The transfer site for college football starts on December 4, but players have already started to say they want to find a new team in time for the 24th season. One of the most interesting things about the transfer site is that it can help teams replace a star quarterback or center with a quarterback who can fill a big need.
North Carolina has already found a quarterback in Max Johnson, a transfer from Texas A&M. However, when the portal opens next week, other teams, such as Notre Dame, Auburn, BYU, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Oregon, and Washington, are likely to look at their choices as well.
These are the teams that need to find a transfer quarterback the most in the site. Athlon Sports looks at the college football teams that need help the most and a few that you should keep an eye on:
Figuring out which teams need a quarterback the most in the Transfer Portal
The teams that need a quarterback the most
Arkansas
If KJ Jefferson decides to leave, the Razorbacks should try to get Jacolby Criswell, a transfer from North Carolina in the class of 2017, some company.
Bring it on, Auburn’s passing game was bad in ’23, so coach Hugh Freeze should look for another choice. Payton Thorne should come back for another year.
Baylor University Blake Shapen left the team, so Sawyer Robertson (66 of 117 for 864 yards) is now the best choice for Jake Spavital, who is the new play-caller.
Slovis is no longer eligible to play for BYU, so Jake Retzlaff (648 yards and three scores in four games) is the best quarterback for the Cougars in 2019. The Cougars should try to get a starting and maybe even another player who can help Retzlaff.
Indiana
Before the new coach, Curt Cignetti, could start, Brendan Sorsby (1,587 yards and 15 touchdowns), chose to move. Transfer to Tennessee Even though Tayven Jackson is still on the team, Cignetti might try to add some competition.
Commonwealth of Kentucky In ’23, adding Devin Leary from NC State didn’t have quite the effect that was hoped for. But since Leary isn’t eligible, coach Mark Stoops needs to get a new quarterback for next year.
State of Michigan Since Noah Kim, Sam Leavitt, and Katin Houser all went through the portal, new coach Jonathan Smith needs to find a player right away. Watch out for Dante Moore, who transferred from UCLA, in this spot.
United States After throwing for an average of 153.2 yards per game in ’23, the Golden Gophers need more from their passing approach. When starter Athan Kaliakmanis decided to move in November, this position became even more important. Cole Kramer, who has 14 career tries, had to start in the bowl.
State of MississippiThe door is now empty because Will Rogers chose to go through it. Mike Wright and Chris Parson are now in the running to start ’24. It is likely that new coach Jeff Lebby will add a passer in the window.
North Carolina StateBrennan Armstrong will no longer be able to play after the bowl game, and MJ Morris chose to move after the last game of the season against North Carolina.
Nebraska
In ’24, coach Matt Rhule’s team could make a lot of progress if they could find the right quarterback. You can expect the Cornhuskers to work hard to find a player who can make a difference in this spot.
The University of Notre DameAfter Notre Dame’s bowl game, Sam Hartman can no longer play. Riley Leonard, a Duke transfer, has already been linked to the Fighting Irish, so it looks like coach Marcus Freeman will likely get a quarterback to start.
State of OklahomaAlan Bowman worked well as a quarterback for Oklahoma State for one year. Will Gunnar Gundy and Garret Rangel get some help from a proven arm?
Washington StateWill the Ducks get another quarterback to compete with Ty Thompson for the job of Bo Nix’s replacement next year?
State of San DiegoSean Lewis, the new coach, needs to jump through hoops to find one or two quarterbacks who can run his wide-open system.
The VanderbiltSince both Ken Seals and A.J. Swann have gone through the gate, the Commodores will likely be busy looking for a new signal-caller for ’24. Also, the new quarterback will work with a new play-caller since Joey Lynch was fired by coach Clark Lea.
The Wake ForestMichael Kern was supposed to come back, but Mitch Griffis chose to move on. It is said that the Demon Deacons offered New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer while they were looking for a quarterback in the portal.
Washington
It looks like the Huskies will get a new quarterback to replace Michael Penix Jr. before they play in the Big Ten next fall.
Kentucky in the westIn the past few years, the Hilltoppers have hit the jackpot with transfers Austin Reed and Bailey Zappe. Coach Tyson Helton might want to add a tried-and-true player to this group to help Turner Helton and Caden Veltkamp.
What’s inWhen Braedyn Locke had to fill in for Tanner Mordecai because he was hurt in ’23, he showed some potential. Will the Badgers keep Locke for the whole season? Or will team coach Luke Fickell use the link to add competition?
The Next Tier/Wait-and-See
The Next Level/Duke Wait and SeeBecause the Blue Devils haven’t hired a coach to replace Mike Elko yet, they don’t know who will be in charge of the plan and calling plays. But Grayson Loftis (823 yards and eight scores) looked good this fall when he filled in for Riley Leonard.
State of Florida Could Tate Rodemaker’s play the rest of the year decide if Florida State looks for a move or not? Brock Glenn’s growth will also be important.
Louisville, KentuckyWould coach Jeff Brohm be able to add a veteran to help push the talented rookie Pierce Clarkson?
North CarolinaThe quarterback room at Maryland next fall will be strong with Cameron Edge and Billy Edwards Jr. It looks like coach Mike Locksley will likely bring in a pro to help the team deal with the loss of Taulia Tagovailoa.
Hello, MiamiEmory Williams hurt his arm in the loss to Florida State, stopping his season. He is expected to be back in time for the 24th season, though. The Hurricanes could add some veteran company here, though, since Tyler Van Dyke has decided to leave.
Michigan
If J.J. McCarthy decides to enter the NFL Draft, the Wolverines may need to find a way to connect him with new freshman Jadyn Davis even more.
The northwestBrendan Sullivan had 714 yards passing and a 63.6 completion rate in ’23. Was that enough to lock him down for the ’24 season? Or will David Braun, the coach, add a signal-caller to push him in the game?
University of OhioMight coach Ryan Day go after one of the big names in the pool to help Kyle McCord in ’24?
State of OregonAfter coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State, DJ Uiagalelei chose to go through the gate. It’s not clear if Aidan Chiles will stay in Corvallis in 24.
PittDid Nate Yarnell do enough in Pitt’s last two games to make people feel better about this spot for ’24?
SC South CarolinaLaNorris Sellers is a bright redshirt freshman who could make a big impact for the Gamecocks in 24. Could coach Shane Beamer try to add a player to give the team more depth?
New YorkWith Garrett Shrader no longer eligible, new coach Fran Brown should look to add more players to the team to replace Carlos Del Rio-Wilson.
UCFTJimmy McClain will be back in 2424, but coach Gus Malzahn will miss John Rhys Plumlee’s powerful all-around skills.
UCLAUCLA’s quarterback room lost a big player when Dante Moore went to the gate. Does coach Chip Kelly plan to keep Ethan Garbers and Collin Schlee on the team or add someone else for this spring?
USC
Both Miller Moss and Malachi Nelson are good, and they are competing to start for the Trojans in ’24. Unless coach Lincoln Riley wants a big name (maybe Dante Moore?), it doesn’t look like they will add someone who will make a big difference.
UtahThe Utes should try to get another quarterback to help out Cam Rising, who is coming back from a knee injury he got in last year’s Rose Bowl.
State of WashingtonWill Cam Ward be back in Pullman next year? The Cougars will need to get someone else to play quarterback if he doesn’t.
