Top quarterbacks expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal won’t open for another few weeks, but top quarterbacks around the country are making their plans to hit free agency known before then.

At a position where spots are limited and many of the same QB-needy schools are in contact with multiple potential options, the game of musical chairs is just beginning. A handful of former elite recruits are among the top passers available — as are some unheralded stars from the Group of Five level looking to make the jump up.

Few positions will be watched more closely over the next month until the portal closes on January 16. On3 breaks down the top QBs currently expected to hit the portal when it opens in the New Year:

1. Sam Leavitt – Arizona State

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 1 OVR

Leavitt entered the 2025 season as a darkhorse Heisman candidate after a breakout campaign as a redshirt freshman, where he completed nearly 62 percent of his passes for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He was riddled by injuries though, missing the team’s final five regular-season games. If he’s healthy, Leavitt could be one of college football’s top players next seasn. On3’s Pete Nakos broke down the latest intel on early schools to watch for Leavitt once he officially hits the portal in January.

2. Dylan Raiola – Nebraska

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 2 OVR

Raiola spent the last two seasons in Lincoln and will have two years of eligibility remaining once he recovers from the broken fibula he suffered earlier this season. Because of that injury, he was limited to only nine games as a sophomore. He finished 2025 with 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 72.4% completion percentage. However, he — and the Huskers’ offensive line — struggled with taking sacks this season, including 16 combined over two games against Minnesota and Michigan.

3. Brendan Sorsby – Cincinnati

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 3 OVR

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder transferred into the Bearcats’ program following two years at Indiana, where he played in 11 games for the Hoosiers. Sorsby has been the Bearcats’ starter each of the past two seasons, developing into one of the country’s premier quarterbacks in 2025. Across 12 games this season, he completed 62% percent of his passes while throwing for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Cincinnati started the season 7-1 and looked like a potential College Football Playoff team, but lost each of its last four games to drop to 7-5.

4. DJ Lagway – Florida

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 4 OVR

A former Five-Star Plus+ recruit, Lagway appeared in 21 games and was the team’s full-time starter in 2025. After ending his first campaign by leading the Gators to five wins in their final six games, he came into this year with Heisman buzz and sky-high expectations.

But the 6-foot-3, 247-pounder struggled mightily with turnovers and inconsistency. In UF’s 12 games this season, he completed 63% of his passes while throwing for 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He was bothered by injury as well, dating back to last offseason where he was hampered by shoulder surgery and a sports hernia.

5. Kenny Minchey – Notre Dame

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 8 OVR

A late addition to Notre Dame’s 2023 class, Minchey sat behind Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard his first two seasons with the program. This spring and into the fall, he battled with redshirt freshman CJ Carr for the starting job, with Carr ultimately getting the nod. During his three years in South Bend, Minchey completed 23 of 29 passes for 212 yards and will be one of the more intriguing quarterback options in the portal come January.

6. Aidan Chiles – Michigan State

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 15 OVR

Chiles began his career at Oregon State, spending one season in Corvallis before transferring to Michigan State. Following head coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing, Chiles served as the starting quarterback for the Spartans over the past two seasons. During his two seasons with the Spartans, he played in 21 games, and completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 3,807 yards and 23 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. A prospect with immense physical upside, he will be one of the more intriguing QB options available.

7. Katin Houser – East Carolina

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 16 OVR

Houser spent the first two seasons of his college career at Michigan State before moving on to ECU ahead of the 2024 season. He quickly established himself as one of the country’s top Group of Five quarterbacks. In 2025, Houser started all 12 games for the 65.9 percent for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. That was against six interceptions. On the ground, he had 181 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

8. Colton Joseph – Old Dominion

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 24 OVR

After redshirting as a true freshman in 2023, Joseph has put together two strong seasons back-to-back at the Group of Five level. While starting 21 games over the past two seasons, he has completed 60% of his passes, throwing for 4,251 yards and 32 touchdowns. This fall, he earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors. 

9. JJ Kohl – App State

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 39 OVR

Originally signed with Iowa State in the 2023 class, Kohl spent two seasons in Ames but only attempted 11 passes during that span. He opted to enter the portal last season, and the 6’6 gunslinger found a home at App State. Kohl threw for 1,465 yards with 12 touchdowns and a pair of interceptions in eight games, stepping in for the injured AJ Swann. With two years of eligibility left, he could be a prime candidate to step back up to the Power 4 level.

10. Jackson Kollock – Minnesota

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 42 OVR

Kollock was a late riser in the recruiting rankings last year, and signed with the Golden Gophers as one of their more touted high school passers in recent memory. His stay in the Midwest didn’t last very long though, as he was buried on the depth chart in his lone year in Minnesota. The Laguna Beach (Calif.) native will be looking for a fresh start with all four years left to play.