2020 Season Recap: The All Transfer Team

Transfers have become more prevalent than ever in college football. More and more teams are searching the transfer portal, not just for players to develop that may be upset at their current school, but also for impact players that can come in and contribute immediately. Our 2020 All Transfer Team highlights the best players in their first season playing for their new team.

QB – D’Eriq King – Miami

King stabilized the quarterback position for the Hurricanes and led the team to an 8 – 3 record. Miami still had plenty of issues on offense, but King was electric and helped the team overcome many of those flaws to have a successful season after back to back disappointing seasons. King completed over 64 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards and 23 touchdowns and five interceptions, while running for 538 yards and 4 touchdowns.

RB – Khalil Herbert – Virginia Tech

Herbert revitalized the Virginia Tech running game in 2020. He was the first player to run for over 1,000 yards at Virginia Tech since 2015 and had the most rushing yards by a Hokie since David Wilson in 2011. Herbert carried the ball 154 times for 1,182 yards and 8 touchdowns, an impressive 7.7 yard per carry and also caught 10 passes for 179 yards and another touchdown.

RB – Trey Sermon – Ohio State

Ohio State returned a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball from 2019, but with JK Dobbins off to the NFL there was a void at running back. Sermon did not step in right away but came on down the stretch for the Buckeyes. He played well against Michigan State, broke the Ohio State rushing record in the Big Ten Championship and then had a huge game against Clemson in the semifinals. Unfortunately he was hurt on the first drive in the championship game but Sermon had a strong season, running for 870 yards and 4 touchdowns on 116 carries (7.5 yards per carry), while adding 95 receiving yards on 12 catches in just 8 games.

WR – Ben Skowronek – Notre Dame

Skowronek transferred from Northwestern to Notre Dame and earned a good amount of playing time on a talented Notre Dame offense. He made several big plays, especially in contested situations and led the team with five touchdown catches. Skowronek finished the season with 29 catches for 439 yards and 5 touchdowns in ten games for the Irish.

WR – Devon Williams – Oregon

The Pac – 12 had a shortened season this year and Williams only played in 6 games, but he was the leading receiver for the Ducks. Oregon had some struggles at the quarterback position that kept the receivers from putting up bigger numbers. Williams caught 15 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns for the season and should only get better as the quarterback play improves.

TE – Kenny Yeboah – Mississippi

Yeboah flashed big play ability at Temple in 2019, but Lane Kiffin’s offense helped the tight end take his game to the next level in 2020. Yeboah got off to a fast start this season and was the second leading receiver for the Rebels despite missing the last two games of the season. Yeboah finished the year with 27 catches for 524 yards and 6 touchdowns in his one and only season in Oxford.

T – Josh Sills – Oklahoma State

Sills was expected to help stabilize the Oklahoma State offensive line this year. The versatile lineman earned a starting spot at tackle and performed admirably for the Cowboys. While Sills was better as a run blocker he was solid as a pass blocker at a new position in 2020.

T – Jarrid Williams – Miami

Williams has excellent size and extensive experience at the tackle position from his time at Houston. He was expected to help boost a Miami offensive line that struggled in 2019. Williams was very good as a pass blocker and though he was not as good in the run game he provided a significant upgrade on the offensive line for the Hurricanes.

G – Cade Mays – Tennessee

The Tennessee offensive line came into the season with high expectations but did not perform as well as expected. Mays could have played tackle or guard, but settled in at guard. He was solid all season and is a balanced blocker who can be an asset in the run game as well as in pass protection.

G – Cam DeGeorge – Louisville

DeGeorge transferred from Connecticut to Louisville and quickly made his way into the starting lineup for the Cardinals. He was excellent as an interior pass blocker this year and had a solid year overall.

C – Michael Maietti – Missouri

Maietti came over from Rutgers and settled in as a leader at center for the Missouri offensive line. He anchored the offensive line well and was impressive for his new team. Maietti performed in the run game, but was also solid as a pass blocker against some really good defensive lines.

DE – Jaelan Phillips – Miami

The former five star recruit had retired from football because of a series of injuries but relaunched his career at Miami. He sat out the 2019 season, but earned a starting spot in 2020. With Greg Rousseau opting out, Miami needed Phillips to become a star and he delivered with a big year. Phillips finished the year with 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 pass breakups and an interception in 10 games.

DE – Quincy Roche – Miami

Roche was an exciting pass rusher at Temple and grad transferred to Miami this off-season. He started opposite Phillips and was equally devastating for opposing offenses. Roche had a strong 2020 season, recording 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumbles forced and a pass breakup in 10 games.

DT – Chibueze Onwuka – Boston College

Onwuka was a star for Buffalo in 2019 and transferred to Boston College to play for Jeff Hafley and prove he could perform at the Power five level. He started at nose tackle for the Eagles in 2020 and was part of a promising first season for the head coach at Boston College. Onwuka recorded 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 2 fumbles forced in 10 games for Boston College.

DT – Tyree Turner – UAB

Turner sat out the 2019 season after transferring from South Alabama, but made up for lost time in 2020. He was a star on the defensive front for the Blazers, particularly against the run. Turner played in 9 games in 2020 and tallied 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks during the season.

LB – Jabril Cox – LSU

Cox was expected to be an instant impact player for the Tigers after transferring from North Dakota State. He quickly earned a starting spot and became a playmaker for the LSU defense right away. In ten games this season, Cox recorded 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 passes broken up and 3 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

LB – Brenton Cox Jr – Florida

Cox transferred from Georgia to their rival at Florida and became a key contributor during the Gators 2020 season. Cox was the best pass rusher for a Florida team that won the SEC East and nearly upset Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Cox was credited with 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and a whopping 18 quarterback hurries during the 2020 season.

CB – Kelvin Joseph – Kentucky

Joseph transferred from LSU and sat out the 2019 season for the Wildcats. He stepped into the starting lineup and performed right away in 2020. For the season Joseph had 25 tackles and 4 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

CB – Christian Holmes – Oklahoma State

Holmes transferred from Missouri and became a steady contributor in the Cowboys backfield. He was part of a strong secondary that had good depth and was one of the best pass defenses in the conference. Holmes made 24 tackles with 3 tackles of loss and 6 passes broken up on the season.

CB – Kyler McMichael – North Carolina

McMichael sat out a year after transferring from Clemson, but was able to crack the defensive back rotation for the Tar Heels in 2020. McMichael is another piece on a North Carolina team that is clearly building towards a bright future. As a sophomore in 2020 he recorded 26 tackles with 6 pass break ups in nine games.

S – Deon Jones – Boston College

Jones made the move from Maryland to Boston College this off-season. He became a starting safety for the Eagles in Jeff Hafley’s first season and did a good job as the last line of defense. Jones finished the season with 42 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble forced in nine games.

S – Otis Reese – Mississippi

Reese had to fight most of the year just to become eligible after his transfer from Georgia. Once he started playing it was easy to see what an asset he could be for the Rebels defense. Reese only played in three games this year, but made 23 tackles with an interception and a pass breakup.

K – Jose Borregales – Miami

Borregales transferred from FIU to Miami and immediately upgraded the Hurricanes kicking game. He made big kicks on a weekly basis, showing range and incredible accuracy. Borregales made 20 of 22 field goals this year including a long of 57 yards.