LB Springer is transferring to Ole Miss
He led the Mids last season in tackles for loss and sacks
Jacob Springer, Navy’s leader in tackles for loss and sacks last season, announced on Tuesday night via Instagram that he will transfer to Mississippi.
The Capital confirmed the news Wednesday morning after contacting Springer, who cited a desire to play in the National Football League as a primary factor for leaving Navy for a school in the powerful Southeastern Conference.
Springer will have to sit out the 2020 season per NCAA transfer rules. He is the latest in a series of transfers being brought in by first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, who was hired in December 2019.
If Springer winds up playing in the NFL, Navy defensive coordinator Brian Newberry will be a big reason why.
Newberry gave Springer the opportunity to be a playmaker in the aggressive, unpredictable defense he installed during his first season in Annapolis. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder switched from safety to the outside linebacker position known as striker and routinely blitzed off the edge.
Springer stepped up and responded, finishing the 2019 season with 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks. When the rising senior entered the transfer portal during the spring semester, he had a loaded highlight tape to send out.
A large contingent of coaches at Power Five conference schools were impressed by what they saw of Springer breaking
into backfields to drag down quarterbacks and ball-carriers. Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Illinois and Iowa State were among the major conference schools that pursued Springer, who has one year of eligibility remaining.
“Hey, the SEC is the real deal. It’s the best college football conference in the country,” Springer said in a telephone interview. “I want to put my game on that stage and show that my skills translate.”
Springer, who was named second team All-American Athletic Conference after ranking third on the team with 69 tackles last season, could potentially play safety or outside linebacker for Mississippi.
Co-defensive coordinators Chris Partridge and D.J. Durkin spearheaded the recruitment of Springer. Partridge will be coaching safeties, while Durkin, the former Maryland head coach, will coach linebackers.
“I’ve talked to a lot of Ole Miss alumni and fans and there’s a real buzz about Coach Kiffin taking over. I’m looking forward to playing for Coach Kiffin and his staff. I’m very excited to be part of what is happening down there in Oxford,” Springer said.
An NCAA proposal to eliminate the mandatory one-year sit out rule for Division I transfers has been tabled for the time being due to the coronavirus pandemic. Springer has no problem being restricted to simply practicing with the Rebels during the 2020 campaign.
“That was always the plan to take a redshirt year and get to know the defense better, get into strength and conditioning program and get acclimated to the campus,” Springer said. “I have no doubt I’ll get better just by practicing at that level for an entire season.”
Springer may face some sort of financial penalty for leaving the Naval Academy after signing the two-for-seven papers at the start of his junior year. That binding document declares that midshipmen will serve the required five-year military commitment after graduation.
As a result, the Kansas City, Missouri native may be required to reimburse the government for a portion of his Naval Academy education. According to sources, Springer withdrew from the academy midway through the spring semester.
Springer was a significant contributor on defense and special teams as a sophomore at Navy, appearing in 12 games with four starts and amassing 36 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. He departs the program with fond memories and positive feelings.
“I don’t regret anything about my time at the Naval Academy. I wouldn’t be where I am today and have this opportunity if not for Coach Ken and his staff,” Springer said. “I cherish the last three years I spent in Annapolis. I want to thank Coach Ken and all the other coaches, as well as my teammates, for helping me grow as a player and a person.”
Springer readily admits playing in the
NFL is the ultimate goal and a big reason why he transferred to an SEC program.
“I want to put on film what I can do on that field, at that level. Having scouts see me making plays in that type of atmosphere on Saturdays in the south is going to raise my stock a lot,” he said.