Week 7 in the SEC delivered conference matchups that drastically altered The Hustler’s power rankings. As teams settled into the beginning of conference play, it became clear that transfers are shaping the identity of programs across the SEC. Whether stepping into high-pressure roles or providing key depth, these newcomers are leaving their mark. For that reason, The Hustler highlighted one standout transfer who’s helping to define each program’s start to the season.
1. Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
Standout transfer: Trinidad Chambliss
Ole Miss was on a bye last week and remains at No. 1 in the Hustler’s power rankings. The Rebels have proven themselves on both sides of the ball this season, and they are the only team with three conference wins — defeating Kentucky, Arkansas and LSU.
The standout transfer for the Rebels without a doubt is starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who transferred from the defending Division II champion Ferris State. In each of the last three games, Chambliss threw for 300 yards and added 50 or more rushing yards, driving the Rebels’ offense forward with his playmaking creativity.
Ole Miss returns to action at home on Oct. 11 to face the Washington State Cougars, a non-conference opponent that will arguably be the best passing offense the Rebels have faced thus far. The game will provide the Rebels with another opportunity to fine tune their defense and keep their undefeated season alive ahead of a return to SEC play.
2. Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0)
Standout transfer: KC Concepcion
Texas A&M faced Mississippi State last week, taking a decisive 31-9 win. Per usual, the Aggies put on a defensive clinic. They held the Bulldogs to just one field goal and one touchdown, which came in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. However, the Texas A&M offense struggled early on, partly due to disruptive defensive play from the Bulldogs and partly due to the sheer number of penalties, with three coming in the Aggies’ first offensive possession. Texas A&M picked up the pace as the game went on, scoring 17 of its points in the fourth quarter.
Texas A&M’s standout transfer is wide receiver KC Concepcion, who caught two touchdowns to give the Aggies a comfortable lead over Mississippi State. Concepcion has been a vital part of the Texas A&M offense since his transfer from N.C. State last winter. The Aggies now take on Florida at home on Saturday as they look to retain their undefeated record.
3. Alabama (4-1, 2-0)
Standout transfer: Isaiah Horton
Alabama secured a 30-14 home victory over the Commodores, climbing two spots to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 and moving up one place in the Hustler’s power rankings. The Crimson Tide put on a defensive masterclass in the second half of the game, not allowing the Commodores to score a point while slowly sealing the game away with three consecutive field goals by Conor Talty. Alabama’s offense took control by capitalizing on key Vanderbilt turnovers, racking up 340 passing yards and 146 rushing yards. After a rough start to the season with a loss to Florida State, the Crimson Tide bounced back by defeating back-to-back ranked SEC opponents.
The standout transfer for the Crimson Tide is wide receiver Isaiah Horton, who joined the team after spending three seasons at Miami. Horton was crucial to Alabama’s victory on Saturday, recording five catches for 66 yards and averaging 16.5 yards per catch against Vanderbilt’s defense. Next, Alabama hits the road to face No. 14 Missouri at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers, coming off a bye week, will look to stay undefeated and make a statement against the surging Crimson Tide.
4. Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0)
Standout transfer: Isaiah Satenga III
Oklahoma got a break from a grueling conference schedule last week, taking on the struggling Kent State Golden Flashes. The Sooners cruised to a 44-0 shutout win with backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. taking over for injured starter John Mateer. Hawkins Jr. put on a stellar performance, passing for 162 yards and three touchdowns and running for another. Additionally, freshman Tory Baylock rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries. This marks another dominant win for the Sooners, but the toughest games are still ahead. In a few weeks, the Sooners will take on No. 4 Ole Miss, and a couple of weeks later they will play No. 8 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Isaiah Satenga III was the transfer standout against Kent State, catching two touchdown passes against the Golden Flashes. Satenga has been a key piece as a wideout and a kick returner, arriving in Norman after spending three years at Arkansas. The Sooners now take on Texas in Austin this Saturday.
5. Georgia (4-1, 2-1)
Standout transfer: Zachariah Branch
Georgia earned a 35-14 victory over Kentucky at home, and, as a result, it rose two spots in The Hustler’s power rankings. The Wildcats had trouble containing the Bulldogs’ offense, and by the 4:23 mark in the third quarter, Georgia had built a commanding 35-7 lead. Even with a bounce-back performance after a devastating loss to Alabama, Georgia is still seeking to play cleaner and limit its mistakes.
