10 Key Midyear Junior College Signees from Wednesday's Signing Day
Wednesday was a big day for several junior college athletes looking to take the next step in their college football lives. It was the first day a midyear JUCO transfer could sign a national letter of intent—and several schools benefited, according to Scout.com.
There are still a few JUCO studs either waiting to sign (the midyear transfer signing period ends Jan. 15) or looking to hold off until the regular signing period, which starts Feb. 1. Here are 10 athletes, however, who took advantage of the first day of the midyear signing period. These athletes will join their new programs in January.
The players are listed in alphabetical order. Unless otherwise noted, all player analyses are provided by national analyst Greg Powers, who oversees JUCO recruiting among other responsibilities for Scout.
4-Star S Johnathan Abram
1 of 11Hometown/school: Columbia, Mississippi/Jones County Junior College
Size: 6'1", 208
Scout.com ranking: No. 25 overall (No. 2 S)
FBS status: Signed with Mississippi State
Physically built more like an outside linebacker, Johnathan Abram could be a major sleeper in the SEC sooner than later. He is a strong defender who has good closing speed and an ability to cover wide receivers of all sizes. He had eight sacks as a safety, which shows his willingness to make plays all over the field. Look for Abram to see starter's minutes upon arrival in Starkville.
Scout.com analysis
Abram played in just five games this fall due to injury but is expected to be back up to full speed in time for spring practice. ... He also spent some time on offense scoring the game-winning touchdown over East Mississippi and throwing a touchdown pass. The former high school quarterback could play any number of positions on the field, but is projected to play safety in Starkville.
4-Star OT Elliot Baker
2 of 11Hometown/school: San Francisco/City College of San Francisco
Size: 6'6", 280 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 10 overall (No. 2 OT)
FBS status: Signed with Alabama
Alabama's built a reputation for producing talented offensive linemen, and Elliot Baker is expected to be the next man up. He is a long, athletic lineman with good feet and excellent technique. The Crimson Tide will be looking for someone to replace Cam Robinson at left tackle. Baker could be the immediate answer—or he can be a candidate at right tackle while Jonah Williams switches to the left side. He chose Alabama over Georgia, Oregon and several other programs.
Scout.com analysis
When watching his tape and looking at his frame, it almost seems like he was born destined to play offensive tackle. He has a well-rounded game to go along with his size and ranginess.
4-Star WR Marquise Brown
3 of 11Hometown/school: Hollywood, Florida/College of the Canyons
Size: 5'11", 170 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 11 overall (No. 3 WR)
FBS status: Signed with Oklahoma
The Sooners had their share of highlights on the field with wide receiver Dede Westbrook. The electricity could continue with Marquise Brown, a speedy playmaker who can not only stretch the field but also make tough catches in the slot. Brown has the tools to be an immediate impact player, particularly in an offense that uses the run game effectively to open passing situations.
Scout.com analysis
He is one of the toughest players in all of junior college to contain and keep away from the football, and once he makes the catch he is quick and elusive and can rack up yardage after the catch. He can dash and dodge in and out of traffic and has the speed to take it to the house.
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5-Star DE Isaiah Buggs
4 of 11Hometown/school: Ruston, Louisiana/Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Size: 6'5", 290 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 2 overall (No. 1 DE)
FBS status: Signed with Alabama
The rich got richer Wednesday. Alabama already has the nation's top-ranked class, and it added the nation's top-ranked junior college defensive lineman in Isaiah Buggs, a menace as an end-rusher and a bully in the trenches. His power and lateral movement will cause fits for a few offensive linemen in the SEC, which is exactly what coach Nick Saban is hoping for.
Scout.com analysis
He was the team's leading tackler, so that goes to show how often he is around the football. He has a good motor that keeps running and does not stop and that will help him make a quick adjustment to the highest levels of the college game.
4-Star TE Sal Cannella
5 of 11Hometown/school: Chicago/Scottsdale Community College
Size: 6'6", 230 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 22 overall (No. 2 TE)
FBS status: Signed with Auburn
There's a reason why a few schools were in a dogfight for Sal Cannella. Auburn won a competitive battle over Texas and Maryland and satisfied a need for immediate assistance at the tight end spot. He has solid hands and, because he's more of a jumbo wide receiver, can be a problem for linebackers in passing situations. Cannella also is a good blocker and can be used in H-back packages if necessary.
Scout.com analysis
With only Jalen Harris at the tight end position, adding another player there would give the Tigers a boost. Adding a player who caught 29 passes for 443 yards and seven touchdowns last year and still has four years left to play three makes him an ideal JUCO addition for Auburn at a position of need.
