Throughout Week Seven of the College Football season, defensive transfers put on some top performances for their new programs. Here’s a look at the five of the best defensive transfers from around the country this past week:
1.) A.J. Haulcy – Houston
In Thursday’s 41-39 win over West Virginia, the former New Mexico defensive back tallied up 15 tackles and was able to defend a pass to limit the Mountaineers offensively throughout the first three quarters.
The 15 tackles marked a season-best for Haulcy, who currently sits second on the Cougars roster in total tackles as they prepare to face No. 8 Texas on Saturday.
2.) Jackson Woodard – UNLV
The former Arkansas linebacker has been a revelation for the Rebels with 45 tackles already posted on the season, but this past weekend Woodard turned it up a notch.
Helping UNLV to a 45-27 win over Nevada, Woodard managed nine tackles and was able to pick off Nevada quarterback Brandon Lewis to stall a second quarter red zone drive.
With UNLV set to matchup against a solid Colorado State program at the weekend, look for Woodard’s continued success to anchor this 5-1 Rebels team.
3.) Kevin Swint – Georgia State
After a somewhat quiet start to the season, the Clemson transfer burst onto the scene this past weekend with six tackles, three of which went for a loss, two sacks, and forced a fumble to defeat Marshall 41-24.
Swint’s showing in the bounce back victory earned him the Panthers’ Defensive Performer of the Week award and puts Georgia State at 5-1, just behind undefeated James Madison in the Sun Belt.
4.) Daniel Grzesiak – Cincinnati
The two-time transfer who spent seasons with both Nevada and Utah State led the Bearcats defense last week with seven tackles and a season-high two sacks, despite a disappointing 30-10 loss to Iowa State.
Four defeats in a row now plague this Cincinnati program, but Grezesiak continues to be one of the team’s top transfers and a consistent defensive piece, as the Bearcats look to end this streak against Baylor on Saturday.
On Thursday, the Stanford transfer put in a game-winning performance that saw three tackles, a defended pass, and a 37-yard pick six late into the fourth quarter to help secure a 31-10 win over East Carolina.
The interception was just McGill’s first of the season for the 4-2 Mustangs, but he’ll have a chance to build on this effort as SMU travels to Temple on Friday and tries to stay undefeated in conference play.