When it comes to the transfer portal, wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who arrived from USC, has made an immediate impact. Through five games, he’s recorded 18 receptions for 234 yards, the second highest receiving total on the team, proving to be a valuable addition to Georgia’s offensive arsenal.
Georgia goes on the road next to face Auburn, who have yet to earn a win in conference play.
6. LSU (4-1, 1-1)
Standout transfer: Patrick Payton
LSU suffered a major loss to now-No. 4 Ole Miss during Week 5, but the team had a chance to recover this week with a bye. LSU has won the rest of its matchups, but none of the performances have been particularly stunning. With only a 20-10 win against Florida, LSU has yet to prove itself as a truly elite SEC football team this year. Although the defense has performed well, the offense has struggled, leaving questions around how good the Tigers truly are.
The transfer standout at LSU this season has been defensive end Patrick Payton. Although his numbers are not as prolific as they were at Florida State, he is still adapting to the defensive scheme and is valuable as an edge rusher.
7. Tennessee (4-1, 1-1)
Standout transfer: Joey Aguilar
In Week 5, Tennessee faced its second conference opponent, Mississippi State, in a thrilling matchup. Despite trailing on the road, it battled back to secure a 41-34 victory. With a bye week, Tennessee remains tucked into the middle of the pack in the SEC. A major storyline for Tennessee during the offseason was the departure of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to UCLA, which raised concerns about the offense’s ability to perform this year.
Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State, has not only filled out this position but has excelled. He currently ranks second in the SEC in passing yards with 1,459, trailing only Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Tennessee will return to action this Saturday, hosting Arkansas at Neyland Stadium.
8. Missouri (5-0, 1-0)
Standout transfer: Ahmad Hardy
Week 6 was Missouri’s bye week. The Tigers are currently undefeated, which, although a feat, has not cemented it as an elite SEC team. Missouri’s only conference win was over South Carolina, who are currently 3-2 and fell out of the AP Poll’s Top 25 weeks ago. Missouri has displayed a powerful defensive presence so far, only allowing an average of 14.6 points per game. Although the Tigers’ offense has produced well, they have yet to play against an elite defense which could shut them down.
Running back Ahmad Hardy is the standout transfer at Missouri. After making the move from Louisiana-Monroe, Hardy has been explosive for the Tigers’ offense with nine touchdowns and 703 rushing yards this season. The Tigers will have a chance to prove themselves this Saturday, taking on No. 8 Alabama at home.
9. Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1)
Standout transfer: CJ Heard
Vanderbilt fell to Alabama 30-14 on the road, as the Crimson Tide shut down the Commodores in the second half. The game began on a high note for Vanderbilt with an impressive 65-yard touchdown by Sedrick Alexander. However, the momentum quickly faded as the Commodores struggled to convert offensively, including a costly red zone fumble. Alabama’s defense completely stifled Vanderbilt in the second half, preventing any further scoring by the Commodores. While the Commodores couldn’t recreate last year’s upset, this performance still stands as a respectable showing in a tough road environment.
The standout transfer is safety CJ Heard from FAU, who has quickly established himself as a dependable presence in the secondary. Known for his quick decision-making and ability to disrupt opposing offenses, Heard showcased his impact against South Carolina, recording an impressive 12 solo tackles earlier this year. Vanderbilt is on a bye this week and will return to host LSU on Oct. 18.
10. South Carolina (3-2, 1-2)
Standout transfer: Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
South Carolina has yet to prove itself despite being packed with talent. The Gamecocks were on a bye in Week 6, giving them a chance to reset after a shaky start to the season. Ranked No. 13 in the AP preseason poll, South Carolina has struggled to live up to the hype. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has not elevated the offense nearly as much as he was expected to. It may be due to his weak offensive line, but Sellers needs to build more consistent footwork and improve his decision making passing from the pocket. This Saturday, the Gamecocks take on the LSU Tigers. If they can win that matchup, they may be able to solidify their case for being one of the better teams in the SEC.
Although South Carolina did not receive any phenomenal transfers this year, one player who has made a solid impact is defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. Coming from Texas A&M, he has cemented himself as an impactful player with the second-highest PFF grade on defense. South Carolina now takes on LSU this weekend in Baton Rouge.
