Tracking the offseason grad transfer market in college football

It’s still too early to track the NFL free agency market, but we’re right on time when it comes to college football grad transfers seeking greener pastures.

In case you missed it due to all the Mardi Gras celebrations, former Tulane center Junior Diaz landed at Florida Atlantic where the three-year starter will finish his college career under Lane Kiffin.

Other notable transfers:

Right guard Casey Tucker goes from Stanford to Arizona State.

Former Cal right guard Dwayne Wallace spurned an offer from the Tennessee Vols and will play his final season at Ole Miss.

Place kicker Bailey Hale plans to graduate from Div. II Eastern New Mexico in order to play his final season at Louisiana Tech. He converted 23 of 34 field goals with a long of 48 yards and had 57 touchbacks. He also can punt.

Hawaii starting quarterback Dru Brown noticed that Mason Rudolph ran out of eligibility at Oklahoma State so the two-year starter for the Rainbow Warriors will have two seasons to play with his move to Stillwater. Brown tossed for 4,733 yards, 33 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 61.8% percent completions during days on the Island.

As we take a look at other free agents via graduation, note that Ed Orgeron has announced LSU is looking to fill two spots with grad transfers. Not sure if any of these available players will fit the bill.

RB C.J. Fuller (5-10, 205) was Clemson’s starter when last season began before slipping down the depth shart. For his career at Clemson, he had 599 yards and four touchdowns plus 18 catches for another 155 yards with a pair of scores.

CB V.J. Banks (6-1, 195) was hurt last season, making just three appearances for the Rice Owls. The Bryan, Texas native was granted a 6th season by NCAA. He had 20 starts and became a CUSA Honor Roll student with the Owls.

LB Ricky DeBerry (6-1, 235) was a 5 star recruit with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State and Texas A&M but never lived up to billing at Oklahoma. He did not play in 2017 and had five total tackles for the Sooners in 2016. DeBerry has two years eligibility remaining.

QB Ryan Doyle (6-1, 208) originally played WR but converted to play behind center at Iowa. He had an uneventful career for the Hawkeyes, seeing limited action. Doyle has two years left to play.

TE Elkanah “Kano” Dillon (6-5, 267), a grad transfer out of South Florida, had 28 career grabs for 504 yards and four scores.

DT Sterling Johnson (6-4-300) fell behind on the loaded Clemson depth chart. He had nine tackles and pair of sacks in ’17. Johnson takes his two years of eligiblity elsewhere.

DT Jabril Robinson (6-2, 270), another from Clemson who is looking for playing time, managed 38 career stops with 19 in 2017. He graduated in December.

TE Ian Bunting (6-7, 252), more of a blocker that receiver at Michigan, played in 34 games for Wolverines with eight starts.

RB Marcel Joly (5-11, 202) was also listed at CB for Hawkeyes but did not see the field in 2017.

RB Madre London (6-1, 218), native of Little Rock, has 885 rushing yards for his career spanning 31 games and eight starts at Michigan State.

LB Gavin Burford (6-2, 230) exits Abilene Christian looking for a new home for his final season. The Lewisville, Texas native made only two appearances in ’17. His grandfather, Ernest Burford, was a professional heavyweight boxer.

CB Alim Muhammad (5-9, 175) at Holy Cross had 40 tackles, one sack and one pick in 2017. Also solid Kick returner and very intelligent, he had 116 tackles and four interceptions for career.

RB Dalvin Warmack (5-8, 187), a Blue Springs, Missouri product, recorded 388 rushing yards for Kansas State.

All have entered college football “free agency,” looking for help wanted signs.