Remember me? Highly-ranked OL set to re-emerge this season
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Transfers are becoming more prevalent on a yearly basis in college football, and the changing of schools can include players who were thought to be the nation’s best during their time in high school. Will a change of scenery lead to some former stars living up to their rankings? We take a look at seven former highly-ranked offensive linemen who are set to re-emerge at new programs this fall.
As a recruit: Fruhmorgen’s recruitment came down Michigan, Florida and Clemson. He ultimately choose the Tigers over the in-state Gators.
In college: Fruhmorgen quickly made an impact for the Tigers, working his way onto the field and even starting eight games during the team’s run to the National Championship in 2016. After that season he announced his intention to transfer and initially said he was headed to Florida. However, he enrolled at Baylor instead, where he sat out last season due to transfer rules. Fruhmorgen has two years of eligibility remaining.
What to expect: Fruhmorgen is expected to start for the Bears at left tackle, although he’s currently missing time during camp after suffering a minor injury.
As a recruit: Tucker’s recruitment played out all the way until the final month before signing day, when he eventually committed to Stanford over Arizona State after visiting both schools.
In college: Tucker’s career got off to a good start with the Cardinal as he played in five games as a true freshman and then started 14 games as a sophomore in 2015. But injuries derailed the second half of his career as he played in just eight games in 2016 and missed all of 2017 with another injury. Rather than return to Stanford he elected to transfer back home to Arizona State for his final season of eligibility.
What to expect: Tucker is currently working as the Sun Devils starting left tackle and should have a major impact this season if he can stay healthy.
As a recruit: Boulware’s recruitment came down to Tennessee and Ohio State, with the Vols eventually getting him into the fold just prior to the start of his senior season, and despite a late push from the Buckeyes that included an official visit to Columbus, he stuck with Tennessee.
In college: Boulware redshirted his first year on campus before cracking the lineup as a redshirt freshman, appearing in seven games while starting three. Boulware’s 2017 didn't go as planned and he announced his intentions to transfer by midseason. He announced his intention to transfer to Miami earlier this year and has two years of eligibility remaining.
What to expect: Boulware is expected to provide depth for the Canes this year and is currently running with the second-string offensive linemen.
As a recruit: Feder committed to Miami nearly a year before Signing Day but continued to explore his options and eventually flipped to Ohio State six months later.
In college: Feder was always viewed as a raw prospect who would have to work his way into a true offensive lineman in college and he never really cracked the lineup with the Buckeyes during his time in Columbus. He redshirted in 2015, before playing sparingly while dealing with a nagging foot injury over the next two seasons. Feder elected to transfer this offseason and landed at Kansas, where he has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
What to expect: Feder doesn’t have much college experience but he could provide immediate help for the Jayhawks, who have been one of the worst Power Five programs over the past few years.
As a recruit: Warmack had several major offers but made an early decision to follow in his brother Chance’s footsteps and committed to Alabama during the summer prior to his senior year.
In college: Warmack worked his way onto the field as a reserve as a true freshman. He saw an uptick in playing time in 2016, appearing in nine games, also as a backup. But an injury derailed his 2017 and he ended up redshirting while not appearing in any games for the national champions. Following spring practice, Warmack announced his intentions to transfer and landed at Oregon, where he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
What to expect: Warmack is competing for a starting spot with the Ducks and even if he doesn’t win a job he’s expected to provided much-needed depth.
As a recruit: Kennedy elected to stay close to home and play for the Tide over offers from Auburn, Clemson and several others.
In college: Kennedy redshirted his first year on campus before playing in seven games as a backup in 2016. He started the 2017 season as Alabama’s backup center, but a foot injury prematurely ended his season after only three appearances. Kennedy announced his intention to transfer earlier this year and despite a minor battle to get his release, he joined Tennessee earlier this year. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
What to expect: Kennedy is competing for playing time along the offensive line and should be a valuable addition to a lineup that struggled in 2017.
As a recruit: Hemsley’s recruitment consisted of mostly Pac-12 programs and he ended it early when he committed to USC during the spring of his junior year.
In college: Hemsley’s time at USC saw him work mostly as a backup. He appeared in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2016 and in 14 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2017. Rather than return as a reserve in 2018 for USC, Hemsley elected to transfer to Arizona State for his final two seasons of eligibility.
What to expect: Hemsley is currently running with the Sun Devils' second-team and could provide valuable depth this fall.