Former 4-Star CB Kalvaraz Bessent to Transfer from Auburn: What Went Wrong

It wasn't supposed to be this way for Kalvaraz Bessent.The former 4-star cornerback prospect and 122nd-ranked player in the class of 2014 came to Auburn as one of three potential instant-impact defensive backs, along with Nick Ruffin and Stephen Roberts.Instead, Bessent's career nearly got derailed before it started.He was arrested in February 2013 on two felony accounts of marijuana possession, according to Brandon Marcello of AL.com. Those charges were later dropped and, according to Joel A. Erickson of AL.com, Bessent joined the team later that summer on what head coach Gus Malzahn termed "probationary status."Whether it was the probationary status, the uphill battle that true freshman typically face or a combination of the two, Bessent never saw the field in 2014.He won't beyond 2014, either.It was announced this week that Bessent will transfer out of Auburn, after just one season on the Plains.What happened'"I just wanted to pursue better opportunity and felt like I needed a fresh start," Bessent told B/R.The switch to new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp didn't help much either.Muschamp's arrival means a clean slate for Auburn's entire defense, but it's unlikely that Jonathan Jones will be unseated at one cornerback slot after he picked off six passes last yeartied for the team lead with safety Jermaine Whitehead.T.J. Davis could step up to the spot formerly occupied by Jonathon Mincy, with Ruffin, Roberts and others battling for playing time.Plus, there's going to be a talent injection of "Muschamp's guys" coming in as part of the class of 2015. Tim Irvin, a 4-star athlete from Florida, enrolled early. He'll be joined by 4-star Carlton Davis and 3-star Jeremiah Dinson later this summer."If you look at this signing class, it's apparent based on numbers alone Will [Muschamp] and new defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson want guys who can come in and compete now," said Cole Cubelic, a former Auburn offensive lineman, current ESPN and SEC Network analyst, and host ofThe Cole Cubelic Showon 730 WUMP in Huntsville, Alabama. "[They're] probably willing to take chances on mistakes with youth."Plus, the simple fact that a coaching change has occurred makes for some nervous players heading into spring practice."Not many kids handle coaches change well," Cubelic said. "There are always back stories you don't know about. We had a lotof nervous guys when former Auburn head coach [Tommy] Tuberville came in."Where will Bessent go from here'He has the talent to be a star and will have plenty of options moving forward."Plenty of coaches have called," Bessent said. "I don't know yet is all I can tell you."Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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