More than 150 FCS players transferred to the FBS for the 2021 season.
How did the 2021 FCS-to-FBS transfers perform? Check it out below.
NOTES:
Of the roughly 153 FCS-to-FBS transfers…
- 38 started at least half of their games played (24.8%)
- 31 could be considered full-time starters, or starters for a majority of the team’s games (20.3%)
- 17 earned All-Conference honors (11.1%)
- 76 were All-Conference performers at their previous FCS school (49.7%)
Jack Gibbens (LB) – Abilene Christian to Minnesota
Started all 13 games at linebacker and led Minnesota in tackles (92). Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Branden Hohenstein (TE) – Abilene Christian to Illinois
Was removed from the online team roster in late August.
Kade Parmelly (OL) – Abilene Christian to Duke
Played in 12 games with one start. Was on the field for 488 snaps.
Kameron Hill (DL) – Abilene Christian to North Texas
Played in 13 games with one start. Totaled 16 tackles with four sacks.
Titus Jones (DB) – Alabama A&M to Colorado State
Played in 11 games. Recorded four tackles.
Marcus Cushnie (DL) – Alabama A&M to Florida State
Played in 12 games. Recorded three tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Michael Jefferson (WR) – Alabama State to Louisiana
Played in 14 games with eight starts. Led the team with 481 receiving yards to go along with 18 catches and four TDs.
Qwynnterrio Cole (DB) – Alcorn State to Louisville
Started and played in 13 games. Finished second on the team with 86 tackles. Earned All-ACC honorable mention accolades.
Harry Ballard (WR) – Arkansas-Pine Bluff to Nevada
Appeared in nine games, catching six passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Shawn Steele (DB) – Arkansas-Pine Bluff to South Alabama
Played in nine games before getting dismissed from the team. Recorded nine tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
Jeremiah Oatsvall (QB) – Austin Peay to Memphis
Did not see game action.
TyQaze Leggs (DL) – Austin Peay to Marshall
Played in 13 games with one start. Totaled 32 tackles and three TFLs.
DeAngelo Wilson (WR) – Austin Peay to Western Kentucky
Played in seven games. Caught three passes for 53 yards and returned three punts for 72 yards.
Elijah Culp (DB) – Austin Peay to Troy
Played in 12 games with 10 starts. Recorded 29 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups.
Scott Boylan (WR) – Brown to Duke
No offensive statistics. Returned eight punts for 73 yards.
Brandon Sanders (WR) – Bucknell to Rutgers
Played in 10 games with three starts. Totaled 16 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown
Brandon Benson (DB) – Bucknell to Eastern Michigan
Appeared in three games, totaling seven tackles.
Mike Manning (DB) – Butler to Illinois
Redshirted
Ryan Boehm (DL) – Cal Poly to Fresno State
Played in 13 games with three starts. Recorded 24 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
Jalen Hamler (QB) – Cal Poly to San Jose State
No longer listed on the roster.
Alex Usry (K) – Charleston Southern to Middle Tennessee State
Played in two games. Went 2-for-2 on extra points and had one kickoff for 48 yards.
Isaac Ross (WR) – Charleston Southern to UMass
Appeared in 10 games. Caught six passes for 30 yards.
Daviyon McDaniel (OL) – Charleston Southern to UNLV
Started every game.
Bryce Nunnelly (WR) – Chattanooga to Western Michigan
Played in 13 games. Caught 10 passes for 114 yards.
Barney Amor (P) – Colgate to Penn State
Did not see any game action.
Jack Badovinac (OL) – Colgate to Illinois
Played in 12 games with eight starts.
Dylan Summers (WR) – Cornell to Eastern Michigan
Played in 12 games. Caught 10 passes for 97 yards.
Drew Estrada (WR) – Dartmouth to Baylor
Played in 11 games with five starts. Caught 30 passes for 367 yards and 1 TD.
Debo Williams (LB) – Delaware to South Carolina
Played in 13 games. Recorded six tackles and two blocked kicks.
