New faces in new places: Spotlighting 10 transfers to watch in Week 1 of the 2024 season

More than 2,000 transfers will make their debuts at different schools this weekend, and that volume of roster turnover is impossible for even the most ardent college football fans to keep track of. With so many new faces in new places, tons of transfers will have a major impact on the outcome of the 2024 season.

For Week 1, I’m spotlighting 10 newcomers I’m interested in monitoring.

This is not a ranking of the Top 10 transfers of the 2024 cycle. Or a projection of the 10 most productive transfers this weekend. It’s 10 newcomers (almost all from Week 1’s biggest games) who bear watching.

DE Nic Scourton , Texas A&M

The former Purdue pass rusher could have a Day 1 homecoming for the Aggies on Saturday against Notre Dame. The Bryan, Texas native led the Big Ten with 10 sacks in 2023, and now the 6-4, 285-pound powerful edge gets to go up against an Irish offensive line breaking in two new starters at tackle (including a true freshman).

Scourton was a one-man band for Boilermakers, but he’s surrounded by future NFL defensive line talent at Texas A&M (Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart), so he should benefit from fewer double teams this year — starting Saturday night.

QB Cam Ward , Miami

Ward got a big bag from the Hurricanes to turn down the 2024 NFL Draft, and we’re going to find out right away what Miami paid for in Saturday’s showcase game against Florida. On paper, Ward looks like the potential missing piece for a program starving for legitimacy, and he has the best collection of weapons he’s ever had to work with.

If Ward struggles against a Florida defense that was bad in 2023, that could be a poor omen for Miami’s ACC title hopes. But if the former Wazzu quarterback slices up the Gators, then the ‘U is Back’ noise will start up immediately.

OL Seth McLaughlin , Ohio State

The Buckeyes are 50-point favorites against Akron on Saturday, so regardless of the player (new or old), it’ll be hard to make any sweeping conclusions in a game that’s billed to be a laugher … except for center Seth McLaughlin. We know the former Alabama offensive lineman can block (especially in pass protection) but has he ditched his snapping yips?

McLaughlin had all sorts of issues snapping in 2023, including multiple wayward snaps in the Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. He’s reportedly had no issues in fall camp, but what happens when the games count now?

WR Julian Fleming , Penn State

Fleming was buried on Ohio State’s offense the last four years, as the former 5-star prospect was firmly in the Buckeyes’ receiver rotation but he hasn’t lived up to his blue-chip billing. The hope is a return back to his home state will allow Fleming to flourish as PSU’s WR1.

The Nittany Lions ranked 10th in the league in passing explosiveness last season — behind the likes of Northwestern, Minnesota and Michigan State. Producing more vertical shots has been an emphasis all offseason, and we’ll find out quickly if Fleming can help Penn State unlock a new element in its offense in a marquee game at West Virginia.

QB Riley Leonard , Notre Dame

Which version of Riley Leonard will we see Saturday night against Texas A&M? The 2022 Leonard, who led Duke to a 9-win season and was one of the more fun dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, or 2023 Leonard, who was hampered by injuries and had just three passing touchdowns in seven games?

Leonard has Heisman Trophy contender potential, and he should be a strong fit in new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system. Will he be ready on Day 1, though? How is he moving around? Is he still a sack-escape artist? He better be — because Notre Dame’s playoff hopes could hinge on securing a win in College Station on Saturday night.

QB Max Brosmer , Minnesota

Brosmer led the FCS in passing yards per game last year at New Hampshire and has 80 total touchdowns in five seasons. Now he’s making the jump to a power conference and he’s tasked with jumpstarting a passing attack that averaged just 143 yards per game in 2023.

While Brosmer represents an upgrade over Athan Kaliakmanis , he faces a tricky challenge in Week 1 going up against a new-look North Carolina defense — potentially without star tailback Darius Taylor or top wideout Daniel Jackson .

WR Colbie Young , Georgia

Young was Miami’s No. 3 receiver the last two years, hauling in 10 touchdowns at the Hurricanes’ top red zone threat. The 6-3, 216-pound junior gives Georgia its first true big-bodied split-end since Javon Wims (another UM transfer).

Young was hampered with a hamstring injury for much of fall camp, but the word is he should be good to go against Clemson. The Tigers have a pair of quality corners in Avieon Terrell and Jeadyn Lukus, so if Young comes up with a couple of big catches Saturday that could be a very positive sign on his future impact on the Bulldogs’ offense the rest of the year.

DE Dayon Hayes , Colorado

The former Pitt end is one of 11 new defensive linemen to join Colorado’s program this offseason, and Hayes has an opportunity to showcase his skills immediately in Week 1 against North Dakota State’s physical ground game. The Bison rushed for 47 touchdowns last season, while the Buffs ranked in the 100s nationally defending the run.

Hayes is just 265 pounds, but he led the Panthers with 10.5 tackles for loss in 2023.

LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold , USC

One of USC’s biggest offseason additions was Oregon State transfer linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold. The senior was a First-Team All-Pac 12 performer in 2023, stuffing the stat sheet on a feisty Beavers defense. He financed the year No. 3 in the league in tackles (107), adding 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two picks and a slew of hurries.

The Trojans badly need help on their front seven, and Mascarenas-Arnold will be tested right away going up against LSU tight end Mason Taylor and the Tigers’ explosive offense.

WR CJ Daniels , LSU

The Tigers must replace a pair of first-round receivers, so they went out and portal’d in one of the most explosive playmakers from the G5. Daniels finished second in C-USA with 1,067 receiving yards, with 10 touchdowns on 55 receptions.

On Sunday night in Las Vegas, the Baton Rouge native will get to square up against USC’s revamped secondary which features as many as five new starters. It will be interesting to see if he has immediate chemistry with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier .

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