Ranking College Football’s Top 5 Transfer Quarterbacks for 2024

5) Riley Leonard (Duke --> Notre Dame)

247Sports Rank: 45 | On3 Rank: 16 | Rivals Rank: 13

Recruiting Service Average: 24.67 | SportsGrid Overall Rank: 27

Heading into the 2023 season, Duke's Riley Leonard had garnered attention from NFL scouts thanks to a promising sophomore campaign that saw him throw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns against only six interceptions. However, an injury-riddled season hindered his progress and ability to build on these impressive numbers. Leonard often wasn't at full strength, which undoubtedly affected his performance.

Leonard's athletic prowess is undeniable. Known for his mobility, he demonstrated his speed against one of the toughest opponents, outpacing the Clemson secondary in a stunning season-opening victory for Duke. His sophomore statistics also underscore his dual-threat capability, as he notched 699 rushing yards at an impressive clip of 5.6 yards per carry and reached the endzone 13 times on the ground.

Now transitioning to Notre Dame, Leonard draws natural comparisons to another ACC transfer, Sam Hartman, who moved from Wake Forest to Notre Dame. While Leonard may lack Hartman's extensive resume and notable beard and hair flair, he is seen as a more naturally gifted quarterback with a higher ceiling. This transition offers Notre Dame a potentially transformative talent at quarterback, someone who could emerge as the most dynamic signal-caller in South Bend in over two decades.

If the Irish can effectively harness Leonard's abilities and ensure his health, there's a strong chance he could realize his potential and make a significant impact. The key will be for the coaching staff to refine his raw talent and maximize his athletic attributes, setting the stage for a potential breakout that revitalizes his prospects and significantly boosts Notre Dame's offensive firepower.

2023 Stats: 1,102 yards, 57.6%, 6.7 YPA, 3 TDs-3 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

National Championship Odds: Duke +100000 | Notre Dame +2200 

2) Cameron Ward (Washington State --> Miami)

247Sports Rank: 15 | On3 Rank: 8 | Rivals Rank: 6

Recruiting Service Average: 9.67 | SportsGrid Overall Rank: 14

After two seasons refining his skills at Washington State, quarterback Cameron Ward is on the move again, heading to the University of Miami, eyeing a future in the NFL. Ward, who initially showcased his talents at Incarnate Word, made significant strides in the Pac-12 with the Cougars. In 2023, he upped his game across the board, improving his completion percentage and elevating his passing yards and touchdowns. He also showed his versatility on the ground, increasing his rushing yards and scoring eight rushing touchdowns while cutting down on interceptions and sacks. His jump in yards per pass from 6.5 to 7.7 last season marked a significant improvement in his deep ball capability.

While Ward may not be the flashiest name in the transfer portal, his solid track record makes him a standout. At Miami, Ward isn't just another player; he's a pivotal addition who could very well be the catalyst Miami needs to vault back into the national spotlight. As Ward gears up to write this next chapter, the Hurricanes hope his leadership and on-field prowess will guide them to new heights with their first playoff appearance.

2023 Stats: 3,735 yards, 66.6%, 7.7 YPA, 25 TDs-7 INTs

National Championship Odds: Washington State +100000 | New Team: Miami +5000

3) Dante Moore (UCLA --> Oregon)

247Sports Rank: 11 | On3 Rank: 14 | Rivals Rank: 7

Recruiting Service Average: 10.67 | SportsGrid Overall Rank: 17

Dante Moore, a highly touted quarterback from Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, entered the collegiate football scene as a top-five recruit in the 2023 class, sparking a fierce recruiting battle among top programs. Initially committing to Oregon, Moore made a last-minute switch to UCLA to play under Chip Kelly, drawn by the promise of immediate playing time—a critical factor in his decision.

At UCLA, Moore quickly made his mark, playing nine games, including five as a starter. He distinguished himself by becoming the first UCLA quarterback since Brett Hundley in 2012 to throw multiple touchdown passes in his first three games, matching the Bruins' freshman record for three touchdown passes in a game—a record shared by notable alumni Cade McNown and Josh Rosen. However, Moore's debut season wasn't without its challenges. Despite his arm strength and athletic prowess, he faced difficulties with accuracy, culminating in six interceptions over three Pac-12 starts. These growing pains highlighted areas needing development, particularly in mastering the intricacies of the quarterback position at a high level.

