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Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NCAA Transfer Portal updated after Dillon Gabriel, Kyle McCord entered

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report12/04/23
Top 10 Quarterbacks in NCAA Transfer Portal
On3.com

The NCAA transfer portal officially opened on Monday and the quarterback transfer class added two big names with the additions of Ohio State signal caller Kyle McCord and Oklahoma starter Dillon Gabriel. The additions of McCord and Gabriel have shaken up the rankings.

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

Washington State QB Cameron Ward
James Snook | USA TODAY Sports

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. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Gabriel played two seasons with the Sooners after transferring from Central Florida following the 2021 season. In five seasons at the college level, Gabriel has thrown for more than 14,000 yards while completing better than 63 percent of his passes.

As a recruit, Gabriel was the No. 680 overall prospect in the 2019 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranked as the nation’s No. 44 quarterback and the No. 7 recruit in Hawaii.

3. Will Howard, Kansas State

Walker Howard
USA Today Network

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.

4. Riley Leonard, Duke

future Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard. (Photo by Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

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.

5. Kyle McCord, Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord had quite the game on Saturday
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

In his first year as a starter, McCord led Ohio State to an 11-1 record, but the lone loss came at Michigan on the final drive. He beat out Devin Brown to take over for CJ Stroud this season. In 12 games this season, McCord had 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 65.8% completion percentage. 

As a member of the Class of 2021, McCord was a five-star recruit out of Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 5 quarterback in the class and the No. 25 overall prospect in the class.

6. DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State

greg-mcelroy-dj-uiagaleleis-comments-on-clemson-offense-were-fair

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.

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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.

7. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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.

8. Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers
(Jeff Blake / USA TODAY Sports)

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.

9. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

coastal-carolina-qb-grayson-mccall-signs-sophomore-season-nil-deal-with-darlington-raceway
(Courtesy of Coastal Carolina Athletics)

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.

10. Max Brosmer, New Hampshire – Committed to Minnesota

Max Brosmer, New Hampshire quarterback
Photo by University of 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. Brosmer committed to Minnesota on Sunday night.