Welcome back to the Transfer Portal Team of the Week! The theme for this week was upsets, and several of them, with UNLV, Boise State, and Hawaii all falling! You know the drill by now, we have the best possible lineup that can be built from the top performing transfers of Week 10! We’ll also highlight the best transfer performance from each aspect of the game, complete with their journey to this point. Congrats to the honorees, and let us know if there’s any players that you think we missed!
Note: For the spotlight players, we’re doing our absolute best to avoid repeat selections. The main point of that section is to showcase the incredible, sometimes arduous journeys that these transfers took to reach the Mountain West. Therefore, picking players more than one time would defeat the purpose of the spotlights. If there’s a standout performance going forward that doesn’t receive top billing, that’s most likely why!
Offense Spotlight: Keagan Johnson
The son of Cornhuskers two-time national champion Clester Johnson, Keagan Johnson blossomed into the second ranked high school prospect in Nebraska. He received offers from several of the top schools in the Midwest, including Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, and his father’s Alma mater. Ultimately, Keagan decided to chart his own path, and committed to Kirk Ferentz and Iowa ahead of the 2021 season.
Johnson immediately worked his way into the Hawkeyes lineup as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games with nine starts. His first big-time performance came against Colorado State, where he recorded 92 yards and his first career touchdown. At season’s end, Johnson finished second on the team with 352 receiving yards, a fact made even more impressive when you consider that this Iowa team was ranked as high as #2 in the polls. With leading pass catcher Sam LaPorta off to the NFL, all signs pointed to the Bellevue product breaking out as a sophomore.
Unfortunately, Johnson was knocked off track by injuries in 2022, which kept him out of all but two games. Iowa’s offense also took a massive step back, going from a respectable 23.4 points per game the year prior to an abysmal 17.7 points per game. No longer feeling comfortable about the direction the program was heading, Johnson decided to enter the transfer portal as a redshirt sophomore. One team that recruited him heavily was Kansas State, which had offered him out of high school. The familiarity was enough to convince Johnson to join, with him transferring to the Wildcats less than a week after filing his paperwork.
Over the next two seasons, Johnson would continue to produce, but not to the elite level many were hoping for. Across back-to-back 10-4 finishes for Kansas State, he caught 53 passes for 586 yards and three scores. The 6 foot 1 wideout was playing at the highest level of college football, and carving out a solid career for himself, but that likely wouldn’t be enough to get him a shot in the NFL. With one year of eligibility left, Johnson went all in, entering the portal again and landing with New Mexico. With Jason Eck only returning 4% of the Lobos 2024 receiving yards, Johnson was clearly going to be the number one wide receiver, a role that had eluded him for far too long.
Despite an injury slowing him down initially, Johnson quickly solidified himself as New Mexico’s best wideout. In the Rio Grande Rivalry against New Mexico State, he racked up a career-high 135 yards and a touchdown, and then instantly topped it with 145 yards on 11 catches in a close loss to San Jose State. Johnson only combined for 89 yards over the Lobos next three contests, but the best outing of his collegiate career was on the horizon. On the road against UNLV and one win away from their first bowl game since 2016, he erased his career-high for a third time in six games, leading the team with 158 receiving yards. Johnson’s biggest highlight came late in the second quarter, when he caught a long heave from Jack Layne and outran several Rebel defenders for an 80 yard house call. New Mexico left Las Vegas with a 40-35 upset victory largely thanks to his efforts, and he now ranks in the Mountain West’s top ten in all three major receiving categories. Time will tell if Johnson’s gamble to drop to the group of five level will pay off with an NFL opportunity, but regardless, he’s finally gotten to play the role of “go-to receiver” that he was always born to play.
Honorable Mention: SO WR Danny Scudero, Sacramento State (FCS) to San Jose State — 7 catches, 220 REC yards (6th most in SJSU history), 2 TDs
Defense Spotlight: Simeon Harris
A three star athlete from Vallejo, California, Simeon Harris received interest from multiple Mountain West schools, but would also be offered by Colorado. The chance to begin his collegiate career in the Big 12 was too big to pass up, and Harris committed to the Buffaloes for the 2022 season.
While his squad only finished the year with one win, Harris was able to prove himself as an impactful defensive back from the get-go. Across 11 games, he amassed 20 tackles, including an 8 tackle outing against Washington. Most true freshmen that perform like that are expected to slide into starting roles the following season, but Colorado was about to have quite the off-season. With Deion Sanders coming to town, and his announcement to the existing roster that he was “bringing in his own [Louis Vuitton] luggage”, the vast majority of the current Buffaloes roster entered the transfer portal. Harris was among them, seeing the writing on the wall, as re-engaged with the Mountain West schools that had recruited him the year prior. Blake Anderson and Utah State made a push to bring him Logan, and succeeded.
