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During the past seven seasons, the SEC has made a living off signing standout junior college prospects.
From 2006-12, the SEC has signed the third-most JUCO prospects, behind only the Big 12 and Pac-12. The three conferences have combined for 15 of the 20 most JUCO signees during the past seven years.
All 14 SEC programs combined to ink 229 JUCO players from 2006-12.
The players we’ve seen make their home in the best conference in college football have delivered for their teams. Three teams have won an SEC championship with star JUCO transfers, two have won national championships and four teams have won divisional titles.
Taking the seven-year sample size, who are the best JUCO transfers we’ve seen come through the SEC?
8. Terrence Cody, Alabama: Cody’s defining moment for the Crimson Tide came in 2009 against Tennessee when he blocked two field goals to preserve the win for Alabama. As a senior, Cody was named a finalist for the Lombardi Award and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award. Cody recorded 52 total tackles during his two seasons as a starter in Tuscaloosa, along with 10.5 tackles for loss. The current Baltimore Raven stuffed the middle of the Crimson Tide’s defensive front, and perhaps most amazingly, no individual rushed for more than 100 yards during Cody’s two-year stay at Alabama.
7. Jesse Williams, Alabama: A native of Brisbane, Australia, Williams moved to nose guard in 2012 to anchor a 3-4 scheme and the nation’s top-ranked rush defense. Williams also saw extensive time at fullback in goal line sets for the Crimson Tide during his two years. The Arizona Western College transfer began his Alabama career at defensive end as a junior in 2011, before moving inside to tackle later that season during Alabama’s national championship run. His move as a senior to nose guard showed his versatility.
6. Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky: Smith made an immediate impact for new head coach Mark Stoops in Lexington, finishing tied for third on the team in tackles during his first season with the Wildcats. In addition to his 59 total tackles, he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Smith decided to return for his senior season, and improved on his junior campaign. During the 2014 campaign, Smith recorded 61 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, in addition to a fumble recovery.
5. Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn: Head coach Gus Malzahn has made his living luring big-time JUCO prospects to the Plains, and Artis-Payne is the latest evidence. Having to replace Heisman finalist Tre Mason, all he did was lead the SEC in rushing with 1,482 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Artis-Payne hit his stride during the middle of the season, highlighted by a career-best 201 yards against Texas A&M.
4. Markus Golden, Missouri: Though he played only 40 percent of the snaps during his junior at loaded defensive end spot, Golden led the Tigers in tackles with 55, 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. During his breakout senior season, Golden significantly upped his production opposite Shane Ray. The St. Louis native ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 68, but highlighted his season with 16.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Golden has a knack for getting to the quarterback and making plays on the ball. The senior played a key part in the Tigers repeating as SEC East champions.
3. Nick Marshall, Auburn: After a breakout junior season fueled primarily by his ability to run the football, Marshall followed up an eye-popping 2013 with arguably a more impressive senior season. Marshall improved as a passer during the offseason, shown in his record-breaking Iron Bowl effort. He completed 60 percent of his passes and amassed 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Couple that with his 780 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, and Marshall secured his Auburn legacy in just two seasons.
2. Nick Fairley, Auburn: Fairley starred during his junior season on the Plains, leading the Tigers to their first national championship since 1957. The defensive tackle terrorized opposing quarterbacks en route to recording 60 total tackles, 24.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, in addition to an interception. His 24.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks led the SEC in 2010, earning Fairley All-American honors and the Lombardi Trophy.
1. Cam Newton, Auburn: The poster boy for JUCO transfers during the last decade, Newton’s one season in Auburn was breathtaking. Newton shattered all kinds of SEC and NCAA records on his way to the Heisman Trophy and a national championship. Newton threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in addition to his nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. Newton swept most of the major awards including the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