Mark Williams (DB) – Eastern Illinois to Louisiana-Monroe
Played in seven games with six starts. Recorded 24 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
Jaelin Carter (WR) – Eastern Kentucky to Louisville
Played in three games. No recorded offensive statistics.
B.K. Smith (WR) – Eastern Kentucky to Western Kentucky
Played in three games. No recorded statistics.
Elijah Taylor (DL) – Eastern Kentucky to Tulsa
Played in 12 games with two starts. Recorded 21 tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks.
Isaiah Velez (QB) – Eastern Kentucky to FIU
Redshirted
Chris Ojoh (LB) – Eastern Washington to New Mexico State
Started all 12 games. Finished second on the team in tackles with 72 and led the team with 16 TFLs and six sacks. Named to the Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team.
Christian VanSickle (K/P) – Elon to Rice
Handled the bulk of kickoff duties while also taking over placekicking duties in the last nine games. Made 30 PATs and 4-of-7 field goals.
Azende Rey (WR) – FAMU to Georgia Tech
Played in 11 games. Returned 12 punts for 52 yards and five kicks for 78 yards.
Andrew Mevis (K) – Fordham to Iowa State
Named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and a Phil Steele Third Team All-American. Made 20-of-23 field goals and 32-of-32 PATs.
Darren Grainger (QB) – Furman to Georgia State
Started in 11 of 13 games. Threw for 1,715 yards, 19 TDs, and four interceptions. Rushed for 660 yards and three TDs.
Izaiah Gathings (WR) – Gardner-Webb to Middle Tennessee State
Played in 12 games with four starts. Recorded 24 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown.
William Daniel (DL) – Hampton to Old Dominion
Did not appear in any games.
Eric Wilson (OL) – Harvard to Penn State
Played in 13 games with 12 starts.
Devin Darrington (RB) – Harvard to Virginia
Played in 12 games. Rushed 32 times for 245 yards and two TDs.
Brian Foley (OL) – Holy Cross to Duke
Redshirted
Bailey Zappe (QB) – Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky
Started all 14 games. C-USA’s Most Valuable Player and All-Conference First Team selection. Set new all-time single-season FBS records in passing yards (5,987) and passing TDs (62).
Josh Sterns (WR) – Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky
Played in 13 games with one start. Caught 16 passes for 118 yards.
Jerreth Sterns (WR) – Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky
Started all 14 games. C-USA’s Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference First Team selection. Caught 150 passes for 1,902 yards and 17 TDs.
Ben Ratzlaff (WR) – Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky
Played in 13 games. Had 12 catches for 118 yards.
Reynard Burnett Jr. (OL) – Houston Baptist to FIU
Played in six games with two starts.
Tra Fluellen (DB) – Houston Baptist to Middle Tennessee State
Played in 13 games with one start. Totaled 29 tackles and a sack.
Dedrick Parson (RB) – Howard to Hawaii
Played in 13 games with three starts. Finished second on the team with 618 rushing yards and also recorded eight rushing TDs and 279 receiving yards.
Kainoa Fuiava (DL) – Idaho State to Western Michigan
Played in 10 games. Totaled nine tackles and two TFLs.
Charles Woods (DB) – Illinois State to West Virginia
Played in 11 games with three starts. Recorded 31 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defended.
Trenton Hatfield (DB) – Illinois State to Ball State
Played in 12 games. Recorded two tackles and one interception.
John Ridgeway (DL) – Illinois State to Arkansas
Played in 12 games with 11 starts. Totaled 39 tackles, four TFLs, and two sacks.
Jaylon Jimmerson (DB) – Incarnate Word to Liberty
Played in 12 games. Totaled nine tackles and two TFLs.
Brady Rogers (WR) – Incarnate Word to Texas State
Did not appear in any games.
Brian Mitchell (DL) – Jackson State to Kent State
Played in four games. Totaled four tackles.
Rashaad Jenkins (DB) – Jackson State to Eastern Michigan
Did not appear in any games.
