I was perusing the grad transfer market list available at https://gradtransfertracker.com/potential-transfers-2019/ and came up with the following list of grad transfers that I think could help Cal next year. My positions of priority are: WR, OL, RB, TE, P, QB, pretty much in that order. I divided into three buckets: Strong academic, Unknown academic, and Doubtful academic. Here’s my list:
Strong Academic
1. Justice Shelton-Mosley, WR, Harvard. Norcal native who was a 3-star (5.6) coming out of HS, an offers Cal, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, WSU coming out of HS, among others. Very productive at Harvard: In 2017, was a first team FCS All American, and in 2018, was largely regarded as Harvard’s best player before suffering a season ending injury. Had three consecutive productive years from 2015-17, including good production for KOR and PR. Academic All-Ivy League. Checks all of the boxes, and a clear #1 choice for me.
2. Jacob Capra, OL, Oregon. Norcal native, was #1 OG reserve for Oregon this year, with 2 years of eligilibity left. I think he’s more likely than not to start right away here, but at worst, would be a top reserve. Pac-12 Academic honorable mention.
3. Jalen Harris, TE, Auburn. Has seen significant action for Auburn, both in a starter and key reserve capacity. Very few passes caught, so would be an in-line TE. Academic All-SEC and School Honor Roll.
Unknown Academic
1. Ian Pfeifer, OL, Vanderbilt. Started most of the year in 2016 and a few games in 2017 (limited due to injury). Was All-SEC Freshman team as a RS Freshman in 2016. 2 years of eligibility left.
2. Richie Petitbon, OL, Alabama. Was mostly a reserve OT at Alabama, but did get in 6 games this past season, so probably at least second string at Alabama. Unknown academics, but went to Gonzaga Prep in DC in high school, so would presumably be used to a rigorous academic environment.
3. Emmanuel Esukpa, RB, Rice. 5’11”, 230, so would bring a bowling ball type element to our RB core. Not huge production, but not terrible either: over 400 yards this past year, and 200 the year prior, on approx. 4 ypc. Was essentially a co-starter on this year’s Rice team. As a freshman, made the C-USA Honor Roll. Would probably be a depth guy here, but not a bad take for a 1-year scholarship commitment, and could serve a variety of special situations, including fullback and short yardage.
Doubtful Academic
1. James Gilbert, RB, Ball State. Is one of the school’s all-time leading rushers and was on Maxwell Award watch list. Don’t see any all conference academic honors.
2. Taj Griffin, RB/WR, Oregon. Would be a game breaker obviously, with proven Pac-12 production. I don’t see any evidence of academic acolades from his Oregon bio, however, as it makes no mention of all-conference academic team qualifications, so until I see any evidence, I am leaving him in the doubtful category.
3. Tabari Hines, WR, Oregon. Was very productive at Wake Forest before grad transferring to Oregon. However, did not use up his eligibility year at Oregon and now is transferring again. Would be a great get, but I see no evidence of academic performance except for the fact that he was admitted into a grad program already at Oregon. He would be an immediate contributor here.
4. Ykili Ross, DB, USC. Don’t see any evidence that he can cut it academically through admissions, but he was a contributor in a USC secondary that was full of talent, and he would be an additional playmaker for GA to use here.
Bonus: Non-Grad Transfers
1. Bennett Williams, DB, Illinois. Clearly wants to come here, with outstanding proven production, and 3 remaining years of eligibility at a position where we need to stock up. Would contribute right away and probably start in his final two years. Don’t know why he got kicked out, but if it was for smoking weed, and he’s committed to adhering to team rules, he’s a definite take for me.
2. Je’quari Godfrey, DB, USC. Not sure if he is fully recovered from his knee injury, but assuming no major health issues, this seems like a good take too. Long CB with high ceiling, who spurned us the first time around. Gives us another inroad to Bishop O’Dowd.
Strong Academic
1. Justice Shelton-Mosley, WR, Harvard. Norcal native who was a 3-star (5.6) coming out of HS, an offers Cal, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, WSU coming out of HS, among others. Very productive at Harvard: In 2017, was a first team FCS All American, and in 2018, was largely regarded as Harvard’s best player before suffering a season ending injury. Had three consecutive productive years from 2015-17, including good production for KOR and PR. Academic All-Ivy League. Checks all of the boxes, and a clear #1 choice for me.
2. Jacob Capra, OL, Oregon. Norcal native, was #1 OG reserve for Oregon this year, with 2 years of eligilibity left. I think he’s more likely than not to start right away here, but at worst, would be a top reserve. Pac-12 Academic honorable mention.
3. Jalen Harris, TE, Auburn. Has seen significant action for Auburn, both in a starter and key reserve capacity. Very few passes caught, so would be an in-line TE. Academic All-SEC and School Honor Roll.
Unknown Academic
1. Ian Pfeifer, OL, Vanderbilt. Started most of the year in 2016 and a few games in 2017 (limited due to injury). Was All-SEC Freshman team as a RS Freshman in 2016. 2 years of eligibility left.
2. Richie Petitbon, OL, Alabama. Was mostly a reserve OT at Alabama, but did get in 6 games this past season, so probably at least second string at Alabama. Unknown academics, but went to Gonzaga Prep in DC in high school, so would presumably be used to a rigorous academic environment.
3. Emmanuel Esukpa, RB, Rice. 5’11”, 230, so would bring a bowling ball type element to our RB core. Not huge production, but not terrible either: over 400 yards this past year, and 200 the year prior, on approx. 4 ypc. Was essentially a co-starter on this year’s Rice team. As a freshman, made the C-USA Honor Roll. Would probably be a depth guy here, but not a bad take for a 1-year scholarship commitment, and could serve a variety of special situations, including fullback and short yardage.
Doubtful Academic
1. James Gilbert, RB, Ball State. Is one of the school’s all-time leading rushers and was on Maxwell Award watch list. Don’t see any all conference academic honors.
2. Taj Griffin, RB/WR, Oregon. Would be a game breaker obviously, with proven Pac-12 production. I don’t see any evidence of academic acolades from his Oregon bio, however, as it makes no mention of all-conference academic team qualifications, so until I see any evidence, I am leaving him in the doubtful category.
3. Tabari Hines, WR, Oregon. Was very productive at Wake Forest before grad transferring to Oregon. However, did not use up his eligibility year at Oregon and now is transferring again. Would be a great get, but I see no evidence of academic performance except for the fact that he was admitted into a grad program already at Oregon. He would be an immediate contributor here.
4. Ykili Ross, DB, USC. Don’t see any evidence that he can cut it academically through admissions, but he was a contributor in a USC secondary that was full of talent, and he would be an additional playmaker for GA to use here.
Bonus: Non-Grad Transfers
1. Bennett Williams, DB, Illinois. Clearly wants to come here, with outstanding proven production, and 3 remaining years of eligibility at a position where we need to stock up. Would contribute right away and probably start in his final two years. Don’t know why he got kicked out, but if it was for smoking weed, and he’s committed to adhering to team rules, he’s a definite take for me.
2. Je’quari Godfrey, DB, USC. Not sure if he is fully recovered from his knee injury, but assuming no major health issues, this seems like a good take too. Long CB with high ceiling, who spurned us the first time around. Gives us another inroad to Bishop O’Dowd.
