The advent of Name, Image, and Likeness deals and changing of eligibility transfer rules have super charged the transfer portal in recent years. Record numbers of players have transferred in search of more playing time, a better fit, or more money.
An influx of new players arriving and departing every year has become the norm, and it’s only likely to get worse in the coming years. It’s more important now than ever for coaches to recruit the transfer portal. Landing the right Power Four cast-off or finding a hidden gem in the FCS can turn a team into a title contender. Missing on transfers can set a program back years.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top new transfers in the Mountain West at what is basically the midway point of the season.
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WR Danny Scudero, San Jose State
The former Sacramento State Hornet has burst onto the scene with a Mountain West-leading 50 catches for 845 yards and eight touchdowns through six games. The conference’s next-leading receiver, San Diego State’s Jordan Napier, has 37 catches for 553 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s the second straight season that the Spartans have the conference’s top receiver. Nick Nash led the way with 104 catches for 1,328 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. He had 62 catches through the first six games.
QB Anthony Colandrea, UNLV
A veteran of 17 starts in two seasons at Virginia, Colandrea is a big part of why the Rebels are 6-0 for the first time since 1974. He has been one of the most productive and consistent quarterbacks in the conference. The junior has thrown for 1,403 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s also No. 2 at UNLV with 323 rushing yards and No. 3 with three rushing touchdowns.
RB Rayshon Luke, Fresno State
Luke was one of the conference’s more unheralded additions, but the former Arizona Wildcat has scored seven total touchdowns, which is tied for No. 2 in the Mountain West. He averages 6.5 yards a carry, leads Fresno State with five rushing touchdowns, and ranks No. 2 on the team with 384 rushing yards. The redshirt junior is also tied for No. 3 on the team with 19 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
TE Dorian Thomas, New Mexico
Another Arizona transfer, Thomas has emerged as New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne’s favorite target. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound redshirt sophomore leads the Lobos and all tight ends in the Mountain West with 32 catches. He also leads New Mexico with four touchdown catches and ranks No. 2 on the team with 348 receiving yards.
CB Aamaris Brown, UNLV
The surprise star of this year’s transfer class is Brown, who leads the Mountain West and ranks No. 2 in the country with four interceptions. He also ranks No. 5 at UNLV with 26 tackles and has three tackles for loss and two sacks to his credit. He’s one of two defensive backs in the conference that has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, including a 67-yard pick-six against Miami (Ohio). Brown began his career at Kansas State in 2020 and spent three seasons (2022-24) at USF, where he started 25 games and earned honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2023.
Also considered: QB EJ Warner, Fresno State; RB Miles Davis, Utah State; QB Jayden Denegal, San Diego State; LB Jaxton Eck, New Mexico; RB Scottre Humphrey, New Mexico; RB Damon Bankston, New Mexico; RB Malik Sherrod, Boise State.
