College Football 2012: 7 Devastating Transfers from the 2011 Recruiting Class

One thing that I, as a recruiting writer here at B/R, work hard to not do is forget about previous recruiting classes, and I try to keep updated on how a recruit develops in college.

Recently, I took a look at some returning true sophomores and redshirt freshmen from the 2011 class, and I noticed a quirk: transferring.

Several big-name prospects from the 2011 class have already transferred, and for this read, I'm going to give you seven devastating and disappointments.

7. A.C. Leonard, TE (Florida)

Leonard signed with Florida in 2011 and saw some action as a true freshman, catching eight balls for 99 yards. However, he went through some off-the-field ordeals this offseason.

Leonard was arrested in February and went through some legal troubles. He also was in line to be suspended by Will Muschamp.

However, he has decided recently to leave the Gator program, and it's not known where he will continue his career. 

6. DeAnthony Arnett, WR (Tennessee)

Arnett grabbed 24 balls for 242 yards and two TDs for the Vols as a true freshman last year. However, he had to leave the program to be closer to his family in Saginaw, MI.

Arnett's father is severely ill, and he transferred to Michigan State to be closer to his family. Look for Anthony to take advantage of the special waiver he received from the NCAA, which allows him to play immediately this 2012 season.

The Spartans will love his speed and quickness. 

5. Mike Bellamy, RB (Clemson)

Bellamy used his speed to get himself 57 carries for 343 yards, including a 75-yard pay dirt scamper as a true freshman. However, he routinely made poor choices and was always in the dog house.

Ineligibility seemed to be his last straw at Clemson. 

Finally, this offseason, head coach Dabo Swinney had enough and booted Bellamy from the Tiger program. Bellamy has allegedly enrolled at East Mississippi Community College and will look to get back into D-I ball after this year.

4. Aaron Green, RB (Nebraska)

Green was supposed to be the next great rock-toter in Lincoln for Big Red. From Texas, he was a big-time runner headed to play with his brother at Nebraska.

However, after he just netted 105 yards and two TD's as a true freshman, Green felt he was not a good fit into the Cornhusker offense and bolted.

He's enrolled at TCU, where he will sit this season out and run for the Horned Frogs in 2013.

3. Brandon Williams, RB (Oklahoma)

Yet another RB on this list, Williams totaled 219 yards on 46 carries as a true freshman in Norman. He decided during the Winter that he needed to be closer to his daughter.

Bob Stoops allowed him to leave, and Williams has now joined the Texas A&M program. He'll sit this season out and be ready to give Kevin Sumlin's high-octane offense another weapon in 2013.

2. Isaiah Crowell, RB (Georgia)

OK, this is the last RB on this list, I promise...maybe. 

Anyway, Crowell, as we all know, is not with Georgia anymore. He faces felony weapons charges after being found in possession of a gun in early July. 

Crowell also faced some ups and downs during the season as a true freshman that landed him in the doghouse and on suspension.

However, he still managed to run for 850 yards on 185 carries and five TD's. He's now at Alabama State. 

1. Aaron Lynch, DE (Notre Dame)

Lynch, some say, transferred to USF to be closer to his girlfriend; others say he just wanted to come back to Florida and be closer to home.

Any way you slice it, he's not at Notre Dame after having a great season as a true freshman. Lynch notched 33 tackles, seven TFL's and 5.5 sacks and was en route to being a stalwart on the Irish defense.

Now, we'll see him play for Skip Holtz, starting in 2013.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL draft magazine.