By Tony Thomas
Penn State, UCF, Alabama, Syracuse, and LSU all landed quality talent from the transfer portal to start the New Year off right.
WR Julian Fleming
Penn State Nittany Lions (from Ohio State)
6’2”, 205 lbs.
After being stuck behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Ebuka, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming has decided to go elsewhere to find that elusive playing time, committing to the Nittany Lions of Penn State.
Penn State desperately needed a top receiver for Drew Allar, who worked with little to no help in 2023.
Julian Fleming should be just that.
Can only imagine he’s eager to break out after playing behind two WRs every year at Ohio Statepic.twitter.com/PqwlW5PUQ6
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) January 3, 2024
In 2023, Fleming caught 26 passes for 270 yards, but no touchdowns. The year before that, Fleming caught 34 passes for 533 yards and six scores. That season, in a win over Iowa, Fleming caught only two passes…for 105 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 52 yards per catch.
LB Deshawn Pace
UCF Knights (from Cincinnati)
6’2”, 212 lbs.
Deshawn Pace led the Cincinnati Bearcats in tackles with 80 stops, along with 11 tackles for loss, 1 INT, and 1 forced fumble. Pace recorded double-digit tackles three times in 2023: 10 tackles vs Iowa State, 11 tackles vs Baylor, and 12 tackles vs West Virginia. He comes to UCF with 237 tackles and 25 tackles for loss in his career.
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Deshawn Pace HIT STICK 😤 pic.twitter.com/Gh3NN3oTx4
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 21, 2023
OT Naquil Bertrand
Alabama Crimson Tide (Texas A&M Aggies)
6’6”, 340 lbs.
A true freshman in 2023, Naquil Bertrand leaves the Aggies for an Alabama team that allowed the most sacks in the SEC with 49, including six in the loss to Michigan in the CFP national semifinal game. Bertrand provides depth for a beleaguered offensive line and will reunite with former Aggie teammate LT Overton.
BREAKING: Alabama landed a commitment from Texas A&M OL transfer Naquil Bertrand.
Betrand spent one season in College Station.
The Pennsylvania native is listed at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds. Meaning he will likely play offensive tackle for Alabama next season. pic.twitter.com/KzO8k5UQOf
— Brody Smoot (@BrodySmoot) December 30, 2023
Edge Fadil Diggs
Syracuse Orange (from Texas A&M)
6’5”, 260 lbs.
Fadil Diggs is moving on to Syracuse to play for new defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson, former interim head coach at Texas A&M. Last season, Diggs totaled 36 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and four sacks. His high game of the 2023 season came against Tennessee in which he recorded six tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss.
EDGE Fadil Diggs (92 Grade by 247Sports) might be my favorite defender in the Transfer Portal.
Elite length with premium movement skills and effort. He's super versatile, but I think Texas A&M misused him some by moving around too much. Could have elite production if allowed to… pic.twitter.com/9DGIuCw6do
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) December 9, 2023
Diggs comes to a Syracuse defense that needs improvement. Their defense in 2023 ranked as follows:
· 67th in the FBS in total defense.
· 79th in the FBS in pass defense.
· 61st in rushing defense.
· 57th in rushing defense.
DB Austin Ausberry
LSU Tigers (from Auburn)
6’0”, 200 lbs.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Austin Ausberry is the son of Verge Ausberry, a deputy athletic director for the Tigers. Ausberry was a 4-star recruit out of University High School, ranked as the #13 prospect in Louisiana in the class of 2022.
I’m comin home🐯 pic.twitter.com/ulAk6k6b3h
— Austin Ausberry (@AusberryAustin) January 3, 2024
A versatile player in the secondary, Ausberry can play cornerback, nickel, or safety and will provide depth at a position that needs bodies. The Tigers ranked #118 in the FBS in pass defense and will only have four defensive backs on scholarship on the current roster. Ausberry saw action in seven games over two seasons and recorded three tackles.
