QB Transfer Portal Tracker: Who Will Replace Will Levis?

The options will be plentiful for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats as they search for a new QB in the transfer portal.

Author:
Hunter Shelton
Publish date:
Dec 20, 2022 9:18 AM EST

In this story:

The departure of Will Levis will see the most talented quarterback of the Mark Stoops era head to the NFL, leaving Kentucky with a gaping hole at one of its most important skill positions.

Three QBs are currently slated to return to Lexington next season, but none of the trio are expected to be the heir apparent, thus leading Kentucky to the almighty transfer portal.

With the portal opening on Dec. 5, thousands of players — many of whom reside under center — will officially be on the market, fielding offers as they search for a new home. The Wildcats will certainly be on the hunt for a new QB.

Below is a tracker of D1 quarterbacks that have entered the portal. *There have been no official reports of any of the these players being linked to Kentucky, this is merely a list of QBs who are available in the portal.*

This tracker will be updated periodically as new QBs enter the portal, or as QBs on the tracker announce the program they plan to play for in the 2023 season:

ENTERING / IN THE PORTAL (25)

DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson

Three years of eligibility left
No. 10 prospect in the 2020 class
Two-year starter for Clemson
Threw for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2021
Threw for 2,521 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2022
Across three seasons, DJU ran for a combined 913 yards and 15 touchdowns
6-foot-4, 235 pounds out of Inland Empire, CA

Devin Leary, NC State

One year of eligibility left after five seasons in Raleigh
4-star prospect in 2018 class
Threw for 6,807 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his NC State career
Had career year in 2021, threw for 3,433 yards, 35 touchdowns and five interceptions
Tore his pectoral muscle on Oct. 8, 2022, missing back half of season
Considered to have some of the best arm talent in the country
6-foot-1, 215 pounds out of Sicklerville, NJ
Leary is reportedly taking a visit to Lexington after Kentucky "reached out" to the QB

Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State

One year of eligibility
Transferring after starting four years in Stillwater
No. 171 player in 2018 class
Totaled 9,553 yards, 67 touchdowns and 40 interceptions across four seasons
Had career year in 2021, threw for 2,839 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
Has dealt with injury issues over course of career
6-foot-1, 210 pounds out of Denton, TX

Graham Mertz, Wisconsin

Two years of eligibility left
No. 65 prospect in the 2019 class
Started the past 32 games for the Badgers, considered one of the best recruits in program history
Had career year in 2022, threw for 2,136 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Threw for 1,958 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2021
6-foot-3, 216 pounds out of Overland Park, KS
Kentucky is reportedly interested in Mertz

Hudson Card, Texas

Three years of eligibility left
No. 59 prospect in the 2020 class
Threw for 590 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in 2021
Threw for 928 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in six games and three starts in 2022.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, "Card is targeting a Power 5 school as his next destination, and he's prioritizing a winning program and the opportunity to develop."
6-foot-2, 201 pounds out of Austin, TX

Brennan Armstrong, Virginia

Graduate transfer after five years at Virginia
Just a 3-star prospect (No. 619) in the 2018 class
Threw for 9,034 yards, 58 touchdowns and 35 interceptions across those five seasons
Had a career year in 2021, threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Threw for just 2,210 yards seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2022
6-foot-2, 210 pounds out of Shelby, Ohio

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

Two years of eligibility left
Was just a 2-star prospect coming out of high school
Threw for 8,019 yards, 78 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a Chanticleer
Redshirted in 2019, threw for 2,488 yards and 26 touchdowns with three interceptions while rushing for 569 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games in 2020
Had career year in 2021, threw for 2,873 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. Has thrown for over 20 touchdowns in three straight seasons
Former Maxwell Award Semifinalist and Sun Belt Player of the Year

Kedon Slovis, Pittsburgh

One year of eligibility left
3-star prospect in 2019 class
Played three seasons at USC before transferring to Pitt in 2022
Threw for 9,973 yards 68 touchdowns and 33 interceptions across four seasons
In 2019, threw for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions
In 2022, threw for 2,397 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions
6-foot-3, 215 pounds out of Scottsdale, AZ

JT Daniels, West Virginia

One, potentially two years of eligibility left as he looks for his fourth school
No. 16 prospect in the 2018 class
Across five seasons, threw for 6,947 yards, 45 touchdowns and 25 interceptions
Played two seasons at USC, two at Georgia and one at West Virginia. Compiled a 17-12 record as a starter
Best statistical season came in 2018 for the Trojans, threw for 2,672 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Threw for 2,107 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions for WVU in 2022
Was on National Championship roster for Georgia in 2021, eventually lost starting job to Stetson Bennett
6-foot-2, 226 pounds out of Irvine, CA

