College football transfer portal QB rankings: The top 30 signal-callers on the move in 2026

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover attempts to elude a Cincinnati defensive player.

TCU transfer Josh Hoover will take over for Fernando Mendoza at Indiana. Jerome Miron / Imagn Images

With only days remaining until the transfer portal closes, the quarterback musical chairs are quickly filling up.

Since the portal opened on Jan. 2, more than 300 Division I scholarship quarterbacks have entered the portal. More than 190 came from the FBS ranks, and more than 100 were FCS players.

Quarterbacks are the most coveted players in the portal because of how quickly they can turn a team’s fortunes. In modern college football, a team’s starting quarterback is just as likely to come from the portal as he is from traditional high school recruiting.

Which transfer quarterbacks could make big impacts in 2026, and where are they headed? The Athletic is tracking the top transfer QBs throughout the portal window.

Position QB

Availability Committed Uncommitted

Pre-committment Team Arizona State Sun Devils Arkansas State Red Wolves Auburn Tigers Cincinnati Bearcats Duke Blue Devils East Carolina Pirates Florida Gators Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Harvard Crimson Incarnate Word Cardinals Iowa State Cyclones James Madison Dukes Kentucky Wildcats Mercer Bears Michigan State Spartans Missouri Tigers Nebraska Cornhuskers North Carolina Tar Heels North Texas Mean Green Notre Dame Fighting Irish Ohio State Buckeyes Old Dominion Monarchs Ole Miss Rebels Penn State Nittany Lions South Florida Bulls TCU Horned Frogs UNLV Rebels USC Trojans

Post-committment Team Arizona State Sun Devils Auburn Tigers Florida Gators Florida State Seminoles Illinois Fighting Illini Indiana Hoosiers Iowa State Cyclones Kentucky Wildcats LSU Tigers Louisville Cardinals Missouri Tigers Nebraska Cornhuskers Northwestern Wildcats Oklahoma State Cowboys Ole Miss Rebels Oregon Ducks Oregon State Beavers Penn State Nittany Lions TCU Horned Frogs Texas Tech Red Raiders UCF Knights UTEP Miners Virginia Cavaliers Virginia Tech Hokies Wake Forest Demon Deacons Wisconsin Badgers

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A year after Mensah surprised the college football world by signing a massive two-year contract to go to Duke, he’s portal bound again. He notified the staff that he intends to enter the portal, hours before the deadline to do so.

Mensah, a second-team All-ACC pick who led the Blue Devils to the conference championship, is a prime target for a conference rival: Miami. The Hurricanes have been in the transfer quarterback market since the portal opened but have struck out on Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby and Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. They also took a swing at trying to lure Alabama’s Ty Simpson with a big money offer, but Simpson had already declared for the NFL Draft and had no intention of going back to college. Miami is currently the favorite to land Mensah, who threw for 3,995 yards and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions last season.

Mensah will command another hefty pay day, and it’s easy to see why. His natural gifts jump off the screen. He’s big and athletic, can make NFL-caliber throws with seemingly little effort. He throws well on the run, is accurate and takes good care of the ball. Mensah’s interception rate in 2025 (1.2 percent) was fourth-best among Power 4 starting quarterbacks.

Recruiting rank

2-star (No. 2,289)

Uncommitted

Duke Blue Devils

The most coveted transfer quarterback in this cycle considered entering the 2026 NFL Draft, but ultimately decided to stay in school for one more season after receiving feedback from pro scouts. Sorsby will “for sure” be at Texas Tech, according to a source briefed on his decision. His 2026 contract is believed to be worth more than $4 million. There have been reports of the deal reaching $5 million, though a source briefed on the contract said it’s not quite that high.

Sorsby’s size, arm strength and mobility made the veteran attractive to quarterback-needy teams. He accounted for 36 touchdowns in 2025 and averaged 9.8 air yards per attempt, both the most by any Power 4 QB transfer quarterback.

