JD PicKell: QB Transfer Portal commitment predictions

The NCAA transfer portal is popping, with hundreds of players entering their name into the mix this week as the transfer portal window opened. There are some high-profile quarterbacks in the mix, and we’re here to make some predictions about where they’ll land.

On3’s JD PicKell has dug into some of the top quarterbacks and their outlook and he provides a pick for several of the quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal.

From Duke‘s Riley Leonard, to Oklahoma‘s Dillon Gabriel, to UCLA‘s Dante Moore, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into PicKell’s quarterback transfer portal predictions below.

Duke QB Riley Leonard – Notre Dame

Notre Dame is no stranger to taking quarterbacks from the transfer portal, and from the ACC no less. Last season, the Fighting Irish snatched Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman from the portal. Riley could keep things rolling.

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.

Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel – Oregon

Oregon is also no stranger to the quarterback portal dance, with Bo Nix emerging as a Heisman-level operator after transferring in from Auburn. Gabriel would offer a very similar skill set, so the pitch from the Ducks should be a pretty straightforward one.

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.

UCLA QB Dante Moore – Michigan State

A talented freshman at UCLA, Moore is heading out and is a potential starter wherever he ends up. Where better a fit than Michigan State, which had trouble with quarterback play throughout 2023 and has seen a trio of quarterbacks hit the portal since?

Moore, the former blue-chip prospect, threw 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions for the Bruins in 2023 while throwing for 1,610 yards. As a member of the Class of 2023, Moore was a five-star recruit out of Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Kansas State QB Will Howard – USC

USC will have a major need at quarterback following the anticipated departure of Caleb Williams, and Lincoln Riley has noted he’s open to taking a quarterback from the portal. Howard would be a nice fit as an experienced signal-caller who also has some running ability.

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.

Washington State QB Cam Ward – Ohio State

After going from Incarnate Word to Washington State, Ward has seen his profile rise yet again. He’ll be a coveted prospect in the transfer portal, and a program with a need like Ohio State could easily see the opportunity to capitalize by grabbing a dynamic player like Ward.

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.

Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei – Florida State

After a one-year stint out West, Uiagalelei has re-entered the transfer portal and there might just be a perfect playoff contender waiting to scoop him up: Florida State. The Seminoles will have to replace Jordan Travis, and Uiagalelei put together a really nice year after getting a fresh start.

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 in his career.

Ohio State QB Kyle McCord – Miami

Miami has a need at quarterback following the departure of Tyler Van Dyke via the portal, and the Ohio State to Miami transfer has happened before with the likes of Tate Martell. Of course, Miami would be getting a more proven passer this time, one likely to stick at quarterback.

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.

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers – Washington

What team is better suited for a quarterback that came up in Mike Leach‘s Air Raid system than Washington, which has its own high-flying passing attack? Rogers would figure to make a seemingly seamless transition following the expected departure of Michael Penix.

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.

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke – Mississippi State

With Rogers gone from Mississippi State, there’s an opening there. And one player who has given the ACC a good run might just be looking for a step up in competition at the SEC level. That could make Van Dyke and the Bulldogs a good pairing.

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.

Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall – UCF

The Coastal Carolina quarterback hit the transfer portal last season before ultimately removing his name. This time around he could find a home in a Power Five team like UCF, which has a need at quarterback going forward.

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. He just has to stay healthy after losing parts of his last two seasons due to injury.

There you have it, a smattering of transfer portal predictions for the various quarterbacks on the market right now. Surely things will ebb and flow over the coming days as the quarterback dominos begin to fall, but the above is a pretty good place to start when penciling in new signal-callers to various programs next year.