The Top College Football Players Who'll Need to Transfer to Thrive

Every fan, coach and teammate hates the word "transfer" and are always a bit sad to see a player leave a program, no matter what the circumstances are. Yet sometimes a player needs to leave a program to fully spread his wings, develop properly and reach his potential. Also, there are sometimes a transfer is good for a player as he can then go become "the man" at another school.

With this list, I'm not saying these players are transferring or need to, but rather maybe they should seriously consider it. Whether it be due to the depth chart stacked against them, a hot incoming recruit primed to see the field before them or just a bad system fit for their skill set, a transfer for the following players wouldn't be a bad thing for them to thrive.

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Josh Nunes, QB: Stanford

Nunes was one of the top pro-style QB recruits in the nation in 2009, and decided on The Farm as hi stop. He boomed during the spring evaluation period as coaches from colleges flocked to Upland came away impressed after seeing throw. He also lit up the camps and combines circuit.

Now at Stanford, entering his sophomore year, he is in the shadows of one Andrew Luck. Nunes would been able to compete for the lead job if Luck had left for the pros, but now he is still on clip board duty.

With Stanford signing two solid QBs in the 2011 class in Kevin Hogan and Evan Crower, maybe Nunes could leave for FCS school and really show observers why he was so highly touted.

Arie Koaundjio, OL: Alabama

Arie is out to prove he is a great player in his own right, as his little brother Cyrus is best incoming offensive tackle prospect in the country...and also happens to be en-route to Tuscaloosa.

But its just the notion and anticipate arrival of Cyrus as to why Aries makes this list, it's the depth chart. He's firmly in the two deep, but I just think he's to talented not to be an outright entrenched starter somewhere.

He's behind DJ Fluker, Tyler Love and Aaron Douglas right now and in a year, once Cyrus refines his pass protection reps, Arie could be on the outside looking in at all four linemen. He's too good to have to keep fighting for a job.

Richard Brehaut, QB: UCLA

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Richard Brehaut #12 of the UCLA Bruins scrambles with the ball during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated

Brehaut was one of the top QB prospects in the 2009 class as well with Nunes, and had a slew of schools after his services. He chose to stay home and head to UCLA where he enrolled early. The  6'3", 225 pound Brehaut, in my opinion, is the most talented QB on the UCLA roster right now.

But Kevin Prince seems to have poise and consistency that Rick Neuheisel likes, and then there's the whole "savior" thing with incoming recruit Brett Hundley. Making things more sketchy for Brehaut is the fact that he decided to play baseball this spring and is splitting time with the Bruin baseball squad and spring practices.

I think a transfer to another school to fully spread his wings and display his great talent would be a solid idea.

Devin Gardner, QB: Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 25: Devin Gardner #7 celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against Bowling Green on September 25, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Bowling Green65-21. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty

Gardner is was a highly touted recruit in 2010 class out of Detroit and has great potential. He has great potential and great size at 6'4", 210 pounds. Gardner has dual threat skills, with arm strength, athletic ability and speed.

Yet, Denard Robinson decided he was not leaving Ann Arbor, and his play making speaks for itself. Gardner did not redshirt in 2010, and appeared in three games. I just don't think sitting behind Robinson, who is only junior and may stay for his senior year, and having just one season at the helm is the plan for Gardner.

A transfer to get him on the field at maybe a FCS school could be a good option.

De'Von FLournoy, WR: USC

I don't want get into how loaded USC is at receiver. The names are endless and they are are former 5-star and 4-star recruits. Let's just say talent on the offensive perimeter is not lacking in Hollywood.

Flournoy is a 6'0", 190 pound speedster that is a natural deep threat and dangerous with the ball in his hands. He comes from Birnimgham HS in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, and lit up the City Section competition. He got in four games as true freshman in 2009 and red shirted in 2010.

I think Flournoy is too talented to get lost on the depth chart at USC and become just another name on the roster. He could easily transfer to a FCS school and become a star, and get himself drafted in the middle frames of the NFL Draft in the coming years.