He fills a major need for the Red Raiders. Their 2026 starter, Behren Morton, is out of eligibility and his heir apparent, Will Hammond, is recovering from an ACL injury that puts his availability for the start of 2026 in question. And Sorsby’s running ability will add an element to the Texas Tech offense that was missing, as Morton was primarily a pocket passer.

“I thought he was the best player on the field for Cincinnati,” said a personnel director who faced Sorsby last season. “He elevated their offense and they kind of went as he went. You could tell they didn’t have enough weapons around him.”

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 1,012)

Committed

Cincinnati Bearcats

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Leavitt’s winding path in the portal is over, as he’s headed to LSU to join new Tigers coach Lane Kiffin. Leavitt drew plenty of interest, visiting Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee and Miami before settling on Baton Rouge..

He’s a tremendous talent. Leavitt’s electric when outside the pocket, able to create off-schedule plays. He processes quickly and has a live arm. And he oozes the confidence coaches want in their quarterback.

He’s remembered most for taking Arizona State to the Big 12 championship and on the brink of an upset of Texas in the Peach Bowl in the 2024 season, but an injury-plagued 2025 kept him from enjoying a full encore.

Combining Leavitt’s skills with Kiffin’s offensive prowess feels like a winning combination.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 311)

Committed

Arizona State Sun Devils

LSU Tigers

Mestemaker made the move many expected, following his former coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State. Many of his former North Texas teammates of his are joining him, including star running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young. It should make for a smooth transition given the play caller and scheme continuity.

A year ago, Mestemaker was unknown to even diehard college football fans. The former walk-on, whose last full-time starting quarterback job was as a high school freshman, opened some eyes with a 393-yard performance in the 2024 First Responder Bowl, his first career start.

After winning the starting job going into 2025, Mestemaker took off, leading the FBS with 4,129 passing yards and displaying tools that had Power 4 programs drooling. “Incredible arm talent,” a P4 personnel director said. “He’s a future pro.” But some do have questions, like how big a step up in competition can Mestemaker handle? Of his 11 turnovers this season, eight came against his two toughest opponents, USF and Tulane.

Many assume Mestemaker will follow his former coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State, but it’s not a foregone conclusion considering how coveted he is by quarterback-needy teams. “I think he’d be a really good Big 12 quarterback,” said a GM who faced Mestemaker this year. “I’m not sure he can be an SEC/Big Ten quarterback at a high level. The Big 12 is the right level for him to take that next step up.”

Committed

North Texas Mean Green

Oklahoma State Cowboys

First it was Ohio’s Kurtis Rourke who took Indiana to the College Football Playoff in the 2024 season. In 2025, Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and put the Hoosiers in national title contention. What will Hoover do next for the Hoosiers?

Hoover is Curt Cignetti’s next quarterback transfer at Indiana and he comes with a deeper resume than either of his predecessors. Hoover was considered one of the 2025’s best returning quarterbacks and had a productive, though not quite elite, season at TCU. Since taking over as the starter midway through the 2023 season, Hoover has consistently produced, throwing for more than 9,600 yards and 71 touchdowns in 36 games (31 starts).

Opposing scouts see Hoover as someone with legitimate arm talent but concerning turnover issues. Since 2022, Hoover’s 41 turnovers are tied for third-most in the FBS among active QBs.

Hoover arrives in Bloomington with some familiarity with the program. He committed to Indiana as a recruit in the summer of 2021 before flipping to TCU shortly after Sonny Dykes’ arrival.

Opposing scouts see Hoover as someone with legitimate arm talent but concerning turnover issues. Since 2022, Hoover’s 41 turnovers are tied for third-most in the FBS among active QBs.

Hoover arrives in Bloomington with some familiarity with the program. He committed to Indiana as a recruit in the summer of 2021 before flipping to TCU shortly after Sonny Dykes’ arrival.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 709)

Committed

TCU Horned Frogs

Indiana Hoosiers

Brown landed where many expected him to when he entered the portal: with his former coach, Alex Golesh, at Auburn. Like Mestemaker, Brown has many of his USF teammates following him to The Plains, including some of his pass catchers.

