Arizona football: Learning about LSU transfers Jerrard Randall and Jordan Allen from an LSU expert

The Arizona Wildcats have two transfers from the LSU Tigers that will be available to play this year, so I decided to ask someone who knows a lot about LSU football to get the inside scoop.

Billy Gomila from And the Valley Shook took some time out to give me an idea of what Jerrard Randall and Jordan Allen were able to do (and not do) during their time at LSU, and what we can expect from the pair this fall.

First up is Jerrard Randall.  Randall did not play a regular season down for LSU, and transferred to Northeast Mississippi Community College after spending his redshirt freshman season as the scout team QB for the Tigers and listed as the No. 3 QB on their depth chart in 2012.

This is what Gomila had to say about him:

Unfortunately, LSU fans never got to see much from Jerrard Randall outside of some very limited spring game action. I can tell you from the evaluations we did of him as a recruit that he's got a very big arm. He was a little scattered as a passer, but that was right out of high school. His junior college tenure might have helped. I would imagine he'll fit the Rich Rodriguez offense well.

We obviously saw some of that arm strength during the Arizona Spring Game in which Randall bombed a ball almost 80 yards down the field.

As a recruit, Randall was rated as the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in his class and the 47th best player overall out of Florida by Rivals.  He was the No. 8 overall QB according to ESPN.  His biggest disadvantage in the QB battle this fall will be having less time in the RichRod system than some of the other transfers that have been here longer like Jesse Scroggins and Connor Brewer.

And then the latest to come to Arizona from LSU is Jordan Allen, a defensive end who graduated from LSU in December.

Unlike Randall, Allen had some playing time at LSU.  In 2013, Allen played in all 13 of LSU's games, compiling a total of 16 tackles and two sacks in his career.

Here's what Billy Gomila had to say about Allen:

Jordan Allen decided to leave LSU this past spring in search of some more playing time. He's flashed some ability -- he definitely looks the part of a big, athletic pass-rusher -- but he was never able to maintain it last season, and found himself as a backup after a few games. From there, his snaps only decreased. LSU's made its name as a program with great defensive linemen, so if a player doesn't make a move when he has the chance, he can be passed up quickly. Allen just fell behind.

All of this certainly makes sense, and so does transferring to Arizona.  One of the major question marks for the Wildcats heading into 2014 is the front-seven on defense.  I would expect Allen to be competing for a starting spot immediately.  Listed at 6-6, 254 pounds, he certainly fits right into the Jeff Casteel mold of edge pass rushers.

My thanks to Billy Gomila for providing us with some helpful info on both guys.  You can follow Billy @ATVS_ChefBilly and make sure to check out And the Valley Shook for everything LSU.