Entering the transfer portal as a recent graduate can set athletes up for success even in the latter half of their careers. In recent memory, Joe Burrow transferring from Ohio State to LSU changed the outcome of his career, launching him to a national title and becoming the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Any success obtainable through transferring as a graduate should be celebrated, as continuing your education and athletic career is an admirable choice to make as a college athlete
Related: 3 Things For Graduate Transfers To Consider During the Transfer Process
But transferring as a graduate student can also be a difficult decision to make. If you’re on the fence, here are 3 more graduate transfers to keep on your radar and maybe help you make that choice.
Bo Nix (Auburn to Oregon football)
Bo Nix helmed the Auburn Tigers at quarterback , winning Freshman of the Year in the SEC in 2019. His best season with the Tigers was his freshman year, in which he touted a win-loss record of 9-4, over 2,500 passing yards, and 16 touchdowns. However, at the end of 2021, Nix decided to transfer post-graduation, aiming for the starting job for the Oregon Ducks. As of midseason 2022, Oregon is ranked in the AP top 10 with a record of 7-1, thanks in large part toNix who is putting up his best numbers yet, with 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns with 4 games left in the regular season. The Ducks are front runners in their conference, and Bo Nix shows no signs of slowing down this season.
Related: 11 Recruiting Questions With University of West Florida Football Coach Pete Shinnick
Kyle Lofton (St. Bonaventure to Florida men’s basketball)
The Florida Gators added Guard Kyle Lofton via graduate transfer earlier this offseason. A strong freshman year saw Lofton earning Atlantic 10 All-Rookie honors, and posting a career high of 490 points scored. While he has yet to play a game for the Gators, Lofton is expected to be a game-changing player for the team, spending plenty of time on the court and aiming to continue averaging 14 points a game. For his time at St. Bonaventure, Lofton was a team player, not having the highest averages, but being consistent throughout four seasons. His dedication to consistency landed him in the SEC, a conference with a lot of tough competition and highly televised games: a fantastic change from the mid-majors.
Related: 4 Signs it’s Time to Transfer
Diamond Battles (UCF to Georgia women’s basketball)
While the season is yet to start for the Georgia Bulldogs, Diamond Battles’ addition to the team is helping cement the rebuild going down in Athens. Following her coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson’s move from UCF to Georgia, Battles is likely to start at guard and get heavy playing time. During her last year at UCF she earned AAC Player of the Year as well as AAC Defensive Player of the Year, and made the surprising decision to continue playing collegiately instead of entering in the WNBA draft. Battles was the leading player in what was arguably the best defense in the 2021-22 season, and she has the opportunity to have a major impact in the program’s transition moving forward.
Making the commitment to continue playing after your undergraduate degree is in your hand is a choice many might fear to make. However, there is success to be found in new places for college athletes. Graduate athletes like these three stepped up to the challenge, we’ll be watching while they hopefully find their new success story.
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* Originally published on November 15, 2022, by Jenaro DelPrete