4-Star OT D'Marcus Hayes
6 of 11Hometown/school: Madison, Mississippi/Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Size: 6'5", 330 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 5 overall (No. 1 OT)
FBS status: Signed with Georgia
Georgia scored big when it landed a pledge from D'Marcus Hayes, a versatile offensive lineman with deceptive speed and tons of strength and tenacity. He is an athlete who can fit in well either at the guard or tackle position, and his run-blocking ability will mesh well with a Georgia offense that loves to grind within the tackles. Hayes is a really nice get for coach Kirby Smart.
Scout.com analysis
He played left tackle in 2016 against a very tough league, so he is battle-tested against defenders who can rush the passer and are big and strong. He will need to find some more consistency against true edge-bending ends, but if he can get his hands on you it is over.
4-Star CB Octavious Morgan
7 of 11Hometown/school: Greenwood, South Carolina/Butler Community College
Size: 6'0", 195 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 15 overall (No. 3 CB)
FBS status: Signed with Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are always looking for a defensive catalyst, and Octavious Morgan is one of those players who can be a game-changer for coach Kliff Kingsbury. He's a big cornerback with a safety's mentality, as he has a great nose for the football. If he's not playing for the interceptions, he's looking to deliver the big hit. Morgan can be a major player in the Big 12.
Scout.com analysis
He has the size you need and has locked down and been matched up with D-I-quality receivers in practice and games at the junior college level. On film, he shows good anticipation and break on the football. If the quarterback floats a pass, he will make a play.
4-Star TE Jeremy Patton
8 of 11Hometown/school: Indianapolis/Arizona Western College
Size: 6'7", 235 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 17 overall (No. 1 TE)
FBS status: Signed with Arkansas
There's a lot to like about Jeremy Patton. For starters, he passes the eyeball test, as he'll be a big target for the Razorbacks. Arizona Western relied on the run, but when it passed it spread the ball around. Patton still managed to be the team's second-leading receiver, per the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference website. Look for him to be a reliable passing option and a good blocker in Arkansas' run-strong offense.
Scout.com analysis
Patton picked college football over college basketball, and we feel like it was the right decision, because he really came into his own as a football prospect on his 2016 highlight tape. He is a great blocker. He has the athleticism and quickness to gain the advantage and then he will finish off blocks with authority.
4-Star LB Quondarius Qualls
9 of 11Hometown/school: Farmerville, Louisiana/Northwest Mississippi Community College
Size: 6'2", 225 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 27 overall (No. 3 OLB)
FBS status: Signed with West Virginia
The stats for Quondarius Qualls are impressive. In 2016, per the Northwest Mississippi website, Qualls had 55 tackles, 9.5 sacks and an interception. The 20 quarterback hurries, however, make him an intriguing option to immediately plug in the defense at West Virginia. He's a quick athlete off the end and a tough assignment for offensive linemen.
Scout.com analysis
For a team looking for more pass-rush ability from the second level, Qualls could be the perfect fit. He's comfortable lining up on the line of scrimmage but can also start snaps as an outside linebacker. He can easily move down to the line on obvious passing downs, but he's strong enough to not get washed away in the scrum of a power run.
4-Star DT Chauncey Rivers
10 of 11Hometown/school: Stone Mountain, Georgia/East Mississippi Community College
Size: 6'2", 275 lbs
Scout.com ranking: No. 7 overall (No. 1 DT)
FBS status: Signed with Mississippi State
Mississippi State had an outstanding 2017 junior college class, but Chauncey Rivers might be the best of the bunch. For a guy his size, Rivers is very quick off the ball, and he's an elusive defender, which could equate to multiple problems for offensive tackles. Look for Rivers to get quality minutes early in coach Dan Mullen's defensive scheme because of his athleticism and overall skill set.
Scout.com analysis
He is strong at the point of attack, using his hands well to maneuver and control offensive linemen. All that being said, he makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He will get after the quarterback and press the action.
Bonus: 2 QB Signees Who Attended a JUCO but Didn't Play
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Writer's note: The JUCO midyear transfer period also is valid for athletes who went to junior colleges but decided not to play this season. Former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham and former Alabama quarterback Blake Barnett signed with schools to return to FBS competition on Wednesday.
Hometown/school: Stephenville, Texas/McLennan Community College
Size: 6'3", 215 lbs
Scout.com JUCO ranking: N/A
FBS status: Signed with Auburn
Scout.com analysis
Stidham is a very fiery competitor and one who is not afraid to press action and make plays. He has a good arm, and if he spots an opening he will pull the trigger quickly. He can and will make all the throws and has an improvisational quality that makes him special.
Hometown/school: Corona, California/Palomar College
Size: 6'5", 215 lbs
Scout.com JUCO ranking: N/A
FBS status: Signed with Arizona State
Scout.com analysis
With very good mobility for a pocket passer, Barnett has terrific physical tools. He's big and lanky with a plus arm and enough mobility to be able to run any zone read or run-pass option offense, or even designed quarterback draw or power.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of Scout.com. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.
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