Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NCAA Transfer Portal

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report11/30/23
Transfer Portal News - November 30

The NCAA transfer portal is beginning to see quite a bit of action, as the first wave of players has entered with coaches departing programs. There are already several top-notch quarterbacks in the portal.

On3 takes a moment to stop and look at the rankings for the transfer portal quarterbacks right now.

The quarterbacks have all been assigned new On3 Industry Rankings based on their collegiate performance to date, so we have a good idea what teams will be getting if they take in a transfer quarterback. Let’s dive into the list of the top 10 quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal.

1. Will Howard, Kansas State

Walker Howard
USA Today Network

Howard spent the last four years with Kansas State, emerging as a top-notch option. He is coming off his best year with 2,643 yards passing, to go with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 364 yards and nine touchdowns.

That production will make him a coveted option in the transfer portal, especially because of how versatile he’s been. Howard has thrown for 5,786 career yards with 48 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He has also run for 934 yards and 19 touchdowns.

2. Riley Leonard, Duke

future Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard. (Photo by Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

The Duke quarterback didn’t have the kind of year he wanted in 2023, with his campaign cut short due to injuries. He managed to throw for 1,102 yards and three touchdowns before he was lost for the year, while he also ran f or 352 yards and four touchdowns.

Leonard is an excellent dual-threat quarterback, having run for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three-year Duke career. Leonard’s season-high in passing came in 2022, when he threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns, against just six interceptions.

3. DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State

greg-mcelroy-dj-uiagaleleis-comments-on-clemson-offense-were-fair

After transferring to Oregon State from Clemson, Uiagalelei put together his most impressive season to date. He managed to throw for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions. That was just shy of his 2022 touchdown total.

Uiagalelei will provide whatever team that picks him up with a real bonus. He’s already been through a transfer and has proven he can adapt quickly. Moreover, he’s responsible for 8,319 yards passing and 57 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,132 yards and 21 scores.

4. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Van Dyke didn’t completely make it through the 2023 season unscathed, dealing with injury for a brief period. Still, it was a far cry from his 2022 campaign, which was really marred by injuries. Van Dyke bounced back to throw for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns, against 12 interceptions.

The veteran Miami quarterback has three significant seasons under his belt, so he’s got plenty of experience. A change of scenery could unlock further potential. In his career, Van Dyke has thrown for 7,478 yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

5. Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers
(Jeff Blake / USA TODAY Sports)

The veteran Mississippi State signal caller was hurt for part of the 2023 season, but he also saw his production take a step back as the Bulldogs moved away from the Air Raid. He’ll be looking for a school that can once again highlight his aerial abilities.

Rogers is one of the nation’s most prolific passers. In four years with the Bulldogs he threw for 12,315 yards with 94 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. With another season, Rogers will have an excellent shot to finish in the top 10 in NCAA history in career passing yardage.

6. Max Brosmer, New Hampshire

Max Brosmer, New Hampshire quarterback
Photo by University of New Hampshire

Brosmer has been involved at New Hampshire for four years now, but it’s really in the last two years that his career has taken off. Brosmer has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of hte last two seasons, showing some real consistency.

He’s coming off his most productive year yet, throwing for 3,459 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for five scores, rushing for 127 yards on the season.

7. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

coastal-carolina-qb-grayson-mccall-signs-sophomore-season-nil-deal-with-darlington-raceway
(Courtesy of Coastal Carolina Athletics)

McCall entered the transfer portal a year ago but ended up removing his name from consideration after a while, sticking it out at Coastal Carolina for another year. Unfortunately for McCall, his season was cut short by injury after just seven games. It was the second season he’s had impacted by an injury.

The veteran can offer some solid production. He has thrown for 10,005 career yards, as well as 88 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions. Meanwhile, he has added 1,113 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on the ground, a versatile threat.

8. Max Johnson, Texas A&M

max-johnson-message-to-jaylen-henderson
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Committed to North Carolina
Johnson has now spent two years at two different programs, first at LSU and then at Texas A&M. He’s gotten the chance to start at both, though in differing capacities. This season, Johnson threw for 1,452 yards and nine touchdowns, against five interceptions.

The veteran quarterback has already chosen his destination in the transfer portal, committing to North Carolina. The Tar Heels will get a player with 5,853 career passing yards with 47 touchdowns. Johnson has also run for five touchdowns.

9. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech

Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough carted off with injury against West Virginia
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Shough is another quarterback who has been at two different schools already. He began his career at Oregon and got some significant run in 20202, throwing for 1,559 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has also contributed at Texas Tech.

With the Red Raiders, Shough’s high-water mark came in 2022, when he threw for 1,304 yards and seven touchdowns. In his career, Shough has thrown for 4,625 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has run for 10 scores.

10. Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross

Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross quarterback
Photo by Danny Wild / USA TODAY Sports

A four-year player at Holy Cross, Sluka enters the transfer portal as one of the top dual-threat options in the country. He has run for more than 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. And Sluka is no slouch as a passer, either.

The Holy Cross standout has thrown for 5,896 career yards, 59 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He has also run for 3,579 yards and 38 touchdowns. Whoever gets Sluka will be getting a player that can do quite a bit.

There you have it, the top 10 quarterbacks currently in the NCAA transfer portal. You can bet the activity will come in waves as these quarterbacks make their decisions, so be sure to stay tuned into On3 for the next couple weeks.