Nov 22, 2014; Birmingham, AL, USA; UAB Blazers running back Jordan Howard (7) runs the ball during the second half against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Legion Field. Marshall defeated UAB 23-18. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
These college football players didn’t begin their careers here but after transferring to their new school will make a big impact on the sport in 2015.
A new wave of recruiting is beginning to creep into college football with more graduates looking to transfer out of their program to play their last year elsewhere.
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This form of free agency isn’t unprecedented with former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson the most common and most successful example of a grad transfer after he led Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl in his one year with the Badgers.
Grad transfers don’t have to sit out a year like other transfers who leave a program before receiving their degree so they are popular for coaches looking for a plug-and-play starter to give underclassmen time to develop. Three quarterbacks fall into this grad transfer group who appear on this list of impact transfers, but they have three very different reasons for their transfer.
Joining them on this list of impact transfers are also players making the leap from the junior college ranks and are either getting their first taste of major college football or used a year in junior college to get a fresh start after being dismissed or leaving their original program they signed with out of high school.
So no matter the route they took to get to where they are today, here are the top 15 players in new places who will make a big impact for their teams and become household names in the college football universe this year.
In total, the SEC leads the way with six players and Auburn and Louisville are tied with the most players with three apiece.
After reading through the list, please offer up your pick for the transfer who will have the biggest impact this year and who you believe was the biggest snub.
Next: Chad Kelly
Nov 2, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Chad Kelly (11) runs with the ball past Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackle Donte Wilkins (93) to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. The Tigers won 59-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Alvin Kamara
Apr 12, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view Neyland Stadium during the Tennessee Volunteers orange and white spring game. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Next: JoVon Robinson
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers helmet during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Dede Westbrook
Apr 11, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) avoids Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Kane Snowden (59) during the spring football game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Red wins 20-7 over White. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
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12
Dede Westbrook
WR, Oklahoma
Dede Westbrook had 76 receptions for 1,487 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games for Blinn Junior College last year and was the nation’s No. 3 receiver and No. 14 JUCO recruit. He’s already in line to start for Oklahoma this year after enrolling early and competing in spring practice.
The 6-1, 170-pound receiver should be a popular target from either Trevor Knight or Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield depending on which signal-caller wins the quarterback competition. His speed and quickness should mean a 1,000-yard season is in store for Westbrook with Sterling Shepard operating out of the slot and Durron Neal lining up on the other side.
Next: Mike Mitchell
Nov 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders helmet before the game between the Baylor Bears and the Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Blake Countess
Nov 30, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Blake Countess (18) intercepts a pass during the second quarter against the
Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Tray Matthews
Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver Jason Smith (4) avoids defensive back Tray Matthews (39) during the A-Day game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Marquavius Lewis
Aug 28, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; A South Carolina Gamecocks helmet lays on the field prior to the start of the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Jordan Howard
Nov 22, 2014; Birmingham, AL, USA; UAB Blazers running back Jordan Howard (7) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Legion Field. Marshall defeated UAB 23-18. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
“There was something about Indiana I just liked,” Howard told ESPN.com. “And it was big with them having a 2,000-yard running back the previous year and most of the offense coming back.”
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7
Jordan Howard
RB, Indiana
Jordan Howard didn’t want to appear on a list like this, but he had no choice after UAB shutdown their football program in a move that still has fans of college football shaking their head at. He led the Blazers with 1,587 yards and 13 touchdowns and is tasked with the responsibility of replacing 2,000-yard rusher Tevin Coleman at Indiana.
The first-team Conference USA back is eligible to play right away and the 228-pound Howard will try to improve on the numbers he had his first two years at UAB in a tougher conference in the Big Ten.
“There was something about Indiana I just liked,” Howard told ESPN.com. “And it was big with them having a 2,000-yard running back the previous year and most of the offense coming back.”
Next: Paris Palmer
Nov 16, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Penn State Nittany Lions helmet prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Shaq Wiggins
Nov 2, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Shaq Wiggins (6) reacts after Florida Gators missed a field goal during the second half at EverBank Field. Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Vernon Adams
Nov 8, 2014; Cheney, WA, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) drops back for a pass against the Montana Grizzlies during the second half at Roos Field. Eastern Washington won 36-26. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Josh Harvey-Clemons
Sep 28, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (25) celebrates a sack in the first half against the LSU Tigers at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Next: Devonte Fields
Sep 7, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Devonte Fields (95) plays defense during the game against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
He has tremendous talent and the ability to get to the quarterback and with Louisville losing both of their starting ends to the NFL Draft, he should play his way into the starting lineup in the fall.
Fields is the best of the three transfers to play for Louisville but if he, Wiggins and Harvey-Clemons live up to their billing, the Cardinals defense could once again be one of the best in the ACC.
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2
Devonte Fields
DE, Louisville
It’s been a long time since Devonte Fields looked like a future superstar and potential first round pick when he was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman in 2012 when he had 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. An injury the next year limited him to three games and a series of off-the-field incidents resulted in his dismissal from TCU after the 2013 season.
Fields could have entered the NFL Draft in 2015 but after playing at Trinity Valley C.C. transferred to Louisville where he’s going to play for Bobby Petrino who is taking full advantage of his second chance with the Cardinals.
He has tremendous talent and the ability to get to the quarterback and with Louisville losing both of their starting ends to the NFL Draft, he should play his way into the starting lineup in the fall.
Fields is the best of the three transfers to play for Louisville but if he, Wiggins and Harvey-Clemons live up to their billing, the Cardinals defense could once again be one of the best in the ACC.
Next: Everett Golson
Nov 15, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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