Brown holds 15 school records at USF and was one of the country’s most productive quarterbacks, accounting for 4,166 total yards (second in the FBS) and responsible for 42 touchdowns (first) with just 11 turnovers. He’s a true dual threat, a real weapon when running the ball.

His throwing motion is unconventional, but he gets it there: he completed 66.3 percent of his throws and his off-target rate (10.6 percent per PFF) was in the top 25 nationally. “He can run, he can throw, he’s big and durable,” a Power 4 GM said. “He’s built to play in any conference.”

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 1,178)

Committed

South Florida Bulls

Auburn Tigers

Raiola possesses great size, a strong arm and a tremendous ability to improvise. He flashes his potential but has yet to consistently put it all together. He did some good things in two seasons at Nebraska, throwing for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns while leading the Cornhuskers to back-to-back bowl games after a seven-season bowl drought, but he has yet to consistently put it all together.

Critics point to his knack for holding onto the ball too long, which leads to unnecessary sacks (he was sacked seven times against Michigan and nine times against Minnesota). He also is not the most mobile quarterback out there. Raiola’s season ended after he suffered a broken fibula against USC, which limited him to just nine games.

Landing at Oregon, where Dan Lanning’s program has had great success with transfer quarterbacks — from Bo Nix to Dillon Gabriel to Dante Moore — feels like a smart move for Raiola. But he will be working with a different offensive coordinator than those three did. Drew Mehringer was recently promoted from tight ends coach to OC after Will Stein left to take the Kentucky head coaching job.

Recruiting rank

5-star (No. 21)

Committed

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Oregon Ducks

Becht is joining his former coach Matt Campbell at Penn State. The transition should be smooth as Becht also has his offensive coordinator, Taylor Mouser, and several key supporting cast members joining him, like running back Carson Hansen, receiver Chase Sowell and tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle.

Becht doesn’t possess some of the imposing physical traits that other quarterbacks on this list have. But you know what you’re getting with Becht: a steady, experienced, high-floor quarterback. He has good touch and ball placement, manages the offense well and makes his teammates better. He can also move the chains with his legs and had eight rushing touchdowns this season. He has started 39 consecutive games and led the Cyclones to a program-record 11 wins in 2024.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 572)

Committed

Iowa State Cyclones

Penn State Nittany Lions

Lagway committed to Baylor last week and took a visit to Ole Miss days after he committed, but it appears that he’ll wind up in Waco when the dust settles. Lagway and Baylor are working through contract particulars and there’s no sign the quarterback is expected to visit elsewhere at this point.

There’s no questioning Lagway’s physical tools. “Most talented out of the group (of quarterbacks),” a Big Ten personnel staffer said. “Built like a defensive end, arm talent (is) elite, swings the b—.”

But Lagway has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his two-year career and has been far too inconsistent when healthy. He has passed for 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions across two seasons, with 14 interceptions coming this fall.

Despite all the inconsistencies and knack for getting banged up, Lagway’s talent is immense, which is why ACC, Big 12 and even other SEC schools have kicked the tires on him.

Recruiting rank

5-star (No. 7)

Uncommitted

Florida Gators

There isn’t much question about Simmons’ talent. He has plenty of arm talent and can zip it into tight windows. He’s athletic enough to be a pure running threat, especially in short-yardage or goal-to-go situations, which Ole Miss used him at times.

The main thing he needs is snaps. He has just 262 in his three-year career and just two starts before an ankle injury disrupted what was supposed to be his first full year as QB1 in September. Trinidad Chambliss stepped in and the rest is history.

Simmons is bigger than his predecessor at Mizzou, Beau Pribula, and more of a pure passer than Pribula was. He offers an intriguing fit in Eli Drinkwitz’s offense.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 292)

Committed

Ole Miss Rebels

Missouri Tigers

Several high-profile decision makers were high on Pribula’s competitive makeup when he went through the transfer process last offseason. Results from his first season as a starter were mixed. He ranked 11th in the SEC in passer efficiency rating, threw 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions and suffered a nasty ankle injury that forced him to miss two starts. Pribula did not throw a touchdown in the two games after his return from injury.

