Division 2 stars making the huge jump to the SEC

Credit: Charles Atkeison via Wikimedia

Whether you love it or hate it, the transfer portal has become very common throughout these last few seasons. Except, it's usually other Power 5-level athletes transferring up to compete in arguably the best conference in all of college football. Group Of Five players transferring in isn't necessarily rare either, but it's when you get to the FCS that it starts raising eyebrows. This year, however, the big bad SEC is bringing in three transfers from the Dll level, and I'm here to introduce the SEC family to them.

Who is Isaac Teslaa?

Isaac TeSlaa spent the last three seasons with the Hillsdale Chargers. He is a 6-foot 4-inch, 216-pound, 3-star transfer wide receiver who made his commitment to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Last year in his junior season, TeSlaa absolutely took over the Chargers offense. In 11 games, he had 1,325 receiving yards (no other player on the Chargers' roster had more than 240 receiving yards) on 68 receptions (the closest on the roster was 24 receptions). TeSlaa brought in 120.5 yards per game and 19.5 yards per catch on top of 13 touchdowns (the Chargers' next best was 3 touchdowns).

Isaac TeSlaa led his squad for back-to-back seasons in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, receptions, receptions per game, receiving yards per game, and receiving yards per completion.

Now, being able to lead your team is always good. However, TeSlaa wasn't just leading his squad, he was becoming very familiar with the Hillsdale record books. In only 2 (active) seasons, after a redshirt, Isaac TeSlaa made his mark on the Chargers organization by solidifying his name in not one, not two, but three receiving records. He finished his 2022 season as the third-highest in receiving yards (1,325), the third-highest in receiving touchdowns (13), and ninth in receptions in a season (68).

Who Is Mario Anderson Jr?

Mario Anderson Jr. is a 3-star transfer who spent his previous four seasons at the Newberry Wolves in South Carolina. In 2019 for Mario's inaugural season, he accepted a redshirt and would not play a single game this season.

In 2020, we all know how that went... Covid-19 came in and ruined all the outside fun for the entire country. Luckily, we would finally get to see Mario Anderson Jr. really shine in his redshirt sophomore season. For the 2021 season, he would go on and solidify his starting spot in the running back room as he ran for over 1,000 yards (1,237 yards to be exact) in his first season seeing the field. During this season, Anderson would also score 12 touchdowns and average 95.15 rushing yards a game.

For Mario Anderson Jr's final season with the Wolves, he would completely outdo himself. This season, he would rush for 1,560 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 156 yards per game.

Throughout his journey at Newbery, Anderson Jr. broke one rushing record, which was the single-season rushing yards record (1,560). Then, he came in the top three in two more records, including a second-place finish in rushing touchdowns in a season and rushing touchdowns in one game.

Who is Jahdae Walker?

Jahdae Walker is another 3-star transfer that spent his last two seasons with the Grand Valley State Lakers. He is a 6-foot 4-inch 185-pound wide receiver. Unlike Mario Anderson and Isaac TeSlaa, Walker never really had an elite season. This is strictly a move where Jahdae Walker is betting on himself and has decided he can not only go and make the team, but he will get significant playing time for Texas A&M.

For his freshman season, Walker appeared in six games and had 2 catches for 28 yards... As I said, he is betting on himself to shine.

Thankfully, he did gain a huge step by improving in his sophomore season. This year, he grabbed 30 catches and 623 yards, with only 4 touchdowns. The central focus of Walker's game is his length. If he can utilize it, he will shine as an Aggie. All Connor Weigman has to do is get the ball in Walker's general vicinity, and he can make a highlight play, like the one below.