Faculty soccer gamers leaping to an FBS energy convention from the FCS stage are sometimes taking an enormous gamble. The hole in competitors stage is intense. However a rise in competitors stage additionally comes with the potential for extra nationwide publicity — notably to NFL scouts.
It is labored out for gamers like Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse — who transferred from Albany in 2022 and profiles as a surefire first-round choose within the 2024 NFL Draft — or South Carolina large receiver Antwane Wells — a former James Madison star who went on to turn out to be an All SEC choice.
In a seek for untapped potential, prolific packages combed the switch portal for FCS standouts at a reasonably excessive clip in 2023. In actual fact three of the highest 5 gamers within the 247Sports’ rankings — together with the No. 1 prospect — got here from the FCS stage.
With that in thoughts, listed here are the highest FCS to FBS transfers for the 2023 school soccer season:
Travis Hunter, ATH AND Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Switch from: Jackson State
Hunter and Sanders usually are not typical FCS transfers. Each had been highly-regarded recruits out of highschool — Hunter was the No. 1 prospect within the 2022 class and the primary five-star to ever signal with an FCS program — that purchased into Deion Sanders at Jackson State. They each adopted Sanders to Colorado within the offseason. Hunter has the potential be both the most effective large receiver or cornerback within the nation, whereas Sanders generated some Heisman Trophy buzz final season whereas throwing for 3,732 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Switch from: Southeastern Louisiana
Alexander has all the pieces you need from a contemporary cornerback. His 6-foot-2 body ought to maintain up in opposition to SEC large receivers. He pulled down 9 interceptions in 31 video games at Southeastern and returned two of his three picks for touchdowns final 12 months. With these ball expertise, he shouldn’t have any bother starring in an LSU secondary that obtained shredded at occasions a 12 months in the past.
Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon
Switch from: Rhode Island
Cornelius began 22 video games for Rhode Island, and he’s already penciled in as Oregon’s beginning proper deal with. He garnered provides from nearly each main program within the nation upon his entry to the portal and his 6-foot-5 and 310-pound profile has already landed him on some NFL radars. He carries that weight nicely, and has sufficient bend and agility to carry up in opposition to energy convention move rushers.
McCallan Castles, TE, Tennessee
Switch from: UC Davis
One other man that generated some draft buzz earlier than getting into the switch portal, Castles steps into a perfect state of affairs at Tennessee. Jacob Warren is Tennessee’s solely returning tight finish with greater than 10 profession catches, so loads of targets are up for grabs. Castles recorded 57 catches for 710 yards and 6 touchdowns in his final two seasons at UC Davis. He is already added 15 kilos to assist improve his skill to carry up within the trenches in opposition to SEC competitors.
Cameron Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Switch from: Sacramento State
Skattebo is a menace to interrupt off an enormous play anytime he touches the ball, whether or not or not it’s on offense or particular groups. He averaged seven yards per carry final season whereas speeding for 1,373 yards and 7 touchdowns. He additionally recorded not less than three catches in six video games and performed some out of the slot, which suggests Kenny Dillingham and his employees can have enjoyable scheming up performs for him. He ought to have loads of alternative to shine in an Arizona State backfield quick on expertise.
Drae McCray, WR, Texas Tech
Switch from: Austin Peay
Talking of versatility, Texas Tech’s teaching employees is already gushing concerning the myriad methods they’ll use McCray. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley talked about within the spring that the 5-foot-9 McCray can line up at outdoors receiver, within the slot or out of the backfield. McCray had 1,888 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons at Austin Peay, and even lit up Alabama’s secondary for 92 receiving yards in 2022.
Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina
Switch from: ETSU
On prime of the truth that North Carolina’s move protection ranked 121st out of 131 FBS colleges final 12 months, the Tar Heels’ defensive backfield misplaced a ton expertise to the switch portal. Enter Huzzie, a three-year starter at ETSU contemporary off an FCS All-American season after intercepting six passes, one in every of which got here in opposition to Mississippi State. He might not posses nice dimension or elite athleticism, however Huzzie is a battle-tested technician that’s well-versed in all of the intricacies of the place.
Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas
Switch from: Texas A&M-Commerce
Huge receivers which can be 6-foot-4 and 200-plus kilos usually are not generally accessible within the switch portal, not to mention from the FCS ranks. Armstrong additionally boasts manufacturing — he put up 1,020 receiving yards and 16.5 yards per catch final 12 months, turning into the primary Texas A&M-Commerce wideout to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since 2014. The massive-play skill and size ought to assist him emerge as a prime goal for quarterback KJ Jefferson.
Jake Heimlicher, EDGE, UCLA
Switch from: Penn
A former off-ball linebacker turned move rush specialist, Heimlicher fills an enormous want for UCLA. The Bruins needed to get an edge to pair with star Laiatu Latu, and provides opposing offensive traces one other identify to fret about on the scouting report. Heimlicher must alter to greater and extra athletic offensive linemen, however he is executed nothing however produce since shifting to edge with 16.5 sacks during the last two years.
