9 Transfers That Could Make Impacts This Season

By Mac Brown, @SSN_GSU

As promised, the second stop of our countdown has arrived. Just like last week, this list isn’t in ascending or descending order, but rather a comprehensive list. This time it will cover the nine incoming transfers that could have a noticeable impact on the field this season. These nine players will unquestionably help determine the outcome of the 2025 season for the Georgia State Panthers. Whether that’s an improvement or a stalemate will be up to them. Let’s get into it…

1.      Branson Robinson – RB, University of Georgia

Robinson was a four-star recruit coming out of Germantown High School in Canton, MS and was rated by ESPN as the #1 running back prospect in the country in 2022. He was signed by the University of Georgia by the help of a one Dell McGee, who was UGA’s running back coach at the time. During his freshman year in Athens, Robinson showed why he was rated so high coming out of high school. Averaging 4.9 yards a carry, earning SEC Freshman of the Week in the game against Auburn, and scoring two touchdowns in the National Championship Game against TCU just to name a few. However, Robinson would miss the entirety of his 2023 sophomore season due to a knee injury suffered in fall camp. Last season, Robinson appeared in the first six games of the year and was able to find the endzone three times in those contests. Unfortunately, he would fall to injury yet again against Mississippi State and would miss the remainder of the season. From top recruit to a physical rehab regular, his time in Athens was nothing short of a roller coaster.

Robinson reunited with a familiar face on April 29th, 2025, when he signed with the Georgia State Panthers. If Robinson had signed with GSU out of high school, he would have been the highest rated recruit in school history by a wide margin. So, injury history or not, the talent level Robinson brings to GSU is rare. Due to the injury concerns combined with the late arrival on campus (i.e., didn’t play in Spring Game), it’s hard to see Robinson having an immediate impact. But because of his physical attributes and running style, there could certainly be a possibility of Robinson becoming the lead back come the later half of the season. There will be no question that Robinson will want to show that he still has the ability that earned him that #1 RB prospect in the country status. Hopefully his body will allow him to do just that.

2.      Cameran Brown – QB, Texas Tech University

Brown had a little bit of a different story than Robinson coming out of high school. Brown had no stars and only 2 offers after his time as Northside High School in Warner Robins, GA. Those two offers were from Stetson University and West Georgia. Brown headed west to Carrollton and spent two years at UWG. After a red-shirted true freshman season in 2022, Brown finally saw some action in 2023. He didn’t look back either. Brown went on to lead the Wolves to a winning record while throwing for just under 1,000 yards and rushing for just under 500. He was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year by doing so. He then, like most in his position, hit the transfer portal the following offseason. Brown ended up in Lubbock, TX at Texas Tech and appeared in eight games in his lone season in the Lone Star State. He was used for spot situations but played well when asked upon. He averaged 10.4 yards per carry and was even apart of the “hands team” for onside kicks. Brown really can do it all on the football field and that may be the reason he sees significant playing time this year. Whether at quarterback or any of the other twenty-one positions.

Brown , as of now, plays the most important position in all of organized team sports. The decision on whether it will be him starting on August 30th or another quarterback on the roster will not be taken lightly. Brown, from what the public has been able to see, has shown the most promise through training camp and could very well receive the starting nod over last seasons starter, Christian Veilleux. Brown played the best of any quarterback during the spring game in April and easily received the most reps as he ended up playing for both Team White and Team Blue. The coaches seem to like what they see in Brown and it’s not hard to see why. He’s got the mobility most coaches want at this level of play and can still put the ball down the field when needed. If another quarterback is to win the starting job in fall camp, still expect to see Brown in spot rushing situations. Brown is just a pure football player, and this coaching staff knows it.

3.      Jordan Huff – S, East Carolina University

Huff was a three-star recruit coming out of Morgan County High in Madison, GA in 2020. Huff was an “ironman” in high school, playing both sides of the ball. Based on his offensive stats, Huff probably could’ve played receiver or running back at the FBS level as well. Due to his high level of play, Huff originally signed with Georgia Tech coming out of high school. Huff saw action in eight games but was unable to produce much while out there. Same can’t be said about the classroom though as he was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll after his freshman year. In 2021, he headed over to Hutchison Community College and helped the Blue Dragons win both the KJCCC Championship and the Salt Bowl Championship. He was a key player on a defense that allowed only 12.8 points per game along with two shutouts. The following two seasons Huff would spend in Greenville, NC at East Carolina University. Huff redshirted in 2022 but in 2023 appeared in all 12 games for the Pirates. Had a career-best nine tackles against Navy and did this in one of his three starts on the year. Huff has shown that when he’s on the field, he can make an impact. It’s up to him and his coaches to see how big of one he can make in 2025.

