Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NCAA Transfer Portal updated after Cam Ward entered

The NCAA transfer portal added another big-time signal caller on Friday with the addition of Washington State quarterback Cam Ward. The action is heating up, as the first wave of players has entered with coaches departing programs.

The quarterbacks have all been assigned new On3 Industry Rankings based on their collegiate performance to date, so we have a good idea what teams will be getting if they take in a transfer quarterback.

Let’s dive into the list of the top 10 quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal.

1. Cam Ward, Washington State

Ward spent the last two seasons on The Palouse after transferring to Washington State from Division II Incarnate Word. He started 25 games for the Cougars, throwing for more than 6,400 yards and 43 touchdowns while adding 11 more scores on the ground.

The Texas native immediately shoots to the top of the rankings, not just at quarterback, but as the No. 1 player overall in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. The competition to land Ward is expected to be fierce.

2. Will Howard, Kansas State

Howard spent the last four years with Kansas State, emerging as a top-notch option. He is coming off his best year with 2,643 yards passing, to go with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 364 yards and nine touchdowns.

That production will make him a coveted option in the transfer portal, especially because of how versatile he’s been. Howard has thrown for 5,786 career yards with 48 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He has also run for 934 yards and 19 touchdowns.

3. Riley Leonard, Duke

The Duke quarterback didn’t have the kind of year he wanted in 2023, with his campaign cut short due to injuries. He managed to throw for 1,102 yards and three touchdowns before he was lost for the year, while he also ran for 352 yards and four touchdowns.

Leonard is an excellent dual-threat quarterback, having run for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three-year Duke career. Leonard’s season-high in passing came in 2022, when he threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns, against just six interceptions.

4. DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State

After transferring to Oregon State from Clemson, Uiagalelei put together his most impressive season to date. He managed to throw for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions. That was just shy of his 2022 touchdown total.

Uiagalelei will provide whatever team that picks him up with a real bonus. He’s already been through a transfer and has proven he can adapt quickly. Moreover, he’s responsible for 8,319 yards passing and 57 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,132 yards and 21 scores.

5. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

Van Dyke didn’t completely make it through the 2023 season unscathed, dealing with injury for a brief period. Still, it was a far cry from his 2022 campaign, which was really marred by injuries. Van Dyke bounced back to throw for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns, against 12 interceptions.

The veteran Miami quarterback has three significant seasons under his belt, so he’s got plenty of experience. A change of scenery could unlock further potential. In his career, Van Dyke has thrown for 7,478 yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

6. Will Rogers, Mississippi State

The veteran Mississippi State signal-caller was hurt for part of the 2023 season, but he also saw his production take a step back as the Bulldogs moved away from the Air Raid. He’ll be looking for a school that can once again highlight his aerial abilities.

Rogers is one of the nation’s most prolific passers. In four years with the Bulldogs he threw for 12,315 yards with 94 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. With another season, Rogers will have an excellent shot to finish in the top 10 in NCAA history in career passing yardage.

7. Max Brosmer, New Hampshire

Brosmer has been involved at New Hampshire for four years now, but it’s really in the last two years that his career has taken off. Brosmer has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, showing some real consistency.

He’s coming off his most productive year yet, throwing for 3,459 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for five scores, rushing for 127 yards on the season.

8. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

McCall entered the transfer portal a year ago but ended up removing his name from consideration after a while, sticking it out at Coastal Carolina for another year. Unfortunately for McCall, his season was cut short by injury after just seven games. It was the second season he’s had impacted by an injury.

The veteran can offer some solid production. He has thrown for 10,005 career yards, as well as 88 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions. Meanwhile, he has added 1,113 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on the ground, a versatile threat.

9. Max Johnson, Texas A&M

Committed to North Carolina
Johnson has now spent two years at two different programs, first at LSU and then at Texas A&M. He’s gotten the chance to start at both, though in differing capacities. This season, Johnson threw for 1,452 yards and nine touchdowns, against five interceptions.

The veteran quarterback has already chosen his destination in the transfer portal, committing to North Carolina. The Tar Heels will get a player with 5,853 career passing yards with 47 touchdowns. Johnson has also run for five touchdowns.

10. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech

Shough is another quarterback who has been at two different schools already. He began his career at Oregon and got some significant run in 20202, throwing for 1,559 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has also contributed at Texas Tech.

With the Red Raiders, Shough’s high-water mark came in 2022, when he threw for 1,304 yards and seven touchdowns. In his career, Shough has thrown for 4,625 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has run for 10 scores.