Conference USA seems to go through changes every season. This year, there’s UTEP heading to the Mountain West. And now, Louisiana Tech is officially heading to the Sun Belt.
And, of course, there’s the incoming and outgoing transfers, which are plentiful. Here’s a look at some of the CUSA transfers who should have an immediate impact for their respective programs.
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CB Jaquise Alexander, Delaware
The Blue Hens retained most of their starters from a season ago, meaning there likely won’t be a ton of transfers stepping into new roles. However, Alexander is a transfer who can. The junior was previously at North Dakota State, where he was part of the 2024 FCS National Championship team and started six games last year. He tallied 28 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one interception last season.
QB JJ Kohl, FIU
After two years at Iowa State, Kohl suited up for App State last season where he appeared in eight games and passed for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also tossed two interceptions. The 6-foot-7 redshirt junior can sling it and should be one of the top passers in the league this year. He can also be dangerous with his legs, something Panthers fans got used to seeing with former quarterback Keyone Jenkins.
WR Darius Cannon, Jacksonville State
Jax State was run-heavy last season and still might lean in that direction with QB Caden Creel remaining under center. However, a weapon like Cannon could open things up for Creel and the passing offense. Last year at Murray State, Cannon finished with 77 receptions for 737 yards and three scores. He’ll be a nice complement to the Gamecocks’ big play threat in WR Deondre Johnson.
OL Mateo Guevara, Kennesaw State
Guevara was one of the best interior offensive linemen in CUSA last year and should remain so after transferring from Middle Tennessee. The 6-foot-4, 317-pound redshirt senior has started every game the past two seasons and played nearly every snap. He has experience at guard and center and should be an anchor for the offensive front.
RB Kanye Udoh, Liberty
Udoh was with Arizona State last year but spent the two years prior at Army. He only logged 56 carries for the Sun Devils but rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 TDs on 179 totes in 2024 with the Cadets. He also logged 524 yards as a freshman. I think the redshirt junior will be the main guy in the Flames’ backfield this year and should have another big season.
CB Joel Kpassou, Missouri State
A Division II product, Kpassou started seven games in 2024 for Findlay (Ohio) University before earning second-team Northeast Conference honors last year with Duquesne. He finished the season with 42 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. Kpassou, a senior, is also a dynamic returner and could be key on special teams for the Bears.
QB Trey Hedden, New Mexico State
I’m not sure if Hedden has locked up the QB1 spot just yet, but I think he’ll be the Week 1 starter for the Aggies. The junior comes from Furman where he started all 12 games last season and threw for 2,967 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also started three games as a true freshman and will look to bring steadiness to a QB room that’s been bumpy the past two years.
RB James Jones, NMSU
Expected to spend plenty of time in the backfield with Hedden, Jones was a first team All-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference selection last year after rushing for 958 yards and nine touchdowns on 98 carries for Delaware State. His 9.8 yards per carry led the league while his nine scores were tied for the most. The redshirt senior has great vision and breakaway speed.
OL Brock Stukes, Sam Houston
The Bearkats have 10 new offensive linemen and Stukes is one of them. He redshirted last year at NC State but has proven himself so far this spring. He’s flexible along the line and should make a difference for an offense that looks to improve on its league-worst 17.8 points per game in 2025.
EDGE Nathan Gonzales, Western Kentucky
Gonzales spent the last two seasons at Indiana State and had his best campaign last year after registering 26 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior should bring some much needed playmaking on the edge after the Hilltoppers lost their top five leaders in tackles for loss and return only one player who recorded a sack last year.
