Top transfer in HBCU football headed to Sun Belt Conference

Monroe Beard III, arguably the top exiting player in HBCU football has found his new home in the Sun Belt Conference as he has announced his commitment to Marshall University.

The 2023 All Big South-OVC First Team linebacker leaves Eddie George’s resurgent Tennessee State Tiger squad after an extremely productive season, his only at TSU.

Beard’s 95 tackles, (53 solo, 42 assisted ) in nine games saw him ranked 11th in total tackles in FCS for 2023, in addition to tackling anything that moved, Monroe Beard III also had 5 pass deflections and one interception, showing his skills in coverage at the linebacker position.

Monroe Beard III started his college career at another HBCU, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he made an impact as a redshirt freshman, recording 37 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, a team-high three fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. He finished with 138 career total tackles at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, including a (then) career-high with 78 tackles (eight-and-a-half tackles for loss) and five sacks during the fall of 2021. 

Since entering the transfer portal back in April, he has been one of the top transfer recruits in the nation at his position, at one point being the top-ranked linebacker in the NCAA transfer portal, receiving interest from Power Five FBS schools like Georgia Tech, Kansas State, and SMU before signing to a school in the Sun Belt Conference.

Beard kept it simple in his announcement on social media, “#GoHerd Blessed for the opportunity, Lets go to work!” Beard posted along with a picture of himself in a Marshall University jersey.

Eddie George will now have to replace two top linebackers in HBCU football, losing not only Monroe Beard III to Marshall University, but Tennessee State has to replace 2023 Buck Buchanan Award winner Terrell Allen, who recently committed to the University of Tulane.