Mike Wright, Vanderbilt

Played three seasons at Vanderbilt
3-star prospect in 2020 class
Threw for 2,067 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions
Ran for 905 yards and seven touchdowns
Began 2022 as starting QB, but lost job. Eventually played as a starter in relief towards the end of the season. Threw for 974 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, rushed for 517 yards and five touchdowns
6-foot-4, 195 pounds out of Fayetteville, GA

Zach Calzada, Auburn

Never played a down for the Tigers after playing parts of two seasons for Texas A&M
3-star prospect in 2019 class
Threw for 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions for A&M in 2021
Had shoulder procedure done in September 2022
6-foot-4, 208 pounds out of Sugar Hill, GA

Luke Altmyer, Ole Miss

The sophomore was a two-year backup QB for the Rebels
Rated as a 4-star prospect and was a top-5 player in the state of Mississippi in the 2021 class
Lost a QB battle in the fall to USC transfer Jaxson Dart
Appeared in 3 games this season and was 8-for-17 passing for 125 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception
Played in four games in 2021, including a majority of the Sugar Bowl, where he threw for 174 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a loss to Baylor
6-foot-1, 200 pounds out of Starkville, MS

Shadeur Sanders, Jackson State

Son of Deion Sanders, expected to follow father to Colorado
Threw for 3,383 yards and 36 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns in 2022
3-star prospect in the 2021 class out of Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas.

Connor Bazelak, Indiana

Two years of eligibility left
No. 373 prospect in 2019 class
Bazelak transferred to Indiana this season after beginning his career at Missouri
Threw for 2,312 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2022
Threw for 2,548 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his last season at Mizzou
6-foot-3, 224 pounds out of Dayton, OH

Chance Nolan, Oregon State

3-star prospect in 2020 class
Threw for 939 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions while starting five games in 2022
Suffered a neck strain on Oct. 1 and did not play the rest of the season
The redshirt junior has started 20 games over three seasons, threw for 4,153 yards, 32 touchdowns and 20 interceptions
6-foot-3, 209 pounds out of Menifee, CA

Hank Bachmeier, Boise State

Announced transfer back in September
Two years of eligibility left
4-star prospect in 2019 class
Four-year player for the Broncos
Threw for a career 3,079 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2021
Threw for 497 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in his small time playing in 2022
6-foot-1, 210 pounds out of Murrieta, CA

Emory Jones, Arizona State

One year of eligibility left after one season at Arizona State
Played first four seasons at Florida
4-star prospect, No. 85 player in 2018 class
Had career year for Gators in 2021, threw for 2,734 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Rushed for 759 yards and four scores
For Arizona State in 2022, threw for 1,533 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Also rushed for four scores
6-foot-3, 210 pounds out Lagrange, GA

John Paddock, Ball State

One year of eligibility left
3-star prospect in 2018 class
First-year starter in 2022, threw for 2,725 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions
5-foot-11, 196 pounds out of Bloomfield Hills, MO

Mikey Keene, Central Florida

Three years of eligibility left
3-star prospect in 2021 class
Had career year in 2021 in relief of Dillion Gabriel, threw for 1,730 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions
Threw for 647 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in limited role in 2022, lost starting job battle in preseason
5-foot-11, 180 pounds out of Chandler, AZ

Davis Brin, Tulsa

Senior with one year of eligibility left
3-star prospect in 2018 class
Across past two seasons, Brin threw for 5,392 yards, 35 touchdowns and 24 interceptions
In the first three games of the 2022 season, he averaged 402 yards per game, throwing 11 touchdowns with just one interception
6-foot-2, 208 pounds out of Boerne, TX

Malik Hornsby, Arkansas

Appeared in 15 games over the last two seasons for Arkansas
Rated as the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the country in 2020 class
Completed 18 of his 39 career pass attempts for 314 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Also added 307 rushing yards on 52 attempts
Entered 2022 as a redshirt sophomore
6-foot-2, 186 pounds out of Missouri City, TX

Brendon Lewis, Colorado

Announced intention to transfer back in October.
3-star prospect in 2020 class
Started all 12 games for Colorado in 2021, threw for 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions
Could not keep the starting job in 2022, played in just two games.
6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore out of Melissa, TX

Tyler Macon, Missouri

Appeared in three games in 2021, had just one play in 2022
4-star prospect in 2021 class
3 years of eligibility left
5-foot-11, 197 pounds out of St. Louis

Alex Padilla, Iowa

Appeared in two games this season and 11 games over the course of his career. He will enter the portal as a graduate transfer
3-star prospect in 2019 class
Started four games in 2021. Threw for 636 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in that season.
6-foot-1, 200 pounds out of Greenwood Village, CO.

