We all know the impact of the transfer portal and have seen players like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Justin Fields and others make a run at the national title. Here are my 10 most intriguing QBs landed from the portal as we hit the dead part of July and focus on the season ahead. While they won’t all be competing for the playoff they will certainly make an impact.
1. Caleb Williams, USC
Once Williams took over for Spencer Rattler midway through the Texas game last season, it was immediately evident that he is a special talent. Now he has great chance to be a Heisman finalist and the addition of Jordan Addison is major. Expectations for him are as high as for anyone in the nation.
2. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Despite having never taken a collegiate snap, Ewers winds up at number two because he was the top recruit in the country for the 2022 class before reclassifying and enrolling at the beginning of the 2021 season. Now back in his home state of Texas, Ewers looks to be the main man behind center in Steve Sarkisian’s second season, and he’s got a lot riding on his shoulders. But with Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson on offense, he will have weapons to work with.
3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Dart wasn’t expected to play much as a true freshman last year at USC, but after an injury to Kedon Slovis, he stepped in and acquitted himself very well. With Lincoln Riley coming to USC and Caleb Williams following him, Dart transferred to Ole Miss and found the perfect offense to make the most of his big arm and sneaky running ability. He’s got a higher ceiling than any quarterback Lane Kiffin has ever had as a head coach. The problem? He struggled in the spring and needs to step it up to win this job. I think he can.
4. Cameron Ward, Washington State
The only FCS transfer on this list, Ward absolutely lit up the competition over the past two seasons, winning the Jerry Rice Award (the FCS freshman of the year) in the spring season in 2021 and then going on to be an FCS All-American in the fall, throwing for over 4,600 yards and 47 touchdowns. He is being joined by his OC at Incarnate Word (Eric Morris), and he’ll put up some massive numbers in the Pac-12 even if the Cougars don’t make anything close to a run.
5. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Despite being benched for Caleb Williams in the middle of last season, there’s still no denying Rattler’s arm talent. He was the preseason favorite for the Heisman in 2021, and he’s now re-connected with Shane Beamer at South Carolina and could put up some great numbers. Teammate Austin Stogner will be a safety valve for him.
6. Dillon Gabriel, Okahoma
Will we see the star we once saw at UCF? Even if we see a lesser version, he will still put up big numbers and the Sooners are still favored to win the Big 12.
7. Casey Thompson, Nebraska
The Huskers won’t challenge for the Big Ten but this is a big upgrade at quarterback over the departed Adrian Martinez. Thomson could be dangerous.
8. Adrian Martinez, Kansas State
I just slammed Martinez a bit but with a new home and so much more talent around him he could have a major impact on the Big 12 race.
9. Kedon Slovis, Pitt
He won’t put up Kenny Pickett numbers and losing Jordan Addison hurts but there is still a lot of talent on offense for Pitt and he should produce.
10. Max Johnson, Texas A&M
Johnson has to win the job but he showed flashes at LSU of what he can do and that Aggies roster is
