The Grove Report

Portal Tracker: Updates on Top Quarterbacks Looking for a New Home

The quarterback market is as fluid as ever in college football, check back for updates here

The Grove Report Staff

College football is wild in 2021, in just about every way, but especially when it comes to fluidity from the coaching ranks on down. 

For players, that means the transfer portal and no position brings attention like that of the quarterback. It's a position that can swing seasons and ramp up expectations, and with the fluidity of this year, tracking where the QBs on the move end up will help tell the tale of the 2022 college season. 

Keep up with the movement daily, here in one spot, as Ole Miss looks to potentially push into the portal to add an experienced quarterback to the roster.

Caleb Williams, Oklahoma

2021 stats: 136/211 for 1,912 yards, 21 TDS, 4 INTS

When Williams shocked the world with his announcement to transfer to Oklahoma, the cookie crumb trail of next location led most crystal balls to lean towards USC. That prediction became official Tuesday. 

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Williams will enroll with the Trojans, reuniting him with Lincoln Riley out west.  The D.C. native spent nearly a month in the transfer portal, electing to chose the USC over UCLA, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

"I wanted to go somewhere I thought would provide me with the best development both on and off the field," Williams told Thamel. He added: "Getting to know Coach Riley and gaining familiarity with his offense definitely played a part in my selection, as well as already knowing some the guys on the team."

The Trojans have now added 13 transfers from the portal since Riley's arrival at USC in November. Williams is the crown jewel following the transfer of Jaxson Dart to Ole Miss. Williams is expected to be an early Heisman favorite following his breakout season with Sooners as the team's backup turned starter. 

NEW SCHOOL: USC

Jaxson Dart, USC

2021 stats: 117/189 for 1,353 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs

Dart entered the transfer portal just hours before the National Championship Game on Monday, according to multiple reports. He had been the starter for USC for the back-half of his freshman season in Los Angeles. 

The big senior riser in the class of 2021, Dart went from without a Power 5 offer entering his senior season to the hottest quarterback recruit down the home stretch before picking USC over UCLA, BYU and many others. He flashed as a freshman at USC when pressed for duty as Kedon Slovis battled injury, including a 325-yard, game against rival UCLA in the process. 

Dart will have four seasons to play three at his next stop and there is already speculation UCLA is among the programs courting him, having lost the transfer commitment of Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma) of late. As for USC, Caleb Williams was in the Los Angeles area early in the week and perception on his recruitment shifting to the Trojans, despite interest from Ole Miss and others, is growing. 

JT Daniels, Georgia

2021 stats: 68/94 for 722 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs

After backing up national title-winning quarterback Stetson Bennett this fall, multiple reports surfaced Monday with the expectation of Daniels to hit the transfer portal. The one-time USC quarterback got a waiver to play at Georgia two years ago, so the free transfer rule for immediate eligibility elsewhere applies to Daniels (similar if he is a graduate transfer). 

Daniels, originally from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei High School, started at USC as a true freshman before injury paved the way for Kedon Slovis to take over. Last year at UGA it was similar relative to Bennett, who would not give the job back to Daniels when healthy. 

Kedon Slovis, USC

2021 stats: 193/297 for 2,153 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs

Slovis entered the transfer portal after a lackluster season from USC. He’ll now head across the country to join the ACC. 

According to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel, Slovis intends to transfer to Pitt under the direction of Pat Narduzzi. The Panther will be replacing the production of former Heisman finalist and three-year starter Kenny Pickett, who will head to the NFL this spring. 

A three-year starter, Slovis missed time in 2021 due to injury, allowing freshman Jaxson Dart to enter the conversation. The junior tallied 2153 yards passing with 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions. 

All-time Slovis has thrown for 7,576 yards and 58 touchdowns against 24 interceptions and a completion rating of 68.4 percent.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Trojan will have two years of eligibility remaining.

NEW SCHOOL: Pitt 

Bo Nix, Auburn

2021 stats: 197/323 for 2,294 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs

Nix has made his decision, and boy, is it one no one saw coming. According to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel, Nix will transfer to Oregon under the direction of new offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham and head coach Dan Lanning. 

Dillingham worked on staff with Auburn as the Tigers' offensive coordinator in 2019 during Nix's first season. That year, the former Tigers starter threw for 2,524 yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions while tacking on another seven scores on the ground with his legs. 

Nix also shared the news via social media on Sunday evening. The Ducks are looking for a new quarterback with the departure of Anthony Brown via graduation this offseason. 

NEW SCHOOL: Oregon 

Quinn Ewers, Ohio State

Did not play in 2021

Yahoo's Pete Thamel is reporting that Ewers intends to transfer from Ohio State, and return to Texas.

Thamel also listed the possible destinations that Ewers might consider, including Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas.

