Impact College Transfers
By NICK PARSONS
If Jevan Snead had stayed at Texas he would only be known as Colt McCoy's backup. Instead he's entering his second year as the starter for one of the biggest surprise teams in the nation.
Prior to Snead's arrival in Oxford, the Ole Miss Rebels had three consecutive seasons of eight losses or more. Last year they went 9-4, won the Cotton Bowl over Texas Tech and were the only team in the country to defeat the Florida Gators.
When blue chip recruits transfer to smaller programs they can help bettors identify value teams. Schools that do not have the pull power of Texas or Florida not only end up with unexpected talent, but they get players looking for redemption and something to prove. Kind of like when Emilio Estevez's team landed Adam Banks in the first Mighty Ducks movie.
Here's a quick look at some impact transfers looking for redemption in 2009
Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
Mallett's height (6-foot-7) and his experience running a pro style offense in high school made him Lloyd Carr's pick to be the next great Michigan quarterback. But all that changed when Rich Rodriquez and the spread option came to Ann Arbor.
Mallett transferred to Arkansas and sat out last year learning Bobby Petrino's offense. The year off seems to have helped. Mallett threw for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in a recent scrimmage.
The schedule will be tough with road games at Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and LSU, but look for this former parade All-American to play a big part in turning around a team that went 5-7 last year.
Josh Jarboe, WR Troy
Much was expected from Josh Jarboe when he signed with Oklahoma. I'm assuming that youtube videos about shooting people and an actual weapons charge were not part of those expectations. Both of which led to his dismissal.
Troy has always presented great value for bettors. The schoool holds a 22-13 against the spread record (ATS) in the last three years, but in that period it has never had a blue chip wide receiver.
Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
Like Jarboe, there were high expectation when Phil Taylor signed with Penn State. For the most part he lived up to those expectations playing a key role in a unit that ranked seventh in rushing defense in 2007. Taylor did not release a rap video on youtube but he was given the the boot after an on-campus fight.
He's now part of Baylor's football program and the 6-foot-4, 350 pound DT is expected to have an immediate impact. The Bears were 4-8 last year but they were 8-3 ATS. They also lost by just a touchdown on the road against No. 7 Texas Tech to close out the season.
DeVoe Torrence, RB Akron
When Ohio State was recruiting Devoe Torrence discussion revolved around whether he would play RB or LB. But soon this topic, like his scholarship, disappeared when rumors surfaced about DeVoe being part of a huge sex ring that involved minors. Torrence was later cleared of all charges but Ohio State wanted no part of him.
Regardless of what actually happened, Akron who has had three straight losing seasons, now has a big-time recruit at running back.
Other impact transfers to look at:
Zach Frazer, QB Uconn - Pushed out by Clausen at Notre Dame, Frazer will have a chance to shine in Storrs
Jarred Fayson, WR Illinois - Ex Florida Gator should help take pressure off All-American WR Arrelious Benn.
Brandon Jackson, RB East Carolina - Originally at Kentucky, apparent attitude problem, but has NFL talent
James Montgomery, RB Washington State - Ex Cal Bear won't win the Cougars a Pac-10 title, but he'll help keep games a bit closer
Antwine Perez, FS Maryland - Five-star recruit, but had to compete with future All-American Taylor Mays at USC
Jamere Holland, WR Oregon - Top five wideout in high school, but just another victim of USC's depth
Justin Burke, QB Louisville - Four-star QB, originally at NC State, looks to bring Cardinals back to the top of the Big East
Nick Fanuzzi, QB Rice - Still competing for the job, but the ex-Crimson Tide player has the strongest arm on the team
DajLeon Farr, TE Memphis - Ex Miami Hurricane was one of the best tight ends out of high school.