It's not all gloom and doom, anyway.
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Transfers to Watch
Here's a look at some of the key transfers in 2012, as well as others to watch:
Quarterbacks
Austyn Carta-Samuels, Wyoming to Vanderbilt – Carta-Samuels was Wyoming’s starting quarterback from 2009-10, throwing for 3,655 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also added 758 yards and six scores on the ground. Carta-Samuels will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to compete with Jordan Rodgers for the team’s starting quarterback job in the spring.
Dayne Crist, Notre Dame to Kansas – Charlie Weis’ biggest recruit for 2012 wasn’t a freshman. Landing Crist as a transfer from Notre Dame was a huge coup for Weis, as Kansas ranked ninth in the Big 12 in passing offense. Crist has never started a full season, as injuries to his ACL and patella tendon have limited his playing time. Crist threw for 2,327 yards and 16 touchdowns during his career at Notre Dame and should be an upgrade over Jordan Webb at quarterback for the Jayhawks. However, Kansas needs more receivers to emerge, and the offensive line has to keep Crist healthy if this team wants to challenge for a bowl appearance in 2012.
Tyler Gabbert, Missouri to UCF – Gabbert was believed to be neck-and-neck with James Franklin for Missouri’s starting quarterback job exiting spring practice last season, but decided to transfer and finally resurfaced at UCF on Signing Day 2012. Gabbert has an excellent opportunity to earn playing time, as Jeff Godfrey decided to transfer and while Blake Bortles played well in limited action last season, he has yet to make a start. Even if Gabbert doesn’t win the job, he will provide valuable depth for UCF.
Garrett Gilbert, Texas to SMU – Gilbert showed flashes of promise at Texas, but never lived up to the hype as one of the top quarterback recruits in the class of 2009. After Colt McCoy was injured against Alabama in the 2010 National Championship game, Gilbert showed poise leading Texas back into the game, but completed only 15 of 40 passes and tossed four picks. He also never seemed to get comfortable as the starter in 2010, finishing with 2,744 yards and 17 picks and got off to a sluggish start in 2011, before injuring his shoulder and missing the rest of the year. Gilbert played in a wide-open passing offense under Chad Morris (Clemson’s offensive coordinator) at Lake Travis High School and landing at SMU under June Jones should be a good fit. With J.J. McDermott finishing his eligibility and Kyle Padron transferring, Gilbert is considered the frontrunner to start for SMU in 2012.
Cody Green, Nebraska to Tulsa – With G.J. Kinne finishing his eligibility, Tulsa will be breaking in a new starting quarterback for 2012. Green, a Nebraska transfer, will battle with Kalen Henderson to replace Kinne and keep Tulsa’s offense among the best in Conference USA. Green started four games for Nebraska during his two seasons in Lincoln and finished with 657 passing yards and five touchdowns over that span. He also added 254 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in his Nebraska career. Although Henderson has more experience at Tulsa, look for Green to take the first snap in 2012.
Jacob Karam, Texas Tech to Memphis – With Seth Doege firmly entrenched as Texas Tech’s starting quarterback, playing time was going to be limited for Karam. Since he already graduated from Texas Tech, Karam is eligible to play right away at Memphis and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Tigers ranked as the worst passing offense in Conference USA last year, but with the addition of Karam and new coach Justin Fuente, Memphis should be a much-improved offensive attack in 2012.
Ryan Katz, Oregon State to San Diego State – Katz was considered a rising star after his sophomore season at Oregon State, throwing for 2,401 yards and 18 scores in 2010. However, he got off to a slow start last year and was benched early in the season in favor of Sean Mannion. Katz ended his Oregon State career with 14 starts and completed 59 percent of his throws over three seasons. Katz will compete with Adam Dingwell for San Diego State’s No. 1 quarterback spot and is considered the frontrunner to take the Aztecs’ first snap of 2012.
Danny O’Brien, Maryland to ? – O’Brien spent only two years at Maryland, but his time in College Park was quite a roller coaster ride. He threw for 2,438 yards and 22 scores and earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman, but followed that up with a disappointing sophomore effort (1,648 yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions). O’Brien's struggles in 2011 were largely due to a lack of help around him, as Maryland’s receivers were inconsistent and the team struggled to adapt to new coordinator Gary Crowton. O’Brien is believed to be heavily interested in Vanderbilt, but Penn State, Michigan State, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin have all been mentioned as possible destinations. Maryland hit Vanderbilt coach James Franklin with a tampering allegation, so expect O’Brien to wait on announcing a destination until the investigation has finished.
Ryan Williams, Memphis to Miami – With Stephen Morris sidelined with a back injury for spring practice, Williams will have an opportunity to close the gap and make his case for the No. 1 job. Williams started 10 games as a true freshman at Memphis in 2010, throwing for 2,075 yards and 13 scores. He is a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla. and played his high school ball just down the road from Miami in Miramar. At 6-foot-6, Williams has the size to develop into a solid pocket passer and figures to push Morris for a starting job in the fall.
Connor Wood, Texas to Colorado – Wood made a push for playing time last spring with Texas, but eventually fell behind David Ash, Garrett Gilbert and Case McCoy in the fall. With playing time unlikely in Austin, Wood transferred to Colorado and will be expected to contend for the starting job this season. He ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation coming out of high school, but never found his way onto the field with Texas. Wood will have to compete with Nick Hirschman for the No. 1 job, but Hirschman might miss spring workouts with a foot injury, giving the Texas transfer an early edge in the quarterback battle.