The musical chairs are being pulled out early. While the NCAA Transfer Portal doesn’t officially swing open until January, quarterbacks across the country are already packing their bags and leaking their intentions. At the sport’s most valuable position, every school wants an upgrade, and every QB1 thinks they deserve better treatment. It’s about to get messy, folks.
Between now and January 16, when the portal window slams shut, the quarterback carousel will dominate college football headlines. Here’s your guide to the signal-callers who could be suiting up in completely different uniforms next fall.
## The Headliners
**Sam Leavitt** from Arizona State sits atop every program’s wish list. When healthy, this kid is a legitimate star. His redshirt freshman campaign was pure magic—nearly 62% completion, 2,885 yards, and a ridiculous 24 touchdowns against just six picks. The problem? Injuries derailed his sophomore year, wiping out the final five games of the regular season. If he’s right physically, whoever lands Leavitt just hit the lottery.
Nebraska’s **Dylan Raiola** represents the ultimate boom-or-bust option. The guy can sling it—72.4% completion rate and 18 touchdowns this past season proves that. But he’s also recovering from a broken fibula and spent way too much time running for his life behind a porous offensive line. Getting sacked 16 times in just two games against Minnesota and Michigan isn’t a great look. Still, with two years of eligibility left, somebody’s going to take a shot.
## The Overlooked Gems
Cincinnati’s **Brendan Sorsby** is the name not enough people are talking about. After starting his career at Indiana, he moved to the Bearcats and absolutely balled out in 2024—2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, only five interceptions. Cincinnati started the year looking like a playoff dark horse before dropping their final four games. Don’t let that late-season collapse fool you. Sorsby can play.
Florida’s **DJ Lagway** arrives with Five-Star pedigree but uneven production. The Heisman buzz from the preseason evaporated quickly as he threw 14 interceptions against 16 touchdowns. Between shoulder surgery and a sports hernia, injuries haven’t helped his development. But that raw talent is undeniable.
## The Depth Chart Casualties
Notre Dame’s **Kenny Minchey** never got his shot behind Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard, then lost the starting job battle to freshman CJ Carr this fall. He’s barely thrown 29 passes in three years, but somebody’s going to gamble on that untapped potential.
Michigan State’s **Aidan Chiles** brings the physical tools every coach dreams about. His numbers—60.8% completion, 23 touchdowns across two seasons—don’t jump off the page, but his arm talent does. Following Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to East Lansing didn’t work out. Maybe the third stop is the charm.
## The Group of Five Risers
Several guys dominated at the lower levels and want their Power Four shot. East Carolina’s **Katin Houser** lit it up this season with 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. Old Dominion’s **Colton Joseph** earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors. App State’s **JJ Kohl** showed enough in limited action to warrant another look at the highest level.
Then there’s Minnesota’s **Jackson Kollock**, who never unpacked his bags in the Midwest before deciding it wasn’t the right fit. The California native has four years of eligibility and a clean slate.
The feeding frenzy begins in January. Buckle up.
