Multiple Power 5 Transfer Quarterbacks Find New Home
With the transfer portal open, absolute chaos can ensue. There will be a bunch of quality starters entering the portal for multiple reasons, whether a coaching change, NIL opportunities or looking for a better fit to continue their careers.
Last year during the college football offseason, we saw numerous quarterbacks change schools. Quinn Ewers, Jaxson Dart, Spencer Rattler, Cameron Ward, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Adrian Martinez, Jayden Daniels and the 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams were just a few who changed schools.
In the past 24 hours, we have seen a trio of transfer quarterbacks commit to their new school.
Devin Leary
Devin Leary, the No. 1 overall quarterback on the market, is moving from the ACC to the SEC. Leary has committed to Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats for his last college season. Leary will replace Will Levis, who has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, next season.
During his career at NC State, Leary saw a lot of success. Last season, Leary’s season was cut short due to a season-ending injury. However, he still managed to throw for 1,265 yards with 11 passing touchdowns.
In 2021, Leary had one of the best seasons in NC State history. The quarterback broke multiple single-season school records that Philip Rivers set in the 2003 season, throwing for 3,433 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns.
The transfer quarterback will try and improve the Kentucky offense, which averaged 21.3 points per game this year. There is a possibility that Leary will work with current Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, who is rumored to return to Lexington next season.
JT Daniels
One of the quarterbacks who were on the move last year is on the move once again. Former West Virginia quarterback JT Daniels has committed to Rice, per Pete Thamel.
Daniels has bounced around quite a bit during his college career. A former five-star in the 2018 class, Daniels committed to play at USC. However, after USC, Daniels transferred to Georgia, and then West Virginia last year.
Last season for the Mountaineers, Daniels started 10 games and threw for 2,107 yards and 13 touchdowns. In his career, Daniels has thrown for 6,947 yards with 45 touchdowns. As a starter, he has an overall record of 17-12.
With Daniels now locked in at Rice, he will be the highest-ranked player in school history. This past season, Rice went 5-7 in the regular season and lost to Southern Miss in the LendingTree Bowl. Next season, Rice will be leaving Conference USA and will be joining the American Athletic Conference.
Graham Mertz
Another Power 5 quarterback is on the move. Former Wisconsin Badger, Graham Mertz, has committed to Florida, per G. Allan Taylor.
Quarterback was a huge need for Billy Napier this offseason. The team has seen Anthony Richardson declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, and Jalen Kitna being dismissed from the team due to his recent arrest.
Mertz had been a longtime starter for the Badgers, starting 32 games in his career for a 19-13 record. This past season, the former Wisconsin quarterback threw for 2,136 yards and 19 touchdowns. During his four years with Wisconsin, Mertz threw for 5,405 yards and 38 touchdowns with 26 interceptions.
With Mertz headed to Gainesville, it looks like he will be competing against former Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller. Mertz, the former four-star recruit, will have two seasons of college eligibility.
With multiple power five quarterbacks locked in, there are still multiple good options out there. Grayson McCall, Hudson Card, D.J. Uiagalelei and Brennan Armstrong are a few of the other options still left on the market for teams looking for a transfer quarterback. Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders should be committing to Colorado any day now to follow his dad.
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