferred to Colorado, following head coach Deion Sanders who coached Hunter at Jackson State in 2022. This was a no-brainer for Hunter who has said in the past that he models his game after Sanders which is evident in his ball-hawking abilities on both ends of the field.
Hunter and Sanders will look to revitalize the Colorado football program, which finished just 1-11 in 2022.
Sam Hartman
After a storied career at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman decided to take his talents to South Bend for his final collegiate season.
This is a huge addition for the Fighting Irish quarterback room which lost Drew Pyne (Arizona State) and Tyler Buchner (Alabama) to the Transfer Portal earlier this offseason. In 45 games for Wake Forest, Hartman threw for over 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns and was a two-time member of the All-ACC team. He is joining a Notre Dame squad that is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball with an elite line and experienced weapons including Jayden Thomas, Audric Estime, and Tobias Merriweather.
Hartman and company will be tasked with leading the Fighting Irish to their first National Championship appearance since 2012.
Fentrell Cypress II
Cornerback Fentrell Cypress joins Florida State after a four-year career at Virginia. He led the ACC with 14 pass breakups and was named to the Second Team All-ACC team for his efforts.
Cypress’s abilities extend beyond pass coverage, as he also showcased his strong tackling skills, accumulating a career-high 39 tackles in just nine games including eight in the season opener against Richmond. His presence in the secondary will bolster Florida State’s defense and provide a reliable cornerback option alongside Greedy Vance who had three picks and five pass deflections in 2022.
Adonai Mitchell
Arch Manning isn’t the only notable name joining the Texas Longhorns this year. Two time National Champion Adonai Mitchell is joining the team after two storied seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs.
He is perhaps best known for his go-ahead touchdown in the 2021 National Championship game against Alabama. He is joining a Longhorns receiving corps that features Jordan Whittington and Xavier Worthy who combined for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. Mitchell will look to bring his winning attitude and DNA to a Texas team that hasn’t won a Bowl Game since 2020.
Dont’e Thornton
Fresh off an impressive 11-2 campaign, the Tennessee Volunteers added more firepower to their offense in 2023. Dont’e Thornton joins the receiving room as a transfer from Oregon.
The 6’5 receiver showed off his speed and athleticism last season, averaging 21.5 yards per reception for 366 yards. Joe Milton figures to take the reins at quarterback this season after an impressive stint taking over for the injured Hendon Hooker. After Hooker went down with a Torn ACL, Milton stepped in and threw for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions and took the team to the Orange Bowl where they defeated Clemson.
Thornton will be a key weapon for the Volunteers and will look to give the team their third consecutive winning season for the first time since 2016.
As the 2023 College Football season approaches, all eyes will be on these five transfers as they look to make a significant impact on their new teams.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