Ewers, of course, was originally a Texas Longhorns commit under Tom Herman, but De-committed last season and eventually pledged to the Buckeyes.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian did initially try to re-pursue Ewers in advance of National Signing Day last season, but the Longhorns elected to go in another direction.

Before enrolling early at Ohio State, Ewers was rated as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class across all recruiting services, including Sports Illustrated.

NEW SCHOOL: Texas 

Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma

2021 Stats: 140/187 for 1,483 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs

The second QB domino has fallen in the QB transfer portal. On Monday evening, Rattler announced via social media he would be headed to the SEC, joining Shane Beamer and South Carolina. 

Rattler had a special relationship during his three season in Norman with Beamer. The son of legendary coach, Frank, Shane Beamer served on Oklahoma's staff from 2018-20. During recruitment, Rattler was contacted primarily by then-coach Lincoln Riley and the assistant head coach. 

Rattler redshirted during his first season at Oklahoma and his second season was redshirted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will be listed as a redshirt junior in 2022. During his time with the Sooners, Rattler completed 361 of 515 passes for 4,595 yards and 40 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

The 6-foot-1 QB won't be going alone. Former Sooners tight Austin Stogner will also be headed to Columbia. During his breakout season with Rattler, Stogner recorded 26 catches for 422 yards and three touchdowns in 2020. 

NEW SCHOOL: South Carolina 

Dillon Gabriel, UCF

2021 Stats: 70/102, 814 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs

Gabriel, who has more than 7,000 yards and 60 touchdown passes over the last two season, now finds a new home. Initially set to head to UCLA, Gabriel entered the transfer portal for a second time, this time committing to Oklahoma under former UCF offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. 

Lebby, who recently served as Ole Miss' offensive coordinator, was named Oklahoma's new coordinator following the hiring of Brent Venables. An alum of the Sooners, Lebby was tasked with finding a new quarterback following the news of Caleb Williams entering the transfer portal on Monday. 

Under Lebby's direction in 2019, Gabriel threw for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns on the way a passer rating of 156.9.

NEW SCHOOL: Oklahoma 

Cameron Ward, Incarnate Word

2021 Stats: 384/590 for 4,648 yards, 47 TDs, 10 INT

One of the top names at the FCS level is looking to head to the FBS in 2022. Following a breakout season for the Cardinals in 2021, Ward elects to test his luck with a new school in the role of QB1. 

Ward won the Jerry Rice Award, giving out to the best freshman in FCS during the spring season this past year.  He then threw for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns with 10 interceptions this fall as UIW made the second round of the FCS playoffs, falling just short of defeating defending national champ Sam Houston on the road. 

Ward owns school records for career passing TDs (71) and yards (6,908). He currently holds offers from  Ole Miss, Houston, North Texas, Virginia Tech, Prairie View A&M and Indiana.

NEW SCHOOL: Washington State

Max Johnson, LSU

2021 Stats: 225/373 for 2,814 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs

Johnson, who started every game for LSU in 2021, has elected to follow his brother, 2022 tight end commit Jake Johnson, to Texas A&M. The Aggies were expected to be a hot name following the addition of Jake Johnson on Early Signing Period. 

Johnson's final moment as a Tiger came against the Aggies last month in a 27-24 win. The sophomore connected with wide receiver Jaray Jenkins for a 28-yard touchdown pass with 20 second remaining. For the season, Johnson finished with  2,815 passing yards,  27 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Aggies are expected to have a three-way quarterback battle between Johnson, redshirt freshman Haynes King and Conner Weigman. King was A&M's initial starter to begin the 2021 season before suffering a broken leg injury in Week 2 against Colorado. 

A&M also signed Conner Weigman, the No. 3 quarterback in the 2022 class, according to SI99's rankings. Weigman, a dual-sport athlete, graded out as the No. 32 play in the country. 

NEW SCHOOL: Texas A&M

Michael Penix Jr., Indiana 

2021 Stats: 87/162 for 939 yards, 4 TDS, 7 INTS

Penix Jr., a breakout star for the Hoosiers in 2020, announced he would be leaving Bloomington and joining Kalen DeBoer in Washington. DeBoer, who was hired from Fresno State, served as Indiana's offensive coordinator in 2019. 

One of the bright spots in a shortened Big 10 season, Penix Jr. threw for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns on the way to a 5-2 seasons. This past year, the senior struggled before suffering a season-ending AC joint, throwing for 939 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

The Huskies still have freshman Dylan Morris on staff, but he finished with a 4-8 record under former coach Jimmy Lake. Morris threw for 2,458 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games. 

