1. QB Greg Paulus (Duke To Syracuse)
Sure, Paulus’ stats weren’t stellar in his one year at Syracuse, but he deserves a special mention on this list because he switched schools as well as sports.
New York’s Mr. Basketball and the 2004 Gatorade National Football game Player of the Year are definite to start his academy career on the hardwood at Duke. After 4 seasons of basketball with the Blue Devils, he dissipated out to transfer back to his home-based state and play quarterback for Syracuse as a graduate student.
2. LB Houston Bates (Illinois To Louisiana Tech)
While most graduate transfers are moves from smaller schools to larger schools or side schools, Bates stood out with his recent move to Conference USA company Louisiana Tech from the Big Ten’s Illinois.
Last year, the former Illini starter moved closer to his Covington, Los Angeles, home after graduating.
Bates led the Bulldogs’ defense with an astounding 4.5 sacks in Louisiana Tech’s 35-18 victory over Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
3. QB Clint Trickett (Florida State-West Virginia)
Trickett decided to transfer to West Virginia, one of his dad’s former schools, after losing the position battle to Jameis Winston in 2013.
After recovering from an injury in the offseason, Trickett was named West Virginia’s starting quarterback for the 2014 season and got off to a strong start, throwing for at least 300 yards in all of the first 8 games of his senior season. He now coaches at JUCO Powerhouse East Mississippi CC.
4. OT Matt Patchan (Florida To Boston College)
Patchan is the first of 2 former Florida Gators to join Steve Addazio at Boston College.
With instant eligibility for 2013 at Boston College, Patchan started each game for the Eagles at left tackle and played a large role in paving the way for Andre Williams’ monster season. Patchan’s breakout campaign at Boston College ended with second-team All-ACC honors.
5. QB Garrett Gilbert (Texas To SMU)
One of the top-rated quarterbacks of the last decade, Gilbert’s career has not gone well at all. As a true freshman, he stepped in for an injured Colt McCoy in the BCS National Championship Game in 2009, committing five turnovers in Texas’ failed comeback against Alabama. Gilbert graduated from Texas to SMU in 2012.
6. RB Charles Sims (Houston To West Virginia)
Sims decided to end his college career with the Mountaineers after earning his title from Houston, and it paid off big.
A bruised Sims rushed for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns in his only year at West Virginia. Despite a 4-8 record at West Virginia, Sims was still named the Big 12 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 member for his outstanding season on the ground.
7. QB Tyler Murphy (Florida To Boston College)
Although he was a borderline 2/3 star recruit out of Connecticut, Murphy signed with Florida in 2010. He waited on the bench until the 2013 season, filling in for an injured Jeff Driskel against Tennessee and helping the Gators win his first three games of action.
Murphy was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Steelers earlier this year and is headed to the pros.
8. QB Ben Mauk (Wake Forest To Cincinnati)
After starting numerous games in Wake Forest’s back-to-back 4-7 seasons, Mauk suffered a major injury to his pitching arm in the 2006 season opener against Syracuse and underwent major reform surgery. Mauk then moved back to his home state in 2007 to play for Cincinnati.
“Bionic Ben” won the starting job and immediately led the Bearcats to their first 10-win season since 1951.
9. CB Ryan Smith (Utah-Florida)
Mauk became a graduate transfer star in Cincinnati, and Smith took advantage of a new NCAA rule and became a key part of Florida’s national championship-winning defense. While his professional career never materialized, his college finish was fantastic.
Smith started for Urban Meyer’s undefeated Utah team in 2004. Smith rushed to finish his coursework and combined his former coach in Gainesville before the 2006 season.
As a starter for the Gators, Smith had eight interceptions — tied for second in the nation — and 52 tackles in an All-SEC season for the 2006 BCS national champions.
10. QB Russell Wilson (from NC State To Wisconsin)
Whenever the graduate transfer rule is written or discussed, there’s a good chance Wilson will be mentioned. Wilson’s incredible season at Wisconsin garnered plenty of national attention and set the tone for the top in graduate transfers for the next several years.
After three standout years as NC State’s starting quarterback, a scholarship release, and an average spring in minor league baseball, Wilson returned to football in 2011 and was immediately eligible at Wisconsin.
In addition to all of his collegiate success, Wilson is enjoying by far the best professional career of any graduate transfer as a former Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, two-time Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Makes Football Special?
– The football shape is called a prolate spheroid, which means “long ball”. Soccer gloves with sticky spray are even more important because of the abnormal shape of the ball. Huddles only became commonplace after his arrival, thanks to Paul Hubbard, a quarterback from the 1890s.
Q. Who Introduced The Game Of Football In India?
– The game was introduced in Calcutta by British soldiers in the nineteenth century. Not many would know that Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhakari, known as the father of Indian football, used to force his classmates to play the game on his school campus.
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