As the college football season comes to an end, the focus for many fans and teams shifts to the offseason and the ever-evolving transfer portal. Most teams now have their first-year recruiting classes finalized and have sorted out their coaching staffs for next season, leaving them with one final option to improve their roster… The transfer portal. The portal’s two-week window opens January 2nd, and many coaches, GMs, and players are heavily anticipating its arrival.
We have already seen a significant number of talented players enter the portal this offseason, with many opting out of bowl games to prepare for where they will be playing next fall. At the same time, several top CFB programs have opted out of bowl games to prepare for the opening of the transfer portal and the beginning of next season. The transfer portal is still somewhat new to the college football landscape, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out the best way to navigate it.
Over the last several seasons, we have seen some of the best teams in college football benefit from landing new quarterbacks in the portal. Ohio State, Indiana, Oklahoma, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon are all in the College Football Playoff this season, with quarterbacks they acquired through the transfer portal. We have already seen a significant number of quarterbacks enter the transfer portal this offseason, and we will likely see more as bowl games conclude. If your team needs a quarterback for the 2026 season, the portal should be your first stop. Today, I want to review the top options.
Brendan Sorsby
This offseason, I have written extensively about how Sorsby may be the most underrated QB in this year’s draft class and how I think he should enter the draft this year. At this point, Sorsby has not decided whether to declare for the NFL draft or return to school, but if he does return, he will be one of the most valuable players in the portal. Sorsby is not a perfect QB and will need to go to the right program if he returns to school, but in my opinion, he has the potential to be one of the best passers in the nation.
Best fits: Oregon, Texas Tech, Arizona State
Josh Hoover
Hoover was a top-10 QB on my draft board when he announced he would leave TCU and enter the transfer portal. Of all the QBs on this list, Hoover is the most polished of the group and will be a plug-and-play quarterback who can help a strong program take the next step. Hoover will not take over a game, but he does a great job of reading defenses, throwing with anticipation, and finding the open man downfield. For teams who already have talented weapons, Hoover may be your guy.
Best fits: Miami, Oregon, Clemson, LSU
DJ Lagway
Lagway was my top quarterback recruit in the 2024 class when he committed to Florida. After high school, Lagway was known for his impressive athletic ability, including strong mobility and a strong arm to drive the ball down the field. Lagway has started numerous games for the Gators early in his career, but is now looking for a new program to continue his development in his first year as a draft-eligible player.
Best fits: Baylor, Miami, LSU
Dylan Raiola
In the 2024 recruiting class, the world flipped upside down when Matt Rhule took the job at Nebraska and immediately landed a five-star quarterback. So far in his time with the Cornhuskers, Raiola has demonstrated impressive skills but has not yet found a rhythm in their offense. Now, he is entering the transfer portal to Lagway, seeking a new program in his first year as a draft-eligible player.
Best fits: Oregon, Arizona State, Indiana
Byrum Brown
Brown was yet another player ranked in the top 10 of my quarterback rankings for this year’s draft before he elected to return to school and enter the transfer portal. At USF, Brown led the nation in total touchdowns, and his ability to make impact plays in a variety of ways caught the attention of many NFL scouts. Brown will return to school, looking for a big payday and a chance to prove to NFL teams that he can dominate in the same way against more formidable opponents.
Best fits: Auburn (former coach), Arizona State, Missouri
Drew Mestemaker
The NCAA leader in passing yards, Mestemaker, hits the portal looking to cash in after a stellar season with the nation’s highest scoring offense at North Texas. The Mean Green quarterback was dominant this season, showcasing an electric arm and an impressive feel for the game, helping lead the team to 44.3 points per game. The most likely landing spot for Mestemaker is Oklahoma State, where his former North Texas coach will be next season. Still, he will receive interest from several other programs, which could entice him to move on from Eric Morris.
Best fits: Oklahoma State (former coach), Texas Tech, Kansas
Jaden Craig
Craig is one of those guys who will earn the label as one of “my guys” in this year’s portal after his impressive career at Harvard, where he posted 48 TDs to 10 INTS over the last two years. Had he declared for this year’s draft, Craig likely would have ended up in my top 10 QBs with a mid-day three-grade. Now, Craig looks to prove himself by transferring to a bigger program that will give him a chance to prove he can still perform against top-tier defenses.
Best fits: Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan State
Rocco Becht
Over the last three years, Becht has been one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12, and he has had an immaculate career at Iowa State. Becht has a strong relationship with former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, who recently accepted a new job as the head coach at Penn State. While he will likely receive interest from other programs, it feels highly likely that Becht ends up in Happy Valley, staying loyal to Campbell and his staff.
Best fits: Penn State (former coach), Illinois, Kansas
Sam Leavitt
Leavitt is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s transfer portal, receiving a wide range of evaluations from scouts. I have not been as impressed with Leavitt as some other fans, but he will likely garner interest from several major programs across college football. Leavitt has incredible mobility, and his ability to make plays with his legs is the calling card that will attract significant attention this offseason.
Best fits: Miami, Oregon, LSU
Aidan Chiles
Chiles is one of the most talented players in the portal, but has struggled to break out thus far in his college career. After high school, Chiles was heavily recruited by coach John Smith at Oregon State and chose to follow him to Michigan State. Things have not really worked out so far, and while he was able to clean things up this year, Chiles still has a ways to go. Now, with Smith having been fired, Chiles will enter the portal hoping for a fresh start and a chance to prove himself as a high-quality QB prospect.
Best fits: Nebraska, Cincinnati, Florida
HMs: Beau Pribula, Katin Houser, Anthony Colandrea
These were the three remaining names I considered for the portal’s top quarterbacks list. Pribula was in the mix for a job at Penn State, but transferred to Mizzou, where he flashed some impressive skills as the leader of their offense. I think Houser could be a big-time starter, but he lacks experience against high-level defenses. Colandrea was solid at Michigan and has the skills to start for a Power Five school. There will undoubtedly be more names, but these are the top ones so far.
Have not played yet; Kenny Minchey, Air Noland, Luke Kromenhoek, Jake Merklinger, Trey Owens.
I do not love making predictions about players I have not watched much and have not had much time to play so far in college. Minchey, Noland, and Kromenhoek were once big-time recruits out of high school who could have breakout years this upcoming season. Merklinger and Owens have seen some playing time and have the skills to start, but their limited experience could deter some schools.
