Will transfer to Ole Miss help 2021 NFL Draft stock of LB Jacob Springer?

Ole Miss landed 2021 NFL Draft prospect Jacob Springer as a grad transfer

After three seasons at the Naval Academy and along the Midshipmen defense, linebacker Jake Springer is on the move. After entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, the defensive weapon has landed in the star-studded SEC West as he now calls Ole Miss his home. Jacob Springer hopes this move will boost his 2021 NFL Draft stock as he heads into his last year of eligibility.

After a season where he led the Midshipmen in sacks and tackles for loss, moving to the top conference in all of college football will be a steep increase in competition. However, if Springer can prove he belongs with the top dogs, his 2021 stock will see a skyrocket this season.

After all, Springer has been highly productive throughout the first three seasons of his collegiate career. Last year, Springer racked up 39 solo tackles, with almost half of them coming behind the line of scrimmage, and tallied a massive eight sacks from his linebacker spot.

How will he fit with Ole Miss?

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An interesting fit, Ole Miss is returning upperclassmen at every spot at the second level of their defense. Lakia Henry, Momo Sanogo, and Jacquez Jones all return at the linebacker position, meaning Springer will have to fight to find a role on the Ole Miss defense.

He did, however, play safety at Navy for the first two years of his career before moving to linebacker last year. Given his small stature at 6-1 and 205 pounds, the plan at Ole Miss could be to move him back to the third level of the defense here he racked up two picks the year before.

There, however, Ole Miss is returning a starter in Jon Haynes, with A.J. Finley fighting for a job after appearing in every game a year ago. It seems like Finley and Springer may be set to fight it out for the second starting role in the back of the Ole Miss defense.

There is one other option, however, given Springer’s versatility. As the NFL is heading towards a spread-heavy league, they are looking for defensive backs who will not compromise their run support in a “move” role. This could be the perfect fit for Springer, not only at Ole Miss, but as he hopes to see his 2021 NFL Draft rise this season.

Modeling his game after the likes of Derwin James or Tyrann Mathieu looks like the move for Springer. As he transitions to Ole Miss, he could be an exciting watch this season, as there is absolutely a role for him at the next level.