Newcomers: Portal Pickups
In their quest to repeat as Division II National Champions, the Argonauts had the opportunity to bring in 65 new players since the end of 2019. Of that group the Argos brought in 27 transfers from the NCAA Transfer portal. These are players who were on FBS, FCS, or Division II rosters and have transferred to West Florida to finish their careers. The breakdown of transfers is:
11 FBS transfers
11 FCS transfers
5 D2 transfers
This is part two of a three part series highlighting some of the key new additions to the 2021 roster, we began with the Freshmen 15, and are now taking a look at the Portal Pickups. The transfer portal being such a crucial lifeline for D2 programs to mine for talent, and UWF has made savvy use of the portal throughout program history, including grabbing starting QB Austin Reed from SIU before the 2019 season. These are the 10 transfers poised to make the biggest impact for the Argos this fall.
RS-Junior Juac Angoi, Offensive Guard Grambling State (FCS)
A common theme on this list, as you’ll see by the end, is guys with solid experience with programs at or above the GSC level, looking to come in and immediately compete for vacated starting spots from 2019. Angoi is a massive human, listed 6-5 335 he is the biggest Lineman on the roster. Angoi doesn’t have any starting experience coming from Grambling State, but he has played in 13 games for the FCS program. UWF is looking to replace starters at Left Tackle, Left Guard, and Center, and while they have made some moves in house to do so (Jacob Bruce from Right Tackle to Left, Dalton Simpler playing Center and Guard) there is still the expectation of competition in camp for the final starting lineup, and backup roles. Angoi also has the added bonus of having two years left to play. Right now, we believe that the starting five is pretty much in place, but Angoi will likely be competing to be one of the first guys off the bench this fall.
Grad Shea Campbell, Middle Linebacker West Virginia University (FBS)
It isn’t often that someone with Power Five level starting experience makes their way to a Division 2 roster, but the Argonauts lucked out in landing Shea Campbell from WVU. He spent five seasons in Morgantown, starting 7 games and appearing in 22 over his last two seasons. A hometown kid for the Mountaineers, he actually ran out of FBS eligibility but because D2 rules are slightly different he can play one more year with the Argonauts. Lucky for UWF, who is looking to replace starting Middle Linebacker Chanler Ferguson, who lead the team in tackles in 2019. Campbell, a part time starter and key backup for the Mountaineers, made 11.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks in his two seasons of play. The team also voted Campbell as Defensive MVP for the spring, and he was named the top defensive lifter of the spring as well. Campbell likely had a bead on the Middle Linebacker role at the start of camp but another member of this list is likely to push him for that spot.
RS-Junior David Durden, Wide Receiver and Kick Returner Mercer (FCS)
David Durden brings a lot to the table for the 2021 Argonauts. First, he brings exciting combination of size and speed to the Wide Receiver room. Listed at 6-2 200, Durden ran a reported team best 4.38 40 this spring. The Mercer transfer doesn’t just bring athletic ability though, he is a proven commodity on the football field. Durden landed on the 1st team All-SoCon list as a kick returner in 2019 after returning 29 kickoffs for 750 yards (25.9 average, 82 long). He also made the 2nd Team list as a Wide Receiver, with 45 receptions 647 yards and 4 TDs as a Sophomore. The year before he was a Freshman All-American Honorable Mention after scoring 6 total TDs, including a 95 yard TD against Western Carolina. Durden comes into a good situation for an experienced playmaker to make an immediate impact, with UWF looking to replace their top two Wide Receivers from ‘19, Tate Lehito and Quentin Randolph and about 70% of their Wide Receiver production. It’ll be a battle behind Ka’Ron Ashley and Rodney Coates for targets, and Durden should be in the thick of that.
Grad Danny Laudet, Punter and Kicker Concordia-St. Paul (D2)
The Argos struggled in both the kicking and punting games at times last year, and neither specialist returns for the 2021 season. Laudet is a proven capable D2 Kicker (74% on FGs, long 49) and punter (career 72 punts 39.2 yards per punt, 8 over 50 8 inside the 2o), and could stabilize both positions for the 2021 season while the Argonauts sort out the future of Special Teams, but probably makes the bigger impact as a Kicker, with some other talented Punter transfers in the mix. His average for FGs is just about 20% higher than UWF’s team average last season of 55%, and his punting average is 3.6 yards less than the team average of 42.8 yards.
