Dan McCarney’s junior college transfers aren’t taking long to climb up the ranks.

McCarney said nearly all of his six transfers are second-string or better, with Tim Dobbins currently starting at linebacker.

“Tim Dobbins is the only [transfer] who’s starting right now, and it’s not because of [injured players], he’s just really stepped in and became one of the most physical junior college players that we brought in,” McCarney said. “He’s really impacted our defense.”

Three of the six new transfers bring size to the Cyclone secondary, with Jerry Gair, Josh Hargis and LaMarcus Hicks all standing at least six feet tall.

Both Gair and Hargis said it’s tough to go from being stars on their respective juco teams to having to work their way back up on a Division I football team, but it’s just another step.

“It’s very tough, it’s just like being a freshman all over again — having to fight for your spot, having to prove [yourself],” Gair said. “But I like a challenge, it’s fun.”

Having to prove themselves is just the way it is, Hargis said.

“You have to show the coaches what you’re made of first before they put you on the field,” Hargis said.

McCarney said there hasn’t been any resentment toward the new transfers from the upperclassmen with whom they are now competing for spots — just healthy competition.

“May the best man win, that’s what competition’s all about,” McCarney said. “If a guy’s a three and he wants to be a two, then the door’s wide open. If a two wants to be a one, then show us. If you’re on the scout team, that’s your fault, not the coach’s fault.”

Hargis and Gair said they have been made to feel nothing but welcome on their new team.

“There hasn’t been any problems; it’s all open arms,” Hargis said. “If I have a question, they’ll tell me the answer; they don’t try to act all shady or anything like that.”

Gair said McCarney’s system is very similar to the defense he played on at West Hills C.C. (Calif.), with one big difference.

“I ran most of our defense in junior college, so having to take that back seat and let other people tell you what to do is the biggest difference,” Gair said.

Hargis also noticed some big differences in his transition to Division I football.

“In junior college, a lot of things go your way, you get what you want,” Hargis said. “Here, it’s not like that. You’ve got to be on the ball, practices are a lot different and coaches act different.”

Both defensive backs are willing to contribute to the team any way they can — even if it means switching spots on the field.

“I feel I bring a lot of diversity, I feel I can do a lot of things,” Gair said. “If they need someone to return kicks or punts, I can do that, and I can go make the big play if I need to.”

Hargis said the coaches are looking at moving him to strong safety.

“I’m going to try and make my way there,” Hargis said. “I’m trying to just be on the field in any way I can.”

Hargis and Gair will have to work quickly, as they only have two years of eligibility for the Cyclones.