Harris adjusted quickly to his role with the Aggies, solidifying himself as one of the conference’s most impactful nickel backs in a hurry. He played in all 13 games, finished fifth on the team with 59 tackles, and added an interception and four pass breakups. After posting a new career high of 11 tackles in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, all signs were pointing to Harris becoming an all-conference talent as a junior. But, as you may recall, nothing went according to plan for Utah State in 2024.
Following Blake Anderson’s dismissal a month before the start of the season, Harris resumed his post as a starter, but knew that something was off. He played in three games, all of them double-digit losses for the Aggies, and opted to sit out the remainder of the season to redshirt. Re-entering the portal at the conclusion of the campaign, Harris once again tapped back into his high school recruitment. Not only had Fresno State been very interested in him initially, but there were family ties to the Bulldogs as well. His mother and aunt were both cheerleaders in the early 90’s, making a return to California all the more appealing. Harris took 11 days to weigh his options before officially continuing the family legacy by committing to Fresno State.
With Matt Entz replacing a good portion of his secondary after being hired to run the show, Harris was a lock to be the Bulldogs starting nickel back. He’s put together another great season, snagging his first interception in almost two years against Oregon State, and adding a second against Nevada to seal a close win. Overall, though, Harris hadn’t had a true star-making performance since joining Fresno State. That would change in the Battle for the Milk Can, as he turned into a one man wrecking crew. Against a Boise State team that was primed to make a run to the conference championship, Harris tallied six tackles, three TFLs, a strip sack, and his third pick of the season. He was named Mountain West defensive player of the week for his contributions to the 30-7 blowout win, and he’ll add another accolade from us. After three stops in three states, Harris is playing the best football of his career and shows no signs of slowing down.
Honorable Mention: JR LB Jaxton Eck, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico — 13 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 30 yard pass, PFF grade of 79.9
Special Teams Spotlight: Jaylon Glover
Note: UNLV has Glover listed as a sophomore on their official roster. I’m 99% sure that’s impossible (he played in 4+ games in ‘22 and ‘23), but that’s why he’s listed as a sophomore in the graphic. Apologies for any confusion.
Coming out of Lakeland, Florida, Jaylon Glover was one of the most sought after running backs in his high school class. Despite only measuring in at 5 foot 8, he amassed 43 total offers, including six SEC schools, five ACC schools, and five Big Ten schools. Though the hometown Florida Gators did their best to land him, Glover’s top priority was going to a program that he could contribute to right off the bat. He felt as though Kyle Whittingham and Utah gave him that opportunity, committing to them ahead of the 2022 season.
With the Utes entering the year as the preseason #7 ranked team in the country, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Glover wasn’t able to see the field initially. Those worries were put to bed in the first game of his career, as he scored two touchdowns in their season opener against Southern Utah. Glover played in eight more contests this season, ending the campaign with a solid 360 rushing yards and four scores.
Sliding up a few spots in the depth chart as a sophomore, Glover was even more effective in 2023. He finished second on the team in carries with 137 and rushing yards with 562, and posted a new career-high mark of 107 yards in Utah’s 23-17 win over Colorado. He was on track to become the Utes featured back the following year, but unfortunately, that chance would never materialize. Glover only appeared in three games as a junior, and chose to leave the team in November to preserve his eligibility. After entering the transfer portal, he would be contacted by new UNLV head coach Dan Mullen, who was looking to build his stable of running backs around Jai’Den Thomas. Glover was ready to go all in, and became the first official commitment of the Rebels new era.
Entering the season, Glover sat at second or third in the depth chart, alongside Mississippi State transfer Keyvone Lee. Wanting to help the team in any way he could, the Florida native was asked to be UNLV’s primary kick returner, something he’d never done in college to this point. He had no issues with his new assignment, as Glover currently ranks second in the Mountain West in kick return yards, in addition to 212 yards from scrimmage. His best game was against Boise State, where he burned them for 112 rushing yards on just six attempts. Although the Rebels have stumbled since their 6-1 start, Glover continues to make an impact every time he’s subbed in. In their loss to New Mexico this past weekend, he recorded 43 return yards on two kickoffs, marking the fourth time this year he’s had at least 40 return yards in an outing. Glover can hurt defenses in a number of ways, and the Rebels have done an excellent job of getting the ball in his hands whenever possible.
