The switch portal doesn’t open till Jan. 2, however a lot of proficient quarterbacks have already introduced their intention to seek for a brand new college for the 2026 season.
As an alternative of ready to see the place these large dominoes fall, we’ve figured it out for you, calling our shot on subsequent yr’s beginning quarterbacks for all 68 colleges within the Energy 4 (impartial Notre Dame included). No, not everybody listed underneath new colleges has declared plans to enter the portal. So, we’re doing a little tampering ourselves.
Most of those projected touchdown spots are primarily based on “high-level” investigative guesswork, so take this with a big grain of salt after which rip me within the remark part beneath.
ACC
Boston School: Eli Holstein, R-Jr. (Pittsburgh)
The Eagles may go along with one in all their younger arms: redshirt freshman Shaker Reisig or true freshman Femi Babalola. However what is sensible right here is for Invoice O’Brien to go after the skilled starter he recruited to Alabama in 2022. Holstein, who went 9-5 as a starter over two years at Pitt, hasn’t mentioned something about his plans, however he misplaced the beginning job to true freshman Mason Heintschel in the course of the 2025 season.
Cal: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, So.
New coach Tosh Lupoi, again dwelling within the Bay Space, inherits one of the vital promising younger quarterbacks within the sport — and one who’s glad to be at Cal.
Clemson: Christopher Vizzina, R-Jr.
There are rumors that DJ Lagway may find yourself at Clemson. However is Dabo Swinney prepared to make use of the switch portal? Vizzina, a former top-100 recruit who has waited three years behind Cade Klubnik, ought to beat out the three three-star recruits Swinney has signed the final two cycles.
Duke: Darian Mensah, R-Jr.
Mensah introduced on social media final Friday that he’s coming again to guide the defending ACC champions.
Florida State: Colton Joseph, R-Jr. (Outdated Dominion)
Gus Malzahn’s offense wants a cell quarterback. Joseph, the Solar Belt’s Offensive Participant of the Yr, suits what the Seminoles want from a dual-threat perspective.
Georgia Tech: Anthony Colandrea, Sr. (UNLV)
With Haynes King out of eligibility, inheritor obvious Aaron Philo within the switch portal and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner off to Florida, Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key has some work to do. Colandrea, the 2025 Mountain West Offensive Participant of the Yr, has mentioned he’ll be again at UNLV, however don’t rule out a return to the ACC — he was the starter at Virginia in 2024 — if Georgia Tech hires UNLV offensive coordinator Corey Dennis to exchange Faulkner.
Louisville: Dylan Raiola, Jr. (Nebraska)
Jeff Brohm loves conventional dropback passers, and Raiola, who broke his proper leg in a loss to USC in November, would profit from working with probably the greatest QB whisperers within the enterprise.
Miami: Sam Leavitt, R-Jr. (Arizona State)
Miami spends large cash on switch QBs, and that may proceed in 2026. Cam Ward and Carson Beck loved success in Shannon Dawson’s offense, and Leavitt, a 20-game starter at Arizona State, is sensible because the Hurricanes search for somebody slightly extra cell than Beck.
North Carolina: Gio Lopez, R-Jr.
The South Alabama switch didn’t gentle it up for Invoice Belichick of their first season collectively in Chapel Hill, however he began 11 video games and was stable. Lopez supplies a gradual basis that buys time for incoming freshman Travis Burgess to settle in earlier than taking on.
NC State: CJ Bailey, Jr.
Bailey, a South Florida native, would possibly’ve been a horny possibility for the Hurricanes, however he had a extremely tough day in opposition to Miami in November, primarily ending his candidacy as Beck’s 2026 substitute.
Pittsburgh: Mason Heintschel, So.
Heintschel accomplished 63.8 % of his passes for two,098 yards, 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions over 9 regular-season video games, together with eight begins. He appears locked in to be the starter in 2026.
SMU: Kevin Jennings, R-Sr.
