The position that has the most transfers seemingly is quarterback. This leads a lot of lists of best transfers to focus on the quarterback position. While this list will cover the quarterback position, all offensive and defensive positions will also be covered. Here are the best transfers at each position:
QB: Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Stidham has just been named the starting quarterback at Auburn for the 2017 season. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he got significant playing time at Baylor two seasons ago. He then went to junior college before deciding to attend Auburn,
At Baylor Stidham threw for 1,265 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions in just ten games. He still has a lot to prove, but has some proven results. In his three games as a starter for the Bears he won two games, against Kansas State and Oklahoma State, and lost one, to Oklahoma.
Gus Malzahn has been looking for a quarterback ever since Nick Marshall graduated and Stidham may be the answer. Stidham will have a lot of talent around him and will be expected to lead the team to a good season in the difficult SEC West. The offense is built on running the ball, but he needs to complete passes in order to keep defenses honest.
RB: Chris James, Wisconsin
After spending some time in Pittsburgh, James has decided to follow in Paul Chryst’s footsteps and go to Wisconsin. He sat out last season and is ready to take on some of the heavy workload for Badger running backs.
In his two seasons as a Panther, James rushed for 690 yards on 4.8 yards per carry in limited action. He was stuck behind James Connor, one of Pitt’s best running backs of all time, for the majority of his time in Pittsburgh and never really had a chance to see too much action.
With an opening at running back this season, James will battle Bradrick Shaw for the starting job, but at Wisconsin a lot of running backs are fed the ball consistently. He will get touches and make some big plays for Wisconsin in the 2017 season.
WR: Jeff Badet, Oklahoma
Badet was in a run heavy offense last season at Kentucky, but still had 670 yards and four touchdowns. His talent is unquestioned while his lack of production is explained by the system he was in and the quarterback play he had. He decided to leave Kentucky for a more pass-happy team in Oklahoma and did not have to sit out a year because he graduated.
He played three seasons for the Wildcats and has 1,385 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Badet did the most with his opportunities in Lexington and used his time as a Wildcat to get a degree and to move up to a bigger college football program.
Baker Mayfield has to be happy that Badet is on the team. A lot of his offensive weapons are now in the NFL. Tight end Mark Andrews and Badet will most likely be Mayfield’s main targets this season. If Mayfield puts up numbers like he has the past two seasons, Badet will be a huge beneficiary.
OL: Aaron Cochran, Oklahoma State
Cal is having a tumultuous offseason, but Cochran leaving for Oklahoma State is not usually brought up as a reason why. He was also considering Auburn and Texas Tech, but the former Bear decided that being a Cowboy was the best thing for him.
Cochran started 16 games at Cal and provides some good experience. At 6’8″ 350 pounds Cochran is a mammoth of a lineman.He will now leave Pac-12 play to go to the Big 12.
The reason why Cochran’s transfer will be so impactful is that he will be protecting Mason Rudolph and clearing holes for Justice Hill. If he does so effectively the Cowboys could find themselves in the running in the College Football Playoff come the end of the season.
DL: Scott Pagano, Oregon
Pagano got a National Championship with the Clemson Tigers last season and got a degree. What a year for Pagano. He goes from being a rotational guy for the Tigers to a guy who will have to produce more for the Ducks. He saw the writing on the wall in terms of playing time at Clemson and decided to transfer out to finish his last year of eligibility.
In his limited playing time Pagano recorded 20 tackles, two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss for the champs. Those stats don’t seem like much, but Pagano was sitting behind a bunch of great defensive line athletes at Clemson that will be good at the next level.
Oregon desperately needed a guy like Pagano, who has experience playing on a great team. The defense has to improve over last year where they ranked 126th in scoring, 121st against the rush and 113rd against the pass. His main objective will be to help the Ducks limit opponents’ rushing yards.
LB: Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Does Dakota Allen really count as a transfer? Technically yes. He was at Texas Tech, got kicked out and then went to East Mississippi Community College to play JUCO football for a year. After his season at the JUCO level he was granted a waiver to return to Lubbock.
As a freshman at Texas Tech he demonstrated great potential with 87 total tackles, six tackles for loss and two interceptions. Things looked bright for his career before he was convicted of burglary. He had an impressive season at EMCC and was featured on “Last Chance U”, where he showed the world how much he had changed.
Texas Tech needs all the talent they can get on their defense and they might need to improve to save coach Kliff Kingsbury’s job. They ranked 128th in scoring and gave up a whopping 43.5 points per game. That is an embarrassing number of points allowed, even if they do put up a lot of points themselves. Allen has already become a leader on the team and could be the key to improving the defense.
DB: T.J. Jallow, Purdue
Jallow is yet another player coming from “Last Chance U” at EMCC. Purdue got a great player that will start from day one. The Boilermakers were able to beat out the likes of Louisville and Kansas for Jallow’s services.
He spent two seasons at EMCC, but really proved himself this past season. Jallow recorded 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered and seven pass break ups. He plays a physical style from his safety position, that should rub off on the rest of the team.
Purdue was solid against the pass last season, but has a spot open for Jallow to start at safety. If the pass defense can stay at a similar level and the run defense can improve, Purdue will be a much better team. If it all goes their way, they could go bowling for the first time since 2012 in Jeff Brohm’s first year as head coach. It may not be likely, but is possible.
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