Potential Transfer Quarterbacks to Watch

In today’s college football, some tried and true methods for winning still hold true. Hiring a good coach and recruiting out of the high school ranks are the best predictors for long-term success. But if a team wants to win and win big now? Go get a stud QB from the NCAA transfer portal.

Of the Top 10 teams currently, five are led by quarterbacks that transferred in. Three of the top four are helmed by signal callers that transferred just last offseason. In a weak year for QBs overall, this transfer portal market will be hindered by graduations, departures and stars for whom it makes too much sense to stay. 

There are, however, plenty of standout signal callers to keep an eye on. Here are ten QBs that could potentiallyhit the portal and make a big difference for their new program. Note, this list is not based on players who have publicly indicated Portal interest. It is simply a review of QBs where there is a valid argument for transfer consideration:

Quinn Ewers, Texas (Junior) – The Quinn Ewers Saga could be among the most watched storylines of the college football offseason. With zero chance that he and Arch Manning can continue to coexist at Texas and the fact that Ewers likely will need to improve his draft stock, the Longhorn starter may look for a big NIL pay day. No doubt, all the national powerhouses (Oregon, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, etc.) are already making overtures to those in his orbit.

Haynes King, Georgia Tech (Junior) – It’s been a frustrating road for Haynes King over the last five years in college, but the former Texas A&M Aggie could find himself with significant financial incentive to bolt Georgia Tech for a place where he’s more likely to find playoff glory. Could Georgia Tech’s “run the ball” mentality cause their QB to look for another opportunity to showcase his talents?

John Mateer, Washington State (Sophomore) – Why would John Mateer stick around? He’s one of the best all-around QBs in college football playing for a going-nowhere, NIL poor program far from his Texas home. Playoff hungry teams from the SEC and Big Ten will be breaking the bank for Mateer.

Rocco Becht, Iowa State (Sophomore) – This is a bit of a tougher case to make because Becht has been a standout starter for a team that very much is in playoff contention from a conference that, while not one of the Big 2, is semi-respectable. Still, Becht is a Florida native and both Florida State and Miami could be very, very desperate.

Kaidon Salter, Liberty (Junior) – After spending only a couple of days last offseason in the portal, Salter returned to Liberty to find a little less smooth sailing this season. He should graduate and have more flexibility to go wherever he wants this year. Could a reunion with former coach Hugh Freeze be in the works?

Luke Altmyer, Illinois (Junior) – Another one that very well could choose to stay, Altmyer is a Mississippi native that signed with Miss State out of high school before becoming a standout for Illinois. While the Fighting Illini have posted a strong season, he may see an opportunity heading closer to home to, perhaps, play for portal king Lane Kiffin.

Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech (Junior) – The Hokie, who signed with Baylor out of high school, has the traits of an NFL QB, but will staying in Blacksburg allow him to showcase that? A very nice NIL pay day could come his way from a school that maybe misses out on a Tier 1 target.

Marcel Reed (Freshman) OR Connor Weigman (Sophomore), Texas A&M – After Weigman began the season on NFL Draft boards, it’s likely he will find himself looking for another place to play. Reed and Weigman will not both be on A&M’s roster next season.

Air Noland, Ohio State (Freshman) – Noland is a bit illustrative. While the top teams will want bona fide starters, the Ohio State freshman could be representative of a group of young guys who find themselves on perennial contenders unwilling to give the reins to the “next in line” guy – instead going to the portal for answers. A Georgia native, Noland could make his way elsewhere as could others in his shoes.

Miller Moss, USC (Junior) – I’m cheating a bit here. Moss is already headed to the portal, and Michigan is the presumed favorite. 

BONUS: Matthew Sluka, UNLV (Senior) – After transferring to UNLV from Holy Cross, Sluka entered the portal after starting the first 3 games for the Rebels. The dual threat, one-year rental essentially quit on his team after NIL promises weren’t kept. How will that affect his stock with coaches looking for a guy to lead their program?

5 Others to Watch: Gio Lopez South—Alabama (Freshman), Jalon Daniels—Kansas (Junior), Darian Mensah—Tulane (Freshman), Alonza Barnett—James Madison (Sophomore), Jacolby Criswell—North Carolina (Senior).