Remember me? Defensive four-stars playing at new schools
In the first three installments of our ‘Remember Me?’ series we looked at former five-stars, former Rivals250 quarterbacks and former Rivals250 offensive players who are set to re-emerge at new college programs this fall. But with so many big names transferring every year, there are plenty more former high-profile recruits hoping to resurrect their careers or improve their draft stock at new programs this fall. Here’s a look at six former defensive four-stars set to play for new schools this fall.
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One of the nation’s top overall prospects in the Class of 2015, Sheffield chose Alabama over Ohio State, Florida State, USC and Texas A&M. Upon arriving in Tuscaloosa, he found himself buried on the depth chart behind several other former elite recruits and elected to transfer to junior college after redshirting in 2015. After spending a year at Blinn Junior College, Sheffield signed with Ohio State and enrolled early and will have three seasons of eligibility. He’s expected to compete for playing time with the Buckeyes this year.
Burgess-Becker was a package deal with friend and high school teammate Calvin Ridley and the two chose Alabama together over Florida and Miami. But while Ridley found instant stardom in Tuscaloosa, Burgess-Becker saw scattered playing time, mostly on special teams. Following his freshman year, he elected to transfer and ended up choosing UCF, where he sat out the 2016 season. Entering his sophomore year in Orlando, Burgess-Becker should have the opportunity to see significant playing time in 2017.
Wilkerson ended his recruitment relatively early in the process, choosing Georgia over Texas A&M and Florida State. After redshirting in 2013, Wilkerson saw scattered playing time over the next three seasons, with his best year coming in 2015, when he had 11 tackles and one interception. After graduating, Wilkerson elected to transfer and ultimately chose Iowa State, where he’s expected to have a chance to start this fall.
Wiggins is one of the rare players on this list that will actually be playing for his third Power Five program. As a recruit he chose Georgia over Ole Miss, South Carolina and Texas A&M. He made an immediate impact in Athens, starting eight games as a true freshman and leading the team in interceptions with two. However, a shake up on the Bulldogs coaching staff led to Wiggins transferring to Louisville. After sitting out 2014, Wiggins started all 13 games for the Cardinals in 2015 before injuries limited him to just eight games in 2016. After graduating, he elected to transfer to Tennessee, where he’s expected to start for the Vols in 2017.
A native of Hawaii, Pagano elected to get away from home and picked Clemson over UCLA, Alabama, LSU and Florida. After redshirting in 2013, he worked his way into the lineup over the next few years, capping it off by playing a major role in Clemson’s run to a national championship in 2016. But a crowded depth chart led to Pagano transferring and he landed at Oregon, where he has a chance to see serious playing time if he can recover from an offseason injury.
Thomas initially committed to Florida as a high school prospect before eventually flipping to Alabama late in the process. After redshirting as a freshman in Tuscaloosa, he elected to transfer to Northwest Mississippi Junior College, where he played one year before signing with Florida State earlier this year. He’s expected to help the ‘Noles depth at the position this year and beyond as he has three years of eligibility remaining.
The nephew of former Miami star Michael Irvin, many expected him to stay home and play for Miami. However, Irvin originally committed to Texas before flipping to Auburn just before Signing Day in 2015. During his freshman year with the Tigers, he made an immediate impact, playing in 10 games and recording 18 tackles. But after saying he was unhappy at Auburn he elected to transfer, eventually landing at East Carolina, where he sat out the 2016 season. Irvin is projected to be the Pirates starting safety this fall and has three years of eligibility remaining.