‪College Football 2012: 5 Teams Who Could Desperately Use Penn State Transfers

Penn State players are basically free agents now and this has some coaches grinning from cheek to cheek.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt was approached by media members at the Cobb Galleria Centre about the subject, and he didn't dodge.

According to the Boston Herald, Richt said he has some available spaces that he would possibly look to fill.

“If somebody fits a need and they’re excited about coming we would look into that possibility,” Richt said.

Along with Richt and Georgia, these are the teams that could use some Penn State transfers.

Georgia: Malcolm Willis

In the back of Richt's mind, he has to be thinking about replacing his secondary at the beginning of the season.

The team will likely be without cornerbacks Branden Smith and Sanders Commings at the beginning of the season, and Bacarri Rambo is expected to miss the first four games.

That has to make Richt eye senior Malcolm Willis at Penn State. Willis has the most experience returning to the Nittany Lions secondary, and he recorded 33 tackles and an interception at safety in 2011.

Willis isn't Rambo, that's for sure, but he could make Rambo's absence less noticeable.  

West Virginia: Jordan Hill

It's no secret that West Virginia's strength is its offense.

Geno Smith and Tavon Austin will put the scoreboard keeper to work in 2012, but think of what this team could accomplish with a stellar defense.

In West Virginia's showdown against LSU last season, turnovers led to its demise, but giving up 186 rushing yards certainly didn't help. In fact, two of West Virginia's three losses came as a result of the other team's ability to pound the ball, especially late in the game.

What West Virginia needs is a true run-stuffer, and that's exactly what they would be getting in Jordan Hill. Hill recorded 59 tackles as a junior last season, and he would be a nice fit for the Mountaineers defense. 

Nebraska: Shawney Kersey

Look, Taylor Martinez needs more weapons.

I'll be the first to say Martinez isn't the best passing quarterback in the nation. In fact, he's not even close, but he needs more threats on the outside to help generate more offense.

Last season, Kenny Bell led the Cornhuskers in receiving with 461 yards and Quincy Enunwa was second with 293. While a lot of the blame could, and should, be placed on Martinez (along with Nebraska running the ball consistently), these receivers have to step up.

Adding a guy with top-tier speed on the outside like senior Shawney Kersey would certainly be beneficiary for Martinez and the Nebraska offense.  

Boise State: Anthony Fera

Games are won and lost on special teams, and Boise State fans know this better than most.

How many times have the Broncos broken the hearts of the Boise State faithful with botched field goals? Too many times, and quite frankly, it's been the thorn in Boise State's side that's kept them from running the table undefeated. 

These kicking struggles continued through the spring for the Broncos. Jake Van Ginkel's field goal was blocked in the spring game, while Dan Goodale missed an extra point.

Is it too early for Deja vu? 

Enter senior punter Anthony Fera. You see, not only can Fera punt the ball, he can kick it as well. And Fera has more experience than both Boise State kickers combined. Fera could provide the Broncos with a coveted missing link.  

Oklahoma State: Gerald Hodges

The 2011 Oklahoma State team had many similarities to the 2009 New Orleans Saints.

Powered by a high-caliber offense that was second in the nation in passing yards per game, and a defense that bent but didn't break, the Cowboys nearly played their way into the 2012 National Championship Game.

But what happens when that defense stops forcing turnovers? What happens when they don't lead the country in turnovers gained in 2012? Like the Saints, the Cowboys could have a big drop-off as result.

That's why it's imperative for the Cowboys to enhance their run defense, and with senior Gerald Hodges available, Oklahoma State should come calling.

Great rushing teams were able to pound the rock well against the Cowboys, and with Hodges bringing 100-plus tackles from Penn State, Oklahoma State could see tremendous improvement.