The transfer market was loaded with talent this past offseason, and transferring can make or break careers. Guys like Davis Webb and Baker Mayfield were fantasy gold after transferring. However, sometimes players like Everett Golson or Jake Heaps can’t make anything out of their second chance. With a little over a month until the start of the season, it’s time to look at the top transfers with the biggest fantasy impact.
10. Jalen Brown, Northwestern
Brown may not have produced eye-grabbing numbers at Oregon during his original tenure there, but something just feels right at Northwestern. Brown was the No. 12 receiver in his recruiting class coming into Oregon, and he’s shown flashes at Oregon by averaging 16.7 yards per catch last season. With Austin Carr playing in New England now, Jalen Brown could be a huge fantasy player if the Wildcats utilize his talents, similar to Carr in 2017.
9. Max Browne, Pittsburgh
Pat Narduzzi seems to enjoy bringing in guys to play quarterback rather than recruiting them, as this will be the third straight season with a transfer at the helm. Browne didn’t impress anyone last season at USC, getting beat out for the job in the early part of the season, but the Pro-Style system at Pitt favors Browne’s skill set. Browne won’t produce the largest numbers, but he will produce consistent numbers just as Nathan Peterman did last season.
8. Brandon Harris, North Carolina
Brandon Harris is a hard player to predict. He was looking to finally break out last season but seemed to have lost his confidence after a high profile loss to the Wisconsin Badgers. Had he transferred anywhere else, he may not have made this list, but I’ve seen what Larry Fedora can do with a mobile quarterback. Fedora’s Motion Offense made a 3,000-yard passer out of Marquise Williams and will benefit Harris greatly if he can take advantage of it. Harris threw for 2,756 yards in his 22 games at LSU and rushed for 370 yards.
7. De’Andre Johnson, FAU
De’Andre Johnson’s signing to FAU caught everyone’s attention with him being the first signing in Lane Kiffin’s initial signing class as the coach of the Owls. Jason Driskel may have the job now, but a talent like Johnson isn’t one you leave on the bench the whole season. Johnson threw for 2,646 yards while posting another 834 yards on the ground with 31 total touchdowns at EMCC last season, and when he takes the job over, he’s going to be a huge fantasy play.[the_ad id=”384″]
6. David Cornwell, Nevada
Alabama transfer David Cornwell’s situation seems to be getting better and better after his move to Nevada. Cornwell is moving from backup quarterback to the head guy in a pass heavy offensive system under Jay Norvell and Matt Mumme. With James Butler’s surprise transfer to Iowa, Cornwell will be the guy in Nevada’s offense making him an interesting pick
5. Blake Barnett, Arizona State
I would have Barnett higher on this list, but with Manny Wilkins still listed as the starting quarterback for the Sun Devils, I’m a bit hesitant. Barnett was a five-star talent coming out of high school, and we didn’t get to see a lot out of him at Alabama after Jalen Hurts won the job last season. Billy Napier is bringing in a pro-style offensive system, which favors Barnett’s skill set, and with a talented receiving corp headlined by N’Keal Harry, all signs are pointing to a big season for Barnett if he can supplant Wilkins.
4. Malik Zaire, Florida
After getting injured and getting beat out by Deshone Kizer, Zaire has decided to take his talents to Florida. After beating out Everett Golson, it seemed as though Zaire was going to be the next star quarterback for Notre Dame, but now he’s going to give Florida its best quarterback in a while. Zaire threw for six total touchdowns in his career at Notre Dame and had two on the ground. He also posted 1,140 total yards for the Irish in his limited playing time. He may not have big numbers on paper, but anyone who has seen this kid play knows he’s going to make all the difference for the Gators, who are looking to win the SEC East for the third straight season.
3. Kyle Allen, Houston
Even without Tom Herman leading the charge for the Cougars this season, Allen still ranks top three on this list. After two seasons at Texas A&M, Allen decided to leave the Aggies program due to the culture built around it. After sitting out a full season and learning under Tom Herman, Houston shouldn’t miss a beat after losing Greg Ward. Allen was the No. 1 quarterback prospect in a class that included Will Grier and Deshaun Watson. At Texas A&M, Allen threw for 3,532 yards in 20 games and had 33 touchdowns in the air. Look for big things from Allen at Houston.
2. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
The former five-star recruit out of Stephenville, Texas has already started turning some heads this offseason. After Jarrett Stidham’s transfer in wake of the scandal at Baylor, he was one of the hottest players on the market and War Eagle landed him. Stidham showed signs of whats to come by throwing for 267 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s A-Day. If it weren’t for the stacked backfield at Auburn Stidham would lead all transfers in fantasy points. Look for Auburn to make a splash again in the SEC West.
1. Will Grier, West Virginia
In another life, Grier would be in the NFL now after two seasons as the starting quarterback at Florida. With this not being the case after testing positive for PED’s, Grier gained a chance to prove himself in 2017 as a mountaineer. In his six games (five starts) as a Gator, Grier threw for 1,202 yards with 10 touchdowns and three picks. In Dana Holgorsen’s pass-heavy offensive scheme, Will Grier will thrive and lead all transfers in fantasy points in 2017 in his walk of redemption. Expect 3,500-plus passing yards from Grier this season.