Top 5 junior college transfers in the SEC (offense)
Last week we looked at the top junior college transfers on defense. Now that there’s been time for the offenses to go through a couple of scrimmages and start to establish a depth chart it’s time to take a look at the five junior college transfers that can make a difference on offense.
5. Naterace Strong, RB, Missouri: Strong had eligibility issues for a while, so he’s a little behind where he should be at this point. Early in the season I sense Strong might be best used in short yardage and goal line situations. Look for his role to expand as he picks up the offense and proves to be reliable in the passing game with protection or as a receiver out of the backfield.
4. Tate Leavitt, OT, Kentucky: The Wildcats have had some issues at the tackle and have given up way too many sacks in the Mark Stoops era. Leavitt probably hasn’t done enough to win the starting job but he’s a big body (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) and will be able to work as a swing tackle this season and give the Wildcats some depth at a position of need.
3. Mark Thompson, RB, Florida: The one thing that keeps Thompson from being rated higher — possibly No. 1 — is the fumbling issue he showed in the spring game. Sure he’ll get every opportunity to be the No. 1 guy in the backfield, but if he puts the ball on the ground there’s no way Jim McElwain will stick with him.
That being Thompson is a load at 6-2, 235 pounds and if he gets rolling don’t be surprised to see him be the sort of workhorse running back that the Gators have needed to salt away close games in the second half.
2. Javon Wims, WR, Georgia: With Malcolm Mitchell off to the NFL, there are a ton of questions surrounding the Bulldogs group of wide receivers. Someone eventually has to step up and help out a freshman quarterback. Wims has the size (6-4, 195) to provide a big target for Jacob Eason and he might really be able to shine in the red zone. It might take Wims a few games to get going, but I believe he’ll find his niche.
1. John Franklin III, QB/ATH, Auburn: It’s hard to predict exactly where Franklin will make his impact for the Tigers this year. The quarterback situation at Auburn is unstable and I wouldn’t be shocked if Franklin, Jeremy Johnson and Sean White all took snaps in the first couple of games.
If somehow White or Johnson establishes himself as the quarterback early in the season, I think Franklin could be moved to an all-purpose position playing some wide receiver and maybe some situational quarterback.
Franklin isn’t a great passer, but he’s a playmaker and Auburn needs playmakers this season.