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Notable quarterbacks in the transfer portal and where they are expected to go

The transfer portal is already seeing a slew of talented quarterbacks enter their name

Kevin Borba

Notable quarterbacks in the transfer portal and where they are expected to go
Notable quarterbacks in the transfer portal and where they are expected to go /

Being that we are just six days removed the end of the regular season, it is now time for what will continue to be the craziest aspect of college football, the transfer portal. 

Programs across the country are set to lose dozens of players to the portal, as we saw what is believed to be over 8,000 players enter their name into the portal last year. Stanford alone has already had 10 players enter their name into the portal. 

The large influx of transfers can of course be for a handful of reasons such as playing time, NIL opportunities, or moving closer to home. However, the biggest reason we are seeing so many players transfer, aside from their being a ton of them with that COVID year, is the fact that they do not have to sit out a season if it is their first time transferring. So, this leads to players hitting the portal as soon as they think their current school isn't right for them.

The caliber of players entering the portal is extremely high, and one of the positions that is seeing some highly touted players enter the portal is the quarterback position. Last season we saw names such as Quinn Ewers, Caleb Williams, Spencer Rattler, and Michael Penix Jr. find a new home via the portal, and this season it appears there will be another very rich quarterback market. 

The portal officially opens on December 5 thanks to the newly implemented transfer windows. What this means is FBS players are limited to Dec. 5 to Jan. 18 to enter the portal before the next window opens up between April 15-30. Graduate transfers can still enter at any time ,and players whose head coaches leave can enter the portal immediately for a 30-period regardless of when the change happened.

So, with that being said let's take a look at some of the big name transfer quarterbacks that have announced their intentions to transfer, and where they are possibly being linked to!

Hudson Card (Texas)

Texas quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass during the game against West Virginia at Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

A former top-60 recruit, Card just never got a chance at Texas to fully be the guy. When he came onto campus Sam Ehlinger was there, and then he had a window of opportunity to win the starting job in Steve Sarkisian's first year. However, after winning the job and starting the first game, he was pulled in the second week after a rough performance and lost his starting job. With what was thought to be a chance to win the job again going into the offseason, former five-star Quinn Ewers transferred in and won the job over Card.

The bright side for Card, is the fact that he shined in the three games he started this season when Ewers went down, which is why he is currently viewed as one of if not the best quarterback in the portal. He is everything a program wants in a signal caller in today's college football. He has a good arm, and while he didn't get to display it often, he is extremely athletic. 

Possible Fits: Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia 

Update 12/26: In what is one of the more surprising moves in the transfer portal, Card has decided to transfer to Purdue. 

Brennan Armstrong (Virginia)

Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

After being one of college football most dynamic passers a year ago throwing for 31 touchdowns, Armstrong hit a major wall this season throwing just 7 touchdowns with 12 picks. Regardless of this tough past season, Armstrong will have a chance to start fresh elsewhere and prove why he was at one point viewed as one of the best quarterbacks in college football. 

Update 12/6: Armstrong is has been frequently linked to Notre Dame per Mike Farrell. 

Possible Fits: Notre Dame, Wisconsin, BYU 

Jeff Sims (Georgia Tech)

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

A former highly touted four-star recruit that shocked the nation when he elected to commit to Georgia Tech over in-state Florida State, Jeff Sims has shown a lot of potential. He hasn't been the bonafide star we thought he'd once be due to some injury issues and inconsistency. 

He will have plenty of suitors come December 5, but unlike the previous two it may not be a top tier team. He needs a system that allows him to use his feet, and also allows for him to develop as a passer. His 30 touchdowns to 23 interceptions and 57% completion percentage shows he certainly needs some fine tuning. However, if you ever watched him play you would see why he is such an intriguing prospect. 

Possible Fits: Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan State

Update: 12/18: Sims will be linking up with Matt Rhule at Nebraska where he will have to compete with Casey Thompson for the starting role. 

Phil Jurkovec (Boston College)

Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

As a four-star recruit, Jurkovec had programs such as Ohio State, Alabama, and Penn State coming after him. He ultimately decided to go to Notre Dame where he was stuck behind Ian Book, and eventually decided to transfer to Boston College. He had a strong first year at BC, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, injuries held him back the next two seasons. 

Despite his injury issues, many expect him to land at a huge program that is in need of a quarterback.

Possible Fits: Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State

Update 12/5: Jurkovec will be returning to his home state of Pittsburgh and reunite with former BC OC Frank Cignetti as he committed to Pitt.

Hank Bachmeier (Boise State)

Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Hank Bachmeier was one of the best Group of 5 quarterbacks in the country. The Broncos' four-year starter threw for over 6,000 career passing yards with 41 touchdowns and 19 picks. This season did not go as planned, and he decided it is time for a fresh start. 

Injuries have always been a concern with him, but he still will get a ton of inquiries from programs who feel they are a quarterback away. He also has the potential to be there for two more years due to the fact he left prior to playing in his fifth game of the season.

