College Football: Three Transfer Portal Players to Watch in 2022

It's not even four years old, but it's hard to even remember what college football was like before the creation of the transfer portal. Often stuck on depth charts or in a situation that didn't suit them, players in the past had limited options to further their athletic careers. Now, it's never been easier to leave school (too easy in the eyes of some) if a better opportunity comes knocking.

It's hard to be mad at players doing what they feel is right for them; coaches have operated in a similar manner for decades. Granted, the portal does add an extra layer of stress to the typically low-key college football offseason, but finding talent in unexpected places is a game in itself. What separates the best coaching staffs from the rest isn't just work on the recruiting trail. It's the ability to find value and talent just about anywhere. Here are three transfers that, while not receiving a ton of attention right now, should be household names by December.

QB Dillon Gabriel - Oklahoma

Dillon Gabriel seems like a signal caller tailor-made for the gunsligning Big 12. The former UCF Knight suffered through a broken clavicle in 2021, but he's a proven performer when given the chance. Gabriel tossed 61 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions over his first two years in college. While the competition in the American Athletic Conference wasn't exactly intimidating, that level of success should carry over to the Sooners, who have had great success with QB's in recent seasons. While Brett Venables isn't the quarterback whisperer Lincoln Riley was, new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, brought over from Ole Miss, is one of the better offensive minds in the game. All signs are pointing to a breakout season for the newest face of Oklahoma football.

"Nationally, that's one of the biggest transfers in the sport this past cycle ... There's a lot of weight on his shoulders this year."

🗣️ @LateKickJosh breaks down why Dillon Gabriel could be a major difference for @OU_Football in 2022.@OU247 pic.twitter.com/GkFTZwmhB8
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 9, 2022

RB/ATH Jahmyr Gibbs - Alabama

As good as they were last season, the Crimson Tide didn't rely on their running backs as much as fans are accustomed to seeing. While their newest transfer isn't exactly Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs brings plenty of explosiveness to the 'Bama backfield. In his sophomore year at Georgia Tech, Gibbs had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in addition to over 500 yards and a touchdown as a punt returner. A dynamic rusher and receiver, Gibbs is the kind of chess piece great coaches get the most out of. After another draft-day exodus of skill position talent, Nick Saban should be elated to land an all-purpose weapon like Gibbs.

RBs with the most receiving yards on screen passes last season

1. Jahmyr Gibbs: 215
2. TreVeyon Henderson: 182
3. Travis Dye: 175 pic.twitter.com/tlG4ouXFfY
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 7, 2022

S Brandon Joseph - Notre Dame

Although he went 14th overall, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton had a real argument as the best player in his draft class. Versatile and quick to react, the intangibles Hamilton brought to the Irish secondary made him one of the nation's most valuable defenders. To prevent a major drop-off at the position this coming season, first-year head coach Marcus Freeman snagged an elite talent in Joseph from Northwestern. One of the best ballhawks in the nation (nine interceptions in his past two seasons), Joseph is a rangy athlete that has the talent to become a first-round talent like his South Bend predecessor. As far as replacements go, Joseph is as good as it gets.