A Look at This Year's Impact Transfers in College Football

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

If Jevan Snead had stayed at Texas he would only be known as Colt's backup. Instead he'll be entering his second year as the starter for one of the biggest surprise teams in the nation.

Prior to Snead's arrival in Oxford, the Ole Miss Rebels had three consecutive seasons where they loss eight games or more. Last year they went 9-4, won the Cotton Bowl over Texas Tech, and were the only team in the country to defeat BCS (not National) Champion Florida.

When blue chip recruits transfer to smaller programs they can help bettors identify value teams. Schools that do not have the pull power of Texas or Florida not only end up with unexpected talent, but they get players looking for redemption and something to prove. Kind of like in hockey when the Might Ducks (not of Anaheim) landed Adam Banks.

Here's a quick look at some impact transfers looking for redemption in 2009

Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas

At 6'7 and having run a pro style offense in high school, Ryan Mallett was groomed by Lloyd Carr to be the next great Michigan quarterback. All that changed when Richard Rodriquez and the spread option came to Ann Arbor. Mallett soon transferred to Arkansas and sat out last year learning Bobby Petrino's offense. The year off seems to be helping as Mallett threw for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in a recent scrimmage. The schedule will be tough with road games at Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU, but look for this former parade All American to play a big part in turning around a team that went 5-7 last year.

Josh Jarboe WR Troy

Much was expected from Josh Jarboe when he signed with Oklahoma. I'm assuming that youtube videos about shooting people and an actual weapons charge were not part of those expectations. Both of which led to his dismissal.

Troy has always presented great value for bettors posting a 22-13 ATS record in the last three years but in that period they have never had a blue chip WR. Barring another weapons charge and another incriminating youtube video, Jarboe should help continue that success.

rap video that got him kicked out of OU:

Phil Taylor DT Baylor

Like Jarboe, there were high expectation when Phil Taylor signed with Penn State. For the most part he lived up to those expectations playing a key role in a unit that ranked 7th in rushing defense in 2007. Taylor did not release a rap video on youtube but he was given the the boot after an on-campus fight.

Taylor now finds himself at Baylor and the 6'4 350 lbs DT is expected to have an immediate impact. Baylor was 4-8 last year but they were 8-3 ATS. In their season finale they only loss by a touchdown to #7 ranked Texas Tech on the road.

DeVoe Torrence RB Akron

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