The landscape of college football keeps shifting fast, mostly because of NIL deals and the transfer portal. These changes have basically turned the transfer portal into a wild free agency, kind of like what you see in pro sports.
January 2 is just around the corner, and that’s when the college football open market unlocks again. A bunch of high-impact quarterbacks are about to hit that portal, and you can bet programs are watching closely.
This post takes a look at the top 10 college football QBs entering the upcoming transfer portal. Some of these guys could totally change the playoff picture for their new teams in 2026—maybe even sooner, if things break right.
Top College Football QBs in the Transfer Portal
With the portal opening soon, a few quarterbacks really stand out. These players bring a mix of experience, athleticism, and leadership—stuff that can raise the ceiling for almost any program.
Let’s break down some of the top QBs entering the transfer portal this cycle.
Kenny Minchey: A Star in the Making
Kenny Minchey couldn’t beat out CJ Carr for the QB1 spot at Notre Dame, but there’s a lot to like. He’s a bit undersized, sure, but his athleticism and knack for extending plays are hard to teach.
Minchey makes good decisions under pressure, which is huge for any team hoping to upgrade at quarterback. He’s got that “it” factor, even if he still needs to prove it on a bigger stage.
Beau Pribula: A Dual-Threat Talent
Beau Pribula, who started out at Penn State, had a solid run at Missouri. He’s a true dual-threat—ran for 329 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman in 11 starts, which is no joke.
That said, he’s had turnover issues (11 TDs and nine INTs in 2025), so he’ll need a coach who can help him clean things up. Still, the raw talent is there if someone can tap into it.
Aidan Chiles: A High-Upside Prospect
Aidan Chiles transferred from Oregon State and then had a much better season at Michigan State. He bumped his completion rate up to 63% and tossed 10 touchdowns to just 3 picks, which is solid improvement.
Chiles has big-play ability and legit leadership skills. He’s still developing, but you can see why teams are interested.
Rocco Becht: The Experienced Veteran
Rocco Becht from Iowa State didn’t have his best year in his fourth season, but you can’t discount his experience. He’s undersized and sometimes struggles with decision-making, yet he’s tough and can keep plays alive when things break down.
He set career highs in 2024 with 3,505 passing yards and 33 total touchdowns. When he’s on, he can light it up.
Byrum Brown: A Potential Heisman Contender
Byrum Brown from South Florida could be a Heisman contender if he lands somewhere that fits his style. In 2025, he threw for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns, plus he ran for over 1,000 yards—those are eye-popping numbers.
He does need to sharpen his accuracy and processing, though. If he figures that out, watch out.
Promising QBs with Room for Growth
Some quarterbacks in the portal have already shown they can play, while others are still works in progress. With the right coach and system, a few of these guys could break out in a big way.
Dylan Raiola: The Classic Pocket Passer
Dylan Raiola, a former five-star, has the size, arm, and accuracy you want for the NFL. But he’s not very mobile, and pressure seems to rattle him at Nebraska.
Maybe with the right coordinator and QB coach, Raiola could still become a Heisman candidate. He’s got the tools—just needs to put it all together.
DJ Lagway: A Big-Time Arm
Florida’s DJ Lagway made strides in his second season as the Gators’ starter. His completion rate, yards, and touchdowns all went up, but he threw 16 touchdowns to 14 picks, so the decision-making still needs work.
Lagway’s arm talent is obvious. If a team is patient and invests in his development, he could pay off big time.
Josh Hoover: The Proven Veteran
Josh Hoover from TCU brings a ton of experience—36 starts and almost 10,000 passing yards. He’s got an NFL-level arm, but he can be inconsistent with his decisions and sometimes struggles under pressure.
For a team that just needs a steady veteran presence, Hoover could be the answer. He’s been around the block more than most.
Drew Mestemaker: The Statistical Leader
Drew Mestemaker from North Texas led the nation in passing yards with 4,129, and he tied for second with 31 touchdown passes. That’s impressive, no matter how you slice it.
He hasn’t always played his best against tougher opponents, and he doesn’t really extend plays. Even so, if you want a guy who can sling it, Mestemaker is your guy.
Brendan Sorsby: The Complete Package
Brendan Sorsby, who’s played at Indiana and Cincinnati, is getting buzz as maybe the best QB in the portal. He just had his best season: 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 580 rushing yards.
Sorsby still needs to step up against top teams and work on his touch for certain throws. But if he lands with a contender, he could make a real difference.
Conclusion
The transfer portal opens on January 2, and that’s a big deal for college football programs hoping to snag quarterback talent. There’s a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming prospects in the portal this year.
With NIL deals shaking things up, grabbing the right QB could turn an average team into a playoff contender by 2026. If you want more details on the top college football QBs in the portal, check out Sportsnaut.
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