Transfer Portal: Top 10 best available quarterbacks in the portal

Nearly 2,000 college football players have entered the NCAA transfer portal since it opened on Dec. 4, including some of the best talent in the country.

Nearly three weeks later, some big fish have found their new collegiate homes while others are still swimming in the portal. At a position like quarterback, it’s especially important to weigh all your options before making a commitment that will benefit both the player and program they’re transferring into.

There are the top 10 best available quarterbacks still in the transfer portal, courtesy of On3’s transfer portal rankings:

1. Cam Ward

The top quarterback still available, former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward would be the crown jewel to any team’s transfer portal class at this point.

Ward spent two seasons on The Palouse after transferring in from Division II’s Incarnate Word. He started 25 games for the Cougars where he passed for more than 6,400 yards and 43 touchdowns while adding 11 more scores on the ground.

He had the opportunity to explore his draft options, but elected to pursue another program for his final college football season. He most recently took visits to Miami and Florida State, and is not expected to visit anywhere else.

2. Will Howard

A Big 12 Championship-winning quarterback in 2022, Will Howard was a major reason why Kansas State won eight games this season. Despite his team’s regress in 2023, he is one of the most coveted quarterback transfers this cycle.

In four seasons with the Wildcats, Howard completed 59 percent of his passes while throwing for close to 5,800 yards and 48 touchdowns. He served as a part-time starter in 2022 and took over as the Wildcats’ QB1 in 2023, leading them to an 8-4 record before electing to enter the portal earlier the month.

3. Malachi Nelson

One of the most recent additions to the list, Lincoln Riley called Malachi Nelson‘s transfer portal entry a surprise when the news hit that the former five-star quarterback was leaving the USC program.

The decision came after it was announced that Will Howard was visiting the Trojans. Nelson will have his pick of the litter when it comes to programs to play for next fall.

As a recruit, Nelson was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect ranked No. 11 in the 2023 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 5 quarterback and No. 2 recruit from California in the 2023 cycle.

4. DJ Uiagalelei

One of the most notable names on this list, DJ Uiagalelei moved away from the microscope at Clemson and into the freedom that was Oregon State. Essentially serving as a one-year rebound — Uiagalelei is back on the market and looking to round out his career at a program that best fits his needs.

During his lone season in Corvallis, Uiagalelei managed to throw for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions — which was just shy of his 2022 touchdown total. His career totals have seen him responsible for 8,319 yards passing and 57 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,132 yards and 21 scores.

5. KJ Jefferson

KJ Jefferson was never the issue at Arkansas. He was as productive as he could be during his time in Fayetteville, piling up 7,923 yards passing with 67 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. He also proved himself to be one of the best dual-threat QBs in the SEC having ran for 1,876 yards and 21 touchdowns during his time at Arkansas.

Before he enrolled at Arkansas, Jefferson was a four-star prospect and the No. 295 overall recruit in the 2019 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He was also ranked as the No. 16 quarterback in the class and the No. 14 overall player from the state of Mississippi.

6. Jordan McCloud

James Madison quarterback Jordan McCloud is seeking the fourth program of his college football career. Beginning his career at USF and then Arizona, McCloud transferred to JMU this past season after not playing college football at all in 2022.

His return to the field was well worth it for McCloud and the Dukes, as he threw for 3,413 yards and 32 touchdowns as they became the story of college football with an 11-1 record. He was a three-star prospect in high school out of the 2018 recruiting class.

7. Ty Thompson

Dillon Gabriel transferred in, so Ty Thompson had to transfer out. The No. 31 overall recruit and No. 6 quarterback in the 2021 cycle, Thompson will look to start right away for whichever team lands his services.

Thompson redshirted at Oregon in 2021 and served as a backup quarterback to Bo Nix over the past two seasons. In his three seasons at Oregon, Thompson threw for 456 career yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. 

8. Brayden Schager

Brayden Schager will bring a wealth of experience to which ever team he transfers into, as he has been a regular fixture of Hawaii’s offense since his true freshman season in 2021.

He’s started over 20 games in his collegiate career, where he’s thrown for over 6,500 yards with a 60% completion percentage for the Rainbow Warriors. Ranking No. 8 in the nation this season with 3,542 passing yards, he also led the Mountain West with 26 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

9. Reese Poffenbarger

A relatively unknown name on a national scale, former Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has starred in his role for the Great Danes since arriving on campus in 2022.

In two seasons, Poffenbarger has passed for 6,613 yards, 60 touchdowns and 17 interceptions on a 59.9% completion percentage. He’s also a dual-threat option with 209 carried for 310 yards and eight additional touchdowns to his credit over the past two seasons.

He threw at least four touchdowns on five separate occasions for Albany in 2023.

10. Sam Jackson

Beginning his career at TCU, Sam Jackson went on to transfer to Cal ahead of the 2023 season. While injuries kept him out of the final six games of the season, Jackson contributed 556 yards and five touchdown passes to go with two interceptions while rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown as across three starts for the Golden Bears.

Jackson played high school football at Naperville (IL) Naperville Central, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 298 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.