Pribula visited Nebraska, Washington (amid the brief Demond Williams saga), Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Tennessee before committing to Virginia on Monday night.

For the Cavaliers, Pribula feels like a bigger version of Chandler Morris, who led them to the ACC Championship Game. Pribula has good, though not elite, arm strength and is elusive enough to be an effective scrambler and rusher when needed.

Pribula visited Nebraska, Washington (amid the brief Demond Williams saga), Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Tennessee before committing to Virginia on Monday night.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 464)

Committed

Missouri Tigers

Virginia Cavaliers

Joseph stuffed the stat sheet this season with 2,624 passing yards, 1,007 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns. He’s still a work in progress as a passer — he completed just 59.7 percent of his passes and threw 10 interceptions this year — but he’s a dynamic athlete.

But Joseph, the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, should be an ideal fit for Jeff Grimes’ offense at Wisconsin. The heavy use of misdirection and bootlegs off of play action should pair well with Joseph’s pure running ability. He has the arm to make the necessary deep throws that are also part of the scheme.

If Wisconsin’s reworked offensive line comes together, there’s intriguing potential in this match.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 1,857)

Committed

Old Dominion Monarchs

Wisconsin Badgers

Longstreet is green, with just 44 snaps in four games as a freshman behind Jayden Maiava in 2025. But his talent is substantial. Rather than wait another year behind Maiava for his opportunity, Longstreet is seeking a chance to play in 2026.

He’s not of prototype size — he has a more Trinidad Chambliss-like build — but Longstreet’s traits are elite. “He’s the picture next to ‘arm talent’ in the dictionary,” a former Power 4 scouting director said. Longstreet is also a dynamic scrambler who is great at extending plays and can punish teams as a runner when he takes off.

Recruiting rank

5-star (No. 25)

We’ve seen very little of Knight in a college uniform so far — just 62 snaps across two games, and one start — but what he showed was enticing. Taking into account that his lone start was against Mercer, an FCS team, there’s enough to excite scouts and showed why he was a five-star recruit in the first place.

Knight, is a big lefty and a dynamic runner. He ran for 162 yards and four touchdowns on just nine attempts in his lone start, including scoring runs of 75 and 51 yards. He was accurate and a capable passer but there’s a lot of work to be done there, particularly in progressing through his reads and working within the confines of the passing game. But he’s a freshman with plenty of time left to develop.

Knight is returning to his home state, joining Ole Miss after Trinidad Chambliss didn’t get an extra year from the NCAA. Once Knight’s development as a passer catches up, he could be scary good.

Recruiting rank

5-star (No. 28)

Committed

Auburn Tigers

Ole Miss Rebels

Chiles has the talent and athleticism to be a solid Power 4 starter. That potential has always been enticing for coaches and personnel staffers, but Chiles has not developed into a consistent player. He has spent three seasons with former Oregon State/Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith, who has a good reputation with quarterbacks.

“I didn’t feel like his skill set fit the offense at all,” a Big Ten personnel staffer said. “It was odd.”

Chiles, who passed for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season, landed at Northwestern, where he’ll pair with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. It’s an interesting match, but if Kelly can do for Chiles in his final season something similar to what he did for Will Howard at Ohio State, the Wildcats would be thrilled — and it would set Chiles up well for a shot at the next level.

“I didn’t feel like his skill set fit the offense at all,” a Big Ten personnel staffer said. “It was odd.”

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 168)

Committed

Michigan State Spartans

Northwestern Wildcats

New Kentucky coach Will Stein was high enough on Minchey to push for him even after the program hosted and pursued Sam Leavitt and as Minchey was on the verge of signing with Nebraska, where he originally committed. Stein’s recent history of developing quarterbacks — Dante Moore, Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel and Frank Harris are former pupils — should bode well for Minchey to make a star turn in 2026./p>

Despite three years at Notre Dame, Minchey is light on game experience, with just 10 appearances (no starts) and 108 offensive snaps. Minchey lost a tight preseason QB battle to CJ Carr, but scouts love what Minchey offers: a strong arm, a quick release and the mobility to create outside the structure of an offense. He showed all those things in the snaps he got, along with a natural feel for the position.