Looking forward, Moore's path seems poised for a strategic pivot. With the possibility of playing behind Dillon Gabriel at Oregon, Moore could benefit immensely from a year of learning and refinement under a seasoned quarterback. This apprenticeship could prove invaluable as he prepares to take the reins in 2025. With three years of eligibility remaining, Moore's journey is far from over, and his blend of natural talent and the tutelage he will receive at Oregon could set the stage for a significant collegiate impact in the coming years.

2023 Stats: 1,610 yards, 53.5%, 7.6 YPA, 11 TDs-9 INTs

National Championship Odds: UCLA +80000 | Oregon +850 

4) Julian Sayin (Alabama --> Ohio State)

247Sports Rank: 7 | On3 Rank: 3 | Rivals Rank: 5

Recruiting Service Average: 5 | SportsGrid Overall Rank: 25

Ohio State has strategically positioned itself by securing not just their current quarterback, Will Howard, but also a potential future star in Julian Sayin, who entered the transfer portal shortly after committing to Alabama. A top recruit from the 2024 class, Sayin chose the Buckeyes after fielding offers from powerhouse programs like LSU, Michigan, Texas, and USC. Out of California, Sayin was ranked as the top quarterback and the sixth overall recruit by 247Sports' composite rankings.

Despite these accolades, there's a compelling discussion around Sayin's placement in the portal rankings, particularly as he joins Ohio State without having participated in spring football at Alabama. This unusual path has led some to classify him as part of OSU’s recruiting class, and he ranks prominently on many lists, even as a transfer. While others have him in their top ten, he has yet to play a snap of college football. 

His high school exploits and the recruiting buzz suggest he could be a significant player for the Buckeyes. Yet, as with all high recruits, transitioning that potential into effective collegiate play remains a challenge. The focus now shifts to how well Sayin can adapt to the college game, integrate into Ohio State's system, and fulfill the high expectations that come with his five-star status. The promise is undoubtedly there, and it's too significant to overlook, but the proof will be in his performance once he finally hits the field for Ohio State.

2023 Stats: None (Sayin was in high school)

National Championship Odds: Alabama +1400 | Ohio State +440 

5) Riley Leonard (Duke --> Notre Dame)

247Sports Rank: 45 | On3 Rank: 16 | Rivals Rank: 13

Recruiting Service Average: 24.67 | SportsGrid Overall Rank: 27

Heading into the 2023 season, Duke's Riley Leonard had garnered attention from NFL scouts thanks to a promising sophomore campaign that saw him throw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns against only six interceptions. However, an injury-riddled season hindered his progress and ability to build on these impressive numbers. Leonard often wasn't at full strength, which undoubtedly affected his performance.

Leonard's athletic prowess is undeniable. Known for his mobility, he demonstrated his speed against one of the toughest opponents, outpacing the Clemson secondary in a stunning season-opening victory for Duke. His sophomore statistics also underscore his dual-threat capability, as he notched 699 rushing yards at an impressive clip of 5.6 yards per carry and reached the endzone 13 times on the ground.

Now transitioning to Notre Dame, Leonard draws natural comparisons to another ACC transfer, Sam Hartman, who moved from Wake Forest to Notre Dame. While Leonard may lack Hartman's extensive resume and notable beard and hair flair, he is seen as a more naturally gifted quarterback with a higher ceiling. This transition offers Notre Dame a potentially transformative talent at quarterback, someone who could emerge as the most dynamic signal-caller in South Bend in over two decades.

If the Irish can effectively harness Leonard's abilities and ensure his health, there's a strong chance he could realize his potential and make a significant impact. The key will be for the coaching staff to refine his raw talent and maximize his athletic attributes, setting the stage for a potential breakout that revitalizes his prospects and significantly boosts Notre Dame's offensive firepower.

2023 Stats: 1,102 yards, 57.6%, 6.7 YPA, 3 TDs-3 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

National Championship Odds: Duke +100000 | Notre Dame +2200