Five key position battles involving transfers in the Pac-12
Spring practice will get started for most teams around the country in March and there will be a lot of hotly contested position battles involving transfer players.
Rivals.com takes a look at five battles in the Pac-12 involving transfers.
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UCLA QUARTERBACK
Contenders: Ethan Garbers (returning backup) vs. Collin Schlee (Kent State)
Overview: Garbers appeared in six games as a reserve for UCLA this past season, completing 26-of-37 passes for 294 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Schlee is coming off a 2022 season where he threw for 2,109 yards with 13 touchdowns and five picks while also rushing for 492 yards and four scores.
Prediction: I'll give Garbers the upper-hand in this spring battle given he's been in the Bruins' system for a year now. However, the more interesting quarterback battle will be in the summer when five-star 2023 signee Dante Moore shows up on campus.
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ARIZONA STATE QUARTERBACK
Contenders: Drew Pyne (Notre Dame) vs. Jacob Conover (BYU)
Overview: Pyne took over as the starter for Notre Dame in Week 2 of last season after an injury to Tyler Buchner. He made the most of his opportunity, leading the Fighting Irish with 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 108 yards and two scores. At BYU, Conover appeared in just five games during his three-years with the Cougars, going 5-of-11 for 45 yards.
Prediction: Based on his success in 2022, Pyne should win this battle in the spring and be primed to lead the Sun Devils into the 2023 season, the first under new head coach Kenny Dillingham.
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COLORADO: DEFENSIVE END
Contenders: Taylor Upshaw (Michigan) vs. Jordan Domineck (Arkansas) vs. Taijh Alston (West Virginia)
Overview: Colorado's defense could only muster 10 sacks last season, good for dead-last in the Pac-12. New head coach Deion Sanders has brought in a plethora of transfers this offseason and many of those can be found along the defensive line for obvious reasons. Upshaw, Domineck and Alston are notable veteran edge rushers added this offseason that will provide an instant impact for the upcoming 2023 season.
Prediction: In terms of experience and production, the heavy favorites in the rotation are both Alston and Domineck. While at West Virginia, Alston appeared in 28 games and Domineck has been a steady producer at Arkansas and his previous stop at Georgia Tech - tallying 137 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks throughout his career.
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USC: CORNERBACK
Contenders: Christian Roland-Wallace (Arizona) vs. Ceyair Wright (returning starter)
Overview: Roland-Wallace comes to USC with more starts under his belt than the entire Trojans' cornerback room combined. He seems destined to earn a starting spot, but the competition will be fierce. Wright is a returning starter. Jacobs Covington appeared in all 14 games for the Trojans this past season, earning three starts. Former five-star Domani Jackson is also in the mix after appearing in seven games in 2022.
Prediction: As mentioned, the competition and talent-depth is there, but Roland-Wallace has proven he's a bonafide playmaker in the Pac-12 with 29 career starts while recording 169 tackles and two interceptions. Pencil him in for a starting spot. In fact, use a pen.
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WASHINGTON: LINEBACKER
Contenders: Ralen GoForth (USC) vs. Alphonzo Tuputala (returning starter) vs. Edefuan Ulofoshio (returning starter)
Overview: Throughout his four seasons at USC, GoForth is looking to make an instant impact. With the Trojans, he appeared in 40 games while recording 149 tackles. GoForth will have to fight to earn a starting job with talent returning for Washington. Tuputala started all 13 games for the Huskies last season while recording 71 tackles, good for second on the team. Ulofoshio is looking to return to form after battling injuries the past two seasons. He returned to play in the final five games for the Huskies last season and will be fully healthy entering spring football.
Prediction: This will be a difficult spot for GoForth to earn a starting role with the Huskies given the return of Tuputala and a now healthy Ulofoshio. Regardless, the former four-star will still play a significant role even if it is as a veteran reserve.