Where the Top 20 Transfer Portal Quarterbacks Could Land Next
John Canady
Host · Writer
Breaking down realistic landing spots for the top 15 quarterbacks in the college football transfer portal, examining fits, roster needs, and NIL impact outlook.
1) Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt becomes arguably the top prospect in the transfer portal after announcing his decision to depart from Arizona State one season after leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship. In two seasons at ASU, Leavitt has totaled 44 touchdowns and only three interceptions, proving to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Expect Leavitt to have an abundance of top contenders pursuing him with the chance to land a major NIL deal in the portal.
Prediction: Miami
2) Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Dylan Raiola’s decision to enter the transfer portal comes just weeks after Nebraska fired offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, who is also the star quarterback’s uncle. The writing was on the wall for the former five-star to depart from the program following the move, especially when factoring in the back-to-back lackluster seasons for the Cornhuskers through Raiola’s first two years. The dynamic quarterback will have several suitors as he’s a marquee name on the market.
Prediction: Oregon
3) Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Brendan Sorsby began his college career at Indiana, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Cincinnati. The dual-threat quarterback put his name on the map this past year, leading the Bearcats to the best season in recent years, while combining for 36 total touchdowns (27 passing and nine rushing). Sorsby may not be a team’s top option with the names above him available, but he’ll undoubtedly be in the mix to land with a contender, especially if they miss out on the top three names.
Prediction: Texas Tech
4) Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
Drew Mestemaker adds his name to the list of talented quarterbacks available in the transfer portal after a breakout season at North Texas. The Texas native finished his first season as a starter, tossing for 4,129 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Now, he finds himself in the portal, where he’ll immediately become a top target for QB-needy teams.
Prediction: Indiana
5) Josh Hoover, TCU
Josh Hoover has spent the last four seasons at TCU, where he’s quietly developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Coming off a career year throwing for 3,472 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, the Texas native hits the portal looking to land with a top contender to make a championship run in 2026. Expect Hoover to have several teams interested in his services as one of the top available quarterbacks on the market.
Prediction: Clemson
6) DJ Lagway, Florida
DJ Lagway is another significant addition to the transfer portal, announcing his intent to seek a fresh start after another underwhelming year for the Florida Gators. The former five-star recruit seemed committed to the Gators, even after the departure of head coach Billy Napier, but clearly, plans have changed following the team’s season. Now, the Texas native is among the top players available and will be a considerable priority target for several contending programs.
Prediction: LSU
7) Byrum Brown, USF
Byrum Brown finds himself in the transfer portal after a breakout season at USF. The dual-threat quarterback finished the season with 42 touchdowns (28 passing, 14 rushing) and only seven interceptions, leading the way for the Bulls. Following the head coaching change at South Florida, Brown has opted to hit the portal and test his value on the open market.
Prediction: Auburn
8) Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Entering the 2025 season, Rocco Becht was viewed as a potential candidate to watch, aiming to put himself among the nation’s top-tier quarterbacks after finishing his 2024 campaign with 25 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, while also proving to be a dangerous dual-threat, rushing for eight touchdowns. Instead, the Florida native put together his worst season with the Cyclones since taking the starting job three years ago, finishing with 24 total touchdowns (16 passing, 8 rushing) and nine interceptions. Nonetheless, following head coach Matt Campbell’s departure from the Cyclones, Becht enters the portal, where he becomes a top available QB in the portal with the chance for a bounce-back season in 2026
Prediction: Penn State
9) Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame
Kenny Minchey announced his decision to enter the transfer portal and immediately became one of the most interesting names in it. After losing the starting job to CJ Carr at Notre Dame, the former top recruit will look for a fresh start, and considering the quarterback-needy teams across the nation, he’ll likely have an abundance of options to choose from.
Prediction: Arizona State
10) Colton Joseph, Old Dominion
Colton Joseph immediately becomes one of the top quarterbacks available in the portal after a career year at Old Dominion. Totaling 21 touchdowns and only ten interceptions, while leading one of the most explosive offenses in the Group of Five, Joseph looks to prove his worth on a new squad.
