ESPN insiders reveal college football's most impactful transfer QBs entering 2024 season
This upcoming college football season, the success of several of the nation’s top teams will be largely determined by a new quarterback under center acquired through the transfer portal. With several big name signal callers joining new programs with hopes of having breakout seasons.
200+ plus quarterbacks entered the transfer portal and found new programs to call home across the college football landscape this offseason. But which ones will have the biggest impact and shine the brightest in 2024?
During ESPN’s Get Up on Thursday, ESPN insiders Heather Dinich, Harry Douglas, and Matt Barrie answered that exact question. Each forecasting and providing their picks for the most impactful transfer quarterback ahead of a highly anticipated college football season.
Dinich’s Pick: Riley Leonard — Notre Dame
Riley Leonard joined Notre Dame ahead of the final season of his college career following three years at Duke. Where he was a team captain who threw for 4,450 yards, rushed for 1,224 yards, and scored 43 total touchdowns in his 27 game appearances. Leonard joins forces with new Fighting Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who called the play’s for LSU’s explsoive offense last season and earned quarterback Jayden Daniels a Heisman Trophy and a No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Success that Notre Dame fans are hoping Leonard can replicate with his dual-threat ability.
“Notre Dame has the pieces in place if Riley Leonard can have the kind of success they need him to get to the College Football Playoff and host a first-round game,” Dinich said. “The defense is outstanding and Leonard as a running dimension to the team … It will be big piece of the puzzle for them and their CFP hopes.”
Douglas’ Pick: Dillon Gabriel — Oregon
Dillon Gabriel enters the college football season as the most experienced quarterback in the nation. Joining the Oregon Ducks with 49 career starts, 14,865 passing yards, and 125 touchdowns after spending time at UCF and Oklahoma. Bo Nix left some big shoes to fill behind him following two of the most impressive seasons in program history. But Gabriel himself is coming off a career year with the Sooners, and Douglas believes the playmakers around him could take his game to even greater heights.
“I’m looking at the pass catchers he has right now at Oregon. Transfer from Texas A&M Evan Stewart, you have Tez Johnson coming back, and also Traeshon Holden. Dylan Gabriel also rushed for 12 touchdowns last season, don’t sleep on him,” Douglas said.
Barrie’s Pick: Cam Ward — Miami
Cam Ward trails right behind Gabriel in the experience department after spending two seasons at Incarnate Word and two at Washington State. Transferring to Miami this offseason after contemplating declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. Ward headlines an impressive transfer portal class for Miami as the program yearns to get over the hump and return to their glory days from the early 2000s. Which Ward may be able to deliver with 13,874 yards and 119 touchdown passes in his career.
“He’s electric,” Barrie said about Ward. “We know Mario Cristobal needed a quarterback, was a quarterback away a year ago in terms of talent. Can Cam Ward be the quarterback that gets Cristobal over the hump year three in Miami because otherwise, their talent is loaded.”