- Several top quarterbacks, including Sam Leavitt and Dylan Raiola, are still available in the transfer portal.
- Major programs like Miami, Oregon, and LSU are actively seeking new starting quarterbacks for the upcoming season.
- Some teams are considering younger, less experienced players or junior college transfers to fill their quarterback needs.
The shortened 15-day transfer window enacted this season has sped up the signing process to the point where most Power Four programs have already shopped around and found their new quarterback (or quarterbacks) for 2026.
The headliners through the transfer portal’s opening week include Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech), Josh Hoover (Indiana), Byrum Brown (Auburn) and Rocco Becht (Penn State).
But there remain several major programs on the market and a handful of talented quarterbacks still looking for a new destination, some with Power Four starting experience.
Things will move quickly before the portal closes on Jan. 16 for every team except Miami and Indiana. While quarterbacks do not need to sign before that date, programs are looking to bring their new commitments as soon as possible to get them acclimated before the start of spring drills.
As the transfer window moves into week two, let’s evaluate which major programs need a quarterback and which option makes the most sense:
Miami: Sam Leavitt
The Hurricanes have gone one-and-done with recent transfers Cam Ward and Carson Beck and could be more open to a multiple-year addition. Two names immediately come to mind in Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) and Dylan Raiola (Nebraska). Both rising juniors are also on the short list for Oregon, should the Ducks lose Dante Moore to the NFL draft. While Raiola’s arm strength fits Miami’s scheme, Leavitt is a better athlete, a more proven winner and far more experienced in the high-pressure games that will define the Hurricanes in 2026. Leavitt does have some injury concerns, though. He’s also in the mix at Tennessee and LSU.
Oregon: Dylan Raiola
This presumes Moore leaves, which isn’t certain. But given the dearth of high-end quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class, he could quickly become an option to go among the first few picks. If he heads for the NFL, look for Oregon to take a long look at Raiola and his untapped potential after two years as the starter at Nebraska. A lack of mobility could lead to some changes on offense if Raiola is the pick, and the Ducks will need to reload up front to provide the pass protection he needs. But even if Moore comes back, Oregon would be a great spot for Raiola to take a year off as the backup, learn the system and then take over in 2027 as a redshirt junior. Moore followed the same blueprint after leaving UCLA after his freshman season.
Ole Miss: Deuce Knight
The national semifinalists need a new starter after Trinidad Chambliss was denied his petition for a sixth year by the NCAA. Knight has the skill set to match the Rebels’ scheme but is a gamble for a team with national title hopes because of his inexperience. A freshman who redshirted this season, he appeared in two games for Auburn, drawing the start in a November rout of Mercer and completing 15 of 20 attempts for 239 yards and two scores.
LSU: Husan Longstreet
LSU went after Sorsby, hosted Leavitt, definitely would’ve taken Chambliss and might’ve been the preferred destination for Washington’s Demond Williams had he been able to get out of his contract with the Huskies. But the options are thinning for Lane Kiffin, especially if Knight ends up at Ole Miss. While the Tigers will bring in developmental backup Landen Clark from Elon, Kiffin needs a better option to lead the offense. Like others, LSU is in full pursuit of Leavitt but could need to shift toward a young but talented freshman in Southern California transfer Husan Longstreet, who completed 13 of 15 attempts in 2025 while redshirting.
Georgia Tech: Beau Pribula
The Yellow Jackets lost Haynes Knight to graduation and saw former backup Aaron Philo to Florida, where he’ll reunite with former offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Former Missouri starter Beau Pribula will multiple contenders in the mix for his signature and might be the best option among the second tier of experienced starters behind Leavitt and Raiola. Pribula has the ability running and throwing to play well in Tech’s desired scheme and brings SEC starting experience to the table, making him a potential game-changing addition.
Arkansas: Tre Guerra
New Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield will bring rising redshirt freshman A.J. Hill with him from Memphis, adding him to a room that lost Taylen Green to graduation but returns sophomore-to-be K.J. Jackson. Neither comes off a viable starting option in 2026 if the Razorbacks want to immediately climb out of the SEC cellar. Arkansas is one of several teams sniffing around Tre Guerra, who earned All-America honors in junior college after throwing for 2,811 yards and 24 touchdowns for Tyler Community College. Guerra would keep the seat warm while the new staff develops Jackson and Hill.