The Lead
Paddy McAteer kicked an American football for the first time in April 2024. He was 20, a Gaelic football goalkeeper from County Armagh. Four months later he was at Troy.
On Saturday, Indiana trailed Minnesota by three with time running out. A backup quarterback who also came through the portal hit a 33-yard completion with two seconds left. McAteer lined up from 60 yards. Curt Cignetti gave him two words: "Swing smooth."
The kick tied the game as time expired, the longest field goal in Indiana history. Indiana won in overtime. "I'm sure 8-year-old Paddy is somewhere very proud," McAteer said.
This Week's Read
No. 2 Ohio State lost at USC. Syracuse beat No. 19 SMU with 17 seconds left. Iowa State beat No. 24 Oklahoma State on the last play. Our Week 9 story follows the transfer in the middle of each.
The backup who waited. Steve Angeli spent three seasons at Notre Dame, most of them as a backup. He won the job at Syracuse in 2025, then tore his Achilles in Week 4 against Clemson. On Saturday he threw the 2-yard touchdown that beat SMU with 17 seconds left. "He's the leader of our football team," Fran Brown said.
The quarterback who was pulled. Jaylen Raynor followed his Arkansas State quarterbacks coach to Iowa State. A week before Saturday, he was pulled in a 39-3 loss. Against Oklahoma State he threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 51-49 win. "He's a winner," Jimmy Rogers said.
The one who followed his coach. C.J. Hicks won a national title at Ohio State, then followed Brian Hartline to USF. On Saturday he had four sacks, tying the school record, and forced two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.
The one who came home. Deven Bryant grew up a short drive from the Coliseum, played three seasons at Washington, and wanted a bigger role. A year after making nine tackles against Ohio State in a loss, he made 11 for USC in a 30-18 win.
The Market Moved
A Senate memo put a clock on the PCSA. Front Office Sports reported Oct. 29 that the Senate Commerce Committee's Republican staff director told SEC commissioner Greg Sankey in a July 31 memo, "After the election, because of who is likely to win the House, you won't see this bill... being considered." The SEC and Big Ten endorsed the bill less than two hours later. So what: with the election behind us, the House has weeks before this Congress ends in January. Staffs and agents should plan the January window under the rules already in place.
What's moving: transfers are deciding games in November. All five players behind Week 9's biggest finishes are in their first or second season at their new school.
Worth your time
GOP Staffer Urged SEC to Support College Sports Bill Before Midterms (Front Office Sports, Oct. 29). For staffs and agents: the memo, the conference response and why the calendar decides the House vote.
From the Field
General managers are making the call. All three programs that joined the network in the past two weeks came on through their general manager. If you represent players, know who holds that job at the programs you call.
The Toolbox · Before January
Staffs. Start with the players your coaches already know. Hicks followed his head coach to USF. Raynor followed his quarterbacks coach to Iowa State. Have each assistant list the players he recruited or coached at past stops who are on other rosters now. Start your calls there.
Agents. Pitch the fit. Angeli, Raynor and Bryant all moved to start. Show a general manager where your client fits on his depth chart, with this season's snaps and his last four games of film.
Athletes. Ask where you will start. Before you commit, ask who else the staff is recruiting at your position and where you will line up in spring practice. Bryant left Washington for a bigger role at USC. Know the role before you sign.
New on the network
Trivia, two this week.
An American Conference program joined the network. Its head coach is in his first season, and its team takes its name from a color.
A Big 12 program joined too. Its head coach is in his first season at the school where he played quarterback, and its city calls itself the Little Apple.
The Trusted Takeaway
Every big finish in Week 9 had a transfer in the middle of it. Each one started with a choice made long before Saturday.
Explore the network: for staffs · for agents · for athletes
Which transfer this season has surprised you most? Reply to this email or write [email protected].