Daylen Baldwin (WR) – Jackson State to Michigan
Played in 14 games with five starts. Caught 17 passes for 256 yards and two TDs.
Rasheed Lyles (DL) – Jackson State to Louisiana Tech
Played in 12 games with one start. Recorded 16 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack.
Zack Woodard (LB) – Jacksonville State to Louisiana-Monroe
Started and played in 12 games. Finished second on the team with 89 tackles and first with nine TFLs. Named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.
Trae Barry (TE) – Jacksonville State to Boston College
Played in 10 games with seven starts. Caught 21 passes for 362 yards and four TDs. Named All-ACC Honorable Mention.
Jawon Hamilton (RB) – James Madison to Eastern Michigan
Played in 11 games with two starts. Rushed for four TDs and a team-high 631 yards.
Bryson Armstrong (LB) – Kennesaw State to UCF
Played in 10 games with nine starts. Finished third on the team with 77 tackles, adding four TFLs and one sack. Named to the Phil Steele All-AAC Fourth Team.
Mark Langston (LS) – Kennesaw State to Georgia Southern
Started all 12 games as the long snapper for punts, field goals, and PATs.
Cincere Mason (DB) – Kennesaw State to Kansas State
Played in nine games with one start. Totaled 15 tackles and one pass breakup.
Ryan O’Hara (P/K) – Lafayette to UNLV
Played in two games and had eight kickoffs.
Chris Fournier (OL) – Lehigh to Louisiana Tech
Played in 12 games with 11 starts.
Liam Dobson (OL) – Maine to Texas State
Played and started all 12 games.
Deshawn Stevens (LB) – Maine to West Virginia
Played in 12 games. Recorded 11 tackles.
Ridge Texada (DB) – McNeese to North Texas
Played in 13 games with three starts. Recorded 19 tackles and two pass breakups.
Cyron Sutton (WR) – McNeese to Tulane
Played in three games. Recorded no offensive statistics.
Cory McCoy (DB) – McNeese to Marshall
Started and played in 13 games. Totaled 68 tackles, 5 TFLs, and two interceptions. Named C-USA All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Darion Dunn (CB) – McNeese to Texas
Played in 12 games with one start. Registered 22 tackles and two pass breakups.
Colby Burton (DB) – McNeese to Hawaii
Played in 11 games. Recorded nine tackles.
Steven Peterson (WR) – Mercer to Georgia
Did not see game action.
Trevon McClain (DL) – Mississippi Valley State to UAB
Did not see game action.
Jeremy Webb (DB) – Missouri State to Kansas
Played in 11 games with three starts. Totaled 32 tackles and three passes defended.
Samori Toure (WR) – Montana to Nebraska
Played in 12 games with nine starts. Led Nebraska with 46 receptions, 898 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Tied the Nebraska season record with five 100-yard receiving games. Named All-Big Ten Honorable-Mention.
Connor Wood (OL) – Montana State to Missouri
Played in 12 games with eight starts.
Sylvester Mathis (DL) – Morehead State to Temple
Did not see game action.
Tavion Grant (DB) – Morehead State to Louisiana-Monroe
Did not see game action.
Xavier Gravette (TE) – Morgan State to Coastal Carolina
Played in six games. Hauled in five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Donte Small (DB) – Morgan State to App State
Played in 12 games. Recorded 17 tackles and two pass breakups.
Anthony Koclanakis (LB) – Murray State to Colorado State
Played in 10 games. Totaled 19 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and one sack.
Marvin Pierre (LB) – Murray State to Kent State
Played in 14 games with three starts. Recorded 53 tackles and 3.5 TFLs.
Pig Cage (DB) – Nicholls to LSU
Played in eight games with one start. Recorded seven tackles, three TFLs, and one sack.
Kenneth Kirby (OL) – Norfolk State to Georgia Tech
Played in two games.
