Top Transfers in the ACC in 2022
In 2022, the ACC will be home to many notable college football transfer players--headlined by Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis. There are some other notable offensive players, but the strength of the group is on defense.
Quarterback
Kedon Slovis, Pitt
I've always thought Slovis was overrated, but he has had an accomplished college career at USC-- placing 10th in program history with 5,309 yards of total offense. While he has big shoes to fill following Kenny Pickett at Pittsburgh, he is a more decorated player than Pickett was at this point, has faced pressure and adversity playing in LA for a top program, and is definitely the best option for the Panthers at this point as they defend their ACC title.
Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
I really like this transfer for Wells. If you have seen him play at Marshall, you know he shows great promise as a college quarterback and has himself on the NFL radar entering this season. He has over 5,000 passing yards in two years as a starter, but he really needs to work on cutting down on the interceptions. As I've stated in other articles, the move to a bigger conference can help these prospects gain exposure and play against better competition. Virginia Tech is an interesting pick because they do not pass as much as some other college teams, but the Hokies have desperately needed a competent quarterback with talent for some time.
Taisun Phommachanh, Georgia Tech
According to most recruiting rankings, a former four-star recruit and top-10 high school quarterback. Unfortunately, Clemson has become a much more successful program, and that competition has made it more difficult for some to see the field. Phommachanh was in one of the most unlucky positions, having to sit behind Trevor Lawrence and DJ Uiagaleilei. You could conceivably argue that he had a chance to compete for the job with Uiagaleilei after the latter disappointed for most of last season, but he has a much better chance of getting on the field at Georgia Tech.
Running Back
Tiyon Evans, Louisville
Built like a power back, Evans had an impressive debut season at Tennessee after transferring from Hutchinson Community College. He ran for 525 yards and six touchdowns on 81 carries for one of the nation's best running games. Lousiville said goodbye to Hassan Hall and needs someone to seize the starting job. Evans could blossom in a conference with weaker defenses.
Dylan McDuffie, Georgia Tech
With Jordan Mason's graduation and Jahmyr Gibbs transferring to Alabama, the Yellow Jackets needed to find a new running back. The Buffalo transfer spent four years with the Bulls and has 1,273 yards to his credit, including 1,049 in an All-MAC year last season. It's always impressive when a program adds an accomplished player like McDuffie, and he should see plenty of opportunities.
Juwaun Price, Syracuse
Price had to wait to get on the field at Mew Mexico State due to the COVID pandemic. Once he did, he made an immediate impact as the Aggies' leading rusher. He has 888 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons. At Syracuse, he will have to play a backup role to Sean Tucker in 2022, but he is a great fit as the third-down back and has two more years after this season to take over the Orange backfield.
Henry Parrish Jr, Miami
Parrish transfers from a suddenly crowded running back room at Ole Miss, where he was used as a complementary all-purpose player and ran for over 1,000 yards. He has excellent speed in the open field and is impressive as a pass-catcher. Even if he does not become the starter for the Hurricanes, he will find a way to make a difference for this offense.
Hassan Hall, Georgia Tech
After an incredibly successful four-year career at Louisville, Hall has decided to transfer within the conference to Georgia Tech. While the new coaching staff hasn't been as stubbornly run-based as the previous regime, the offensive scheme should allow Hall to take further advantage of his skillset. As a member of the Cardinals' program, Hall was an all-purpose star with 3,843 total yards (including over 2,000 as a kick returner). With the Yellow Jackets, he will be able to compete for a starting role and make an impact in 2022.
Wide Receiver
Jadan Blue, Virginia Tech
Blue will help improve the Hokies' passing game --which finished 112th out of 130 FBS teams in 2021-- and should instantly become the number one receiver. As a sophomore in 2019, he became the first Temple receiver to ever amass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season before losing playing time under the new coaching staff. Another player who has had a good career and can benefit by performing well in a Power Five conference.
Tyler Hudson, Louisville
Local reviews were positive for Hudson during the Cardoinals' spring practice sessions. With Tyler Harrell off to Alabama, he'll get a chance to play right away and could have a similar impact as Samouri Toure had at Nebraska last season. Like Toure, Hudson was an All-American at the FCS level and is a taller player for the position. People seem to be sleeping on his abilities after setting the Central Arkansas school record for single-season receiving yards.
Tight End
George Takacs, Boston College
Takacs heads from one team with a good track record of developing tight ends (Notre Dame) to another. No one was going to unseat Michael Mayer as the starter in South Bend, and Boston College has sent three tight ends to the NFL since 2019. Takacs rarely saw the field for the Irish and may finally get his chance to stand out.
Offensive Line
Paul Tchio, Georgia Tech
Any time you can steal a player from a conference rival should be considered a win. Even more so when that rival is Clemson. Tchio left high school as the No. 85 player in the nation and ninth-best in Georgia. As a college player. he has played 14 games with one start. It's limited sample size, sure, but Georgia Tech is still in the compiling talent phase, and Tchio is a fantastic addition.
Pierce Quick, Georgia Tech
How do you follow a Clemson transfer? Add one from Alabama. The Yellow Jackets' offensive line should be much improved this season with Tchio and Quick alone. Both players also have three years of eligibility and will be great building blocks for this program. Quick played in eight games for Alabama and will have a chance to enter the GA Tech starting lineup.
