Transfer portal breakdown: 10 more-important-than-you-think SEC transfers

We’re going to continue our dive into the transfer portal with a look at some underrated SEC transfers.

Everyone knows the big-name transfers in the SEC; just take a look at the specific position rankings of those who entered in the portal. Today, though, we’re looking at some lower-ranked players who still will play important (and maybe even vital) roles for their new teams this fall.

The players are listed alphabetically.

Tennessee TE McCallan Castles

Transfer from: UC Davis
The buzz: Princeton Fant, who led Vols tight ends with 22 receptions last season, has exhausted his eligibility. Enter McCallan Castles (6 feet 5, 235 pounds), a former standout at FCS member UC Davis. He and holdover Jacob Warren figure to be the Vols’ top two tight ends – and Castles might be the better receiver. Castles is a two-time second-team All-Big Sky selection. He began his college career at California in 2018, then transferred to UC Davis after the 2019 season. He had 30 receptions for 347 and two TDs in 2022, giving him 57 receptions and six touchdowns in the past two seasons.

Kentucky OT Marques Cox

Transfer from: Northern Illinois
The buzz: UK’s offensive line struggled in 2022 for a variety of reasons, but in Marques Cox (6-6, 309), the Wildcats have added a four-year starting left tackle from NIU. Cox figures to be UK’s left tackle. That would enable Kenneth Horsey – the starter at that spot in 2022 – to move back to guard, which is his best position. Cox redshirted as a true freshman in 2018, then became the starting left tackle in Game 3 of the 2019 season. He kept the job for the rest of his career.

Ole Miss DB DeShawn Gaddie

Transfer from: North Texas
The buzz: DeShawn Gaddie (6-1, 188) was a three-year starter for the Mean Green, at both safety and cornerback. Gaddie earned some All-Conference USA acclaim at corner this past season, when he had 61 tackles, 13 pass breakups (tied for 13^th nationally) and two forced fumbles playing corner. In his three seasons as a starter, he had 145 tackles, two interceptions, 21 pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Gaddie seems likely to play corner for Ole Miss, which lost rising-star CB Davison Igbinosun to Ohio State via the portal. Deantre Prince is a returning starter at corner, and Gaddie figures to be his running mate.

Arkansas LB Antonio Grier

Transfer from: USF
The buzz: Antonio Grier (6-1, 223) joins a defense in need of linebackers. He played in just three games in 2022 because of a hand injury; he led the Bulls with 10 tackles in a three-point early-season loss to Florida. Grier was a fulltime starter in both 2020 and ’21 and a part-time starter in 2019. He finished his USF career with 230 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles and two sacks. Grier figures to start next to holdover Chris Paul Jr. for the Hogs. Grier originally committed to UCF out of the portal. Arkansas’ new defensive coordinator is Travis Williams, who had been DC at UCF.

Florida DT CamRon Jackson

Transfer from: Memphis
The buzz: CamRon Jackson (6-6, 340) needs to produce for the Gators this fall. Florida needs bodies along the defensive front, which is one reason it signed five defensive linemen during the early signing period. The Gators also received a portal commitment from former Louisville DT Caleb Banks, but he is more of a developmental guy. Jackson appears ready to be a key member of the rotation immediately. After serving as a reserve in 2021, Jackson became a starter for Memphis this past season and produced solid numbers, finishing with 41 tackles. He doesn’t provide much of a pass rush, but he takes up a lot of space and is good against the run. He also has two years of eligibility left.

Auburn DT Lawrence Johnson

Transfer from: Purdue
The buzz: Here’s another interior lineman who should produce immediately for his new SEC team. Lawrence Johnson (6-3, 310) was a starter for Purdue the past two seasons – he had 62 total tackles – and will be an important part of Auburn’s interior. He doesn’t make many splash plays. But he is an experienced big body who is adept at mucking up things in the middle. Johnson was a part-time starter for the Boilermakers in 2019 and ’20 before becoming a fulltime starter the past two seasons.

Missouri OT Marcellus Johnson

Transfer from: Eastern Michigan
The buzz: Marcellus Johnson (6-4, 308) was a three-year starter at left tackle and started the final 32 games of his Eastern Michigan career. Whether he plays that spot for Mizzou is up in the air. The Tigers return starting LT Javon Foster as well as part-time starting RT Armand Membou. Still, Johnson didn’t transfer to sit. He could supplant Foster, move to the right side (that seems the likeliest) or even move inside to guard. He will play a big role up front for Mizzou. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2018, Johnson didn’t miss a game in the next four seasons at EMU. Johnson, who played 2022 as a graduate student, was a four-time All-MAC Academic selection.

South Carolina WR Eddie Lewis

Transfer from: Memphis
The buzz: Eddie Lewis (6-0, 190) helps the Gamecocks in two ways. First, he should be an effective complementary receiver to Antwane Wells for QB Spencer Rattler. Lewis led Memphis in receiving yards (615) and tied for the team lead in TD catches (seven); he was third on the Tigers with 42 receptions. Second, he was one of the most productive punt returners in the nation, with 26 returns for 255 yards (9.81 per return) and a touchdown. South Carolina’s special teams are among the best-coached in the nation, so it’ll be interesting to see how Pete Lembo deploys Lewis. Lewis was a two-year starter for the Tigers after transferring from Butler County (Kan.) CC.

Tennessee LB Keenan Pili

Transfer from: BYU
The buzz: Keenan Pili (6-3, 237) is a thumper against the run and will add some physicality to a Vols defense that needs it. At the least, Pili will be a key part of the linebacker rotation. He started at MIKE linebacker for BYU and was second on the team in 2022 with 62 tackles. He also started in 2020 and opened the 2021 season as a starter before being hurt in Game 3 and missing the rest of the season. Pili, who was a two-year captain for the Cougars, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Mississippi State WR Freddie Roberson

Transfer from: Eastern Washington
The buzz: Freddie Roberson (6-2, 195) joins a Mississippi State receiving corps that’s in flux because of the transfer of Rara Thomas; in addition, there will be offensive tweaks in the wake of the death of Mike Leach. Roberson was a three-year starter for EWU who had 141 receptions for 2,266 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. Roberson was a proven deep threat at the FCS level, averaging 16.1 yards per catch, and that facet needs to come to the fore with the Bulldogs. He led Eastern Washington with 797 yards receiving and seven touchdowns this season.