NEW SCHOOL: Washington 

Zach Calzada, Texas A&M

2021 Stats: 184/328 for 2,185 yards, 17 TDs, 9 INTs

Calzada elected to transfer following the season finale loss to LSU, but now will remain in the SEC. Calzada will replace Bo Nix in 2022 at Auburn. 

 The Aggies quarterback started 10 games in 2021, going 6-4 as a starter and defeating No. 1 Alabama at home behind a three touchdown performance.

A native of Buford Georgia, early reports indicated he wanted to stay closer to home, but at a major Power Five program. Calzada finishes his time in College Station with 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Calzada will still have three years of eligibility left due to his redshirt season in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

NEW SCHOOL: Auburn 

Emory Jones, Florida 

2021 Stats: 210/310 for 2,563 yards, 19 TDs and 13 INT

After initially being named the starter to replace Kyle Trask in 2021, Jones officially entered the transfer portal earlier this month. Jones closed out his Florida career on Dec. 23 with a 29-17 loss against UCF. 

A redshirt junior, Jones posted mixed results in his first season as the starter as the Gators. He threw for 2,563 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 768 yards and four touchdowns as Florida finished 6-7 and watched Dan Mullen be fired in the process. 

New head coach Billy Napier is likely looking for “his” quarterback of the future entering Year 1 in Gainesville. Freshman Anthony Richardson is still expected to remain with the team. Napier also added former Ohio State recruit Jack Miller via the transfer portal. 

Casey Thompson, Texas

2021 Stats: 165/261 for 2,113 yards, 26 TDs, 9 INTs 

Thompson, who became the Longhorns' starter in Week 3 against Rice, elected to enter the transfer portal following Early Signing Period. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said prior to the season finale win over Kansas State that 2022 would be a season where the QB position was open to anyone. 

Thompson began the season as the backup behind Austin native Hudson Card, eventually winning the starting role. He threw for 2,113 yards and had 24 touchdown passes —  a league-high in the Big 12 — and nine interceptions. Texas, however, struggled to close out games, going  4-6 with Thompson starting  en route to a 5-7 season.

Texas would be entering a challenging battle following the additions of Quinn Ewers and SI99 commit Maalik Murphy. Ewers, initially a Texas commit, is expected to be a top quarterback in college football the season's end. Murphy, who finished as SI99's No. 7-ranked QB, recently helped his high school in California win a state title. 

NEW SCHOOL: Nebraska

Connor Bazelak, Missouri 

2021 Stats: 246/377 for 2,548 yards, 16 TDs, 11 INTS

Bazelak, who started for the Tigers over the past two seasons, officially is transferring to Indiana. The sophomore will have three years of eligibility remaining following the NCAA ruling of an extra year due to COVID-19. 

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Bazelak fell out of favor of Eli Drinkwitz towards the season's end. Prior to traveling to Fort Worth, the second-year Tigers coach said the battle of QB1 was an open one, giving the chance for both Brady Cook and Tyler Macon to battle it out in practice. 

Bazelak finished his Tigers' career with 5,058 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a passer rating of 131.1. 

NEW SCHOOL: Indiana 

Lucas Johnson, San Diego State 

2021 Stats: 138/223 for 1,424 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INT

Johnson, who led the Aztecs to a 12-2 record this past fall, will leave the program and head for greener pastures. The senior has one year of eligibility left due to the COVID-19 waiver in 2020. 

A one-year starter for the Aztecs, Johnson completed 61.9 percent of his throws for 1,424 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best game came in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl, in which he threw for a season-high 333 yards and three touchdowns on the way to defeated No. 24 UTSA. 

Johnson began his career at Georgia Tech, where he seldom played in two seasons. 

NEW SCHOOL: Montana

Jack Miller, Ohio State

2021 Stats: 7/14 for 101 yards

What was always expected, Miller has elected to transfer to Florida. Gators coach Billy Napier is bringing in competition, despite having 2021 part-time starter Emory Jones on the roster as of this time. 

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Miller, a native of Arizona from 2020, elected to transfer at the end of the regular season after spending two years with Ohio State. The redshirt freshman didn’t appear in a game during the 2020 season, but played in four games in 2021.

All-time, Miller 7 for 14, throwing for 101 yards. He never registered a touchdown or an interception.

NEW SCHOOL: Florida 

Jacob Zeno, Baylor 

2021 stats: 1/3 for 41 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

Zeno, who was expected to be in line to start for the Bears in 2021, elected to transfer to Alabama-Birmingham earlier this month. The Blazers will be replacing Tyler Johnston, who started four seasons under Bill Clark. 

A dual-threat quarterback known for his legs, Zeno lost the starting job to Gerry Bohanan in Week 1, while losing second-string duties to freshman Blake Sharpen. He elected to leave the program in September. 

