A fresh, new start can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered especially when it comes to the game of football. Here are 10 players who transferred that could make an immediate impact with their new teams in 2017.
Kyle Allen, QB
New team: Houston
Former team: Texas A&M
Allen was the top-rated pro quarterback in the nation when he signed with Texas A&M in 2014 and those skills were quickly put to test in two seasons with the Aggies where he passed for more than 3,500 yards with 33 total touchdowns. His transfer to Houston gives the Cougars and new head coach Major Applewhite an experienced and talented player to step into the void at quarterback left by the departure of Greg Ward.
Blake Barnett, QB
New team: Arizona State
Former team: Alabama
Barnett took the opening snap in Alabama’s season-opener against USC last season before being replaced by Jalen Hurts. It was Barnett’s first and only start with the Crimson Tide and after limited action he made the decision to transfer to Arizona State. He’ll be immediately eligible to play this fall and will compete for the starting job against Manny Wilkins. To his benefit, Bennett will have former Alabama assistant coach Billy Napier as the Sun Devils new offensive coordinator.
Isaiah Buggs, DE
New team: Alabama
Former team: Mississippi State Gulf Coast C.C.
Buggs was one of three defensive linemen to join Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class after spending time at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where he totaled 134 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss during two years at the junior college program. He’s an early enrollee who has already seen time on the practice field for the Crimson Tide where he’ll be called upon to help provide depth at a position where the team will need to replace Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson.
David Cornwell, QB
New team: Nevada
Former team: Alabama
Cornwell is the third Alabama quarterback to transfer (Blake Barnett, Cooper Bateman) looking for greener pastures elsewhere. The pro-style quarterback signed with Nevada providing new Wolf Pack coach Jay Norvell a perfect option to run his ‘Air Raid’ offense this fall. Cornwell passed for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s spring game.
Will Grier, QB
New team: West Virginia
Former team: Florida
Grier’s departure from Florida was less than ideal after the quarterback tested positive for performance enhancing drugs which came with a one-year suspension by the NCAA. But Grier appears to have found redemption of sorts at West Virginia where it appears he could fill a need for a starting quarterback with the Mountaineers — that is if his suspension is worked out.
Shane Morris, QB
New team: Central Michigan
Former team: Michigan
For the first time since 2013, Central Michigan will have someone else other than Cooper Rush starting the season at quarterback. That opens the door for someone like Morris, who decided to transfer to CMU after graduating from Michigan. Morris, who appeared in more than 15 games during his stay in Ann Arbor, provides the Chippewas with an experienced player going into 2017.
Kendall Sheffield, CB
New team: Ohio State
Former team: Alabama
Sheffield was rated as the top cornerback in the 2017 recruiting class so it made sense that Urban Meyer would make such a huge push to sign the talented cornerback. Ohio State has a need in the secondary with the departures of Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Malik Hooker — all starters — which means you could see Sheffield in the lineup right from the start of the season.
Anu Solomon, QB
New team: Baylor
Former team: Arizona
Solomon’s transfer to Baylor fills several needs: it provides the Bears with an experienced quarterback to compete with sophomore-to-be Zach Smith for the starting job this spring while providing much needed depth at the position. It also provides the talented dual-threat quarterback with a fresh start after struggling during his final season and a half with the Wildcats and Rich Rodriguez.
Jarrett Stidham, QB
New team: Auburn
Former team: Baylor
Auburn’s Achilles heel over the past couple of seasons has been the quarterback position so the addition of a transfer like Stidham makes sense for the Tigers. Stidham’s game fits perfectly into Gus Malzahn’s offensive system and his experience during his brief time at Baylor provides the program with much needed depth. Can he beat out Sean White for the job or is it a given its Stidham’s to lose?
Adonis Thomas, LB
New team: Florida State
Former team: Alabama
The Buzz: The addition of Thomas from the junior college ranks could provide Florida State with an instant payoff at the linebacker position. The Seminoles continue to look to add depth on the defensive side of the football and that could come in the form of Thomas. He could battle for playing time next to veterans like Ro’Derrick Hoskins and Matthew Thomas.
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