Recent transfers to BG and other MAC schools

[BGSU33]

This is a new thread stemming off the current one about OSU’s Erik Haw transferring, but related to BG and the MAC. It got me thinking about players from other D-I schools that have transferred to BG in the last decade or so. We haven’t had many that I can think of, but here are a few I remember. Starting with Ohio State, I think the last time we had an Ohio State transfer in football was Eric Starks, a wide receiver back in 1995-96. I don’t think he ever actually played for OSU, I think he signed and then red-shirted and then transferred to BG if I remember correctly (not sure). Starks was a decent player but certainly not as good as many of the ones we’ve had at BG. Others that come to mind are DL Rick Mauer from Air Force (again, I don’t think he played there), but he was a very solid player at BG. Then there’s Letosky Carey (DE/LB) from Rutgers (97-98 ), Damian Platt (RB) from Illinois (1997) and the already mentioned Martez Johnson (RB) from Kentucky from a few years ago. There was also the recent transfer (sort of) Ryan Patrick from Ball State, but we know what happened to him and he’s not on the team anymore. Can anyone think of any more recent transfers?

But I’ll tell you who I think just might have been the best transfer that comes to mind for BG over the last decade - and he wasn’t from a D-I school or even a JUCO for that matter. It was Keyland Cates (RB) from D-III Ohio Wesleyan (1994-96). This kid basically recruited himself to BG and turned out to be a very solid player. I really liked him and he was arguable our best running back when he played for the Falcons.

As for other MAC schools, there are and have been some notable transfers at other schools over the years. But I’ll tell you two schools this year from the MAC East alone that have some very talented transfers who are or will be starters, and that’s Ohio and Akron. Ohio has Illinois transfer QB Brad Bowers and Virginia Tech transfer CB Michael Hinton and both will be starters at some point this year IMO. Bowers and Hinton were two highly-touted recruits coming out of HS and I can’t imagine these two not being starters at some point this year on an improved OU team. The Bobcats also have New Mexico State transfer TE Andrew Mooney there (should be sitting this year out) and it sounds like there’s a very good chance that Vanderbilt DE David Carter could be headed to Athens too. As for Akron, we already know about Pitt transfer and starting QB Luke Getsy, but they’ll also be starting RB and Ohio State transfer Dennis Kennedy, DT and Rutgers transfer Nate Robinson, CB and West Virginia transfer Devanzo Tate and …..of course, starting CB and Bowling Green transfer CB Reggie Corner. I don’t think Corner ever played for BG, but every time I think of him now I think about his INT last year that killed an early drive in our loss to Akron. The Zips also have a transfer kicker from Wisconsin who might be their starter as well.

[BGSUFootballFan]

What ever happend to that DB/KR Steve Simonton?

[moneymaker02]

my buddy on the team told me simonton couldn't take the cold and was to far from his kids.

[factman]

One of the best was Brian Sherman who transferred from Wittenberg back in the 80's!!!

[NWLB]

Starks showed some skill but never lived up to the hype. He was't bad, just not great. He played for the Ohio Cannon in the short lived RFL.