By Patrick Weider
The transfer portal is in full swing, and many elite players have already signed up to play at their new schools. Here is a list of perfect fits for the programs and the players.
1) Patrick Payton, Edge
Florida State to LSU
Patrick Payton is a good edge rusher who had four sacks last year for Florida State. Payton is a solid athlete and explodes off the edge. He is a needed reinforcement for the LSU defense which struggled this year. Payton should be able to help jump-start the Tiger defense which struggled to stop the run, allowing 147 yards per game.
Payton, as a very good run-stopper should be able to help in that area. He’s also good as an edge rusher and will make a huge impact there, especially on 3rd downs. Additionally, Payton will have other pass-rushers around him at LSU, to keep the pressure off and help him be more successful.
2) Nikhai Hill-Green, Linebacker
Colorado to Alabama
The Alabama defense was up and down this season, so adding a linebacker like Nikhai Hill-Green should help them improve that unit. He had 53 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions last year for Colorado. An example of Alabama’s struggle was a late-season loss to Oklahoma. Oklahoma ran for 257 yards on Alabama and dominated them in the front seven.
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Adding a good linebacker like Hill-Green should help their overall defensive unit, especially tightening against the run.
3) Mansoor Delane, Cornerback
Virginia Tech to LSU
Another addition to the LSU defense is Mansoor Delane. He played at a high level for Virginia Tech last year with four interceptions, seven pass breakups, and he wasn’t the problem for the underachieving Hokies. Delane is a big cornerback, standing at 6’1″. LSU is trying to get their defense to take a critical step forward next year. While they improved under Blake Baker, more steps need to be made and Delane should help with that.
This is also a step in the right direction for LSU because they used to have elite defensive backs all the time. Delane should help turn the tide on LSU defensive backs playing at a high level.
4) Dillon Thieneman, Defensive Back
Purdue to Oregon
Oregon already has one of the best defenses in the country and they now add Dillon Thieneman as safety. Thieneman is a good athlete and in addition to doing well as safety, he handled punt return duties for the Boilermakers. The other concern for Oregon is they are losing two safeties at the end of the season to graduation, including former transfer Kobe Savage, so Thieneman will be replacing a need for them.
Thieneman is a tackling machine, with over 100 tackles each of the last two years. He is a huge addition to the Oregon defense and adds another elite talent to Eugene. Oregon continues to add more players through the portal at an impressive rate.
5) Princewill Umanmielen
Nebraska to Ole Miss
Princewill Umanmielen has been a solid player for Nebraska but is now transferring to Ole Miss. His brother Princely Umanmielen, just had a monster season for Ole Miss, so he is hoping to follow in his footsteps. For Umanmielen, he gets to go to a good place as Ole Miss seemed to master the ability to get the most out of edge players.
This will help the Rebels meanwhile fill a massive need for the program. Umanmielen has a ton of talent and just needs to build on it and play at a higher level. For Ole Miss, it is an opportunity to develop a player from a family they know well.
