Throughout Week 5 of the College Football season, defensive transfers took center stage and put on some top performances for their new programs. Here’s a look at 5 transfer from around the country who we’re defensive standouts with their new team’s this past week:
1.) Tyrek Funderburk – Appalachian State
Helping Appalachian State to a narrow 41-40 win over Louisiana-Monroe, the Richmond graduate turned Mountaineer defensive back managed his second consecutive week with a pick-six.
Along with the 23-yard interception return, the North Carolina native added three tackles, half of which went for a loss, and split a sack with teammate Nick Ross.
Funderburk already has 16 tackles through the team’s first five games and is one of just two FBS players with a pair of pick-sixes so far this season.
In yet another tightly contested battle this week, the No. 9 ranked Trojans pulled out a 48-41 win over Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders and his Colorado program.
A big storyline on the day was the defensive presence of former Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb who contributed 13 tackles with 11 coming on solo efforts and two behind the line of scrimmage.
Despite only appearing three times for the Trojans so far this season, Cobb currently sits fourth on the team with 20 total tackles and third in tackles for a loss.
3.) Trezmen Marshall – Alabama
Featuring in a dominant 40-17 victory over Mississippi State, the Crimson Tide defense was led by Marshall’s 1.5 sacks, adding nine tackles, and accounting for 11 yards lost by the Bulldogs offense.
Transferring in from Georgia just this past offseason, Marshall has already become a veteran leader for Saban and Co. with the team’s second-most tackles at 30 total across Alabama’s first five matchups.
4.) Donald Willis – Western Michigan
Coming off three consecutive losses, the Broncos turned it around this past weekend with a resounding 42-24 win over MAC rivals Ball State.
On the defensive side, Western Michigan was led by the former Minnesota linebacker putting together a season-best seven tackles – six of which were solo efforts – and two sacks totaling a loss of 18 yards.
Wills’ three sacks on the season are currently tied for the team’s best and his continued on-field success will be critical as the Broncos travel to Mississippi State in Week 6.
5.) Myles Heard – Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs set themselves at 2-0 in Conference USA play this past weekend, rebounding from a loss at Nebraska by defeating UTEP 24-10 in El Paso.
Heard, a Stephen F. Austin transfer, help to shutdown the Miners offensively with a team-leading 10 tackles while defending three passes and forcing an additional fumble.
According to Mike Farrell, Heard currently leads all FBS transfers with 60 total tackles on the season which speaks to just how much he’s thrived on this rebuilt Louisiana Tech defensive unit.
