College Football Transfer Protocol: Following Quarterbacks On The Move

Since December 5, 3,000 players have entered their names into the database, allowing college football programmes to use the transfer portal. 

Former Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley used the portal to assemble his high-powered offence last season by adding quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver Mario Williams, and other offensive players. This summer has been no different, with three players from ESPN’s transfer rankings being added to the roster by new Colorado coach Deion Sanders. With LSU and Oklahoma adding new starters, coaches are also experiencing success after their first seasons.

College Football Transfer Protocol: Following Quarterbacks On The Move

2023 transfer QBs

A look at some of the quarterbacks who have transferred and found new homes for the 2023 season:

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame (Wake Forest)

(Jan. 5): Hartman officially announced his decision to use his graduate transfer season at Notre Dame, following in the footsteps of Wisconsin’s Jack Coan, who will join the Irish for the 2021 campaign. After four years of starting, Hartman is No. 2 all-time in passing yards with 12,967 and holds the ACC record for throwing touchdowns with 110. During spring practise, he will have to defeat Tyler Buchner, who started in ND’s Gator Bowl victory.

Hudson Card, Purdue (Texas)

The card switched to Purdue on December 26.

Given that Arch Manning is also travelling to Texas, this was expected. In Texas’ fall camp, Card and Quinn Ewers fought hard for the starting position. Under first-year head coach Ryan Walters, he has 11 TDs and two TDs in 21 outings and might be a playmaker for the Boilermakers.

DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State (Clemson)

(Dec. 25): Uiagalelei switched to Oregon State, and the shift to the Pac-12 makes him an intriguing find. Uiagalelei, a five-star prospect from the 2020 class, was defeated by freshman Cade Klubnik for the starting position in the ACC final. Former five-star Uiagalelei struggled for two years as Clemson’s starter before receiving a new contract with a competitive Oregon State team that won 10 games this season. This could be a good fit.

Kedon Slovis, BYU (Pitt)

Slovis transferred to BYU, where he should contend for the starting position (Dec. 24). Before beginning this season for Pitt, he played for USC for three years. After tossing 30 touchdown passes and nine interceptions as a rookie, Slovis was second in the Pac-12 in passer rating. As a sophomore, he dropped to third in the Pac-12, and as a junior, he dropped to ninth. He ranked eighth in the ACC in passer rating while at Pitt, as he went 8-4 and threw for 10 TDs to just 9 INTs.

Graham Mertz, Florida (Wisconsin)

(Dec. 21): Mertz, a three-year starter with the Badgers, transferred to Florida. Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell as its new coach, and Mertz will look to play for the Gators after totaling 38 TDs and 26 interceptions the last three seasons. Mertz is 19-13 as a starter and will compete for a starting job under second-year coach Billy Napier.

Devin Leary, Kentucky (NC State)

Leary moved to Kentucky, which is a positive circumstance (Dec. 20). In 2021, Leary threw for 3,433 yards, 35 touchdowns, and five interceptions; however, in 2022, he had trouble with consistency and injuries. Leary still has a career total of 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. For the Wildcats, he will continue where Will Levis left off.

JT Daniels, Rice (West Virginia)

Daniels spent one season with the Mountaineers and is now in the transfer portal (Dec. 20). Daniels played for West Virginia for just one season, passing for 2,307 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Daniels also spent two seasons each at USC and Georgia.

​Drew Pyne, Arizona State (Notre Dame)

(Dec. 19): Pyne transferred to Arizona State, where he would work with Kenny Dillingham, a first-year coach who had great success with Nix the previous year. Given that Pyne assisted Notre Dame in righting the ship after the Irish started the game 0–2, this came as a bit of a surprise. In total, he threw for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The Irish are expected to be looking to add a QB, which is probably why Pyne chose to leave.

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Jeff Sims, Nebraska (Georgia Tech)

Sims transferred to Nebraska, where he will have the opportunity to contend for the starting position under Matt Rhule’s first season as head coach (Dec. 22). Sims started for Georgia Tech for three years but was fired in 2021 and didn’t finish 2022 due to injury. He threw for 30 touchdowns, ran for 11 and threw 23 interceptions in his Georgia Tech career.

​Haynes King, Georgia Tech (Texas A&M)

King is a graduate transfer for Georgia Tech as of December 18. In his last three seasons with the Aggies, he appeared in 10 games and recorded 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. King, however, has some potential for a comeback as a rookie starter for the Yellow Jackets under Brent Key.

Phil Jurkovec, Pitt (Boston College)

(Dec. 6): Jurkovec, a two-time transfer, spent five seasons playing for Boston College and Notre Dame. Although he is a gifted 6-5, 225-pound quarterback, injuries prevented him from growing with the Eagles. He only threw 17 interceptions while passing for 37 touchdowns. The experience with the ACC could make the move easier for Pat Narduzzi as he takes a chance on another transfer quarterback.

​Shadeur Sanders, Colorado (Jackson State)

Colorado hired Deion Sanders on December 5. When Deion announced “There’s your quarterback” at his opening press conference, any lingering uncertainty about Shadeur’s attendance was put to rest. With Jackson State, Sanders has passed for 66 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over the last two seasons. Sanders is one of the most intriguing quarterbacks to watch because he will get the opportunity to demonstrate it in the FBS in 2023.

Cade McNamara, Iowa (Michigan) 

(Dec. 1): McNamara led Michigan to the Big Ten championship in 2021, but he lost the starting job to J.J. McCarthy this season. McNamara stays in the Big Ten, and he will be an upgrade for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is coming off a rough season in which it averaged just 17.4 points per game. McNamara has 21 TDs and seven interceptions for his career, and he will be one of the most experienced QBs in the Big Ten in 2023.

2023 QBs In Transfer Portal

Brennan Armstrong, Virginia

At his next destination, Armstrong will be a graduate transfer in his sixth year. He set Virginia’s all-time records for career throwing yards (9,034), touchdown passes (58), and rushing touchdowns (20). Armstrong was excellent in 2021 (fourth in the ACC in passer rating), but as a senior, he significantly lost ground (last in the ACC in passer rating). His dual threat potential will be alluring in the appropriate scenario.

Connor Bazelak, Indiana

When he was fired from his position with the Tigers, the former starter for Missouri moved to Indiana. For IU, Bazelak made eight starts, but he was fired again and concluded the season as the backup quarterback. In his three seasons, he has 36 touchdowns and 27 interceptions with a 62.2 completion %.

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

McCall will play for the Chanticleers in the bowl game despite being listed in the transfer portal. Depending on where he lands, he has a tremendous potential for pickup. Three-year starter McCall has 78 touchdown passes while throwing only eight interceptions. The completion rate for it is 70.4%. Will he follow through and arrive somewhere else?

Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State

Sanders joined the transfer portal after beginning the majority of the previous four seasons with Oklahoma State. With the Cowboys, Sander had 67 passing touchdowns and 40 interceptions. For a team looking to compete, Sanders, who finished with a 31-12 record as a starter, could be the perfect seasoned addition. Sanders apparently communicates with Auburn.

 

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