Honorable Mention: SO P Daniel Hughes, City College of San Francisco (JUCO) to New Mexico — 5 punts for 210 yards (average of 42), 3 downed inside 20 yard line, long of 48
Team of the Week
Offense
Quarterback
Jack Layne, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 17/22, 342 pass yards, 3 TDs, INT; 24 rush yards
Running Back (2)
Damon Bankston, Weber State (FCS) to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 4 carries, 8 rush yards; 5 catches, 122 REC yards (career high), 2 TDs (career high); 3 KRs for 67 yards
Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, Arizona to Fresno State, Junior || W, 30-7 @ Boise State || 16 carries (career high), 88 rush yards; 4 yard catch; 11 yard KR
Wide Receiver (3)
Danny Scudero, Sacramento State (FCS) to San Jose State, Sophomore || W, 45-38 @ Hawaii || 7 catches, 220 REC yards (6th most in SJSU history), 2 TDs
Keagan Johnson, Kansas State to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 6 catches, 158 REC yards (career high), TD
Jackson Harris, Stanford to Hawaii, Sophomore || L, 45-38 vs San Jose State || 6 catches, 134 REC yards, 2 TDs (4th straight game w/ 100+ REC yards)
Tight End
Var’Keyes Gumms, Arkansas to UNLV, Junior || L, 40-35 vs New Mexico || 2 catches, 43 REC yards, TD
Offensive Tackle (2)
Tyler Lawrence, Air Force to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || PFF grade of 59.9
NO OTHER QUALIFIERS
Offensive Guard (2)
Kalan Ellis, Syracuse to San Diego State, Junior || W, 24-7 vs Wyoming || PFF grade of 61.2
Malik McGowan, North Carolina to UNLV, Senior || L, 40-35 vs New Mexico || PFF grade of 59.1
Center
Kaden Robnett, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Freshman || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || PFF grade of 73.5
Defense
Defensive End (2)
Brett Karhu, Memphis to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 5 tackles, sack, PFF grade of 76.7
Finn Claypool, Drake (FCS) to Fresno State, Graduate || W, 30-7 @ Boise State || 3 tackles, 2 sacks, FF, PFF grade of 65.5
Defensive Tackle (2)
Malachi Finau, Hawaii to San Diego State, Junior || W, 24-7 vs Wyoming || 4 tackles, FF, PFF grade of 73.8
Qwyn Williams, Ohio Dominican (D2) to Hawaii, Graduate || L, 45-38 vs San Jose State || Tackle, FF, PFF grade of 91.2
Linebacker (3)
Jaxton Eck, Idaho (FCS) to New Mexico, Junior || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 13 tackles, 0.5 TFL, PFF grade of 79.9; 30 yard pass completion
Jadon Pearson, Utah State to Fresno State, Graduate || W, 30-7 @ Boise State || 10 tackles, 2 TFLs, PFF grade of 74.8
Ky’Won McCray, Jacksonville State to New Mexico, Graduate || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 8 tackles, 0.5 TFL, FF, FR, PFF grade of 75.6
Cornerback (2)
Simeon Harris, Utah State to Fresno State, Junior || W, 30-7 @ Boise State || 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack, INT, FF, PFF grade of 90.3
Caleb Presley, Washington to San Jose State, Sophomore || W, 45-38 @ Hawaii || 6 tackles, TFL, PBU, PFF grade of 80.7
Safety (2)
Dwayne McDougle, Idaho (FCS) to San Diego State, Junior || W, 24-7 vs Wyoming || 5 tackles, TFL, INT, PFF grade of 79.8
Derek Ganter Jr, Eastern Washington (FCS) to Boise State, Junior || L, 30-7 vs Fresno State || 7 tackles, PFF grade of 66.5
Special Teams
Kicker
Colton Boomer, UCF to Boise State, Junior || L, 30-7 vs Fresno State || 0/1 on FGs (blocked), 1/1 on XPs (NO OTHER QUALIFIERS)
Punter
Daniel Hughes, City College of San Francisco (JUCO) to New Mexico, Sophomore || W, 40-35 @ UNLV || 5 punts for 210 yards (average of 42), 3 downed inside 20 yard line, long of 48
Returner
Jaylon Glover, RB, Utah to UNLV, Sophomore || L, 40-35 vs New Mexico || 2 carries, 4 rush yards; 2 KRs for 46 yards (long of 28)