Brodric Martin (DL) – North Alabama to Western Kentucky
Played in 14 games with one start. Totaled 31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
Jabril Muhammad (DB) – NC A&T to FIU
Played in one game. No recorded statistics.
Devontez Walker (WR) – NC Central to Kent State
Played in eight games. Caught five passes for 124 yards and one TD.
Kyle Hergel (OL) – North Dakota to Texas State
Started 12 games. Named an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.
Derek Paulson (TE) – North Dakota to Miami (OH)
Played in 10 games. No recorded offensive statistics.
Josh Hayes (DB) – North Dakota State to Virginia
Played in three games. Recorded one tackle.
Adam Cofield (RB) – North Dakota State to Western Kentucky
Played in 14 games with four starts. Rushed 81 times for 373 yards and four TDs. Caught 22 passes for 176 yards.
Chancellor Brewington (WR) – Northern Arizona to Nebraska
Played in 10 games in 2021. Caught three passes for 20 yards and one touchdown.
Chris Kolarevic (LB) – Northern Iowa to Nebraska
Played in 12 games. Recorded 27 tackles and one TFL.
Xavior Williams (DB) – Northern Iowa to Iowa
Played in six games. Recorded two tackles.
Levar Gumms (WR) – Northwestern State to Central Michigan
Played in 13 games. Caught four passes for 32 yards.
Davis Koetter (WR) – Portland State to Boise State
Played in 11 games with four starts. Caught 14 passes for 160 yards and one TD.
Storey Jackson (LB) – Prairie View A&M to Liberty
Played in 13 games and started 12. Led the team with 102 tackles, 13 TFLs, and seven sacks.
Reggie Stubblefield (DB) – Prairie View A&M to Kansas State
Played in 12 games with six starts. Totaled 34 tackles, seven TFLs, one sack, and two pass breakups. Earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors.
Demarcus Robinson (DB) – Prairie View A&M to FIU
Played in three games. Totaled three tackles.
Luke Foster (OL) – Presbyterian to Temple
Played in five games.
Colby Campbell (LB) – Presbyterian to Duke
Played in 11 games. Recorded seven tackles.
Keith Pearson (WR) – Presbyterian to Charlotte
Played in 12 games with two starts. Caught 13 passes for 227 yards and three TDs and had four kick returns for 99 yards.
Jeffrey Smyth (LB) – Presbyterian to Georgia Southern
Played in four games and was able to redshirt. No recorded defensive statistics.
Jared Heywood (QB) – Rhode Island to UNLV
Did not see game action.
Wistar Allen (LB) – Richmond to East Carolina
Dismissed from the team in late October.
Malik Mustapha (DB) – Richmond to Wake Forest
Played in 13 games with one start. Totaled 37 tackles, two TFLs, and two interceptions.
DeJuan Dandridge (DB) – Robert Morris to Temple
Played in six games. Recorded two tackles.
Daron Bland (DB) – Sac State to Fresno State
Played in 13 games with nine starts. Registered 45 tackles, one TFL, two interceptions, and five pass breakups.
Tyrese Chambers (WR) – Sacred Heart to FIU
Played in 11 games with eight starts. Caught 45 passes for 1,074 yards and nine TDs. Named to the All-Conference USA Second Team.
Kevin Dunn (WR) – Sacred Heart to UConn
Did not see game action.
Jourdan Powell (DB) – Sacred Heart to UMass
Did not see game action.
Jack Kristofek (QB) – Sam Houston to Mississippi State
Did not see game action.
John Staton IV (LB) Samford to Georgia
Played in seven games. Totaled three tackles.
Mitchell Fineran (K) – Samford to Purdue
Made 24-of-29 field goals and 40-of-42 PATs.
Bydarrius Knighten (DB) – SEMO to Auburn
Played in 13 games with five starts. Totaled 46 tackles and two interceptions.
Ja’Chai Baker (OL) – SEMO to South Alabama
Played and started in 10 games.
Nate Valcarcel (DB) – South Dakota to Northern Illinois
Played in 14 games. Recorded five tackles.