Could Minchey have the type of impact on Kentucky that Notre Dame transfer QB Steve Angeli had on Syracuse before his injury? Some believe that’s possible.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 170)

Committed

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Kentucky Wildcats

Houser is a more ready-made prospect upon arrival than Luke Altmyer was three years ago. But Altmyer got better every year he was on campus and left big shoes to fill upon departure. Houser’s a smidge bigger than Altmyer but should fit well in Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense.

Don’t mistake Houser’s place on the list for any shortcomings. It’s the byproduct of a deep transfer class at the position. Houser was one of the more accurate passers in the country this season, with a 10.3 percent off-target rate according to Pro Football Focus, 20th-best in the FBS.

Houser threw for 3,300 yards and was responsible for 28 touchdowns (19 passing, nine rushing) with 10 turnovers, giving him an above-average touchdown-to-turnover ratio. “He’s pretty salty,” said a personnel director who faced Houser this year.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 215)

Committed

East Carolina Pirates

Illinois Fighting Illini

The transition here should be smooth since Philo is following Buster Faulkner, his former offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. The scheme continuity raises the ceiling on Philo’s potential in 2026 as he steps into the full-time QB1 role.

Philo is intriguing. Because he was behind Haynes King, he took fewer offensive snaps in 2025 (63) than any of the players above him on this list. But what he has shown in his limited duty over the last two seasons is encouraging. In 180 snaps over the last two seasons, Philo is responsible for 29 explosive plays, a 3.4 percent explosive play rate, according to TruMedia. If he were a full-time starter, that would put him in the top 30 nationally in that time frame.

Philo simply needed a starting opportunity, and that’s what he’ll get at Florida. He’s a solid passer, both from the pocket and on the run, with good ability to create outside the pocket. He’s not quite the battering ram King was, but he’s more than capable of moving the chains as a runner.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 841)

Committed

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Florida Gators

After losing Josh Hoover, the Horned Frogs bounced back nicely by nabbing Craig, a talented FCS passer with pro potential. How he acclimates into new offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis’ wide zone-heavy scheme will be interesting to watch, but Craig’s traits should provide for a solid fit.

Craig led the Crimson to a share of the Ivy League title and an FCS Playoff bid and received some draft attention, as dozens of NFL scouts and a pair of general managers stopped by campus to evaluate him. He has a big frame, a big arm and real mobility, though he’s not a run-first type. He threw for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 61.5 percent of his passes in 11 starts.

An FCS coach who saw Craig in person in 2025 compared him to Jordan Love and expects he’ll be a high draft pick if he finds the right FBS opportunity. A big year at TCU could open the door to that possibility.

Committed

Harvard Crimson

TCU Horned Frogs

After seeing what Kenny Dillingham just did with Sam Leavitt, who transferred in from Michigan State after just one season of minimal snaps and thrived, leading ASU to the CFP, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about Boley’s future in Tempe.

Boley comes with much more experience: 11 career starts and a season as QB1 in the SEC. He’s much bigger than Leavitt was and won’t display the same type of footspeed, but Boley is no statue. He can move.

But most enticing is his ability to make big-time throws from the pocket within the structure of the offense. Boley can whip it to all parts of the field and does so well in rhythm. He also manages the pocket well when it breaks down while keeping his eyes downfield, and when he tucks it and runs, he can move the chains.

