Trace Armstrong from Arizona State was the best transfer in my memory. The guy was an animal in the weight room and on the field. Ended up getting All-American honors.
Don't care if I do get a "piling-on" penalty here.
Armstrong was denied a final year of eligibility by the NCAA due to an "academic mix-up," which he could only recoup if he transferred to another school. However, he was granted immediate eligibility after the NCAA waived its transfer rule in an unusual academic status case from high school which allowed the transfer.
As a result, Armstrong transferred to the
University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and played his final college season for coach
Galen Hall's
Florida Gators football team in
1988.
[3] He was recognized as a first-team All-
Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and a first-team All-American at defensive tackle.
[3] He set a new Gators single-season record for most tackles for a loss with nineteen, including seven sacks.
[3] In all, Armstrong recorded fifty-nine tackles with forty-one of those solo.
[3] He finished his college career on the sidelines in the Gators' 14–10 win over the
Illinois Fighting Illini in the
All American Bowl on December 29, 1988. He underwent
arthroscopic surgery to repair his left knee two weeks before the bowl game and could not play.
Trace was drafted by the NFL in the 1st round. Played 10 years. He's celebrated in the 100th 'Anniversity' Gator Team, alongside greats like Jack Youngblood. Trace continues to function as one of our most "life-successful" Gator alumni.... at least that's what Pasty explained to me.
