The offseason saw a lot of movement in the transfer portal, as notable big names found new homes. Here's a look at the biggest transfer portal additions in the Big 12 entering the 2022 college football season.
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10. OL Alan Ali, TCU
Alan Ali signed with SMU as a three-star prospect in the 2017 class. Now, he's following head coach Sonny Dykes to TCU, where he should make an immediate impact. Ali was an all-conference selection with the Mustangs, starting several games throughout his career in Dallas and has shown the ability to play all over the offensive line.
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9. DT Jeffery Johnson, Oklahoma
Jeffery Johnson signed with Tulane out of high school as a high three-star. After blossoming in New Orleans with the Green Wave, Johnson has made the move to Norman to play for defensive-minded Brent Venables at Oklahoma. Johnson started four seasons at Tulane and provides the Sooners with an experienced defender in the trenches.
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8. QB Adrian Martinez, Kansas State
Adrian Martinez inked with Nebraska as a Rivals100 prospect in 2017. There were highs and lows during Martinez's tenure in Lincoln, flashing star ability at times and struggling mightily at others. A fresh start at Kansas State gives Martinez a chance to bounce back and find his footing in the Big 12.
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7. DT Jaxon Player, Baylor
Former Waco (Texas) Midway defensive lineman Jaxon Player has returned to the area where he played on Friday nights. Player arrives at Baylor after impressing at Tulsa, earning all-conference honors multiple times - including a First-Team All-AAC nod in 2020. Dave Aranda has made a career of building strong defenses, and Player fits into that perfectly.
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6. OG McKade Mettauer, Oklahoma
Oklahoma had some struggles along the offensive line in 2021. Adding former Cal offensive lineman McKade Mettauer has a chance to help get things back on track in that regard for the Sooners. The Houston native started for three seasons in the Pac-12 and gives Brent Venables and Bill Bedenbaugh an experienced, plug-and-play player.
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5. CB Mark Perry, TCU
TCU was hit hard in the transfer portal, losing both Zach Evans (Ole Miss) and Ochaun Mathis (Nebraska) this offseason. That made landing a player such as Mark Perry, a starter in the secondary, so important.
Perry made more than 60 tackles from his defensive back position in 2021, also adding three interceptions and becoming a key starter on the Colorado defense last fall. Perry has made a strong impression in practices with the Horned Frogs and is set to have a big role.
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4. OL Cole Spencer, Texas Tech
Former Western Kentucky offensive lineman Cole Spencer may not be the flashiest name, but his transfer to Texas Tech has the chance to pay off in a big way for Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. Spencer started 44 games along the offensive line for the Hilltoppers, earning first-team all-conference honors last season.
Spencer followed offensive coordinator Zach Kittley from Bowling Green to Lubbock, so there should not be much of an adjustment needed in regards to fitting in the scheme. He is a plug-and-play player at guard with the ability to slide out to tackle.
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3. WR Isaiah Neyor, Texas
Texas went out and added more firepower for Steve Sarkisian to work with in year two of his tenure. Isaiah Neyor comes to Austin after starring at Wyoming, catching 44 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2021.
Neyor features big-play ability, evidenced by more than 20 yards per reception, and he has a chance to be the No. 2 receiver in a talented offense. Neyor should complement star wideout Xavier Worthy well and become a favorite target of whoever wins the QB battle in Austin.
2. QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
Speaking of the quarterback battle at Texas, Quinn Ewers lands at No. 2 on this list. The former five-star passer was rated as the No. 1 overall player in the nation coming out of high school - despite enrolling a year early.
The reason Ewers does not top these rankings is simply inexperience. It still remains to be seen what Ewers can do on the collegiate level. However, he looks to be in line to win the starting position in Steve Sarkisian's offense, and the talent that he possesses is evident.
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1. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
Coming in at the top spot is Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who transferred into Norman from UCF. Gabriel signed with the Golden Knights as a high three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class from Hawaii. He threw for more than 8,000 yards and recorded a 70-to-14 interception ratio during three seasons in Orlando.
Now at Oklahoma, Gabriel has the opportunity to put up big numbers on a bigger stage during Brent Venables' first season in Norman. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby puts his quarterbacks in great positions to succeed on the field, and Gabriel should thrive in the system.