His biggest area of concern is ball security. Boley’s confidence in his arm can work against him and lead to some ill-advised throws. His 4.5 percent interception rate in his two seasons at Kentucky is the highest of any FBS quarterback who has made at least 10 starts in the last two years.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 344)

Committed

Kentucky Wildcats

Arizona State Sun Devils

After Kenny Minchey’s last-minute flip to Kentucky, Matt Rhule his staff turned to Colandrea. Although he wasn’t Nebraska’s first choice, the Cornhuskers could do a lot worse than the former Virginia and UNLV starter.

Colandrea was a terrific fit for Dan Mullen’s offense, posting career highs in passing yards (3,459), touchdown passes (23), yards per attempt (8.3) and completion percentage (65.9 percent). He became even more of a rushing threat than he had been in the past, running for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns, also career highs.

As Colandrea now steps into Dana Holgorsen’s evolved version of the Air Raid, the question remains: How well will he take care of the ball? Colandrea is exciting to watch because he can deliver highlight plays, but he can also be unpredictable and turnovers can be an issue. He has thrown 29 interceptions in 31 starts, though his interception rate has come down each season (3.7 percent in 2023, 3.4 percent in 2024, 2.2 percent in 2025).

If he can keep that interception rate low and work well within the structure of Holgorsen’s offense, Nebraska may be pleased with its transfer quarterback after all.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 1,463)

Committed

UNLV Rebels

Nebraska Cornhuskers

There’s a lot to like about Lopez’s tools — he has a good arm and can move even if he’s not the twitchiest athlete — but things didn’t come together the way many expected for him in Chapel Hill. It’s hard to cast a ton of blame on Lopez given his surroundings. He was the second-most pressured Power 4 starting quarterback in 2025, according to PFF.

Reuniting with Rob Ezell, the offensive coordinator he played for at South Alabama, seems like a smart move. It was in 2024 under Ezell that Lopez had his best year, in his first year as a starter. With some experience in the ACC, joining forces with Ezell again at Wake Forest has a chance to work.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 1,324)

Committed

North Carolina Tar Heels

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Penn State turned to Grunkemeyer after Drew Allar was lost for the season with an injury. He took his lumps early but showed some promise as the year progressed, leading the Nittany Lions to four consecutive wins to close out the season.

Grunkemeyer’s accuracy is what stands out. He completed 69.1 percent of his passes this year, and his 10.1 percent off-target rate, per PFF, placed him 18th in the FBS. In the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson, he showed a comfort level in operating the offense and moving the chains consistently.

He will now be reunited with his former coach, James Franklin, at Virginia Tech.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 105)

Committed

Penn State Nittany Lions

Virginia Tech Hokies

Louisville coach Jeff Brohm has had success with transfer quarterbacks in recent years and Kienholz is his next project.

Kienholz hasn’t seen much playing time in three seasons at Ohio State. He has taken just 133 snaps across 12 career games and has yet to start one. But the Buckeyes viewed him as a long-term developmental prospect who would likely pop in his final year or two, similar to the way former Ohio State quarterback Joe Burrow did late in his college career at LSU.

That he stuck around for as long as he did also garnered respect from those in the building. “He’s a competitor. Great athlete,” an Ohio State staffer said. “Throws the ball well enough. He’s going to be a guy who doesn’t blow up until Year 4 or 5 but continually develops and gets better every year. Super smart. He’s probably the best pure athlete on our team.”

Louisville coach Jeff Brohm has had success with transfer quarterbacks in recent years and Kienholz is his next project.

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 194)

Committed

Ohio State Buckeyes

Louisville Cardinals

Baker, a 2025 top-100 prospect who was the first recruiting win for Bill Belichick, didn’t see any snaps in his true freshman year, so opposing schools will have to bet on his abilities based on high school tape, not college game experience. What made him attractive as a recruit will also garner attention in the portal. He has good size, is well put together, has the arm strength to hit all parts of the field and does well on the move, whether throwing or running. His athletic ability makes playing the position look easy, or at least it did at the high school level.

Baker landed with James Franklin at Virginia Tech, but will he play right away? The Hokies have also been connected to Ethan Grunkemeyer so 2026 could be a developmental year for Baker. But his size and traits make his potential intriguing

Recruiting rank

4-star (No. 86)

Committed

North Carolina Tar Heels

Virginia Tech Hokies

Barnett will spend his final year in the Big 12.