RS-Senior Vincent McIntosh, Defensive Tackle Jackson State (FCS)
With the outgoing experience at Defensive Line, McIntosh could immediately figure into the rotation. A two year player at Jackson State, McIntosh came to UWF just at the start of camp, so he will be behind the eight ball in terms of previous reps. However, he is a huge guy at 6-2 300 and a pretty good athlete, having played Running Back in at Tupelo High School rushing for 1600 yards on 7.4 yards per carry as a Junior and Senior. He played 14 games at Jackson State 10 in ‘19 and 4 earlier in the 2021 spring season, he totaled 45 tackles 3.5 TFL and 1.0 sacks. The Argonauts’ Defensive Line doesn’t return a lot of depth from last season, so McIntosh could figure into the rotation, especially as the season goes on and he gets more integrated into the system.
Grad Kenneth Roman, Right Tackle Indiana (Pa.) (D2)
A lot of transfers to D2 programs come from bounce back players from larger classifications, but Roman is one of five transfers who came to UWF from another Division II program, and from a really good one in IUP who has missed the playoffs once since 2015. Roman was a 2nd Team All-PSAC West in selection in 2019 started 5 games in 2017, 11 in 2018, and 12 in 2019, mostly at Right Tackle but also some at Left Tackle. Before IUP Roman spent two years at Rutgers. With the Argonauts trying to replace three full time OL starters, Roman appears to be the front runner for the Right Tackle spot vacated by 2019 starter Jacob Bruce’s move to Left Tackle. Roman coming in with All-Conference level chops in one of the premier D2 conferences, should help to stabilize the line and allow for younger Tackles to continue developing for the future. With McNeese State, and their excellent Defensive Line, up Week 1, Roman is one of the most important offseason additions the Argos have brought in.
RS-Junior Shannon Showers, Defensive Back Southern Miss (FBS)
Showers, a native of Fort White, FL, comes to UWF after three seasons at Southern Miss. He redshirted in 2017 then appeared in 23 games in the next two seasons, starting 10 out of 12 appearances in 2019. That year he finished with 58 tackles and 2 INTs playing Free Safety, which were 3rd and 2nd on the team respectively. The defensive secondary returns a lot of experience, but Free Safety is the only position where the Argonauts do not bring back their primary starter from the 2019 season. Showers should be battling Kion Holder and TJ Limehouse for the fourth spot in the secondary with Strong Safety D’Anthony Bell and Cornerbacks Sharod Oliver and Marcus Clayton.
Senior Jordan Wells, Defensive Lineman Tarleton State (D2)
Another high quality Division 2 transfer, Wells comes to UWF from former Lone Star Conference powerhouse Tarelton State. In one full D2 season with Tarleton State in 2019 Wells tallied 50 tackles, 19.0 TFL, and 6.0 sacks, starting all 13 games for the Texans at Defensive End. For that season Wells was honored as LSC Defensive Lineman of the Year and a 3rd Team All-American by Don Hansen. In the spring of 2021, TSU played a shortened spring football season with an 8 game blend of D2 and FCS opponents and Wells again was stellar, making 38 tackles with 8.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks. With the Argos trying to replace 15.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks vacated by the since graduated Ian Bush, and Wells playing a very similar role in another three man front defense, he could slide into a starting role quickly in camp. At the very least we expect Wells to be a major rotational player this fall for the Argonauts, as they try to replace both Bush and departed Nose Tackle Daryl Wilson.
Senior Kee Whetzel, Weakside Linebacker Oregon State (FBS)
As a Beaver he played in 24 games making 2 starts in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Although not a fulltime starter, he made a significant impact totaling 65 tackles (43 solo) 5.0 TFL 4.0 Sacks 2 PBU as a sub and on special teams. He appeared to be ready to take on a bigger role but left the program before then 2019 season. Originally from Clearwater, Whetzel Transferred to UWF before the cancelled 2020 season. He figures into a competition for the Weakside Linebacker position, previously held primarily by Andre Duncombe since 2017. A tall, rangy Linebacker who’s athleticism could be valuable in the pass rush as well as in coverage. He and De’Marco Artis will be jockeying for snaps.
Grad Stephon Williams, Middle Linebacker Valdosta State (D2)
The third D2 transfer on this list continues the trend set by Roman and Wells, Williams was a high level performer for a big time program in Valdosta State. In 2019 Williams was a First Team All-GSC Middle Linebacker for the Blazers, racking up 44 tackles 6.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks in 10 games. He came to VSU after two seasons at FCS Southeast Missouri State, where as a True Freshman he totaled 50 tackles 6.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. This is another player coming into the program looking to immediately fill a vacated starting role from the 2019 team. UWF lost all three true linebacker starters in Duncombe (Weak), Ferguson (Middle), and Kedrick (Strong), and with returning Linebacker Gael Laurent recovering from an injury all three are open battles going into camp. Williams and Campbell are likely to duke it out in August to see who starts inside for the Argos come September 4th.
Be on the lookout for the final part of the Newcomers series, JUCO5, which will be focused on the five Junior College transfers looking to make an immediate impact on the Argonauts.
