The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal is buzzing, and—no shock here—quarterbacks are the main attraction. As programs scramble for experienced signal-callers, the college football landscape is shifting in real time.
Let’s dig into the top quarterbacks in the portal, their backgrounds, and what they could bring to their new teams. From seasoned veterans to breakout stars, these QBs look ready to shake up the upcoming season.
Top Quarterbacks on the Move
The transfer portal window is open, and some high-profile quarterbacks have already made their choices. These guys are expected to change the game for their new squads, offering a blend of experience, skill, and upside.
1. Sorsby to Texas Tech
Transferring from: Cincinnati
Years remaining: 1
Class: Redshirt junior
Sorsby, who started out at Indiana, has turned into one of college football’s most reliable gunslingers. At Cincinnati, he piled up 5,613 passing yards and 1,027 rushing yards in two seasons, with 63 touchdowns and 16 turnovers.
He snagged second-team All-Big 12 honors and landed in the top 10 for QBR and PFF grades. Not bad, right?
Scout’s take: Sorsby’s a three-year starter with legit size, a big arm, and real mobility. He’s got a knack for off-platform throws, can drop it in deep, and gets the ball out fast on RPOs.
He reads the field well and throws guys open. Plus, he’s a tough runner—big, quick, and not afraid to take a hit.
What he brings to Texas Tech: Texas Tech really wanted Sorsby, even beating out LSU to get him. With him under center, the Red Raiders could be the Big 12 preseason favorite, especially with so many playmakers returning.
2. Leavitt to Oregon
Transferring from: Arizona State
Years remaining: 2
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Leavitt helped Arizona State to a memorable season in 2024 and was the Big 12’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year for 2025. A foot injury cut things short, but he still put up strong numbers and led some clutch drives.
Scout’s take: Leavitt’s a two-year starter who completed 61.4% of his passes for 4,513 yards and 34 touchdowns over the last two years. He’s slippery under pressure, keeps his eyes downfield, and can throw on the move.
His quickness and toughness show up when he scrambles or runs by design. He’s just a tough guy to pin down.
3. Mestemaker to Oklahoma State
Transferring from: North Texas
Years remaining: 3
Class: Redshirt freshman
Mestemaker led the nation in passing and now he’s making the leap to the Power 4 after a monster year at North Texas. He threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns, guiding the Mean Green to a conference title game and a school-record 12 wins.
Scout’s take: Mestemaker runs the offense with poise and gets the ball out on time. He reads progressions well and throws a nice deep ball with good touch.
His mechanics are a little quirky, but he’s productive. Just don’t expect him to run much.
What he brings to Oklahoma State: The Cowboys are overhauling their roster, and landing Mestemaker was a big deal. His loyalty to coach Eric Morris and OC Sean Brophy could mean good things for the OSU offense.
Other Notable Transfers
There are plenty of other quarterbacks on the move who could shake things up, too.
4. Brown to Miami
Transferring from: South Florida
Years remaining: 1
Class: Redshirt junior
Brown led all FBS QBs with 42 total touchdowns in the regular season. He’s got a strong arm, he’s mobile, and he’s itching to prove himself at the highest level.
5. Hoover to Indiana
Transferring from: TCU
Years remaining: 1
Class: Redshirt junior
Hoover, a two-time captain at TCU, brings experience and plenty of production to Indiana. With 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in his career, he’s set to lead another playoff push for the Hoosiers.
6. Becht to Penn State
Transferring from: Iowa State
Years remaining: 1
Class: Redshirt junior
Becht started 39 games and brings a lot of big-game experience to Penn State. His year was a bit up and down, but his leadership could be just what the Nittany Lions need.
7. Raiola to Ole Miss
Transferring from: Nebraska
Years remaining: 2
Class: Sophomore
Raiola, once a five-star recruit, flashed real potential at Nebraska before a season-ending injury. He’s accurate and can make tough, layered throws—Ole Miss fans have reason to be excited.
8. Lagway to Kentucky
Transferring from: Florida
Years remaining: 2
Class: Sophomore
Lagway’s got that rare combo of size, mobility, and arm strength, which gives him a high ceiling. He battled injuries and a rough situation at Florida, but Kentucky could be a fresh start.
9. Minchey to Kentucky
Transferring from: Notre Dame
Years remaining: 2
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Minchey, a former ESPN 300 recruit, is ready to step up after competing with CJ Carr at Notre Dame. He’s got a strong arm and decent mobility—Kentucky’s QB room just got a lot more interesting.
10. Craig to TCU
Transferring from: Harvard
Years remaining: 1
Class: Redshirt junior
Craig was the top FCS passer in the portal and brings legit arm strength and mobility to TCU. He’s got some gunslinger in him and should fit well in the Horned Frogs’ new pro-style offense.
Conclusion
The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal is packed with quarterbacks who are eager to shake things up. Some are experienced, others are just starting to shine, but all of them could change the game for their new teams.
It’ll be interesting to see how these QBs settle in and whether they can actually lead their programs to something special. Not every transfer works out, but you can’t help but wonder who’s going to surprise us this time.
If you’re curious about all the details, here’s the full article on ESPN.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
