JT Daniels transfer update: Where could he sign?
Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has been in the college football transfer portal for a almost a month now.
For the second time, the former 5-star prospect is looking for a school to build a legacy and draft profile.
Daniels won the starting quarterback job at USC as a freshman in 2018 and started 2019, as well. But a season-ending knee injury led him to transfer to Georgia in 2020.
He went 4-0 as Bulldogs starter to close out the '20 season and started again in 2021. But injury struck again and he lost the position to Stetson Bennett, who led Georgia to a national championship.
Now, JT Daniels is in the NCAA transfer portal once again. Where could he land for the 2022 season?
JT Daniels transfer: Where could he sign?
1. LSU Tigers
Need to know: First-year head coach Brian Kelly earned the re-commitment of Myles Brennan this offseason.
That quarterback originally intended to transfer, but decided to return to LSU for 2022.
But looking behind Brennan on this depth chart reveals a lot of promise, if not experience. Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard are two highly elite prospects, but the jury is still well out on whether are field-ready for this fall.
LSU may be interested in bringing Daniels in given that lack of playing time and Brennan's history of injury. Plus, he'll have Penn State transfer running back Noah Cain to help balance things out in the backfield.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
Need to know: One of the premier offenses in college football is about to lose its most important piece. Sam Howell, the quarterback who holds UNC records in yards, all-purpose TDs, TD passes, and single-season TD passes, is off to the NFL.
JT Daniels could easily take charge of a quarterback rotation that includes Drake Maye and Jacolby Criswell as potential rivals. Maye has one TD on his resume and Criswell boasts 25 career pass attempts.
But would Daniels feel comfortable stepping into a program that has failed to live up to lofty expectations?
Carolina ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll and finished 6-7. And it still has the likes of Clemson, Pitt, and Wake Forest to contend with in the ACC.
3. Auburn Tigers
Need to know: If any coach in college football could use a major roster addition, it's Bryan Harsin. After just one year, he's slugged through a 6-7 season and he was nearly ousted in what looked like a coup attempt by Auburn football boosters.
Harsin hasn't made a good impression on the recruiting trail yet, but he can definitely use JT Daniels as a springboard to something better. And the quarterback can stay in the SEC and play against the best the country has to offer.
Auburn has TJ Finley, Zach Calzada, and Robby Ashford to choose from at QB, a selection that Daniels should easily beat out for the starting role.
But would he be comfortable stepping into a situation with so little at the skill positions? Top wideout Kobe Hudson and would-be top target Ja'Varrius Johnson both transferred out.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Need to know: A program in transition since Lincoln Riley left and some prominent players electing to try their luck in the transfer portal. Including both starting quarterbacks from 2021 in Caleb Williams (USC) and Spencer Rattler (South Carolina).
That could open up a spot for JT Daniels to take over, but the Sooners also landed Dillon Gabriel this offseason. The former UCF signal caller originally pledged to UCLA before jumping to Brent Venables' program.
A defensive-oriented coach, Venables shored up his offense by hiring Lebby away from Ole Miss. That could prove an enticing incentive for a quarterback looking to impress NFL scouts.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Need to know: It was a transfer in Jack Coan who helped revive the Irish offense in 2021, and JT Daniels can serve the same role in 2022.
First-year coach Marcus Freeman could use a generational talent at QB to help him on solid footing, even if it means losing either Tyler Buchner or Drew Pyne to the portal as a result. Daniels would have the added bonus of playing behind one of the top offensive lines in college football, too.