Miami always was Transfer U

Coach Manny Diaz’s masterful use of the transfer portal this offseason has impressed the Miami fanbase while also catching the eye of recruiting analysts. The New Miami will include the services of former Ohio State QB Tate Martell, Auburn RB Asa Martin, Buffalo WR KJ Osborn, Virginia Tech DE Trevon Hill, Butler OT Tommy Kennedy, USC S Bubba Bolden, and UCLA LBs Jaelan Phillips and Chigozie Nnoruka. The hope is that these players will be able to come in and catch on quickly to inject some immediate talent into the program. While Coach Diaz has brought this practice to the forefront, The U has had transfer athletes leaving their marks on various sports for years now, including this year. Let’s take a look at 4 transfer athletes that have already left their mark on their respective sports:

Zach Johnson

The grad transfer from Florida Gulf Coast already had 3 years worth of accomplishments on the hardwood, including being named to the All-Atlantic Sun First Team and finishing 4th on the FGCU all-time scoring list. Johnson continued showcasing his scoring process in Coral Gables, averaging 11.8 points per game for this Canes this season. What was even more impactful about Johnson’s time with the Canes was his performances late in games, including his two game-winning shots against Fresno State and Clemson:

Beatrice Mompremier

The Canes Women’s Hoops team landed a true homegrown talent when the Miami High alum decided to return home after 2 seasons at national-powerhouse Baylor. Mompremier was a force to be reckoned with inside, averaging 16.7 points and 12.2 rebounds as the Canes rattled off a 25-9 record and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. In case you needed further convincing, she also brought home first-team All-ACC honors while being named to the Naismith Trophy and Lisa Leslie Center of the Year watchlists.

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Raheem Chambers

Jamaican sprinter Raheem Chambers transferred to Miami after 2 successful years at Auburn University, where he amassed multiple All-American honors in the 60 meters and the 100 meters. At the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships, Chambers brought home the silver medal in the 60 meters with a blazing time of 6.53 seconds. In his first season as a Cane, Chambers picked up right where he left off, placing second in the 60 meters at the 2019 ACC Indoor Championships with a school-record time. Less than a month later, Chambers was named the ACC Men’s Track Performer of the Week for his first race of the outdoor season, where he was the top college-finisher in the 200 meters at the Hurricane Invitational:

Gerald Willis III

The best player on the Canes defense this past season was once a Florida Gator before heading down I95 to join the Canes. After a tumultuous first 3 years in Coral Gables, Willis returned in a big way, ranking among the best in the country in tackles for loss en route to second-team All-America honors. He was dominant in every game this season, and Miami will have a tall order replacing Gerald as he moves on to play on Sundays.