Five Argos I’m Excited to See this Fall: New Additions
As a follow-up to yesterday’s Five Argos I’m Excited to See this Fall: Returning Players, I wanted to spotlight five new additions that I am looking forward to seeing. This was a hard group to narrow down because of the huge number of transfers and high school signees. I’m high on the long term prospects of many of the incoming Freshman, but it is always an uphill climb for first year players to see significant playing time, so I dont know that we will really see those guys this fall. Ultimately I decided to whittle it down to guys who I think have a good chance to make a impact this year. I was also able to find highlights for all of these players, so make sure you click the links for each of the players.
North Dakota State Senior Running Back Jalen Bussey
One of a handful of D1 transfers, Bussey walks into a room looking to rebound from the loss of almost 2000 rushing yards to the transfer portal. He was a four year player with the Bison, with his best seasons came in 2020 (7 games 45-395-3) and 2021 (12 games 47-356-4 & 3-40-1 receiving). Bussey was never the featured back for NDSU, but averaged 8.3/carry on over 100 attempts against some of the best FCS competition (check out his NDSU highlights here). I am curious to see if Bussey, a former 10.7 100M sprinter at Jesuit HS in Tampa, will pair with CJ Wilson to establish a dynamic 1-2 punch in the backfield to replace the loss of Mason and Ra’vieon Hargrove.
Campbell RS-Soph. Offensive Lineman Ryan Young
One thing that was apparent from spring spring game was that the Argonauts could use some immediate help at Offensive Line. With the unit rebuilding a bit this offseason, Campbell Transfer Ryan Young has a chance to come in right away and grab a major role. Young appeared in every game for the Camels playing both Guard spots and starting 6 of the last 7 games (highlights here). Young and former Southern Miss transfer Emanuel Rushing will probably duke it out for the LG spot to start fall camp, but the RS-Soph. could fit into any of the three interior OL spots in a pinch.
College of DuPage RS-Junior Edge Byron Puryear
This might be the single most interesting player to watch this fall because on paper no other transfer walks into a better situation than JUCO All-American Byron Puryear. The EDGE position is basically brand new to West Florida’s roster, and because the roster was groomed for a 3 down front, there arent many returning players who even fit the bill for the position. Puryear looks built for the position, 6’4” 235 long with a wide wingspan, and flashes an explosive first step as a pass rusher. The physical attributes are backed up by 8 Sacks and 13.5 TFL in just 8 games last fall. His previous stint at the D2 level, leading Quincy in sacks and TFL in 2021, shows he can play at this level, so I expect he will get heavily involved as a pass rush specialist in the new look defense. Check out his 2022 highlights here.
UNC Pembroke RS-Junior Cornerback Virgil Lemons
UWF lost a ton at DB from last year, but an All-Conference D2 player like Lemons is just what the doctor ordered for the new staff. Lemons started every game in 2021 at CB, finishing with 2 INT and 5 PBU (both tied for 2nd on the team), in 2022 he wasn’t listed as a starter for most of the season but did lead the team in INT (2) and was second in PBU (8), in addition he piled up 95 tackles and 5 TFL in those two seasons en route to a 2nd Team All-MEC nod (transfer highlights here). Lemons will be immediately in competition for the CB2 spot, opposite Anthony Johnson Jr., battling with Brandon Cross, Zach Johnson, and two other transfers Justin Mathieu and Quincy Milhomme. Lemons could also contribute at Safety and returning kicks.
Nichols State Senior Slot Wide Receiver KJ Franklin
The Argonauts have always had a deep WR group, and 2023 will be no different after the additions of productive transfers in John Jiles and KJ Franklin. Jiles fits the bill of most of the successful West Florida pass catchers from years past, tall, rangy, jump ball winner, but KJ Franklin brings a really different skill set and I think that is going to give him a leg up to getting on the field early this fall. Franklin, the primary slot starter for Nichols for the past 4 seasons, never finished with less than 300 yards and 1 TD in the past four seasons, and leaves Nichols with 1685 Yards and 10 TD. The 5’9” 175 pound multi-year All-Conference performer should really be able to carve out a role across the middle, where he can use mismatches and space to create plays for Peewee and the Argonauts passing attack. Check him out here.
