Evaluating the Top College Football Quarterbacks in the Transfer Portal
This year, half of the teams competing in the College Football Playoff have brought in quarterbacks through the transfer portal, including both Indiana and Notre Dame in Friday night’s opening playoff game.
The influence of the transfer portal has gained momentum, with numerous teams and individual players experiencing success thanks to these transfers. The previous year featured notable transfers such as Kurtis Rourke from Indiana, Riley Leonard from Notre Dame, Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, Will Howard from Ohio State, and Cam Ward from Miami, with Gabriel and Ward emerging as Heisman Trophy finalists.
This year’s group of quarterbacks available through transfer lacks the star-studded reputation of last year’s crowd but could significantly shape the upcoming 2025 season.
Here’s a rundown of the standout quarterbacks currently in the transfer market, including those already committed to new teams:
John Mateer (Washington State)
Mateer stands out as the gem of this transfer class, capable of rivaling Gabriel and Ward, who was previously a transfer from WSU, in the quest for the Heisman. Last season, as a rising junior playing in Pullman, he amassed 3,139 passing yards, 826 rushing yards, and a total of 44 touchdowns. He could be a game-changing player for a team like Oklahoma, which has just appointed his former offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle.
Darian Mensah, Duke (Tulane)
Mensah is a reliable starter with multiple years of eligibility left, making him a solid option for Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils. As a rising sophomore, he topped all eligible American Athletic passers with a completion rate of 65.9% and an impressive average of 9.5 yards per attempt, indicating his growing potential.
Devon Dampier, Utah (New Mexico)
While Dampier is still refining his passing skills, he showed enough promise as a first-time starter in 2024 to suggest he can shine under the right circumstances. With Utah bringing in his former coordinator from New Mexico, Jason Beck, the team will focus on leveraging his exceptional abilities as a runner—he rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns, ranking third among FBS quarterbacks.
Fernando Mendoza (California)
Mendoza has caught the attention of several notable programs after leading California to six victories as they joined the ACC. Known for his accuracy, he was recently seen engineering a game-winning drive against rival Stanford and has two years of eligibility remaining as a reliable Power Four-level passer.
Miller Moss, Louisville (Southern California)
Moss lost his starting role at USC during a challenging season for Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. Nevertheless, he still passed for 378 yards against LSU and had impressive outings against Michigan and Maryland, averaging 278.3 yards during Big Ten matchups. This experience makes him a valuable addition for Louisville, although he will need to reduce his turnover rate after throwing nine interceptions in just seven conference games.
Connor Weigman, Houston (Texas A&M)
Weigman possesses the talent to perform but has yet to see his production reflect his potential. Numerous injuries hindered his participation in the 2023 season, resulting in his loss of the starting position with the Aggies last October. There is no doubt about his arm strength, and he will look to revitalize his career under Houston coach Willie Fritz and new offensive coordinator Slade Nagle.
Maalik Murphy (Duke)
Having achieved 2,933 passing yards and 26 touchdowns in his one season at Duke, Murphy is positioned as a strong candidate for a Power Four starting job. He often threw for over 235 yards in games and showcased his ability to lead close games; Duke won six matches decided by a single possession. He is expected to transition to the SEC, potentially to Kentucky.
Chandler Morris, Virginia (North Texas)
A high-volume passer with a solid track record, Morris represents an immediate upgrade for Virginia’s struggling quarterback options this last season. His transfer marks a new chapter after starting at Oklahoma and TCU, and it reunites him with Virginia coach Tony Elliott, who previously collaborated with Morris’ father, Chad, under Dabo Swinney at Clemson. Virginia also secured a promising future option in Nebraska transfer Daniel Kaelin.
Jackson Arnold, Auburn (Oklahoma)
Arnold has yet to display the prowess associated with his five-star recruit status, despite having strong qualities that Auburn can leverage, including prior starting experience in the SEC. His dual-threat capabilities could complement Hugh Freeze’s run-pass option (RPO) offensive scheme, but there is notable room for growth as he further develops his skills.
Beau Pribula (Penn State)
Pribula made history by being the first player in the current 12-team playoff era to enter the transfer portal ahead of the postseason,
The Nittany Lions are missing out on a dynamic offensive player before their game against SMU this Saturday. Rising junior quarterback, who took on a significant role when Drew Allar got injured, rushed for 242 yards and made four touchdowns in addition to passing for 275 yards with five touchdown throws during their October victory over Wisconsin. Pribula has opportunities with Power Four schools but he could easily find himself starting at one of the leading Group of Five programs.