Transfer portal intrigue: SEC defensive newcomers to watch

Over the next three weeks, a dozen SEC teams will hold some sort of scrimmage to cap off spring practice. There are pressing questions, biggest concerns and storylines galore for every program in the league — from Alabama to Vanderbilt. With the transfer portal becoming such an integral element in roster construction in the modern era of college football, the spring is the perfect time to get a sneak peek at potential impact newcomers across the SEC.

More than 80 players have already utilized the transfer portal to either switch teams within the SEC or enter the conference this offseason, and more movement is anticipated before the May 2 deadline.

I took a look at the most interesting offensive transfers to watch earlier this week, so here’s a rundown of some defensive names to keep an eye on over the next month. 

LSU’s HAUL from the Transfer Portal

Brian Kelly looked at his roster and decided the best way to upgrade a spotty defense was to splurge in college football’s version of free agency. Kelly plucked some of the best defensive players off several rosters across the country. The Tigers totally rebuilt their secondary on the fly, adding All-Big 12 corner Jarrick Bernard-Converse from Oklahoma State, as well as Arkansas starting defensive backs Greg Brooks Jr. and Joe Foucha. LSU also poached promising defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, a freshman All-SEC performer in 2021, from Missouri. Wingo rejoins his former St. Louis high school coach Robert Steeples, who is now LSU’s young defensive coordinator.

Alabama CB Eli Ricks 

Former five-star prospect, Eli Ricks should make an instant impact for the Tide this fall. Ricks missed half of last season with a shoulder injury, but he was a third-team All-American as a freshman in 2020 with LSU. Nick Saban is the master at developing long, rangy 6-2 corners into first-round draft picks, and with a strong junior season, Ricks could easily see his name next to the likes of Patrick Surtain II, Dre Kirkpatrick, Marlon Humphrey and others. 

Pittman goes Portal’ing

Thus far, Arkansas has had an interesting offseason with the transfer portal. It’s both taketh and giveth — for maybe a net-zero? We’ll see. As previously noted, the Razorbacks lost secondary starters Brooks Jr. and Foucha to LSU, but they did add former Tigers corner Dwight McGlothern as well as veteran Georgia nickel/STAR Latavious Brini. The more notable additions for Sam Pittman might’ve been former Alabama five-star outside linebacker Drew Sanders and LSU lineman Landon Jackson — both high school All Americans. Barry Odom’s defense returns just four starters so all these guys will have an opportunity to emerge as key pieces if they show well this offseason. 

Ole Miss safety Isheem Young 

The Ole Miss offensive reinforcements have naturally garnered the most headlines this offseason, and with good reason, but Isheem Young’s addition to a defense that needs a playmaking boost shouldn’t be overlooked either. The junior from Iowa State was the Big 12’s Co-Freshman of the Year in 2020 and recorded a pair of interceptions and forced fumbles for the Cyclones last fall. Considering he’s sliding into a very similar 3-safety scheme with the Rebels, Young is a Day 1 starter in Oxford. 

The best of the rest from the SEC and the Transfer Portal

After two seasons as an All-MAC performer at Central Michigan, the Rebels hope versatile linebacker Troy Brown can continue his strong play as a Power 5 player. Elsewhere in Mississippi, Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach lost a couple cornerbacks to the NFL so he sought immediate replacements via the portal, adding Marcus Banks from Alabama to pair with JUCO signee DeCarlos Nicholson. 

Nashville native Kane Patterson returns home to play for Vandy after seeing limited in three seasons with Clemson. He’s a former top recruit so there’s we’ll see if there’s still some upside there. 

Finally, Missouri’s spring practice is over but one name that will elicit offseason buzz will be linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper out of Florida. He joined his cousin Tyrone Hopper, who transferred from North Carolina, but Ty’Ron is the potential impact player after flashing real potential with the Gators last season (62 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.0 TFLs).