Prediction: Virginia Tech
11) Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Aidan Chiles is a former top recruit who initially committed to Oregon State out of high school. The quarterback transferred to Michigan State, hoping to prove why he was a highly touted recruit. In two seasons with the Spartans, Chiles totaled 23 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Now, he hits the portal looking to hit the restart button again, looking to land in an offensive system that better suits his skillset.
Prediction: Oklahoma State
12) Beau Pribula, Missouri
Beau Pribula spent the first two seasons of his college career at Penn State, where he served as Drew Allar’s backup. Ahead of the 2025 season, the dual-threat quarterback entered the transfer portal with the hope of finding a starting role to lead his own offense. Prbula received that opportunity at Missouri, where he totaled 11 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns, and nine interceptions this past season, leading the Tigers. Now, he finds himself back in the portal, hoping to try his hand at another fresh start.
Prediction: Nebraska
13) Katin Houser, East Carolina
Katin Houser is yet another breakout quarterback set to enter the transfer portal after a career year at East Carolina. The former Michigan State transfer combined for 28 total touchdowns (19 passing, nine rushing) and only six interceptionson the season. Now, he’s set to re-enter the transfer portal, and his stint with the Pirates proves he’s ready to compete for a top program.
Prediction: Wake Forest
14) Aaron Philo, Georgia Tech
Aaron Philo committed to Georgia Tech as a top recruit out of high school, hoping to be the eventual Haynes King replacement for the Yellow Jackets in the near future. Unfortunately, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s departure from the program led Philo to enter the portal before ever getting the chance to prove he could be that successor. Nonetheless, Philo will undoubtedly have a market to prove why he was a highly touted high school prospect.
Prediction: Florida
15) Luke Kromenhoek, Mississippi State
Luke Kromenhoek initially committed to Florida State out of high school as a five-star recruit. After a down season in his freshman year with the Seminoles, the quarterback opted to hit the portal, not only hoping to compete for a starting spot but to find a situation that could develop his game. Kromenhoek landed at Mississippi State, where he ultimately found himself in a backup role to Blake Shapen. Now, the former top recruit heads back to the portal.
Prediction: Missouri
16) Marcus Stokes, West Florida
Marcus Stokes enters the transfer portal after a breakout season at West Florida, totaling 3,664 yards and 40 touchdowns this past year. The star QB enters the portal after being nominated for the Harlon Hill (D2 Heisman) award. Since entering the portal, Stokes has been rumored to be garnering significant interest, which should bode well for a robust market.
Prediction: Syracuse
17) Taron Dickens, Western Carolina
Taron Dickens emerged as a star at Western Carolina this season, passing for 38 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Miami native is looking to prove he’s a top QB in the country, and following his breakout year, expect several suitors to show interest.
Prediction: Appalachian State
18) Bryce Baker, North Carolina
Bryce Baker committed to North Carolina out of high school as a four-star recruit, but the hiring of Bill Belichick complicated his recruiting process. Nonetheless, after rumors swirled about Baker’s potential decision to de-commit, the quarterback opted to stand pat to his commitment to UNC. Nonetheless, after one season in Chapel Hill, the former top recruit finds himself seeking a change of scenery in the transfer portal.
Prediction: Virginia
19) Dylan Lonergan, Boston College
Dylan Lonergan started his college career at Alabama, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Boston College to play under former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. However, after tossing 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in his lone season with the Eagles, the Georgia native now finds himself back in the transfer portal seeking a fresh start.
Prediction: Kentucky
20) AJ Hill, Memphis
AJ Hill committed to Memphis as a top-ranked quarterback out of high school with the chance to be a core piece for the Tigers’ movement in the American Conference. However, after one season with the Tigers, the Georgia native has announced his intent to enter the transfer portal following the team’s change in head coach. Hill will have several suitors to choose from as he becomes one of the most underrated quarterbacks on the open market.
Prediction: Arkansas
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