2024 Transfer QB Stock Report: Cam Ward, Dillon Gabriel and Kyle McCord among those entering the offseason with momentum
Close to 30 transfer quarterbacks are hoping to start for a power conference program in 2024, almost all of whom just concluded spring practice within the last two weeks.
While the second transfer portal window remains open for the next few days, the guys who stand to be QB1 in the fall are already on their new teams.
So it is the perfect time to do a quick stock report checkup on some notable quarterbacks who changed jerseys heading into the 2024 season.
Cam Ward, Miami
STOCK UP: The former Wazzu standout put a bow on spring practice with a monster showing in Miami’s scrimmage (more than 300 yards, three touchdowns).
Ward, who was No. 6 nationally in total offense in 2023, created immediate buzz when he arrived in Coral Gables, and the veteran quarterback quickly displayed a comfortability working in Shannon Dawson’s Air Raid offense. Ward could be Miami’s best quarterback in close to a decade.
Will Howard, Ohio State
STOCK HOLDING: Howard had a solid spring with the Buckeyes, but the ex-Kansas State starter didn’t grab a stranglehold of the QB1 job in Columbus.
Ryan Day refused to name a starter between Howard and former 5-star Devin Brown, while 5-star freshman Julian Sayin is pushing to enter the fray, too. When the 2024 season rolls around, Howard still stands as the most likely starter for Ohio State … but he must separate himself and lock down the job, which hasn’t happened yet.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
STOCK UP: While the Ducks are excited about the future with 5-star UCLA transfer Dante Moore, it’s clear that Gabriel will be the guy in 2024. The former UCF and Oklahoma gunslinger led the Big 12 in passing and touchdowns last season, and should similarly flourish in Will Stein’s QB-friendly scheme.
In Oregon’s spring game, Gabriel was efficiently perfunctory. He didn’t do anything spectacular, but the sixth-year senior didn’t do anything to make anyone second-guess that he shouldn’t be the team’s frontman heading into a potential national championship run this fall.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
STOCK HOLDING: Leonard sat out the majority of spring practice following offseason ankle surgery, which put the ex-Duke quarterback a bit behind the eight-ball missing valuable reps in a new offense for a new team. Leonard played in just seven games in 2023 after seriously injuring his ankle late against Notre Dame, and clearly, there are some lingering issues with the injury.
The talented dual-threat quarterback remains the frontrunner to start the opener for the Irish, but Leonard won’t just be handed the job with the way CJ Carr and Steve Angeli performed this spring.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
STOCK UP: Chiles was effectively handed the Spartans’ starting quarterback job the day he followed former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing. The promising sophomore reportedly had a solid spring, though he was just ok in Michigan State’s final scrimmage (50% passing, one touchdown.
Still, the Spartans, which suffered major losses elsewhere on the roster during the second portal window, have their guy at quarterback, and Chiles, who’s a legitimate threat as a passer and runner, should immediately improve an offense that averaged just 15.9 points and 4.6 yards per play — both 13th in the Big Ten in 2023.
DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
STOCK HOLDING: At this point, Uiagalelei is what he is: A serviceable, decent option at quarterback who isn’t overly accurate but will make some splash plays every now and then. He’s not going to be the reason Florida State wins a bunch of games in 2024, but the Oregon State transfer is unlikely to commit the calamitous mistakes that costs the ‘Noles games, either.
Uiagalelei was just ok in FSU’s spring game. It’s clear that Mike Norvell isn’t going to ask him to replicate Jordan Travis’ heroics, but simply be an effective game manager and bridge quarterback to star freshman Like Kromenhoek.
Tyler Van Dyke, Wisconsin
STOCK HOLDING: Van Dyke, the former Miami starter, ended spring on a high note after a nice showing in Wisconsin’s final open scrimmage over the weekend. Van Dyke led multiple touchdown drives in the Badgers’ spring game, particularly displaying a nice comfort in Phil Longo’s RPO-heavy offense (several nice run reads, couple of explosive sideline throws).
Still, Luke Fickell didn’t exit the spring naming a starter, as Van Dyke remains in an open battle with Braedyn Locke. He has the momentum entering the summer, but can he keep it through fall camp?
Kyle McCord, Syracuse
STOCK UP: There was genuine buzz coming out of Syracuse’s spring practices with the way McCord performed as the team’s new starting quarterback.
The Ohio State transfer is healthy (and motivated), and displayed a quick connection with wideouts Darrell Gill Jr. and Georgia transfer Yazeed Haynes. One thing McCord did well in the Orange’s spring game that he struggled with last season at OSU: Throwing the ball vertically with accuracy and anticipation.
Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
STOCK UP: Shapen’s transfer to Mississippi State didn’t garner much attention, but first-year head coach Jeff Lebby looks like he might’ve landed a diamond in the rough in the former Baylor starter.
Shapen struggled to stay healthy in Waco, but when right, the three-year starter was a legitimate top of the conference quarterback in the Big 12. Those talents were on display in Mississippi State’s spring game, which should give the Bulldogs’ faithful confidence their offense will score some points again after a very disappointing 2023 season.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
STOCK UP: Green was awesome in Arkansas’ spring scrimmage, looking super smooth operating Bobby Petrino’s offense. The Boise State transfer established himself as the heir apparent to KJ Jefferson, which is why Jacolby Criswell opted to enter the portal within the last week.
Green has the playmaking chops that could elevate a Razorbacks’ offense that ranked 13th in the SEC in yards per play in 2023.