Miami football transfers haven’t found success at new schools

The Miami football program has been one of the most successful nationally adding players from the transfer portal and having them make an impact. Quarterback D’Eriq King transformed the Hurricanes offense in 2020 and changed the culture throughout the Miami football program when he arrived last year.

For all the success the Miami football program has had adding transfers over the last four to five seasons, the Hurricanes have lost their share of players to the transfer portal. The majority of those players who have matriculated elsewhere have not led to the success that the Hurricanes transfers have had.

In recent seasons, some of the players who have left Miami are cornerback Christian Williams and quarterback Jarren Williams to South Florida, CB Nigel Bethel to Colorado, running back Lorenzo Lingard to Florida, safety Derrick Smith and wide receiver Brian Hightower to Illinois and WR Marquez Ezzard to Georgia Tech.

Jarren Williams originally transferred to Garden City Community College in Kansas but did not play in 2020 because of COVID-19. Williams completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,187 yards 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2019 as the primary first-team QB for Miami. Williams’ problems were more off the field.

It appears Williams will be a backup for South Florida in 2021. In the Bulls Spring Game, the former Hurricanes starting QB was 9-19 for 98 yards and a fumble. Williams has reportedly learned from his indiscretions at Miami. The problems for Miami at QB in 2019, led to the addition of King in January 2020.

Williams left Miami at the onset of the 2020 season and will make his debut for South Florida this fall. Ezzard had two receptions for 24 yards with Miami in 2018 before transfer to Georgia Tech. Ezzard had nine receptions for 124 yards with the Yellow Jackets in 2020. Ezzard projects as the starting slot receiver in 2021.

Lingard was a five-star signee with Miami in 2018. As a true freshman, Lingard ran 17 times for 136 yards and two TDs and two kickoff returns for 46 yards before a knee injury sidelined him for over a year. After the 2019 season, Lingard transferred to Florida to be closer to his ill father. Lingard had five carries for 32 yards in 2020.

Hightower got off to a good start in his Miami career with a 32-yard touchdown reception against LSU in the 2018 season opener. In two seasons with Miami, Hightower had 12 receptions for 148 yards and the sole TD. Following the 2019 season, Hightower transferred to Illinois where he had 11 for 209 and three TDs in 2020.

In two seasons with Miami, Smith had 24 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. Smith had 22 tackles and one TFL with four starts for Fighting Illini in 2020. Bethel had one tackle and one pass breakup for Miami in 2018. With the Buffaloes in 2020, Bethel had three tackles an interception and a PBU. Miami has benefitted from the transfer portal.