As the college football season begins heading to the 2022 Playoffs, we’ve seen several major additions to the transfer portal within the past few days alone. Specifically, at the quarterback position, some big names from big programs have made the jump to the portal in search of a new school ahead of the 2023 season. Let’s take a look at and break down some of the top signal callers who will be leading the way amongst college football’s portal prospects this offseason.
Cade McNamara – Michigan
After four years in Ann Arbor, the former four-star prospect announced his decision to enter the transfer portal just yesterday having battled for playing time during the 2022 season. McNamara’s best campaign, however, would come as a junior starting all 14 games for the Wolverines while throwing 16 touchdown passes and just 6 interceptions.
Leading Michigan to a 12-1 record during the regular season, McNamara earned the Blue a Big Ten Championship taking down Iowa with a rousing 42-3 defeat to advance to a College Football Playoff Semifinals matchup with Georgia and earn an All-Big Ten selection.
Davis Brin – Tulsa
With four solid seasons at Tulsa under his belt, Brin opted to hit the transfer portal earlier this week after making just nine appearances in 2022 and losing his starting spot to end the season. As a junior starter for this Golden Hurricane squad, Brin made 13 appearances leading Tulsa to a 7-6 record winning out the team’s final four games including a 30-17 win over Old Dominion at the Myrtle Beach Bowl earning himself an MVP in the process.
While Tulsa struggled against power-5 competition in 2021, losing to No. 9 Ohio State and later losing by just one score to No. 2 Cincinnati, Brin managed some of his best performances in the bright lights notching a career-high 428 yards for 2 TDs against the Buckeyes.
Jeff Sims – Georgia Tech
Despite battling injuries during his three seasons as a Yellow Jacket, the former four-star prospect has showcased his electric factor at the QB position with short healthy stints as both a freshman and sophomore in Atlanta. The three-time ACC Rookie of the Week’s stats might not jump off the board but his athleticism and ability are highlighted by some key wins including a 45-22 victory over No. 20 UNC in which Sims didn’t even play until the second quarter.
Obviously, his health will play a major role in whichever program takes a shot on Sims out of the portal but the nationally ranked high school product has all the intangibles to play with a power-5 program.
Brett Gabbert – Miami OH
After a few up-and-down seasons for the Redhawks, NFL QB Blane Gabbert’s younger brother Brett has entered his name into the transfer portal ahead of the 2022 offseason. As the first true freshman in Miami Ohio’s history to start a season opener, Gabbert was named MAC Freshman of the year leading his program to an 8-6 record and subsequent invite to the 2019 LendingTree Bowl.
Injuries hindered his playtime in 2020, but Gabbert returned in 2021 for 10 games earning a Third Team All-MAC selection and another bowl appearance at the Frisco Football Classic finishing the year with 2,648 yards and 26 TDs before losing a starting spot in 2022.
Jack Tuttle – Indiana
Having spent the 2018 season at Utah, the former four-star prospect made his way to Indiana in 2019 where he’d rack up just 15 career appearances in four seasons for the Hoosiers and now enters the transfer portal for a second time. Despite being named team captain for his final season at Indiana, the redshirt senior would garner just one appearance putting on a solid performance against No. 16 Penn State with 9 completions on 12 attempts for 82 yards and a touchdown.
While he hasn’t had the opportunities needed to showcase his on-field talent, Tuttle was a nationally ranked prospect out of high school as one of the top 200 recruits for the class of 2018. He’s a strong pro-style quarterback who can run the offense efficiently and might just have the ability to wreak havoc outside the power-5 level.
Hudson Card – Texas
Card made waves in the college football world, announcing his intentions to enter the portal on Monday. In three seasons at Texas, Card completed 66% of his passes for 1,500+ yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a recruit, Card was a top-60 recruit in the nation. The Lake Travis, TX product held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, and schools all over the country.
John Paddock – Ball State
The 6-foot Michigan native entered the portal on Tuesday after passing for more than 2,700 yards this season. Paddock completed 287 of his 480 passes this season with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Check out TPR’s updated transfer pledge list below.
College Football Transfer Portal Player/Pledge List
