The 12 Most Impactful Transfers In College Football History

The transfer portal has significantly changed college football, allowing players to move between teams and immediately impact their new programs. This shift began in 2021 with the NIL era and the one-time transfer rule, which was further expanded in 2024 to allow unlimited transfers without a waiting period. This has led to successful transfers making substantial impacts, such as:

• Joe Burrow, who transferred from Ohio State to LSU, leading them to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy.
• Cam Newton, who left Florida for Auburn, winning the Heisman and a national title.
• Baker Mayfield, who moved from Texas Tech to Oklahoma, winning the Heisman and leading the team to two playoff appearances.
• Kyler Murray, transferring from Texas A&M to Oklahoma, repeated Mayfield's success with a Heisman win and playoff appearances.
• Caleb Williams, moving from Oklahoma to USC, winning the Heisman and being drafted first overall by the Bears.
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