The transfer portal has reshaped college football, and several programs are betting big on quarterback transfers for the 2026 season.
Indiana and Miami know this strategy works. The Hoosiers rode Kurtis Rourke to their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. Miami’s Cam Ward became a Heisman Trophy finalist before getting selected first overall in the NFL Draft.
Last season proved the formula again. Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship victory over Miami and quarterback Carson Beck.
Now both programs are back in the transfer market. Here are seven quarterbacks who could make headlines in 2026.
Darian Mensah, Miami
(via Duke)
The Hurricanes landed a proven winner in Mensah, a redshirt junior who entered the portal late in the cycle.
Mensah led Duke to an ACC championship in his lone season with the Blue Devils. He posted ACC-best numbers with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns.
Miami’s offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has a track record of improving quarterbacks’ downfield passing. Beck and Ward both elevated their games under Dawson’s system.
That combination makes Mensah an early Heisman Trophy candidate.
Sam Leavitt, LSU
(via Arizona State)
LSU coach Lane Kiffin is building something new in Baton Rouge. Leavitt gives him an experienced starter to work with.
The redshirt junior is recovering from foot surgery but brings a winning pedigree. He’s 16-4 as a starter and guided Arizona State to the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Leavitt’s scrambling ability sets him apart. If he’s healthy, he should make an immediate impact for the Tigers.
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
(via North Texas)
Mestemaker followed his coach Eric Morris from North Texas to Stillwater. That familiarity should help the redshirt sophomore adjust quickly.
His numbers from 2025 were impressive. Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards and tied for second nationally with 34 touchdown passes.
The Big 12 is known for wild finishes. Mestemaker’s 185.7 passer rating in fourth quarters suggests he’s built for those moments.
Byrum Brown, Auburn
(via South Florida)
Auburn is getting a dual-threat quarterback who led the nation in total offense last season.
Brown averaged 347.2 yards per game in 2025. The fifth-year senior reunites with coach Alex Golesh, who brought him from South Florida.
He’s proven against quality competition. Brown averaged 268.5 passing yards against Florida and Miami last season while adding 1,008 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
The SEC will test Brown’s abilities, but his versatility gives Auburn options.
Rocco Becht, Penn State
(via Iowa State)
Penn State got a steady veteran when Becht followed Matt Campbell to Happy Valley.
The fifth-year senior started three seasons at Iowa State and compiled a 24-12 record with the Cyclones. He’s thrown 64 touchdowns against 27 interceptions in his career.
Becht represents the ideal transition quarterback. The Big Ten schedule should suit his skill set, and Campbell’s system travels well.
Dylan Raiola, Oregon
(via Nebraska)
This move surprised many observers. Raiola transferred to Oregon knowing he’ll likely sit behind Dante Moore for a season.
The junior started two years at Nebraska before suffering a broken fibula against USC in 2025. Raiola was a five-star recruit who’s willing to be patient.
He might be out of sight this year, but the long-term payoff could be significant in Eugene.
DJ Lagway, Baylor
(via Florida)
Baylor is betting on a fresh start helping Lagway reach his potential. His father Derek played for the Bears, making this a homecoming of sorts.
Lagway struggled with turnovers as a sophomore at Florida, leading Power 4 quarterbacks with 14 interceptions. But he maintained a 62 percent completion percentage over two seasons.
The former five-star quarterback gets a clean slate in the Big 12. That conference’s style should help him re-emerge as a playmaker.
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