Sometimes a player knows when it’s best to move on. Today we begin a five-day series looking at five players who transferred to another school that will make an impact for their new teams in 2012.
Today we feature: Brian Wagner
Former Akron LB Brian Wagner will make an instant impact with his new team, Arizona. (University of Akron via Cleveland.com)
BRIAN WAGNER
Position: LB
Current school: Arizona
Former school: Akron
Buzz: Rich Rodriguez probably knew he had a tall task when he took over the Arizona football program. Fresh off a two-win season, the Wildcats had problems on both sides of the ball but especially on defense with the team ranked 110th in the country in total defense. So, when the top defensive transfer in the country – Brian Wagner – announced his decision to transfer to Arizona, it must have been a huge relief for the first-year coach. Wagner, who earned his bachelor degree from Akron last season, was third in the nation in total tackles (147) and second in tackles per game (13.36) behind Boston College’s Luke Kuechly. He was the Zips leading tackler the last three seasons and averaged at least 100 tackles each of the past three seasons. He provides instant leadership to a program that is lacking a defensive leader.
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Rest of the series:
Kansas QB Dayne Crist
Wisconsin QB Danny O’Brien
UCF RB Storm Johnson