NEW SCHOOL: UAB

Jack Plummer, Purdue

2021 Stats: 86/126 for 862 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INT

Plummer opened the season as the starter for Jeff Brohm and brings a ton of production to his next stop, with some 20 games experience under his belt. He committed to join Justin Wilcox's staff at Cal for the 2022 season. 

NEW SCHOOL: Cal

Taisun Phommachanh, Clemson

2021 Stats: 11/19 for 131 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

A sophomore who battled D.J. Uiagalelei for the starting gig in the spring and fall, Phommachanh has worked reserve roles since 2019. He is athletic and has three years of eligibility to work with, so there should be interest. 

Robby Ashford, Oregon 

2021 Stats: N/A 

Ashford, a dual-sport athlete and former Ole Miss commit, elected to enter the transfer portal Monday. He did not record a stat in two years with the Ducks. 

Ashford, a native of Hoover, Ala., narrowed his choices down in 2020 to Ole Miss, Oregon, Auburn and Colorado, electing to play both sports in Eugene. Initially expected to head to Oxford, Ashford decommitted following the firing of Matt Luke and hiring of Lane Kiffin.

As of Monday, after a visit to Auburn, Ashford is said to be leaning to the home state Tigers. On Tuesday Ashford made it official with AU. 

NEW SCHOOL: Auburn

Chubba Purdy, Florida State

2021 Stats: 5/5 for 98 yards 

Purdy, the younger brother of Iowa State standout, Brock, elected to transfer from Tallahassee in November. He played in one game, completing all five throws for 98 yards. 

The interesting tidbit for Purdy is his eligibility. With upside as a passer and new waiver rule allowing players to start right away, the Arizona native will have four years of eligibility left entering the spring. Earlier this month, Purdy was offered a scholarship by Pitt, but the Panthers elected to add Kedon Slovis from USC instead. Nebraska is also reportedly interested and it landed his commitment Tuesday. 

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NEW SCHOOL: Nebraska

Myles Brennan, LSU

2021 Stats: N/A

After careful consideration, Brennan announced he would be returning to Baton Rouge for one more season under the direction of new head coach Brian Kelly. The senior was expected to transfer, along with now Texas A&M's Max Johnson following the 2021 season. 

Brennan did not play in 2021 due to suffering a broken arm in practice before the season's start. He started three games in 2020, replacing Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and throwing for 1,112 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. 

Before Brennan's announcement, LSU had only one scholarship quarterback on the roster in Garrett Nussmeier, a freshman who appeared in four games this season. LSU on Wednesday signed quarterback recruit Walker Howard, a highly-touted prospect from Lafayette. 

All-time, Brennan has thrown for 1,712 yards with 13 touchdowns against six interceptions. 

NEW SCHOOL: LSU 

Adrian Martinez, Nebraska

2021 Stats: 189/306 for 2,863 yards, 14 TDs, 10 INTs

New to the portal on Thursday, the longtime Nebraska starter was a mixed bag for most of his career in Lincoln. Big, athletic and a playmaker who sometimes took too many risks. Martinez has as much experience as any passer looking for a new home in 2022. The production isn't bad, either, with his 80 career scores to his name (35 rushing). 

NEW SCHOOL: Kansas State

Jarret Doege, West Virginia

2021 stats: 272/417 for 3,048 yards, 19TDs, 12 INTs

The longtime WVU signal caller is looking for a fresh start and he will get it at the program that led the nation in passing in 2021, WKU, he announced over the weekend. 

NEW SCHOOL: Western Kentucky

Hunter Johnson, Northwestern

2021 stats: 45/74 for 424 yards, 4 TDs, 4 INTs

In one of the feel good stories of the portal era, Johnson is going full circle with the second transfer of his college career. After three years at Northwestern, he is set to return to Clemson to wrap up his graduate degree and held lead a young quarterback room under Dabo Swinney.

NEW SCHOOL: Clemson

Maddox Kopp, Houston 

2021 Stats: N/A 

Kopp, one of SI99's highest-rated QBs in 2021's class, elected to leave his hometown of Houston and head to the Pac-12. Kopp will join Colorado's quarterback room in 2022, joining the likes of Bredon Lewis and Drew Carter. 

The Buffs finished the 2021 season with a 4-8 record. 

NEW SCHOOL: Colorado 

Harrison Bailey, Tennessee

2021 Stats: 3/7 for 16 yards

Bailey is the youngest of the bunch, at least on this list, with four years of eligibility remaining having gained the COVID year back and redshirting in 2021 as Tennessee changed staffs and opted for portal additions themselves. 

Cade Fortin, South Florida

2021 Stats: 25/48 for 183 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs

The former North Carolina and South Florida quarterback will look to wrap up his career at Arkansas, he announced Monday.

NEW SCHOOL: Arkansas

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