Torren Union (DB) – South Dakota State to New Mexico State
Played in 12 games with four starts. Recorded 39 tackles, one TFL, and three pass breakups.
JT Thompson (DB) – Southern Illinois to Boston College
Played in 12 games with four starts. Totaled 15 tackles and three pass breakups.
EJ Jenkins (WR) – St. Francis to South Carolina
Played in 12 games with one start. Caught eight passes for 117 yards and one TD.
Casey Coll (TE) – St. Francis to Ball State
Played in four games. No recorded offensive statistics.
Cody Nawrot (OL) – St. Francis to Eastern Michigan
Played in four games.
Jason Brown (QB) – St. Francis to South Carolina
Played in seven games with four starts. Threw for 721 yards, eight TDs, and six interceptions.
Dorian Jackson (DB) – St. Francis to Western Michigan
Started and played in 13 games. Totaled 25 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups. Named to the All-MAC Second Team.
James Tunstall (OL) – Stony Brook to Cincinnati
Played in 14 games with 11 starts.
Sean-Thomas Faulkner (LB) – The Citadel to North Texas
Played in 13 games with six starts. Totaled 52 tackles, three TFLs, and two pass breakups.
Eric Bernstein (K) – Towson to Rutgers
Did not see game action.
Rush Lansdell (LB) – UT Martin to Memphis
Did not see game action.
Jeremy Horton (WR) – UT Martin to Georgia Southern
Played in one game. Caught two passes for 12 yards.
Aries Davis (OL) – UT Martin to Louisiana-Monroe
Played in 11 games with 10 starts.
Davin Dyal (TE) – UT Martin to Memphis
Did not see game action.
Jaquan Amos (DB) – Villanova to Iowa State
Played in three games. Recorded two tackles. Left the team and entered the transfer portal in late November.
Reece Udinski (QB) – VMI to Maryland
Played in four games. Went 11-of-15 passing for 100 yards, one TD, and one interception.
Jordan Ward (DL) – VMI to Ball State
Played in 13 games with six starts. Registered 19 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks.
Gunner Daniel (LS) – Wagner to Boston College
Was the team’s starting long snapper.
Ryan Yost (QB) – Wagner to Northern Illinois
Did not see game action.
Nolan Quinlan (TE) – Wagner to Louisiana-Monroe
Did not see game action.
Jake Constantine (QB) – Weber State to Rice
Played in eight games with seven starts. Threw for 1,622 yards, eight TDs, and seven interceptions.
Isaiah Helms (OL) – Western Carolina to App State
Started all 13 games.
Ryan Glover (QB) – Western Carolina to Cal
Played in and started one game, completing 11-of-29 passes for 94 yards.
Clint Ratkovich (RB) – Western Illinois to Northern Illinois
Played in 14 games with one start. Rushed 105 times for 461 yards and a team-high 13 TDs. Caught 15 passes for 124 yards and two TDs. Named to the All-MAC Third Team.
Austin Hopp (OL) – Western Illinois to Hawaii
Played in 13 games.
Miles Hayes (DB) – William & Mary to Nevada
Left the team and entered the transfer portal in early July.
Latrelle Smith (DB) – William & Mary to Ball State
Did not see game action.
Alan Lamar (RB) – Yale to Arkansas State
Played in 12 games with four starts at RB. Also served as the primary kick returner. Rushed 62 times for 231 yards and one TD. Returned 54 kicks for two TDs and a school and Sun Belt Conference-record 1,333 yards. Named an All-Sun Belt Conference First Team kick returner.
Miles Joiner (TE) – Youngstown State to Northern Illinois
Played in nine games with four starts. Caught 16 passes for 133 yards and two TDs.
Braxton Chapman (RB) – Youngstown State to Northern Illinois
Played in nine games. No recorded offensive statistics.
Antoine Cook (DL) – Youngstown State to Kent State
Played in 12 games with seven starts. Totaled 20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and one sack.