Possible Fits: Virginia, BYU, Kentucky

D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson)

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) warms up before the game at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 27, 2021.
Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite making major improvements this season Uiagalelei was unable to hold off budding star Cade Klubnik. Uiagalelei followed Trevor Lawrence and was expected to be one of the best signal callers in the country. In his first full season as the starter a year ago he threw just 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but excelled at times this year. He was able to throw 22 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions, and consistently was backed by Dabo Swinney.

Unfortunately he was benched early in the ACC Championship, and Klubnik exploded. Something that the college football world was expecting to happen eventually, but that doesn't mean Uiagalelei won't have options. There is a belief that he is a package deal with his younger brother Matayo, who is a five-star defensive lineman. Matayo has taken visits to Oregon, USC and Ohio State. If they truly are a package deal, USC is likely not in play considering they have Caleb Williams. UCLA on the other hand may a team to watch out for considering they are Los Angeles natives.

 Possible Fits: Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA

Update 12/26: Uiagalelei will be joining his younger brother in the state of Oregon, but will be on the opposite side of the rivalry as he committed to Oregon State. 

Graham Mertz (Wisconsin)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

After being the program's highest ranked quarterback recruit ever, the hype surrounding Mertz was off the charts. Unfortunately, he underwhelmed in his three seasons as the starter. He did show flashes of why he was so highly touted, but has major turnover issues. He is expected to have opportunities within the Big Ten, and also will get a lot of Group of 5 schools calling.

Possible Fits: Minnesota, Purdue, Colorado State 

Update 12/21: Mertz announced that he will be finishing his career at Florida.

Drew Pyne (Notre Dame)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) throws a pass against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at Allegiant Stadium.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

This came as a surprise to some, but it has become seemingly clear that Notre Dame will be looking in the portal to bring in a signal caller. Pyne started the year as a backup, but took over as the starter when Tyler Buchner went down. He finished with 22 touchdowns and six picks while averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, and helped turn around what was a rough start to the Marcus Freeman era. 

Despite being assured he can compete for the starting spot next year, he likely wants a chance where will be supported as the guy. He does have as many as three years left, and given the right chance can be a very serviceable starter.

Possible Fits: UConn, Wisconsin, Kentucky

Update 12/19: Pyne is apart of Kenny Dillingham's transfer class that currently ranks No. 12. 

Devin Leary (NC State)

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

With the announcement that he is entering the transfer portal, Devin Leary just became the best available option in the portal. He burst onto the scene a year ago when he threw for 35 touchdowns, and was looking to replicate that success this season before going down with an injury. 

Leary has an incredible arm and will have all of the top programs coming after him.

Update 12/6: Florida has reportedly been in contact with Leary. Anthony Richardson declared for the NFL Draft. 

Possible Fits: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Missouri 

Update 12/20: Despite being linked to blue blood programs, Leary decided to step in and replace Will Levis at Kentucky. 

Kedon Slovis (Pitt)

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

In what will be his third school, Kedon Slovis did not have the year he had hoped for when he transferred to Pitt. He threw for 2397 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 9 picks in his one year at Pitt. His first two seasons at USC were great statically, but his last two seasons between USC and Pitt have not emulated the quarterback that took JT Daniels' spot. 

He will still be sought after, but I am not sure if it will be from programs at the highest level anymore. 

Possible Fits: Arizona State, Fresno State, Missouri 

Update 12/24: Slovis will be coming back West and will finish his career at BYU.

Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State)

Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) looks to throw a pass in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla.
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

After four productive seasons as the starter at Oklahoma State, Sanders has decided to spend his final season of college football elsewhere. He has thrown for over 9,500 yards, 67 touchdowns to 40 interceptions, and completed 61% of his passes. He also adds nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. 

Injuries and inconsistency have plagued him throughout his career, but will still receive a ton of interest.

Possible Fits: Missouri, SMU, TCU

Grayson McCall (Costal Carolina)

David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After entering the portal following the announcement that his coach Jamey Chadwell had taken the Liberty job, McCall is now viewed as the No. 1 quarterback in the portal. He leaves Costal Carolina as one of the most decorated players ever, sinning  Sun Belt Player of the Year three-times, a first in the conference's history. With McCall at the helm, the Chanticleers posted a 31-6 record. McCall has completed 70.4% of his passes with 78 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He's also run for 1,053 yards and 16 touchdowns in a spread-option system, that has some questioning if he is a product of scheme.

Regardless, he will have top tier programs going after him, as he is already slated to visit Auburn. 

Possible Fits: Auburn, Oregon State, UCLA 

 

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Kevin Borba
KEVIN BORBA

Managing Editor and Publisher of CardinalCountry.com, formerly a Pac-12 Network Production Assistant and a contributing writer for USA Today's Longhorns Wire. I am a proud graduate of Quinnipiac University's sports journalism master's program. Follow me on Twitter @Kevin__Borba 

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