Huff played well during the spring game back in April. He came away with a sack and a few tackles and was all over the field in the process. With his experience and high level of play through spring camp, Huff could easily be one of the starters at safety come Week 1. With the secondary losing guys like Izaiah Guy, Jyron Gilmore, and Ja’Maric Morris, it may now be crucial for guys like Huff to step up and play a bigger role. Based on what has been seen so far at camp combined with Huff’s history of playing at a high level, there’s reason to believe Huff (and others) can step up to that plate.

4.      Marlin Dean – Edge, Utah State University

Dean was a three-star prospect coming out of high school. His high school, however, was no normal high school. Dean did attend a “normal” high school his first three years when he attended Elbert County High in Georgia. Dean played well enough to then attend what is widely considered to be the most dominant boarding school in the country when it comes to athletics. That school is IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Dean helped lead IMG to a #1 national ranking and an 8-0 record in 2020. He did that while having two sacks, one interception and fumble recovery, and earning all-region honors. He signed with the Georgia Bulldogs and redshirted his 2021 freshman season. The next year he attended a junior college in Kansas and quickly became one of the best players at that level earning the nod as the #7 rated JUCO recruit. Dean then spent one year at Utah State where he didn’t see much playing time but did record 1.5 sacks in a game against San Diego State. Dean hasn’t seen much playing time at the FBS level but has shown that he can still play football at a productive level.

Dean may be the biggest question mark out of all the transfers included on the list but the pure, raw talent he has got him here. Dean held several P5 offers from some of the biggest brands in the sport. He played, albeit for one season, for one of the top high school programs in the nation. He has and has been surrounded by immense talent. Putting in all together and becoming a high-level player is a tricky task though. It’s why we see immensely talented players never reach their full potential all the time. Dean will look to use his time at Georgia State to prove that his fate is different.

5.      Djay Braswell – RB, University of South Carolina

Braswell has a similar background to Branson Robinson in that he too by all outlets was a  top 15 RB recruit coming out of high school. Braswell, again like Robinson, originally signed with a SEC East school in. His choice was the Gamecocks of the University of South Carolina. Braswell didn’t just excel on the gridiron, he excelled on the track as well. Braswell won the Georgia 2A State 100-Meter Title as a junior. Robinson may run you over with his size and power, Braswell is plain going to run right past you. Once again like Robinson, Braswell didn’t see a ton of playing time at USC and wasn’t really able to produce much when he did. In fact, Braswell was a reserve player who worked with the scout team last year. When you have two QBs on the roster who like to run and a starting RB who’s now in the NFL, you may find yourself slide down the depth chart. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what Braswell experienced. When you play Braswell’s position, a year off might not be the worst thing ever though. Just means a little extra tread on the tires for whoever gets you next.

Braswell proved he may have some tread left right away as he was the best RB on the field for the spring game. Braswell made plays on the ground and through the air and showed the breakaway speed he’s been known for. Braswell could easily become the lead back for this team that desperately needs to reestablish its identity with the run game. Because of that, it could certainly turn into an RB committee situation for the Panthers. If that is to happen, there’s no doubt Braswell will be a key member of that committee. If Braswell stays healthy and the Panthers don’t end up in situations where they have to abandon the run game early, it’s hard to see him not having a big year.

6.      Zavier Carter - LB, University of Central Florida

Carter is the defensive version of Robinson (RB) and Braswell for the Panthers. Carter was a four-star recruit by all outlets and was top 15 for his position. He graduated from Hapeville Charter Academy in Atlanta in 2021 and ended his career as one of the best linebackers in the county. Carter also attended a SEC school, but this time headed a little west over to Louisiana. Carter played two seasons at LSU and appeared in 18 games overall. He didn’t have much production during those games but did record a sack in the Cheez-It Bowl against Purdue. For the 2023 season, Carter headed even further west and found himself at UNLV. He again was not able to put up much production. Carter then again found himself in the transfer portal, this time transferring to UCF. He entered the portal again before ever playing a snap for the Knights. Based on all available information, he sat out last year and was not apart of a team. Carter has not been able to find his footing, or his home, in the current world of college football.

