Transfer portal breakdown: 10 less-hyped transfers you should know in the SEC

Let’s dive back into the transfer portal. We’ve already looked at the key incoming and outgoing transfers in the SEC; today, we’re going to highlight 10 SEC transfers who have been overlooked.

Fan of these teams know about these players. Chances are, everyone else will know more about them at the end of the season.

Alabama OT Tyler Steen

The particulars: Transfer from Vanderbilt
The buzz: Alabama made ultra-splashy pick-ups from the transfer portal in RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Jermaine Burton. But the addition of Tyler Steen, a three-year starter at left tackle for Vanderbilt, was big, too. Alabama is looking for two new starting tackles, and it’s likely Steen handles the left side. At the least, he will be a valuable swing tackle.

Florida WR Ricky Pearsall

The particulars: Transfer from Arizona State
The buzz: Florida doesn’t look to have a true No. 1 receiver, so Ricky Pearsall’s addition in late May was big. He is experienced, having led the Sun Devils with 48 receptions last season, and can play in the slot or outside. Pearsall had 61 receptions and five touchdowns in three seasons at ASU. Pearsall figures to join holdover Justin Shorter as a starter, and his addition means there will be better competition for the other starting spot and for reserve roles among the likes of Xzavier Henderson, Trent Whittemore, Daejon Reynolds, Jaquavion Fraziars and Ja’Markis Weston.

Kentucky DB Zion Childress

The particulars: Transfer from Texas State
The buzz: UK’s addition of WR Tayvion Robinson got most of the attention, but Zion Childress should be a valuable member of the Wildcats’ secondary this season. Childress, a high school quarterback, started 14 games at safety in his first two seasons at Texas State before entering the transfer portal. He was third in tackles with 74 for the Bobcats last season and added an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He had 135 tackles in his two seasons at Texas State, and he should be a good fit in UK’s nickel position. Presumptive starting nickel Vito Tisdale suffered a knee injury in spring ball that will sideline him for the season, so Childress’ addition is big in that regard.

LSU P Jay Bramblett

The particulars: Transfer from Notre Dame
The buzz: LSU needed a new punter after the graduation of Avery Atkins; enter Jay Bramblett, who followed new coach Brian Kelly from Notre Dame. Bramblett (who is from Tuscaloosa, Ala., by the way) handled punting duties for three seasons with the Fighting Irish. He dropped almost a third of his career punts (49 of 164) inside the 20, and is coming off a season in which he averaged 43.1 yards per attempt. LSU has had a punter average better than 43.1 just twice in the past seven seasons.

LSU G Tre’Mond Shorts

The particulars: Transfer from East Tennessee State
The buzz: After redshirting in 2017 as a true freshman, Tre’Mond Shorts became a four-year starter at guard for East Tennessee State. He earned some FSC All-America acclaim in each of the past two seasons and was a two-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection. ETSU has a run-oriented offense, and Shorts (6 feet 4, 326 pounds) is a road-grader in the running game. Shorts almost certainly will start at guard for a Tigers team rebuilding its offensive line. LSU’s run-blocking has been spotty the past two seasons.

Missouri TE Tyler Stephens

The particulars: Transfer from Buffalo
The buzz: Tight end is one of the biggest question marks on Mizzou’s roster. There is a lack of numbers and experience. There are high hopes for redshirt freshman Ryan Hoerstkamp, but he played in just four games last season and didn’t catch a pass. Tyler Stephens played in 15 games at Buffalo, with 15 receptions for 157 yards and a TD last season. He is, by far, the most experienced tight end on the Tigers’ roster. Mizzou uses a lot of two-tight end sets, so Stephens figures to see a lot of time.

Ole Miss RB Ulysses Bentley IV

The particulars: Transfer from SMU
The buzz: Ole Miss brought in a lot of big names from the portal, including QB Jaxson Dart, RB Zach Evans, TE Michael Trigg and LB Troy Brown. Given Evans’ injury history (and, frankly, questions about his intensity), Ulysses Bentley IV could end up being a vital pickup. He rushed for 1,523 yards and 15 TDs in the past two seasons while sharing carries at SMU. He also is a solid receiver out of the backfield. Ole Miss figures to again have a share-the-wealth philosophy in its backfield, and with the top four rushers from last season gone, Bentley figures to get numerous opportunities even as the “other” running back behind Evans.

Ole Miss OT Mason Brooks

The particulars: Transfer from Western Kentucky
The buzz: Mason Brooks was a two-year starter at right tackle for Western Kentucky and a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2021; he was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2020. Ole Miss lost both starters off the right side of the offensive line, so Brooks slid in at right tackle in the spring. Given Western Kentucky’s offensive emphasis, Brooks has spent a heck of a lot of time in pass protection, but he’s a solid run-blocker, as well.

South Carolina WR Corey Rucker

The particulars: Transfer from Arkansas State
The buzz: The Gamecocks got a lot of attention by bringing in QB Spencer Rattler from the transfer portal, but the addition of two wide receivers was sort of lost in the shuffle. Antwane Wells arrives from James Madison, where he was an FCS All-American in 2021. Corey Rucker, meanwhile, is coming off an excellent season for a bad Arkansas State team. Rucker had 59 catches for 826 yards and nine TDs to earn second-team All-Sun Belt honors as a redshirt freshman. He will be an important part of the Gamecocks’ receiver rotation this fall. South Carolina has what should be a potent receiving corps with holdovers Josh Vann and Jaheim Bell, who should be one of the most productive tight ends in the SEC, and the additions of Rucker, Wells and TE Austin Stogner, like Rattler a transfer from Oklahoma.

Vanderbilt CB Jeremy Lucien

The particulars: Transfer from UConn
The buzz: Vandy lost some key players to the transfer portal, but Jeremy Lucien is one newcomer who figures to play a significant role. Jaylen Mahoney is a returning starter at corner, and Lucien – who has good size at 6-2 and 192 pounds – could get the other starting spot. At the least, he will be a key rotation piece in a secondary that routinely was shredded last season. Lucien was a fulltime starter for UConn last season after starting a combined five games in the previous two seasons. He had 29 tackles, two picks and four pass breakups for the Huskies in 2021.