Jay Butterfield, Oregon

Three years of eligibility left
4-star prospect in 2020 class, No. 147 in the class
Attempted just four passes across two seasons at Oregon
6-foot-6, 216 pounds out of Brentwood, CA.

TRANSFERRING / WITHDRAWN (10)

Cade McNamara, Michigan -> Iowa

Two years of eligibility left
No. 253 prospect in the 2019 class
Threw for 425 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in 2020
Led Michigan to a Big Ten title and berth in the College Football Playoff in 2021. In 14 games, he threw for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions
Lost starting job in 2022 to J.J. McCarthy. Threw for 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception in three games
6-foot-1, 206 pounds out of Reno, NV

Phil Jurkovec, Boston College -> Pittsburgh

One year of eligibility left
No. 83 player in 2018 class
Three-year starter for the Eagles after transferring from Notre Dame
Had career year in 2020, threw for 2,558 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Has rushed for nine touchdowns and 568 rushing yards in his career
Has dealt with injuries for the past two seasons
In eight games in 2022, threw for 1,711 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions
6-foot-5, 214 pounds out of Pittsburgh, PA

Brett Gabbert, Miami Ohio -> Miami Ohio (WITHDREW FROM PORTAL)

Two years of eligibility left
3-star prospect in 2019 class
Four-year player for the Redhawks
Threw for a career 2,648 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2021
Battled injury in 2022, threw for 816 yards and four touchdowns
6-foot, 205 pounds out of St. Louis

Jacolby Criswell, North Carolina -> Arkansas

Three seasons of eligibility left
Three-year backup at UNC behind Sam Howell and Drake Maye
No. 262 prospect in 2020 class
Completed 18 passes across three seasons, threw for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception
Also rushed for 133 yards and one touchdown
6-foot-1, 225 pounds out of Morrilton, AR

Kyron Drones, Baylor -> Virginia Tech

Three years of eligibility left
Primary backup for the Bears this season
4-star prospect in 2021 class
Played in five games for Baylor this season, threw for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Also ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns
6-foot-2, 223 pounds out of Pearland, TX

Austin Reed, Western Kentucky -> Western Kentucky (WITHDREW FROM PORTAL)

Transferring after one season as a senior at WKU.
Won DII National Championship with West Florida in 2019
Had career year in 2022, ranked second in passing yards at 4,247, second in touchdown passes at 36 and second in completions at 353
Expected to land at a Power Five school
6-foot-2, 230 pounds out of Saint Augustine Beach, FL

Nick Evers, Oklahoma -> Wisconsin

Leaving Norman after his true freshman season
4-star prospect (No. 172) in the 2022 class
Attempted just one pass for the Sooners
6-foot-3, 186 pounds out of Flower Mound, TX

Haynes King, Texas A&M -> Georgia Tech

Graduate transfer after playing three years at Texas A&M
No. 131 prospect in 2020 class
Threw for 1,220 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions in six games in 2022
Redshirted his first season in 2020 and started the first two games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury. Injuries also plagued his 2022 season
6-foot-3, 205 pounds out of Longview, TX

Jeff Simms, Georgia Tech -> Nebraska

Three-year QB at Georgia Tech was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class and he was formerly committed to Florida State
Sims was the starting quarterback coming into this season, but was injured late in the victory against Duke on Oct. 8 and then re-injured early in the loss to Virginia on Oct. 20.
On Nov. 12, it was announced that he was stepping away from the team to rehab
In three seasons as the Yellow Jackets QB, Sims threw for 4,464 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He also acquired 1,166 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns in his Tech career
Entered this season as a sophomore. 6-foot-4, 219 pounds out of Jacksonville, FL

Drew Pyne, Notre Dame -> Arizona State

Three years of eligibility left
No. 225 prospect in the 2020 class
First year starter in 2022, threw for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions as a sophomore
Pyne had a 4-1 record against top-25 teams
5-foot-11, 198 pounds out of New Canaan, CT

Wildcats Today will have periodic updates as QBs enter and exit the transfer portal this offseason.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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