Cal Poly QB Sam Huard enters NCAA transfer portal

Former Washington player and Cal Poly quarterback Sam Huard is back in the transfer portal after playing one season for the Mustangs, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned.

In 2023, Huard threw for 2,247 passing yards and was the team’s starting quarterback for nine games. Prior to that move, Huard played at Washington for two seasons, posting some production in 2021 before largely sitting the bench in 2022.

Even in 2021, Huard wasn’t the primary starter for the Huskies but did complete 22 of 42 total pass attempts for 241 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Most of those numbers, including all of the TD/INTs occurred on one unfortunate evening, a late-season loss against Washington State back in November of 2021.

2022 wasn’t as kind to Huard as he struggled to find the field. Head coach Kalen DeBoer was reasonably sticking with Indiana transfer Michael Penix at QB1, which provided an unimaginably successful two-year stint for Washington. With Penix back in the fold in 2023, Huard hit the portal looking for a starting gig elsewhere. He found it with Cal Poly at the FCS level.

Now, after a solidly productive season at Cal Poly, Huard is back in the portal and evaluating options. You’d think he’ll be eyeing a Div. I return with his production and prior recruiting pedigree, but there’s no telling where Huard ends up or who will seriously pursue him.

Huard ultimately appeared in five games during his time in Seattle, making one start during that ’21 season. He only played in one game this past year, completing two passes for a total of 22 yards.

Huard played high school football at Bellevue (WA) Kennedy Catholic, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.