Transferring to different programs for Division I college football players is no small task, especially transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the highly rated Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
With the move comes a lot of differences. From on-field play and atmosphere, to differing schedules and locker room energy. No matter the circumstances, getting to the top level is one that many coming out of high school or a different program fully desire.
BGSU football is no stranger to having transfers come from all over the country, especially with the hiring of new Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George, who is the main contributing factor.
This past off-season, the program recorded the number one transfer class in the entire Mid-American Conference (MAC). Bringing in 27 transfers from Power 4 conferences, Junior College (JUCO), and, of course, FCS programs.
Two of the most notable FCS transfers come from the defensive side of the ball. Junior linebacker Gideon ‘ESPN‘ Lampron, and junior defensive end Eriq George, son of Eddie.
Lampron, before making the switch to Bowling Green, played his first two seasons for the University of Dayton, appearing in 24 games for the Flyers, recording 150 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and seven and a half sacks while also earning first-team FCS All-American honors after the 2024 season.
Eriq George, being with his dad’s former program at Tennessee State, had similar success to his linebacker teammate. The junior started in 23 career games, earning All-Big South/OVC Second Team honors in 2024 after recording 57 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and five and a half sacks.
Since arriving on campus back in the spring, both George and Lampron have been embracing Bowling Green with open arms all the way through, especially the special atmosphere they feel when entering a game at Doyt L. Perry Stadium and appreciating all the love that the Falcon fanatics out there can give. Something that neither of them has ever felt before at their previous programs.
“The atmosphere is nuts,” Lampron said. “There are probably 24,000 people screaming while you are trying to communicate. It definitely made us a lot better at communicating.”
“When I looked at the student section against Lafayette, I said, ‘This is filled up, man,” Eriq George said, smiling. “I have never seen a student section filled up like that before, so it was amazing to see the support.”
While both the defensive stars are loving every bit of the support the Orange and Brown fanatics give each week, it’s hard work as usual during the week. Both of the players attribute their hard-working mentality to their previous programs and how they have applied that same work ethic to everything they do as Falcons.
“In my old program, we preached about doing your job, doing it at a high level, and executing,” Eriq George said. “That’s what I have really brought to Bowling Green: keeping a good work ethic and staying on top of things.”
“The biggest thing was just putting in the work and the extra hours that you need to,” Lampron said. “The big thing at that school (Dayton) was that I had great coaches there that I loved dearly; they’ve taught me football; I’ve been able to pick things up differently super fast here, and it definitely helped.”
Another aspect that both young players have been grateful to experience is a sense of team-bonding with the other transfers. Having those connections and knowing what it’s like to be in that position was something both Lampron and George immediately took advantage of, as building a brotherhood within the team is important for the long haul.
When Eriq George was asked about his teammates bonding over similar backgrounds, he felt that he and his teammates have a relatable sense of being appreciative of how they were able to get where they are today.`
“I feel like we have a connection, all of us coming from the FCS, we know what it’s like being down there,” Eriq George said. “Just having an appreciation for being here because we didn’t have to be here, we got chosen to be here. I feel like that’s a blessing in and of itself that we got the opportunity; we’re bonding together and forming brotherhoods out of this. I feel we have something special on the rise.”
Lampron also expressed how the group is extremely thankful for what they have in front of them, even more so when sharing a story about him and fellow teammate, junior running back Kaderris Roberts.
“We definitely have a bond,” Lampron said. “Especially ‘KD’ (Kaderris). He actually came from another PFL school, and it’s kind of something you don’t understand unless you know just what it’s like. So, him and I were able to bond strongly off of that, but all of us who came from FCS schools coming to a bigger FBS school, we can really be so much more thankful for what we have here, we have it so nice here, and I absolutely love it.”
As the season continues to press on, the star-studded defenders hope to continue to dominate in their new home as more challenges head down the line, not just looking forward to some of the next several games on the schedule, but also enjoying the hometown feel that is the city of Bowling Green.
“I just really love the small town vibe, the best thing about this place is that they care about football,” Lampron said. “Students come up asking you about the game, the different things, and it just makes you enjoy it. I absolutely love this place. The students, the fans, everything.”
