It didn't take long for junior college transfer Devontae Booker to find his comfort zone at Utah last year.
The running back ripped off more than 100 yards on the ground in each of his first five conference games. By the time he was done, Booker had racked up 1,512 rushing yards, delivering an immediate impact in Salt Lake City following his arrival from American River College. He's now the centerpiece of Utah's offense.
Junior college transfers like Booker, often more physically prepared for the FBS grind than their true freshman counterparts, deliver immediate boosts on an annual basis. Here are some Pac-12 juco newcomers who hope to follow in Booker's footsteps this season:
1. DT Jordan Carrell, Colorado
Carrell was teammates with Booker at American River College, and now he'll have a chance to tackle him as the Buffs look for quick fixes to their conference-worst run defense. A very young Colorado front seven bled 5.6 yards per carry last season. Carrell is an explosive force of nature on film, and his 19 tackles for loss last season earned him first team All-America honors from the JC Athletic Bureau. The Buffs' staff has already been impressed this offseason.
2. WR Deniko Carter, Utah
With Kaelin Clay, Dres Anderson and Westlee Tonga gone, Utah is looking to replace three of its most productive targets. Alarms are sounding, especially since the Utes' passing attack sputtered throughout 2014. Carter, a 6-foot-4 wideout who has run a hand-timed "mid- to upper-4.3" 40-yard dash, is coming to Salt Lake City at just the right time. There's immediate playing time to be had, especially for a player of his physical talent.
3. CB Cory Butler, Utah
With Davion Orphey, Eric Rowe, and Brian Blechen gone, there are openings in Utah's secondary. There's also plenty of exciting talent waiting to fill them, and Butler's name is right in that mix. He's the second-rated juco cornerback in the 2016 class, and speed just oozes out of his film. Butler is a corner who looks capable of keeping up with Pac-12 receivers.
4. S Derron Brown, Cal
The Bears are eager to address the injury-ridden wreck that was their pass defense in 2014. Cal surrendered an FBS-worst 4,406 passing yards last season, and they've suffered significant losses in the secondary to boot. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Brown is built in the mold of a prototypical safety. Along with fellow juco transfer Antoine Albert, he'll look to serve as an instant Band-Aid for Sonny Dykes' suffering pass defense.
5. DL Anthony Fotu, Arizona
Dan Pettinato is the only defensive lineman gone from the Wildcats' late-season depth chart, and Fotu may just be the puzzle piece that fills this vacancy. The nation's fifth-rated 2016 juco defensive tackle prospect, Fotu owns an explosive first step and diligent motor. In the frenetic world of Pac-12 offenses, there's always room for a quality defensive lineman.
6. DL DeVante Wilson, Cal
If this name sounds familiar, it's probably because Wilson was originally a member of USC's 2011 recruiting class. But he tore his ACL early on and never played a down for the Trojans. Wilson has provided an explosive pass rush for two seasons at the juco level, so he's a welcome addition in Berkeley: The Bears finished with a conference-worst 16 sacks last season.
7. WR Isaac Whitney, USC
Whitney and De'Quan Hampton are two 6-4 juco wide receivers who will suit up for the Trojans this season Suddenly, USC has serious size to go along with its explosiveness on the perimeter. With Nelson Agholor and George Farmer both gone, expect vicious competition among a bevy of potential USC replacements.
8. S Paul Magloire, Arizona
With Tra'Mayne Bondurant and Jared Tevis gone, playing time is up for grabs Arizona's secondary. Magloire might be the most interesting Pac-12 juco transfer. He began his college career as a quarterback at Appalachian State before moving to running back there. He then spent a spring at Arizona Western Community College at safety, and film from his stint there impressed Rich Rodriguez's staff.
9. OL Zach Bateman, UCLA
The Bruins are finally developing some continuity along the offensive line, a development that's particularly vital as they break in a new quarterback following Brett Hundley's departure. At 6-7, 320 pounds, Bateman is built to make an immediate impact. His offer list included ASU, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin.
10. DL Jeremiah Mitchell, Washington State
Xavier Cooper and Toni Pole are gone, so the Cougars lose their two best defensive linemen, an especially tough pill to swallow in a 3-4 scheme. At 6-4, Mitchell brings solid size to the end position, and he's expected to instantly bolster the Cougars at a position of need.