Defensive Transfers
Here are the 5 best defensive transfers who have entered the portal as of December 2nd. In the next few days, more will be added to the list as players start entering the portal.
Stephen Herron Jr., EDGE, Stanford
Stanford Edge-rusher Stephen Herron jr. announced on November 30th he’d be entering the transfer portal. Herron enters the portal as a grad transfer, only having one year of eligibility left.
In his 2022 season, Herron recorded 37 total tackles (18 solo), 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles along with multiple pressures.
.@stephenherron_ seals the deal. pic.twitter.com/0kTh7Wn7JC
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) December 20, 2020
In his four years with the Cardinals, the Kentucky native recorded 72 total tackles (39 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Tunmise Adeleye, EDGE, Texas A&M
Texas A&M defensive end Tunmise Adeleye announced he’d be entering the transfer portal. Tunmise was the team’s starting defensive end coming out of fall camp but played in just two games before incurring an undisclosed injury and missing the remainder of the season.
A former 4-star defensive lineman from Katy, Texas, Adeleye was ranked the No. 12 DL in the country and the No. 85 player in the Nation. Adeleye chose the Aggies over schools like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ohio State.
In only two games this season, Adeleye recorded six total tackles (four solo) and 0.5 a tackle for loss.
Antonio Grier, Linebacker, USF
A few days after Thanksgiving, USF linebacker Antonio Grier announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. He’ll enter the portal as a graduate transfer, with only one year left of eligibility.
Grier earned Preseason All-AAC First Team selections from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, on the heels of a 2021 season where he received an All-AAC First Team selection from Pro Football Network.
ANTONIO GRIER WITH THE PICK 6!!!!! HELL YEAH!!! #BeatTulsa pic.twitter.com/JJcFfFUrij
— SoFloLite (@SoFloBulls_) October 16, 2021
In his four seasons (36 games) at USF, Grier recorded 230 total tackles (133 solo), 23.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three passes defended, two interceptions, one pick-6, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered.
JQ Hardaway, Cornerback, Cincinnati
On Tuesday, Cincinnati freshman cornerback JQ Hardaway announced he’d be entering the transfer portal. As a freshman, Hardaway has three years of eligibility left.
Hardaway is a former 4-star safety who converted to corner. Hardaway was ranked the No. 15 safety in the country and the No. 192 player nationally. He chose the Bearcats over schools like Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Tennessee among others.
Playing just 95 snaps as a true freshman, Hardaway is a long cornerback with upside and will offer a long term solution to schools in need of a corner.
Jonathan McGill, Safety, Stanford
Stanford safety, Johnathan McGill announced on Monday his intentions to enter the transfer portal. McGill will enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, with only one year left of eligibility.
A captain in 2022 at Stanford, McGill finished with 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one sack, a fumble recovery and an interception.
During his four years at Stanford, McGill amassed 116 total tackles (74 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 17 pass deflections in 32 games played.