/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68861713/1059989418.0.jpg)
Unfortunately part of the Transfer Portal means players at your school can head elsewhere. We took a look at the talent coming in earlier this week, but it’s time to look at who’s leaving. The AAC’s produced a number of incredible players over the last few years, and some of them decided they needed a change of scenery. Today we take a look at those players, and wish them the best at their new schools.
*All information was pulled from the 247 Transfer Portal
QB McKenzie Milton (UCF to Florida State)
This one is still tough to stomach, but it also was the most inevitable. Milton is trying to beat the odds by playing after a catastrophic injury back in 2018, but he’s one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football when healthy. He brings 10,000 total yards to Tallahassee to work with Mike Norvell, and it’s a combination that could spell trouble for the ACC.
QB Ben Bryant (Cincinnati to Eastern Michigan)
Cincinnati suddenly needs a backup quarterback behind Desmond Ridder after Bryant’s decision to leave. Eastern Michigan gets a guy who’s proven he can step up when called upon, and can get the ball to his playmakers. Bryant deserves a chance to start, and he’ll get that with EMU.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22322746/1280269470.jpg)
QB Anthony Russo (Temple to Michigan State)
Russo has the potential to be a good passer, but he just needs time to throw. It seemed like he hit a wall at Temple, and needed a new team. It was surprising to see him land at a Power 5 school, but he has the arm talent to compete in the Big Ten. Michigan State’s trying to rebuild right now, but Russo could make the offense exciting to watch if he can find chemistry with a couple of key playmakers.
QB Darriel Mack (UCF to Old Dominion)
Mack helped UCF win a conference championship in 2018, and it seems like he’s destined for success with Old Dominion. If he can become a more complete passer, the Monarchs offense will be fun to watch. Mack’s already a good runner who can take hits, and at his best he’s tough to stop even as a passer.
QB Jordan McCloud (USF to Arizona)
McCloud turned one 400-yard game into a Power 5 opportunity, but I’m not sure if it will be a successful transition. McCloud didn’t exactly shine at USF, but maybe a new team can help him. Arizona hasn’t exactly been good to its quarterback, but Jedd Fisch and his staff could be the group he needs to get better.
QB Logan Holgorsen (Houston to ???)
Holgorsen doesn’t have a ton of experience, but he’s a guy you want in your locker room. The ultimate team player can get a sideline hyped, and the team that lands him will get an instant boost to their morale.
RB Amare Jones (Tulane to Georgia Southern)
Jones is dynamic out of the backfield, and Georgia Southern might have to pass more to utilize his talents the best. He brings over 1,400 yards and 12 total touchdowns to the Eagles offense, and joins a loaded running back group over there.
RB Johnny Ford (USF to FAU)
At his peak, Johnny Ford can be one of the best players in the conference. FAU just has to find a way to get him the football and in space. He’s proven that he can run the ball and play in the slot, so he gives the Owls flexibility.
RB Re’Mahn Davis (Temple to Vanderbilt)
Going from the AAC to the SEC isn’t a move we see often, but Davis is giving it a shot. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2019, but struggled to find running room last year. He’ll try to win the job at Vanderbilt, and he’s joining a team that’s under new leadership who will most likely look at every position for new competitors.
WR Keith Corbin (Houston to Jackson State)
Corbin joins one of the most polarizing teams in college football. Deion Sanders is looking to build Jackson State into a powerhouse, and Corbin could help start that process.
OT Obinna Eze (Memphis to TCU)
The former four star was solid for Memphis, but took his talents to the Big 12 to protect a rising quarterback in Max Duggan. A future in the NFL is on the table for him, and playing against Big 12 competition should help him put on new tape for scouts to analyze.
DE Randy Charlton (UCF to Mississippi State)
Charlton and UCF needed a fresh start, and now he’ll get a chance to play in the SEC. He can be a menace on the edge when he’s playing full time, and the Bulldogs have a potential all-conference player on their roster. He brings a career 68 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks with him.
DE Kenny Turnier (UCF to TCU)
Whether he plays tackled or end, Turnier’s proven he can handle either. He has 23.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks to his name, and he’ll give Gary Patterson flexibility to move him along the line where needed.
DE Arnold Ebiketie (Temple to Penn State)
Ebiketie took his one season and ran with it, turning it into a Power 5 job. In six games he produced 42 tackles (8.5 for loss) and four sacks.
DT Ifeanyi Maijeh (Temple to Rutgers)
Maijeh can dominate with his hands, and he’s about to test his skill in Big Ten play. He had a big year in 2019, but took a step back last season. He joins a Scarlet Knights team that surprised some last year, and Maijeh gives them a Day 1 starter who can play with both power and quickness at tackle.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22322755/1058976492.jpg)
CB TJ Carter (Memphis to TCU)
Carter’s career has had its fair share of ups and downs, and now he’ll join one of the best defensive coaches in college football. Gary Patterson’s sent a number of defensive backs to the NFL, and Carter’s set up well to be the next on the list. The former AAC Freshman of the Year has been tested by AAC offenses for the last two years, and now he inherits a challenge of competing in the Big 12. The pace of play shouldn’t surprise him, so there aren’t too many concerns about this transition.
S Bentlee Sanders (USF to Nevada)
Other than having a great name, Sanders landed in a great spot at Nevada. Jay Norvell brought the Wolfpack to a new level last year, and they’re hoping to win the Mountain West in 2021. Sanders gives them an experienced player who was stuck in a crowded and talented defensive backfield.
CB Linwood Crump (Temple to Colorado State)
Crump was on pace to be the next great Temple defensive back, but now he’ll just become the next great Rams defensive back. He had a big year in 2018 with three interceptions, and he’s hoping that he can rediscover that magic in the Mountain West.
CB Brandon Moore (UCF to Florida State)
Just like McKenzie Milton, Moore takes his talents to Tallahassee. Moore’s also coming off of an injury that limited him over the last two seasons. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the one who picked off Joe Burrow (who got clocked on the return) in the Fiesta Bowl and returned it for a touchdown. Moore at one point was supposed to be the next great Knights defensive back, but injuries have limited his time on the field.