12 notable quarterbacks in the NCAA transfer portal
The “Wild West” phase of the NCAA transfer portal began for real on Monday, and no position offers more potential intrigue than quarterback.
There are a number of huge names already in the portal at the game’s most-important position, including several with in-state and SEC ties. Big-name quarterbacks have been making their intentions to transfer public at such a rapid rate, you might be excused if you missed a few of them.
That’s why we’re here to help. Below are 12 of the top quarterbacks currently in the NCAA transfer portal, listed in alphabetical order.
(NOTE: This list does not include former Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson, who has already committed to North Carolina, nor does it include former New Hampshire standout Max Brosmer, who has committed to Minnesota. It also does not include Alabama’s Tyler Buchner, who reportedly intends to return to Notre Dame and play lacrosse).
1. Dequan Finn, Toledo
Finn (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) threw for 7,079 yards and 63 touchdowns with 23 interceptions and rushed for 1,837 yards and 25 touchdown in 45 career games over five seasons, three of which he spent as a starter for the Rockets. The 2023 MAC Player of the Year has one season of eligibility remaining. He only entered the portal Tuesday, so there’s not much information yet on a potential destination.
2. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
Gabriel (6-0, 200) will be seeking his third school after spending three seasons at Central Florida and two at Oklahoma. In 50 career games, he has passed for 14,865 yards with 125 touchdowns, both of which rank eighth in FBS history. He also has 1,060 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing. Because he redshirted due to injury in 2021, he has one season of eligibility remaining. USC and Oregon are among the schools hot on his trail.
3. Will Howard, Kansas State
Howard (6-4, 235) has been a part-time starter since his freshman year of 2020, but took over as the full-time QB1 for the Wildcats in 2023. In 34 career games, he has passed for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns with 25 interceptions, along with 921 yards and 19 TDs rushing. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and Nebraska, Miami, USC and Wisconsin are among his suitors.
4. Riley Leonard, Duke
A Fairhope native, Leonard (6-4, 205) has started the last two seasons for the Blue Devils, though an ankle injury limited him to seven games in 2023. In 27 career games over three seasons, he has passed for 4,450 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, adding 1,224 yards and 19 TDs rushing. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and has already been linked to both Notre Dame and Auburn.
5. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
McCall (6-3, 210) entered the portal after the 2022 season, but withdrew and returned to school after academic issues limited his transfer options. Now a graduate, he’s back in the portal after spending five seasons (he redshirted in 2019) with the Chanticleers. The three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year (2020-22), he has thrown for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions while rushing for 1,113 yards and 18 TDs in 42 career games. Injuries limited him to seven games in 2023. With one season of eligibility remaining, Central Florida, South Carolina and Auburn are among his potential destinations.
6. Kyle McCord, Ohio State
McCord (6-3, 210) entering the portal was a bit of a surprise, as starters at schools like Ohio State don’t generally look to transfer. However, there has been speculation he might have been encouraged to move on by Buckeyes coaches, who could be looking for a more dynamic player under center. In 24 career games, McCord has thrown for 3,776 yards and 27 touchdowns with eight interceptions, the bulk of that production coming this season. McCord has one season of eligibility remaining, but it’s not entirely clear where he might be headed next.
7. Dante Moore, UCLA
Moore (6-3, 210) won the starting job as a true freshman with the Bruins, but that wasn’t enough to keep him in Westwood. The former 5-star recruit was originally committed to Oregon out of high school, though early reporting indicates he might be headed back home to more traditional Big Ten country (he’s from Detroit) at a place like Michigan. In nine games this season, Moore passed for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
8. Will Rogers, Mississippi State
One of the more prolific passers in SEC history, Rogers (6-2, 205) endured an injury-riddled 2023 season in which he also appeared to be a poor fit for the Bulldogs’ pro-style offense under first-year coach Zach Arnett. Despite the arrival of new coach Jeff Lebby and his “veer and shoot” offense, Rogers has entered the portal with one season of eligibility remaining. In 43 games over the last four seasons, he’s passed for 12,315 yards and 94 touchdowns with 28 interceptions. Washington could be a potential landing spot for Rogers.
9. DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
Uiagalelei (6-4, 250) appeared to find a home with the Beavers after three up-and-down seasons at Clemson, but is on the move again following the departure of coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State. In 47 games over four years, Uiagalelei has thrown for 8,319 yards and 57 touchdowns with 24 interceptions while rushing for 1,132 yards and 21 TDs. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and could wind up back in the ACC at Florida State or Louisville.
10. Brock Vandagriff, Georgia
Vandagriff (6-3, 205) is easily the least-experienced quarterback on this list, but remains intriguing given his 5-star pedigree. In 13 games over the last three seasons, he has completed 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Vandagriff has two seasons of eligibility remaining, and could sign with Kentucky, Mississippi State or South Carolina if he chooses to stay in the SEC.
11. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami
Van Dyke (6-4, 224) started the bulk of the last three seasons with the Hurricanes, but is moving on after he was benched late in the season in favor of freshman Emory Williams. Van Dyke has played in 32 games over the last four seasons, totaling 7,469 yards and 54 touchdowns with 23 interceptions. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and could be headed to Notre Dame, Kentucky or Syracuse.
12. Cameron Ward, Washington State
Ward (6-2, 223) is also looking to head to his third school, after spending two seasons on the FCS level at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State in 2022. In two seasons with the Cougars, he passed for 6,968 yards and 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions, while also rushing for 13 TDs. The battle for Ward — who has one season of eligibility remaining — is expected to be a fierce one, with Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, USC, Wisconsin, Louisville and Miami among those in the mix.
Others of note
Bryson Barnes, Utah; Aidan Chiles, Oregon State; A.J. Duffy, Florida State; Taylen Green, Boise State; Katin Houser, Michigan State; Nate Johnson, Utah; Sam Leavitt, Michigan State; MJ Morris, North Carolina State; Drew Pyne, Arizona State; Chandler Rogers, North Texas; Kurtis Rourke, Ohio; Ken Seals, Vanderbilt; Blake Shapen, Baylor; Tyler Shough, Texas Tech; AJ Swann, Vanderbilt; Walter Taylor, Vanderbilt