11. Auburn (3-2, 0-2)
Standout transfer: Xavier Atkins
Auburn was on a bye but still climbed two spots in our power rankings due to movement from other teams. Despite its losses to conference opponents — Texas A&M and Oklahoma — this year, both defeats came by a touchdown or less, showing that Auburn can compete but struggles to close out games. This was especially true in its matchup against Texas A&M, where the offense stalled on the final drive.
Linebacker Xavier Atkins, a transfer from LSU, has been a great addition to the defense. Atkins recorded 10 total tackles and forced a fumble against Texas A&M, which helped the Tigers stay in the game. Auburn will host Georgia on Oct. 11, seeking its first conference win.
12. Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2)
Standout transfer: Brenen Thompson
Mississippi State ran into No. 5 Texas A&M last week, a tough task for any team in the country. Texas A&M pulled out a dominant win over the Bulldogs, 31-9. Until the end of the third quarter, Mississippi State held the Aggies to just one touchdown. However, the Bulldogs’ defense gassed out completely as there was an onslaught of scoring from the Texas A&M offense to close out the game.
After playing two seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners, transfer standout Brenen Thompson is now at Mississippi State and has been a key piece in the Bulldogs’ offense as a wide receiver. The Bulldogs will now take a much-needed bye week to reset.
13. Florida (2-3, 1-1)
Standout transfer: J. Michael Sturdivant
Florida dominated Texas, 29-21, this past Saturday, and the result showed that Texas is perhaps not as good as their preseason ranking suggested. As a result, the Gators moved up one spot in our power rankings. Florida has struggled to win games, but this win has cooled some of the heat from head coach Billy Napier’s seat. Even so, this team still has a lot to prove, especially considering how high the expectations were coming into the season. The offense looked sluggish and ineffective to begin the season — highlighted by quarterback DJ Langway’s five-interception performance against LSU that many fans won’t forget soon.
Wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, a transfer from UCLA, is one of the few transfers that is performing well. Though he doesn’t have many receptions, he usually gains needed yards to pick up first downs in important moments. Florida will travel to College Station, Texas, to face Texas A&M on Oct. 11.
14. Texas (3-2, 0-1)
Standout transfer: Maraad Watson
Texas has proven itself to be a bottom-tier SEC team this season after two losses. This past week, Texas suffered a loss to Florida, 29-21. By the end of the fourth quarter, the Gators already led with a score of 29-14, but unfortunately for Texas, one late touchdown wasn’t enough to get the win. Formerly the No. 1 ranked team, the Longhorns have yet to earn a signature win this year. They’ve lost to any program that gives them a challenge.
Texas’ transfer portal was also somewhat disappointing this year. It picked up defensive lineman Maraad Watson from Syracuse, but he has yet to be a standout player on the team. However, he’s probably the best transfer that Texas received this year. The Red River Rivalry awaits this Saturday in a highly-anticipated matchup with Oklahoma.
15. Kentucky (2-3, 0-3)
Standout transfer: Seth Mcgowan
Kentucky went on the road against Georgia this past Saturday and lost 35-14. The Wildcats have struggled to beat any conference opponents this season due to their ineffective offense. Many loyal Wildcat fans want Mark Stoops fired because of his inability to win important games. The main issue lies with the offensive line’s inability to protect the quarterback. Running back Seth McGowan, a transfer from New Mexico State, has been a great addition to the team, providing the Wildcats with seven touchdowns over five games. Kentucky is on a bye this week and will return to host Texas on Oct. 18.
16. Arkansas (2-3, 0-1)
Standout transfer: Julian Neal
Despite starting the season 2-0, Arkansas has lost its past three games against ranked opponents — Ole Miss, Memphis and Notre Dame. They had a bye week this past Saturday, but even if they had played, it would take a big-time win for the Razorbacks to prove themselves as anything but a bottom-tier SEC football team. In the upcoming week, Arkansas is set to play against No. 12 Tennessee. If it could somehow pull out a win, it would be a major boost for its rankings.
Transfer Julian Neal has stood out as a skilled cornerback for the Razorbacks. He has 18 solo tackles and two interceptions this season. Neal transferred to Arkansas from Stanford after spending the previous four years at Fresno State.
