Transfer portal breakdown: The 10 most impactful defensive line transfers of 2022
Here’s a projection of the 10 most impactful defensive linemen to emerge from the transfer portal this offseason. (The list does not include edge rushers.) This is not a measure just of sheer talent. Instead, it’s a mix of a player’s importance, his potential and, most important, his expected production.
This is part 6 of our transfer portal impact series; we already have looked at quarterbacks , running backs, wide receivers, offensive linemen and edge rushers.
10. Mekhi Wingo, LSU
The particulars: Transfer from Missouri
The skinny: DT Mekhi Wingo isn’t going to start for LSU this season; Maason Smith and Jaquelin Roy will be the starters in the middle. But Wingo, who was a Freshman All-SEC pick last season, is going to play a lot. He is a future star who combines quickness with bulk (he’s 6 feet, 292 pounds) to be effective in the middle. Wingo played in 12 games and started four as a true freshman, finishing with 27 tackles and two tackles for loss, as well as an interception return for a touchdown for Mizzou. He will be part of a talented tackle rotation at LSU, which has been spotty against the run the past two seasons.
9. JH Tevis, Indiana
The particulars: Transfer from California
The skinny: JH Tevis was a two-year starter at end in Cal’s 3-4 defense, and had 37 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss last season in earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. Tevis (6-4, 281), who was a two-year starter for the Golden Bears, looked good during the spring at tackle in IU’s 4-2-5 set. IU has some questions at linebacker, so the line needs to be better than it was last season. Tevis’ experience certainly is a plus. In addition, Cal’s defense is known for its physical nature, and that’s something that’s needed with the Hoosiers.
8. Kobie Turner, Wake Forest
The particulars: Transfer from Richmond
The skinny: Kobie Turner (6-3, 298) fills a big need for a Wake Forest defensive line that too often was pushed around in 2021. The Demon Deacons have to get a lot tougher against the run; in nine ACC games last season, Wake allowed 4.99 yards per rush. Turner was a three-year starter at Richmond and a two-time first-team All-Colonial selection. He was the league’s co-defensive player of the year for the 2021 spring season. In 37 career games, Turner had 158 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles. Wake is one of three legit contenders for the ACC Atlantic Division title; the Demon Deacons have a better offense than Clemson and NC State, but the defense must improve if Wake is to repeat as division champs.
7. Akheem Mesidor, Miami
The particulars: Transfer from West Virginia
The skinny: Akheem Mesidor has a nice upside and he probably is another year from reaching it. Still, he should be an important part of what has the makings of a strong defensive line for the Hurricanes. Mesidor (6-2, 272), who is from Canada, made 11 starts and had 38 tackles and eight tackles for loss last season at West Virginia. He is one of five transfer portal additions up front for Miami. Holdovers Leonard Taylor and Jared Harrison-Hunte figure to start at tackle, but Mesidor will get a lot of snaps in what now is a deep and talented rotation.
6. Gary Smith III, UCLA
The particulars: Transfer from Duke
The skinny: Gary Smith III is expected to start up front for a Bruins defense that returns just two starters and only one (LB Bo Calvert) in the front seven. Smith (6-2, 320) was a backup for Duke as a true freshman in 2020, then emerged as a nine-game starter last season. He finished with 24 tackles and showed some ability to be a disruptor in the middle with 2.5 tackles for loss. The work of Smith and fellow DT transfer Jacob Sykes from Harvard in the middle of the line will be important for new coordinator Bill McGovern.
5. Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State
The particulars: Transfer from Miami
The skinny: Nesta Jade Silvera (6-2, 306) hasn’t necessarily lived up to his lofty recruiting rankings – he was an On3 Consensus national top-75 player in the 2018 signing class – but he was a two-year starter for Miami who will start for Arizona State. He had 38 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss last season, when he led UM defensive linemen in tackles; he had 35 tackles and eight TFL in 2020. His ability to be disruptive should be a boon to a Sun Devils defense that was 74th nationally last season with 5.7 TFL per game.
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4. Jayden Jernigan, Missouri
The particulars: Transfer from Oklahoma State
The skinny: Mizzou was a sieve against the run last season; the Tigers allowed an SEC-worst 227.9 rush yards per game and 32 rushing TDs. The Tigers allowed 5.3 yards per rush, the seventh-worst figure among Power 5 teams. Jayden Jernigan (6-0, 270) was an important piece in Oklahoma State’s strong line rotation last season and figures to, at the least, be the same for the Tigers; he should start, though. While he is undersized, Jernigan has some pass-rush ability (four sacks in two seasons with the Cowboys) thanks to his first-step quickness. Mizzou has the makings of a good defensive line thanks to the transfer portal additions of Jernigan and DE D.J. Coleman from FCS member Jacksonville State.
3. Jaxon Player, Baylor
The particulars: Transfer from Tulsa
The skinny: Jaxon Player is a Waco, Texas, native who transferred home for his final college season. He was a three-year starter and two-time All-AAC honoree for Tulsa. Player (6-0, 299) was a first-team All-AAC pick in 2020 and a second-team selection in 2021, when he was second in the league with 15 tackles for loss; he had 32 TFL in his Tulsa career. Player is expected to, at the least, play a key rotation role on one of the best defensive lines in the nation. He has the ability to be a disruptive force like fellow DT Siaki Ika.
2. Jeffery Johnson, Oklahoma
The particulars: Transfer from Tulane
The skinny: Jeffery Johnson was a four-year starter at nose tackle for Tulane, including as a true freshman in 2018, before entering the transfer portal. Johnson (6-2, 313) had 44 tackles last season, along with five tackles for loss, and had 33 tackles and six TFL in 2020. OU is looking to rebuild its defensive line under new coach Brent Venables, and Johnson gives Venables and new DC Ted Roof an experienced plug-and-play guy. Johnson had a good spring for the Sooners and could end up starting next to holdover Jalen Redmond; if he doesn’t start, he’ll still be an important part of the rotation.
1. Jermayne Lole, Louisville
The particulars: Transfer from Arizona State
The skinny: Putting Jermayne Lole No. 1 on this list is a gamble of sorts because he missed last season with a triceps injury. Still, he played at a high level in 2019 and ’20, with a combined 96 tackles and 15 tackled for loss in 17 games (the Sun Devils played only four games in the truncated 2020 season). In 2019, Lole (6-2, 305) was one of the most productive interior defensive linemen in the nation, with 72 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His addition will be a huge boost to Louisville’s defensive front, and he should be expected to contend for All-ACC honors.