What Barnett lacks in elite size and traits, he makes up for with toughness, leadership and playmaking ability. He bounced back from an ACL injury to win the Sun Belt Player of the Year award and lead JMU to the Sun Belt championship and the College Football Playoff. He accounted for 3,395 yards and was responsible for 38 touchdowns this season.

The Knights will have to live with his accuracy issues. His off-target percentage (15.7 percent per PFF) was the 11th-lowest among Group of 5 starting QBs. But he’s a leader, a winner and a productive player.

Barnett will spend his final year in the Big 12.

Committed

James Madison Dukes

UCF Knights

Colson is a former UCF signee, making one start for the Knights before hitting the portal last offseason. He made a brief detour to Purdue last winter but exited during the spring portal window and wound up at Incarnate Word, where he took over the starting job in late September.

Colson performed well when he took the reins, completing 70.9 percent of his passes (tops in the Southland Conference) and throwing 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Colson isn’t the biggest, but he has a natural feel for the position, a smooth, quick release and a knack for operating efficiently in the structure of an offense. He’s a fluid athlete who can threaten opposing teams as a runner and can throw well on the run. A move back into the FBS, and possibly the Power 4, could be in store.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 619)

Committed

Incarnate Word Cardinals

UTEP Miners

Atkinson had a terrific true freshman season for the Bears, throwing for 3,596 yards, 34 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and completing 66 percent of his passes en route to winning the 2025 Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the FCS National Freshman of the Year.

Atkinson is tough and confident, and he can deliver the ball to just about any spot on the field. He showcased his ability when the Bears visited Auburn late this season, placing the ball well in tight coverage against SEC defensive backs. He’s a traditional pocket passer in the truest sense, though. “He can’t run, but he can throw the heck out of the ball,” a Group of 5 personnel director said.

Atkinson drew some Power 4 interest during his portal stay. That Oregon State landed him is a win for new coach Jamarcus Shephard as the Beavers head into the new Pac-12.

Committed

Mercer Bears

Oregon State Beavers

Raynor bet on himself, leaving after a solid Sun Belt career to seek a Power 4 opportunity. He got it at Iowa State in an ideal circumstance: his offensive coordinator at Arkansas State, Keith Heckendorf, is the Cyclones’ new quarterbacks coach.

Raynor’s experience is extensive. He has 36 career starts and 2,604 snaps and led the Red Wolves to three consecutive bowls (which came on the heels of a three-year bowl drought). He’s the second-most experienced FBS QB in the portal behind Iowa State’s Rocco Becht.

He displayed solid accuracy (his 12.8 percent off-target rate was 17th among G5 starters), and he’s a productive dual threat, though not explosive. He’ll have to take care of the ball better (he was responsible for 26 touchdowns but committed 14 turnovers). “Good skill set, good highs, tough lows,” said a Sun Belt staffer who saw Raynor in person. “He doesn’t have a hose, but if you move the pocket, he can do some good things.”

Committed

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Iowa State Cyclones

Florida State is turning to Daniels, the former Stanford starter who finished out 2025 running the show at Auburn, starting three of the final four games. Daniels has plenty of experience, with 37 games, 23 starts and 1,533 snaps to his name.

Daniels is bigger and a more accurate passer than his FSU predecessor, Tommy Castellanos (Daniels has a 10.8 percent off-target rate since 2023, compared to 16.1 percent for Castellanos, per PFF), though he’s not quite as dynamic as a runner. But Daniels is still a real weapon in the run game, which Gus Malzahn is sure to feature regularly.

Daniels’ interception rate since 2023 (3.6 percent) is one of the highest in the Power 4 in that span. In his career, he has thrown 24 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

Recruiting rank

3-star (No. 994)

Committed

Auburn Tigers

Florida State Seminoles

College football transfer portal QB rankings: The top 30 signal-callers on the move in 2026

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