By Sam Khan Jr., Justin Williams and Dane Brugler

Cincinnati starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced Monday that he intends to enter the transfer portal.

Sorsby was one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football this season, responsible for 36 touchdowns, tied for third-most in the FBS. He is also awaiting feedback from the NFL on a potential draft grade and is weighing entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Should he choose to stay in school, Sorsby will be one of the most coveted players in the transfer market.

Thank you 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/Wx6JI44zP7

— Brendan Sorsby (@Brendan_Sorsby2) December 15, 2025

Sorsby has been a proficient dual-threat quarterback in two years as a starter at Cincinnati, transferring in from Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. He averaged better than 2,800 yards passing and 500 rushing yards per season, and in 2025, tallied 27 passing touchdowns and nine rushing scores with only five interceptions, leading the Bearcats to a 7-5 record and the program’s first bowl appearance since 2022. Sorsby is not expected to play in the Liberty Bowl against Navy on Jan. 2, the same day college football’s transfer portal window opens.

Sorsby is an attractive NFL candidate due to his combination of size, arm strength and athleticism. In what many evaluators expect to be a weak draft class for NFL quarterbacks, a Day 2 draft grade could lead Sorsby to declare. If not, he’ll garner plenty of interest in the portal for his final season of eligibility.

Additionally, Sorsby will be one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country should he return to college football in 2026. The three-year starter has 35 career games, 31 starts and 2,131 career snaps under his belt.

What will the transfer market look like for Sorsby?

Expect any team with deep pockets and a need at quarterback to kick the tires on Sorsby. He was highly thought of by coaches, general managers and player personnel directors coming into the 2025 season because of his physical tools. He was considered one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12 and one of the top 20 quarterbacks in the country and his play this season only elevated him in the eyes of opposing teams.

Sorsby was already getting paid seven figures annually at Cincinnati, and there have been rumblings that he could command offers as high as $4 million from interested teams, which is the top of the quarterback market. Duke’s Darian Mensah and Miami’s Carson Beck were among the quarterbacks to surpass that $3 million in annual compensation this year.

Could Sorsby return to Indiana? The Hoosiers are expected to be looking for a transfer quarterback as Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is likely to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Sorsby hails from Texas and prepped at Lake Dallas High, so a return home to the Lone Star State is possible, too. Baylor needs a starting quarterback with Sawyer Robertson out of eligibility. Texas Tech, one of the biggest spenders in the 2025 transfer portal, is losing starter Behren Morton. The Red Raiders return Morton’s backup Will Hammond, who they are high on, but Hammond suffered a torn ACL in October. Texas Tech is also expected to be in search of a transfer quarterback this cycle. — Sam Khan Jr., senior college football writer

How will Cincinnati replace Sorsby?

Cincinnati, set to enter its fourth season in the Big 12 and under head coach Scott Satterfield in 2026, will be in the market for a replacement quarterback as well. Samaj Jones, a redshirt freshman and former four-star prospect who appeared in one game this season, is currently the top returning option on the Bearcats’ roster.

Sorsby’s success, combined with an offensive line that was one of 10 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award this season, could make Cincinnati an attractive quarterback destination in the portal. — Justin Williams, senior college sports writer

What’s Sorsby’s NFL Draft outlook?

Sorsby is well-liked by NFL scouts because of his arm talent and athleticism. There will be enough Day 2 feedback that will make him think long and hard about potentially declaring for the draft, especially in an underwhelming quarterback class. However, his inconsistent November, when the Bearcats went 0-4, was a snapshot of how Sorsby still has more to do to develop as a quarterback.

Fundamentally, Sorsby is a work in progress as he tends to rely on his arm more than his base or release mechanics, which affects his accuracy as a downhill thrower. Still, the optimism is understandable because of the way he trusts his arm and rips throws to every level of the field. Whether he transfers or goes pro, Sorsby is going to be well compensated either way, but one more year of development might be best for his long-term outlook. — Dane Brugler, national NFL Draft writer