2023 transfer quarterback stock report: Sam Hartman, Shedeur Sanders and Jeff Sims among those entering the offseason with momentum
Some 20-plus transfer quarterbacks are hoping to start at a Power 5 program in 2023, so with most teams wrapping up spring practice over the last two weeks, it’s a great time to do a quick stock report-style checkup on some notable QBs who changed jerseys heading into the 2023 season.
QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
STOCK UP: There were whispers in South Bend this spring that Tyler Buchner had outplayed the Irish’s ballyhooed quarterback transfer, but that’s what happens when folks barely get to see any actual practice reps.
In a game setting — even a rained-soaked Notre Dame Stadium — Sam Hartman showcased why he was such a coveted commodity out of the portal. The record-setting ACC quarterback had has many total touchdowns (three) as incompletions, and he displayed great chemistry with wideout Jayden Thomas.
Perhaps Buchner factors into Notre Dame’s plans in 2023, but Hartman enters the offseason as the clear QB1 for the Irish.
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
STOCK UP: Going into Saturday, most college football fans had never seen Shedeur Sanders throw a football. They quickly understood what all the offseason buzz has been about, though. Deion Sanders’ son looked every bit like an FBS quarterback, smoothly operating Sean Lewis’ ‘FlashFast’ offense. Sanders has a quick, accurate release and even showed a willingness to run a little bit — something he didn’t do much at Jackson State but is a necessity in Lewis’ scheme.
Colorado ranked last in the Pac-12 in a majority of offensive categories in 2022, but with an overhauled group of skill-talent (see: Kentucky transfer tailback Kavosiey Smoke, USF wideout Jimmy Horn and former No. 1 recruit Travis Hunter) and Sanders pulling the strings, this is a group that’s going to score some points in 2023.
QB Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin
STOCK DOWN: Through the first month of spring practice, Tanner Mordecai had a strong showing in Madison. But it was a tough final week of days for the former SMU quarterback, culminating in a frustrating performance in Wisconsin’s spring scrimmage Saturday.
According to reports, Mordecai struggled with accuracy issues in an open practice Thursday, throwing at least three interceptions. He did one worse in the spring game, tossing four picks (including three to the same DB) on multiple inaccurate throws (including three straight drives with INTs). Processing and decision-making were problematic at times, which is concerning for a veteran QB with experience in a similar offensive system.
Still, Mordecai has the best resume and bonafides in a deep Badgers QB room, so his handle on Wisconsin’s starting job remains strong. But perhaps expectations for an offensive renaissance in Madison under Mordecai and new OC Phil Longo should be tempered for now.
QB Jeff Sims,Nebraska
STOCK UP: The Georgia Tech transfer made a statement Saturday with his performance in Nebraska’s spring game. Sims was by far the Cornhuskers’ best quarterback in the scrimmage, leading a couple of scoring drives and not turning the football over.
Notably, Matt Rhule had his QBs live, so Sims was able to show off both his big arm and his elusive 4.4-speed. He escaped multiple would-be sacks in the scrimmage, and on a designed QB draw, ran through two defenders for a touchdown. Incumbent starter Casey Thompson did not participate in the spring game as he continues to rehab an injury, so Nebraska’s QB competition is technically not decided, but Sims certainly made a strong case to be the Cornhuskers’ QB1 in 2023.
QB DJ Uiagalelei,Oregon State
STOCK HOLDING: DJ Uiagalelei made headlines before Oregon State’s spring game in an interview with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, sounding off on Clemson’s “timid” and “basic” play-calling and believing that the Tigers’ staff didn’t trust him. It was an extremely candid look at Uiagalelei’s struggles at Clemson, and the fresh start in Corvallis seems to be suiting him well.
But with spring practice in the books, he hasn’t won the Beavers’ starting job just yet. While Uiagalelei remains the safe bet to open the season as OSU’s starter, he’s being pushed by freshman Aidan Chiles, a 4-star early enrollee who was the team’s best QB on Saturday.
QB Spencer Sanders, Ole Miss
STOCK DOWN: You can make a decent case that Spencer Sanders’ arrow is actually pointing in all three directions — up, down or holding — depending on your viewpoint of Ole Miss’ three-way QB battle in 2023.
The veteran Oklahoma State transfer was reportedly bested by incumbent starter Jaxson Dart for most of the spring, but in the Grove Bowl, Sanders was terrific with more than 300 total yards and four touchdowns.
The problem is that Dart was solid, too, and LSU transfer Walker Howard was just as good. Lane Kiffin clearly has quality options at QB, and Sanders left a strong impression heading into the offseason, but in a crowded QB room his number in the pecking order remains in flux. So Sanders’ stock is slightly down simply because he couldn’t separate himself from the pack.
QB Graham Mertz, Florida
STOCK HOLDING: Graham Mertz received plenty of abloom throughout the spring at Florida, but then the Orange & Blue Game happened, and the buzz on his balloon popped.
The Wisconsin transfer was ok in the scrimmage, but he didn’t look like a QB capable of elevating an offense that lacks receiver talent and won’t be as good on the OL as it was in 2022.
Gators head coach Billy Napier didn’t exactly give Mertz a ringing endorsement after the scrimmage, either, acknowledging that Florida could add another QB to the roster if the right guy enters the transfer portal.
QB Devin Leary, Kentucky
STOCK UP: The former NC State transfer was one of the stars of Kentucky’s spring practices, as Leary reportedly connected well with new OC Liam Cohen.
Leary is healthy after suffering a torn pectoral in 2022, with reports suggesting he looks like the guy who threw for 35 touchdowns to just five interceptions in 2021.
Despite Kentucky potentially losing a Top 5 NFL Draft pick in quarterback Will Levis, the Wildcats’ offense could actually improve with the combo of Liam and Leary running the show this fall.