Alabama got a big lift in its 2009 championship season from the addition of the 350-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody, who came up through the junior college ranks. As long as there is pressure to win immediately, SEC coaches will keep snatching them up.
Here’s a look at five potential impact junior college transfers new to the SEC in 2012:
1. Denico Autry, DE, Mississippi State
Why he’ll have an impact:
A consensus top-10 junior college recruit, Autry enrolled early at Mississippi State and was impressive in spring practice. He left camp No. 1 on the depth chart at defensive end and could be a big boost to a defense that finished tied with Vanderbilt for seventh in sacks in the SEC in 2011.
2. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Why he’ll have an impact:
True, Tennessee has two potential star receivers in Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter ahead of Patterson on the depth chart. Patterson is fine with that. In fact, he told reporters on signing day that he picked UT over the likes of Georgia, LSU, Florida and Auburn because Rogers and Hunter would give him more space to make plays.
3. Deion Belue, CB, Alabama
Why he’ll have an impact:
Alabama lost a lot of talent at cornerback with the departures of Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie. Junior Dee Milliner returns, but Belue will battle for the second cornerback job with John Fullton and fellow junior college transfer Travell Dixon. Even if he doesn’t start, he will likely find playing time in the nickel or dime defensive looks.
4. Bo Wallace, QB, Mississippi
Why he’ll have an impact:
Wallace heads into spring practice as a co-starter with fellow quarterback Barry Brunetti. He was on the roster for Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze when they were both at Arkansas State in 2010, but redshirted. He then transferred to East Mississippi Community College where he had a huge 2011 season that included 4,604 passing yards and a record-breaking 53 touchdown passes.
5. Austin Flynn, DE, Arkansas
Why he’ll have an impact:
Flynn is known for his shaggy beard and his pass-rushing skills. He enrolled early at Arkansas and had a solid spring. He collected 11 sacks at Los Angeles Harbor College in 2011 and should fill the void left by departed Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette.
Others to watch: DT Daniel McCullers (Tennessee), DT Damien Jacobs (Florida), OL Pierce Burton (Ole Miss), DL Darrington Sentimore (Tennessee), LB Markus Golden (Missouri), CB Otis Jacobs (Texas A&M), WR Derel Walker (Texas A&M)
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.