More than 100 FCS players have transferred to new FCS programs for the 2022 season. Several have earned postseason accolades throughout their careers.
We narrowed the list down and ranked the best FCS-to-FCS transfers.
Transfer Trackers:
15. Kevin Johnson Jr. (RB)
Norfolk State to Hampton
Johnson made an immediate impact as a walk-on true freshman in 2019. He led Norfolk State in rushing (468 yards), all-purpose yards (959), and touchdowns (11). Johnson was named to the All-MEAC Third Team and to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List.
Last season, he totaled 228 rushing yards and three TDs, had 11 catches for 96 yards, and returned 12 kicks for 230 yards.
14. Andre Brackett (DB)
Bryant to UT Martin
Brackett brings five years of playing experience to UT Martin. At Bryant, he was one of the better corners in the NEC, tallying a career 141 total tackles, five interceptions, and 19 pass breakups in 40 games.
He was named the 2017 NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned 2018 Phil Steele All-Conference Third Team honors, and was a spring 2021 All-NEC First Team selection.
13. Cutrell Haywood (WR)
Idaho to Gardner-Webb
Haywood saw action in only three games due to injury in 2021. But he was an impact player for Idaho in the previous three seasons.
The 6-foot receiver had 29 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns in six games during the spring, 60 catches for 570 yards and six TDs in 2019, and 51 catches for 489 yards and six TDs in 2018. Haywood was named an All-Big Sky Second Team punt returner in 2019, averaging 9.1 yards per return.
12. Jaylan Thomas (RB)
Elon to Samford
Thomas was a breakout star in 2018 as the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year. He rushed for 761 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, and scored four TDs on the ground.
The 5-foot-9 and 195-pound back was productive in the following three seasons, rushing for 415 yards and three TDs in 2019, 307 yards and two TDs in six games during the spring, and 600 yards and four TDs last season. Thomas also has 56 career catches for 495 yards and four scores.
11. Will McElvain (QB)
Northern Iowa to Central Arkansas
McElvain was named to the 2019 MVFC All-Newcomer team and earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades after setting the UNI freshman passing record. He threw for 2,778 yards, 20 TDs, and seven interceptions.
In five games during the spring, McElvain threw for just 938 yards, one TD, and two interceptions. And last season, he lost the starting job after two games when he threw for a combined 237 yards, one TD, and two interceptions. Despite the regression in statistics, McElvain joins a more passing-friendly team in UCA. But the Bears do lose the dynamic duo of LuJuan Winningham (declared for the 2022 NFL Draft) and Tyler Hudson (transfer to Louisville).
10. Michael Jackson Jr. (WR)
VMI to Delaware
Jackson emerged as a play-maker in VMI’s explosive passing attack. In the spring, the 6-foot-2 receiver caught 36 passes for 394 yards and three TDs. He took another step in the fall, hauling in 51 passes for 695 yards and six scores. Jackson was named to the All-SoCon Second Team.
9. Deandre Lamont (DB)
Central Arkansas to Campbell
Lamont was named to the All-ASUN Team last season after making plays all over the field for the Bears. He was UCA’s second-leading tackler with 63, and he tallied two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and eight pass breakups.
8. Devin Young (WR)
Maine to Sacred Heart
Young earned All-CAA honors at two positions in 2021 – Second Team kick returner and Third Team wide receiver. He led Maine with 54 receptions for 585 yards and three touchdowns while adding 691 yards on 26 kick returns. Young ranked third in the CAA with 116.8 all-purpose yards per game.
7. Ethan Caselberry (LB)
VMI to Austin Peay
Caselberry is a rangy outsider linebacker/safety hybrid at 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds. He was named to the 2018 SoCon All-Freshman team. The next season, Caselberry led VMI with 70 tackles.
He was a back-to-back All-SoCon Second Team selection in the 2021 spring and fall seasons, totaling 44 tackles in eight games in the spring and 73 tackles and eight pass breakups last season.
6. Kahtero Summers (WR)
Saint Francis to Rhode Island
Summers is a big target at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He had a breakout year last season, catching 44 passes for 674 yards and nine TDs. Summers was named to the All-NEC Second Team and a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American.
5. Anthony Britton (LB)
The Citadel to Southeastern Louisiana University
Britton led The Citadel in the 2020-21 season with 104 tackles, earning All-SoCon First Team honors. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder added 7.5 TFLs and two sacks. Britton missed most of the 2021 season due to injury, playing in the first and last game with a combined 11 tackles.
4. Jayden Dawson (DB)
Idaho State to Montana
Dawson was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Idaho State. The 5-foot-11 corner earned First Team honors in the spring, recording 30 tackles and four pass breakups in six games.
Last season, Dawson was named an Honorable Mention on the All-Conference teams. He finished second in the Big Sky (behind Montana’s Justin Ford) in passes defended with 13 breakups and two interceptions. Dawson also totaled 54 tackles.
3. Jalyn Witcher (WR)
Presbyterian to Delaware
Witcher is one of the most electric young players in the FCS, and his talents were showcased in Presbyterian’s high-flying offense. In 2021, the 5-foot-10 and 175-pounder had 80 catches for 1,120 yards and 12 TDs.
He was named an All-Pioneer Football League First Teamer, a HERO Sports Freshman All-American, an AP All-American, and finished seventh in voting for the Jerry Rice Award.
2. Lindsey Scott Jr. (QB)
Nicholls to Incarnate Word
The Southland Conference had elite quarterback play in 2021. SLU’s Cole Kelley and UIW’s Cameron Ward earned plenty of the headlines, but Nicholls’ Lindsey Scott Jr. was also dynamic. The All-Conference Honorable Mention selection threw for 2,083 yards, 16 TDs, and 11 interceptions and rushed for 990 yards and nine TDs. In the spring, Scott passed for 1,684 yards, 18 TDs, and seven interceptions in seven games. He also had 557 yards rushing and six TDs.
Kelley is a 2022 NFL Draft prospect. And Ward transferred to Washington State, opening the door for a new starting QB. UIW, coming off of a playoff appearance and near win against the defending champs Sam Houston, landing in-conference transfer Scott is a huge get.
1. Jakob Herres (WR)
VMI to Richmond
Richmond is adding some offensive firepower to complement its defense that ranked No. 21 last season with 20.0 points allowed per game. Herres is one of the better receivers in the FCS, earning multiple All-Conference and All-American accolades throughout his VMI career. He had 72 catches for 1,091 yards and eight TDs in 2019, 80 receptions for 978 yards and eight TDs in the spring (eight games), and 47 catches for 500 yards and five TDs last season (eight games).
Herres is reuniting with former VMI quarterback Reece Udinski, who transferred to Maryland for the 2021 fall season. Udinski was a three-year starter at VMI from 2018 to the spring season, setting multiple school passing records. Udinski and Herres will arguably be the best QB-WR duo in the CAA.
NEXT: Top FCS-to-FBS Transfers
