Top NCAAF SEC Transfers: Newcomers add Star Power to Nation’s Top Conference

Alabama Adds Help on Both Sides of the Ball Via the Transfer Portal

Five SEC Teams Have Top 10 Ranked Transfer Classes

Surprise, surprise, how many people are shocked to hear that the Southeastern Conference is leading the way in all facets of the NCAAF? The conferences’ work in the transfer portal is no different. When looking at the top NCAAF SEC transfers, five of the top 10 classes of incoming transfers are NCAAF SEC teams with ranking Ole Miss second, LSU third, Alabama fifth., South Carolina seventh and Arkansas 10th.

A total of 23 of the top 50 transfers on the 247sports.com database are connected to SEC schools. While other conferences see similar numbers of incoming and outgoing transfers, only two of those 23 transfers are leaving the SEC. That number is helped by nine cases of a top-50 player transferring from one SEC program to another.

Here’s a look at the top players transferring in and out of the SEC.

Jahmyr Gibbs RB (Georgia Tech to Alabama)

Gibbs is tied with Bijan Robinson of Texas for the best odds among running backs to win the Heisman Trophy. That wouldn’t have been the case had he remained at Georgia Tech. Gibbs ran for 1260 yards and 60 catches in 19 career games at Georgia Tech. Now he follows in the footsteps of Brian Robinson, Najee Harris, Damien Harris, and Derrick Henry as the No. 1 back at Alabama. He leads the list of top NCAAF SEC transfers coming into the SEC.

Eli Ricks CB (LSU to Alabama)

Ricks was one of the top 15 recruits coming out of high school. He was limited to six games a season ago as a freshman two of his four interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He figures to have a crucial role for the Crimson Tide with Josh Jobe now in the NFL.

Ricks could help Alabama move to the top of the NCAAF SEC standings and perhaps even be ahead of the field in the NCAA standings.

Jaxson Dart QB (Southern California to Ole Miss)

All Dart did in his collegiate debut was to pass for 391 yards with four touchdown passes in USC’s win over Washington State. When Kedon Slovis came back, Dart didn’t play for four games. He finished with 1353 yards while completing 62% of his passes. Now he will be following in the footsteps of Matt Corral at Ole Miss.

Zach Evans RB (TCU to Ole Miss)

If Evans hadn’t missed six games, one can only wonder how many yards he would have rushed for in 2021. As it was, he had 648 yards and averaged seven yards per carry in the six games he played at Texas Christian a season ago. With the way Ole Miss likes to run the ball, a 1,000-yard season could be in his future.

Jermaine Burton WR (Georgia to Alabama)

The last time we saw Burton, he had two catches for 28 yards in a national championship game win over Alabama. Now he will be suiting up for the Crimson Tide. Alabama and Georgia isn’t scheduled to meet in the regular season, but if they play in the SEC title game, that could be a surreal week of preparation for Burton.

Spencer Rattler QB (Oklahoma to South Carolina)

When the 2021 season began, Rattler was viewed as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Despite completing 75% of his passes and leading the Sooners to a 6-0 start, he lost his job to freshman Caleb Williams. He had 40 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions during his three seasons with the Sooners. He is tied for the 18th best odds to win the Heisman Trophy and could be one of the most impactful NCAAF transfers coming into the SEC.

Drew Sanders LB (Alabama to Arkansas)

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Sanders has the ability to be a traditional linebacker or help out as an edge rusher. After a quiet 2020 season, he had 20 tackles in the first five games of the 2021 season. Now he will suit up for the Razorbacks.

Mekhi Wingo DL (Missouri to LSU)

Wingo saved his best for last with a season-high six tackles in a bowl game against Army. That proved to be his swan song in his only season at Missouri. Now he will be part of a new-look defense under Brian Kelly at LSU.

Jarrick Bernard CB (Oklahoma State to LSU)

After recording 196 tackles with two interceptions and 24 pass breakups in four seasons at Oklahoma State, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Louisiana native returns home to suit up at LSU.

Michael Trigg TE (Southern California to Ole Miss)

The Florida native displayed his potential when he had five catches for 95 yards during games against Oregon State and Utah. If he hadn’t missed the last six games he would have added to his total of 109 yards on seven receptions. He should be well versed in Dart’s potential as a quarterback since they both come in from USC.

Best Of the Rest

Receivers Jadon Haselwood (39 catches in 2021) and Tyler Harrell (18 catches for 523 yards last season) went from Oklahoma to Arkansas and Louisville to Alabama respectively.

New Florida head coach Billy Napier has a couple of his players from Louisiana with him as offensive linemen O’Cyrus Torrence and Kamryn Waites went from being Ragin’ Cajuns to becoming Gators.

Apparently, there isn’t a stigma when it comes to transferring within a conference with former LSU quarterback Max Johnson (2814 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions) now at Texas A&M, LSU cornerback Dwight McGlothern is now a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks after making 32 tackles with an interception and five pass breakups last season, offensive lineman Tyler Steen goes from Vanderbilt to Alabama, former Auburn defensive lineman JJ Pegues will play at Ole Miss and cornerback Jalen Kimber left the national champion Georgia program to transfer to Florida.

Devonni Reed was the second-leading tackler at Central Michigan last season. Now the safety who picked off three passes in the last two seasons will be suiting up at South Carolina.

On the Way Out

Alabama saw two of its former recruits head off to Texas schools.

Tight end Jahleel Billingsley moved on to Texas while running back Camar Wheaton is now at Southern Methodist. Billingsley had 37 catches and six touchdowns during his time at Alabama. Wheaton is a 190-pound Texas native who didn’t get to carry the ball in his lone season at Alabama.

Another high-profile player leaving the SEC is former Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate who transferred to Utah. Diabate had 174 tackles during his three seasons at Florida.

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