Carter’s real home, Atlanta, is where he’s returning for what will likely be his last chance at playing football at the next level. There’s no denying Carter’s ability when he is on the field, just like there’s no denying his inability to excel at any of his stops. Carter will look to use his time at Georgia State as one of redemption and of resilience. If he is able to return to the level of play we last saw Carter show while playing in the city of Atlanta, it could mean even more for the Panthers than it may for him. Don’t get it twisted though, both sides need each other. The better Carter plays, if at all, the better the Panthers will be. The better the Panthers are, the more likely Carter is to get attention from NFL scouts. It’s a two-way street, and Carter is the one driving.

7.      Javon Robinson – WR, Grambling State University

Robinson had no stars coming out of Homestead High School in Florida City, FL and based on available information, only had one offer. That lone offer came from FCS school, Grambling State in Louisiana. Robinson only played in two games during his freshman season in 2023 but saw action in 12 games the following year. He brought in 43 receptions for 507 yards and one touchdown. He also had 411 total return yards through kick and punt returns and returned one of those punts for a 72-yard touchdown. Robinson is a quick, shifty player standing at only 5’6 and weighing 180lbs. Robinson must use his speed and ability to miss tackles to even survive on the football field. Simply put, when you put the ball in Robinson’s hands, he’s going to get down the field. He could very well become a “Swiss Army knife” for the Panthers.

Robinson arguably played the best of any receiver for either team in the spring game in April. He had plays of big gains, breakaway speed, and even scored one of the two touchdowns on the day. Robinson could easily put up comparable numbers and look reminiscent of a similarly bodied receiver like a 2023 Tailique Williams. Williams was the second leading receiver in 2023 behind Robert Lewis and Robinson could find himself in the same position behind a Ted Hurst come this December. Whether it be through the return game, screen passes, or deep shots, Robinson will be active for the 2025 Panthers.

8.      Obadiah Obasuyi – OT, North Carolina State University

Obasuyi was a three-star recruit coming out of Alpharetta High School in 2023 and signed with the Wolfpack of NC State. He ended up redshirting his freshman year but did obtain some mass in the process by gaining 20+ pounds. Obasuyi suited up for the 2024 campaign with the Wolfpack but didn’t see much playing time. He comes over to Georgia State as a three-star prospect in the portal and carries elite size with him. Obasuyi sits at 6’5 and 325lbs and counting. He’s one of the biggest guys on the team and will look to anchor down either side of the line for the Panthers.

With his elite size and athleticism, Obasuyi could potentially end up being one of the better linemen in all the Sun Belt. Obasuyi played basketball at the prep level and threw shot put and discus in high school. His size combined with his hand skills could make for one excellent lineman for the Panthers. If the Panthers can return to a smashmouth style of football and pound the rock, it’s hard to believe that Obasuyi won’t have a huge part to do with that.

9.      Bernard Causey III – CB, Louisiana State University

Causey III was a three-star recruit while he attended John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans and was the 14th ranked player in the state of Louisiana. Causey, like Obasuyi, was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in track and field too. After several P5 offers were thrown his way, Causey III eventually signed with the LSU Tigers. Last season, in his freshman year, he didn’t see any playing time and decided to enter the transfer portal. Causey III signed with Georgia State in January of this year and played in the spring game with limited action. He’s a high-level player who just needs to find the right situation.

Based on his past, there’s no denying Causey III’s talent and his understanding of the sport. Like many players who’ve entered the transfer portal, Causey III will look to use his next stop as an opportunity to show what he really has. A defensive back from LSU is like a running back from UGA. Based on the school alone, you know that player has a high pedigree. Causey III is no different. With the thinning of the secondary right before fall camp, it’s more important now than ever for him to show the coaching staff exactly what he has. Like some, Causey III may be a one year “rental” for the Panthers. But as long as he plays at the level in which he was originally recruited at, no member of the Panther Family will complain. The landscape of college football is forever changing but one thing stays the same. New guys come into a program and want to prove to everyone they have what it takes.  All of the guys listed above, including Causey III, will look to use 2025 to do just that.

Be on the lookout next week for the next part of the countdown to the season.