1-year transfers to watch at the NFL Scouting Combine

Numerous transfers were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, which is going on now in Indianapolis – guys like UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet, USC WR Jordan Addison, Baylor NT Siaki Ika, Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Utah TE Dalton Kincaid.

Today, we’re going to spotlight 10 combine invitees who had something to prove in their first season at a new school heading into the 2022 season. Seven of the 10 transferred “up” – that is, they moved into a tougher conference. The other three went from backups to legit standouts. All 10 played well enough at their new school to earn a coveted combine invitation. If they perform as well at the combine as they did on the field 2022, each will have put himself in an excellent position for the April 27-29 draft.

The players are listed alphabetically.

TCU C Alan Ali

Transfer from: SMU
The buzz: Alan Ali was a four-year starter for Sonny Dykes at SMU, then started for him again in 2022 at TCU. The jump up in competition didn’t bother Ali: He earned first-team All-Big 12 notice in his one season in Fort Worth. His versatility – he started at center, both guard spots and both tackle spots in college – is a selling point, though center is his best position. Ali is a heady interior lineman who gets push in the running game. He is seen as a late-round selection.

Louisiana Tech CB Myles Brooks

Transfer from: Stephen F. Austin
The buzz: Myles Brooks was a solid corner at the FCS level for Stephen F. Austin, with 65 tackles and six interceptions in three seasons. He adjusted seamlessly to FBS football, earning second-team All-Conference USA honors after a season in which he had 29 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups. Brooks has impressive size (6-2, 198) and a physical nature. His speed is a question, but he looks to be a Day 3 draftee.

LSU CB Mekhi Garner

Transfer from: Louisiana
The buzz: Mekhi Garner was a third-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2021, and though he has good size for a corner (6-1, 220), there were questions about whether his speed was enough for the SEC. That wasn’t an issue, as he quickly grabbed a starting role and had 43 tackles and seven pass breakups for a team that won the SEC West. He seems likely to go on Day 3 and could end up moving to safety. Garner is extremely physical but the speed question continues to dog him.

Washington State LB Daiyan Henley

Transfer from: Nevada
The buzz: Daiyan Henley was Nevada’s leading tackler in 2021, when his 103 stops were sixth-most in the Mountain West; he earned second-team all-conference honors for his performance. The move up in competition didn’t faze him, as Henley was a first-team All-Pac-12 guy in 2022. He had 106 tackles, four sacks, 12 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles. Not bad for a guy who played wide receiver in his first two seasons at Nevada before switching to linebacker in 2019. An extremely active inside ’backer, he seems likely to be a mid-round pick.

Purdue WR Charlie Jones

Transfer from: Iowa
The buzz: Charlie Jones was one of the biggest surprises out of the portal. After catching 21 passes in two seasons with Iowa, he had 110 receptions for 1,361 yards and 12 TDs in 2022. He led the nation in receptions, was second in receiving yards and fifth in TD catches. The idea that he would be invited to the combine seemed folly a year ago at this time. But his huge 2022 season got him an invitation, and his return skills should help him get drafted on Day 3.

Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace Jr.

Transfer from: Miami (Ohio)
The buzz: Ivan Pace Jr. was the MAC defensive player of the year in 2021. He topped that in 2022, earning consensus All-America acclaim as well as AAC defensive player of the year honors. Pace had 137 tackles (sixth nationally), 21.5 tackles for loss (third), 10 sacks (10^th) and three forced fumbles. Alas, his lack of height (Cincinnati listed him at 6-0, but he’s shorter) impacts his draft evaluation. His production, high football IQ, strength and toughness are excellent, but his lack of size is a big (so to speak) negative. Pace is considered a late-round pick.

Nebraska WR Trey Palmer

Transfer from: LSU
The buzz: The since-fired Scott Frost and his staff hit it big with Trey Palmer, who set a Nebraska single-season school record for receiving yards (1,043) in 2022. It was just the second 1,000-yard season by a Huskers receiver in school history (Stanley Morgan Jr. had 1,004 yards in 2018). Palmer finished the season with 71 receptions, second-most in a season in school history; RB Marlon Lucky had 75 in 2007. Palmer had 43 receptions in three seasons at LSU. He seems a likely Day 3 pick in the draft, thanks to his speed and 2022 production.

Kansas OLB Lonnie Phelps

Transfer from: Miami (Ohio)
The buzz: Lonnie Phelps made the move from the MAC, where he was a second-team all-league pick in 2021, to the Big 12, and he handled it well. Phelps had seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. The step up in competition didn’t really bother Phelps, as he was a second-team All-Big 12 pick in 2022. He lacks height (6-2), but his production means he will be drafted.

Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

Transfer from: Alabama
The buzz: Drew Sanders was a former five-star recruit stuck down the depth chart at Alabama. He transferred within the division and lived up to the high school hype for the Hogs. He was second in the SEC with 9.5 sacks (he had one in two seasons at Alabama) and earned all-conference honors. Sanders also had 13.5 tackles for loss, which was fifth in the SEC. The physical traits always were there; his one season at Arkansas gave him a chance to consistently show them off. He’s considered a first-rounder in the draft.

Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence

Transfer from: Louisiana
The buzz: O’Cyrus Torrence followed coach Billy Napier from Louisiana. He was a three-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns who was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2021. Blocking Sun Belt defensive linemen is one thing; blocking SEC behemoths is another. But the move to the SEC didn’t bother Torrence, who was a consensus first-team All-American in 2022. He’s considered by most draft observers as the top guard available in the draft. The only question is how early he will go.