John Paul Flores, Virginia
We've seen plenty of Ivy League transfers entering the FBS in recent seasons and Flores looks to add another successful move to the list. At Dartmouth, He was an All-Ivy player at left tackle and part of a top-rated offense in 2019. Should add more talent to the Virginia o-line and grab a starting job.
Spencer Rolland, North Carolina
Speaking of Ivy transfers, Rolland was an All-Ivy player for the best offense in the Ivy League. North Carolina lost a couple offensive linemen and Rolland will fit right in. The Tar Heels have some questions on offense, but Rolland should help answer a big one quickly.
Kayden Lyles, Florida State'
Big get for the Seminoles. Lyles played in 34 games (16 starts) for the offensive linemen factory known as Wisconsin. He's been thought of as a top offensive lineman in the country but has dealt with injuries the last two seasons. He's also a former defensive end, which shows he has great athleticism. Lyles will be a stud at Florida State if he can stay healthy.
Defensive Line
Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse transfers from Albany of the FCS, where he played two seasons and racked up 74 tackles, including 14.5 sacks and 21.5 TFL. He was a massive advantage for the Great Danes and a former All-American. The step up to the next level will test his pro potential. but he has plenty of production to indicate he can be a difference-maker.
Kameron Butler, Virginia
The 2021 First Team All-MAC defensive end will bring much needed help to the Cavaliers' defensive line. Butler spent three years at Miami (OH) and was an All-Conference player each year. He has a knack for sacks and causing turnovers and tremendous athleticism. Virginia landed his commitment over the likes of Penn State, Iowa, and Ole Miss among others.
Antonio Moultrie, Miami
Value being added to the Miami defensive line after losing multiple players over the last two seasons. Moultrie spent four years at UAB and ranked third on the team with 62 tackles last season. Moultire is another former All-Conference player joining the ACC and has the potential to be a late-round draft pick.
Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Mesidor is getting a lot of preseason hype from other publications after leaving West Virginia this offseason. He's a bit short for a defensive end and too light for a defensive tackle, so it'll be interesting to see how he's used this season. His career numbers seem to indicate he can be productive enough to stay on the outside.
Jacolbe Cowan, North Carolina
Cowan initially chose Ohio State over UNC and now heads back home to play for the Tar Heels. During his time in Columbus, he battled injuries and rarely saw the field, but he was a highly-rated recruit and, being from the area, he heads to a good situation in which he should be comfortable enough to succeed.
Darrell Jackson, Miami
Lots of help heading to Mario Cristobal's program and the 6'6" 300lb defensive tackle should be a huge contributor. Jackson spent one season at Maryland and contributed 22 tackles in 13 games. That kind of production provides a good base on which to build and can help him crack the lineup for the Hurricanes.
Jake Lichtenstein, Miami
Lichtenstein had to wait his turn to get legitimate playing time at USC and seized every opportunity once he got it. In 2021, he ranked third on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Another formerly heralded recruit, Lichetenstein has yet to reach his peak ability at the college level and will help Miami in his final collegiate year.
Jermayne Lole, Louisville
Lole has been one of my favorite defensive tackles to watch on a talented Arizona State defense. Now, he transfers to Louisville after all the turmoil that faced the Sun Devils this offseason. Jermayne has been one of the best run defenders in college football when he has been on the field. After missing 2021 with an injury, expect Lole to come in hungry to pick up where he left off and prove he is still a pro prospect.
Linebacker
Noah Taylor, North Carolina
Taylor has been an integral part of the Virginia defense for the past three years as a long, rangy, and athletic outside linebacker. He has 170 tackles and 13.5 sacks with three interceptions in 44 games and adds playmaking ability to the Tar Heels defense. Unexpected transfer but one of the top prospects at his position.
Tatum Bethune, Florida State
Another accomplished player here. Bethune was a three-year contributor at Central Florida and has nearly 200 tackles, three interceptions, and five quarterback hurries in 16 starts. Although a limited sample size, he has displayed a rare ability to affect the passing game both in coverage and as a pass-rusher. The Seminoles' defense will benefit from his play.
Mohamed "MoMO" Sanogo, Louisville
Sanogo was a key player for most of his career at Ole Miss. He has started 22 games the last two seasons and amassed 86 tackles. With Lousiville losing CJ Avery in the middle, Sanogo's experience became a necessity and he should slide right into the starting lineup.
Defensive back
Quincy Riley, Louisville
Although he has only played one year of college football, Riley quickly proved he belonged as a redshirt freshman at Middle Tennessee. He played in nine games with seven starts and ended up with 33 tackles, nine pass breakups, and led C-USA in interceptions. Another All-Conference player looking to show his worth in a bigger conference.
Lejond Cavazos, North Carolina
The Tar Heels land another former Buckeye. Despite having played in 12 games for Ohio State, Cavazos still has four years of eligibility left. The defensive back room in Columbus was incredibly crowded, and Cavazos becomes one of several to leave the team after not seeing much playing time. He could be a nice addition in Chapel Hill for the next few years.
Alijah Clark, Syracuse
The former four-star recruit played in seven games as a freshman at Rutgers but made a minimal impact. Rutgers has a deep group of defensive backs-- including many seniors. Clark possesses NFL size and goes to a program that has developed quite a few defensive backs in recent years, where he has a chance to contribute immediately.