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Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 4
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- Top 10 transfer portal impact players of Week 4
college football transfer portal impact players week 4
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 4:
1. Oregon QB Dylan Raiola
Raiola came in after Oregon starting quarterback Dante Moore was carted off at USC and threw a touchdown on his first pass. The Nebraska transfer finished 19 of 25 for 289 yards and two scores. He led five touchdown drives as Oregon pulled away with a 41-27 win. It was a comeback moment for Raiola, who broke his fibula a year ago when he was with the Cornhuskers. He had one of his best college performances coming off the bench in the top-25 matchup Saturday. He will play a key role in Oregon's quarterback plans moving forward with Moore sidelined with a concussion.
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2. Texas Tech LB Austin Romaine
When Texas Tech lost star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to the NFL following 2025, the Red Raiders turned to the portal. They landed Kansas State star linebacker Austin Romaine to fill the void in their defense. On Saturday, he became the first FBS player in 13 years to return interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive throws. The two scores came only seven seconds apart on the game clock. He also had eight tackles.
3. Florida QB Aaron Philo
The Georgia Tech transfer completed 16 of 23 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown, running the Florida offense effectively en route to a 52-28 win over No. 4 Ole Miss. Philo also rushed for another score, as he improved to 4-0 as a starter this season with the Gators . He's completed 72.4% of his passes while only throwing two interceptions.
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4. Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker
The North Texas transfer has settled in at Oklahoma State after a season-opening loss to Tulsa. In primetime on Saturday night at West Virginia , he threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns while completing 20 of 27 passes. The Cowboys won the Big 12 opener 41-24, overcoming an early 14-3 deficit. Mestemaker is emerging as a name to watch in the Heisman conversation.
5. Miami QB Darian Mensah
Darian Mensah will face his first real test at Miami this weekend when the Hurricanes travel to Clemson, but he's been lights out in the first four games of the season. He's the first quarterback in more than 30 years with more touchdowns than incompletions through four games and has an 88.7% completion percentage, which leads the nation. He was 23 of 27 for 338 yards with four total touchdowns in a blowout win over Central Michigan.
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6. Texas RB Raleek Brown
With starting running back Hollywood Smothers sidelined with an ankle injury, Raleek Brown stepped up in the Texas running game. The former USC and Arizona State transfer rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns, which were critical in Texas' 20-17 road win over Tennessee .
7. Alabama LB Caleb Woodson
The Virginia Tech transfer posted 12 tackles in Alabama's 49-18 rout of South Carolina . Caleb Woodson came up big for a Crimson Tide defense that allowed the Gamecocks to convert just three of 14 third downs. It was a strong performance for the Alabama defense after it allowed 36 points to Florida State last week.
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8. Tennessee DB Qua Moss
Moss produced Tennessee's only touchdown in the first three quarters of the game Saturday, returning a punt 57 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 with Texas. The Volunteers tried to rally in the fourth quarter, but Moss sparked the comeback attempt with his third-quarter punt return touchdown. The former Kansas State transfer finished with five tackles and a pass deflection in the loss.
9. Clemson DB Elliot Washington
One of the biggest criticisms of Dabo Swinney in recent years has been his decision to not embrace the transfer portal. He's started to warm up to the portal, however, and that showed Friday night at Cal. Penn State transfer Elliot Washington posted two interceptions in the 24-10 win, with his second of the night sealing the win.
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10. LSU QB Sam Leavitt
Leavitt had his best game yet at LSU in a 35-6 rout of Texas A&M. The Arizona State transfer was 17 of 23 for 312 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception. He hurt his left calf in the first half but played through the injury. It was a bounceback win for LSU after its loss at Ole Miss in Week 3, improving the Tigers to 3-1 and 1-1 in SEC play.
