The transfer portal has increased the talent distribution throughout the college football landscape and players all across the country have entered the portal to find better opportunities elsewhere. The FCS level has experienced a massive influx of FBS talent, but some of the top names at the FCS level have decided to stay in the FCS. We breakdown the most impactful FCS to FCS transfers going into the 2022 season.
Jalyn Witcher (Presbyterian to Delaware)
Witcher exploded onto the scene for Presbyterian last season as a true freshman. Witcher set multiple Presbyterian single-season records with 80 catches, 1,120 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. He was selected as a 1st Team FCS All-American by the Associated Press and was named to the HERO Sports Freshman All-American team. Witcher was also a finalist for the 2021 Jerry Rice Award and finished 7th in the voting. Witcher will immediately be a top option for the Blue Hens next season and could be an integral piece to Delaware making another run at the CAA Championship.
Lindsey Scott Jr. (Nicholls State to Incarnate Word)
Scott has been one of the top quarterbacks at the FCS level since he transferred to Nicholls State from Missouri. He was selected as a Southland All-American Honorable Mention in 2021 and ranks 6th all-time in career passing yards in Nicholls State history with over 3,700 passing yards. He has won three Southland Player of the Week awards and was a three-time FCS National Player of the Week Honorable Mention. Incarnate Word lost 2020-21 Jerry Rice Award winner Cameron Ward to Washington State and Scott will bring much needed experience to the QB1 spot for the Cardinals.
Deandre Lamont (Central Arkansas to Illinois State)
Lamont has been a standout for Central Arkansas for the past three seasons and has been a two-time 1st Team All-ASUN selection for the Bears. Lamont has totaled 150 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 16 pass breakups over his time at Central Arkansas. Lamont is going to bring experience, production, and leadership to the secondary at Illinois State. The Redbirds ranked Top-5 in passing defense in the Missouri Valley Conference last season and Lamont should be an important piece for the upcoming 2022 season.
Sy’Veon Wilkerson (Delaware State to Jackson State)
Wilkerson had a breakout season for Delaware State last year and was selected as a 1st Team MEAC All-American. He was also a Jerry Rice Award finalist after rushing for over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Hornets. Wilkerson led the MEAC in rushing attempts and finished 2nd in rushing yards last season. Jackson State had the worst rushing offense in the SWAC last season and lost leading rusher Peyton Pickett this offseason, which should allow Wilkerson to make an immediate impact for the Tigers.
Draylen Ellis (Austin Peay to Tennessee State)
Ellis made an immediate impact at Austin Peay as a true freshman and was named the 2020-21 OVC co-Freshman of the Year. Ellis totaled over 3,800 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, and 3 rushing touchdowns for the Governors. He was a finalist for the 2020-21 Jerry Rice Award and was named the 2021 Preseason OVC Player of the Year. Tennessee State lost Geremy Hickbottom this offseason and Ellis is primed to step into the QB1 role for head coach Eddie George in the 2022 season.
Honorable Mention: Matthew McKay (Montana State to Elon), Terrell Allen (Austin Peay to Tennessee State), Corione Harris (McNeese State to Southern), Greg Benton Jr. (Western Illinois to Youngstown State)
About The Author
Anthony Britton, LB, Southeastern Louisiana–transfer from The Citadel– should be among this group. He was a 1st team All-SoCon selection in 2020-21. He had an outstanding spring and should be in the hunt for SLC DPOY if he can stay healthy.