Transfers are the latest big wave in college football, especially with the legislation this offseason that allows players to move from school-to-school a single time and retain immediate eligibility.

Major programs have poached potential all-conference performers from rivals, while many schools have restocked their depth charts with guys simply looking for an opportunity or a fresh start.

With the season rapidly approaching, we take a quick look at each SEC West school’s biggest loss to the transfer portal.

Alabama

The Tide added two of the more notable transfers this offseason — wideout Jameson Williams and linebacker Henry To’o To’o — without losing a ton of players of consequence. Several depth pieces (RB Keilan Robinson and LB Ben Davis) followed Steve Sarkisian to Texas, with Robinson being the most notable “loss” on the roster.

The former 4-star prospect showcased his skill set in 2019, averaging 6.54 yards per carry and finishing No. 3 on the team in yards, but he was buried on Alabama’s depth chart this summer after opting out of the 2020 season.

Auburn

Bryan Harsin’s roster was purged by the transfer portal this offseason, with more than a dozen Tigers entering the portal. Several joined former head coach Gus Malzahn in Orlando at UCF, including former top prospect Big Kat Bryant. But while BKB has the name cache, he hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations as a top-flight pass rusher (just 10 total sacks in 4 seasons).

Instead, Auburn’s most notable departure was starting defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk, who transferred to Florida, where he is expected to help anchor the interior of Todd Grantham’s new-look defensive line.

Newkirk had 28 tackles in 2020 — most among all Tigers defensive linemen.

Arkansas

This one is pretty cut and dry: The Razorbacks lost their No. 2 wide receiver in Mike Woods, who left to play for Lincoln Riley’s explosive offense at Oklahoma. The 6-1, 200-pound receiver averaged 19.34 yards per reception in 2020 — 2nd-best in the SEC and among the top 25 nationally.

He finished his junior season with 32 catches and 5 touchdowns and his production will certainly be missed in Fayetteville.

LSU

One of the easier choices for this exercise: Arik Gilbert. The Tigers saw a litany of starters depart the program after a tumultuous 2020 campaign, but none was more impactful than Gilbert’s transfer to UGA. The 6-5, 250-pound hybrid tight end/receiver played in just 8 games, but he finished 3rd on the team in receptions and was a true freshman All-American.

Gilbert was the highest-ranked tight end in 247Sports’ history and leaves a gaping void in the Tigers’ offense.

Mississippi State

Mike Leach cleaned house upon his arrival in Starkville, but the enigmatic head coach avoided notable departures heading into Year 2. Backup tight end Geor’quarius Spivey (11 catches for 121 yards) ended up at TCU, while reserve wideout Javonta Payton (19 catches for 225 yards and 1 touchdown) transferred home to play for Tennessee. Meanwhile, several other former Bulldogs remain in transfer limbo, still unable to find a new landing spot.

That leaves kicker Jace Christmann as the most impactful departure this offseason — this despite Christmann actually losing his starting spot to a transfer kicker last year. Christmann is now at Florida and is expected to be UF’s starting kicker after making 32-of-40 field goals from 2017-19 at MSU.

Ole Miss

The Rebels were downright atrocious on defense in 2020 (115th nationally in yards per play allowed at 6.67) and then lost their top linebacker to the portal this offseason.

Jacquez Jones led Ole Miss in tackles with 75 last season before opting to play his senior year at Kentucky. The middle linebacker finished No. 2 on the team in stops in 2019, too.

Texas A&M

This one is tough since the Aggies saw a slew of departures, yet none was a major contributor in 2020. So we’ll go with a wild card selection here and tab Shadrach Banks as someone who the Aggies could miss — probably not in 2021 but in the future. Banks signed with A&M in December and enrolled in January, but by May, the receiver had moved on to TCU.

Banks was an All-American and Top 150 prospect out of Galena Park (Texas) North Shore, and he flashed a versatile skill set that had teams recruiting him for both sides of the ball. While he signed with A&M as a wideout, Banks is now working as a linebacker in TCU’s 4-2-5 scheme and is already flashing major upside.