The Mustangs are going to run it again with Jennings, who has thrown for 3,363 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions heading into the bowl sport. His 17 wins during the last two seasons are tied for the fourth-most for a returning starter.
Stanford: Michael Mitchell Jr., Fr.
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Brown is an in-house possibility. Southern California native Colton Joseph, who left Outdated Dominion, is an out-of-house possibility. I went with Mitchell, a real freshman, for brand spanking new coach Tavita Pritchard. He was a longtime Vanderbilt dedication however flipped to Stanford because the Commodores’ pursuit of five-star Jared Curtis heated up. One wild card: May Ashton Daniels, a former starter at Stanford, return to The Farm after one yr at Auburn?
Syracuse: Steve Angeli, R-Sr.
The 2025 Notre Dame switch was 3-1 as a starter earlier than tearing his Achilles in a win at Clemson. The Orange are going to usher in two transfers to compete, in response to coach Fran Brown, however Angeli must be the man as soon as he’s wholesome.
Virginia: Kenny Minchey, R-Jr. (Notre Dame)
Minchey, who was overwhelmed out for the beginning job at Notre Dame by CJ Carr, is extremely coveted by a couple of colleges. I like him or Jake Merklinger, a Tennessee switch, as a substitute for Chandler Morris. Morris led the Cavaliers to the ACC Championship Sport in 2025 however would wish a medical waiver from the NCAA to play in 2026.
Virginia Tech: Ethan Grunkemeyer, R-So. (Penn State)
Beau Pribula is an possibility, however former Penn State coach James Franklin lately employed Ty Howle and Danny O’Brien to run the offense and coach quarterbacks, respectively. These guys have been simply working with Grunkemeyer in State School. Grunkemeyer hasn’t introduced his plans for 2026.
Wake Forest: Broc Lowry, R-Jr. (Western Michigan)
So, is Deshawn Purdie going to simply take over for Robby Ashford? Offensive coordinator Rob Ezell in all probability desires to search out one other quarterback who could make performs along with his legs to compete with Purdie. Lowry, the MAC Offensive Participant of the Yr (and a former Indiana signee who has but to announce he will probably be getting into the portal) could be an elite match.
Large Ten
Illinois: Jaden Craig, Gr. (Harvard)
Bret Bielema doesn’t have a younger quarterback able to take over for Luke Altmyer. Craig, who was 19-5 as a starter on the FCS stage, has been linked to the Illini early within the course of as a great bridge possibility. He accomplished 61 % of his passes for six,074 yards, 52 touchdowns and 12 interceptions throughout his time at Harvard.
Indiana: Josh Hoover, R-Sr. (TCU)
Curt Cignetti has some stable choices within the portal to exchange Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Hoover, who’s 19-12 as a starter, has thrown for extra yards (9,629) and touchdowns (71) than another Division I QB with remaining eligibility.
ON THE MONEY 💰
Josh Hoover could not have thrown a greater ball to Jordan Dwyer as @TCUFootball knots issues up at seven.#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ammdHwB0dz
— Large 12 Convention (@Big12Conference) September 2, 2025
Iowa: Jeremy Hecklinski, R-So.
The 5-11, 188-pound former Wake Forest switch seems to be in line to get his shot with Mark Gronowski on the way in which out. The wild card: true freshman Tradon Bessinger, a late flip from Boise State.
Maryland: Malik Washington, So.
Just one true freshman threw for extra yards than Washington this season: Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Washington and Sagapolutele threw for a similar variety of touchdowns (17) and interceptions (9). Washington is in lockstep with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
Michigan: Bryce Underwood, So.
The Wolverines nonetheless have to rent a head coach, but it surely’s a secure wager that the brand new boss will make sure that the No. 1 recruit from the 2025 cycle stays in Ann Arbor.
Michigan State: Austin Mack, R-Jr. (Alabama)
Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald changed Jonathan Smith, and it seems as if he’s hiring Kalen DeBoer assistant Nick Sheridan as his offensive coordinator. That would open the door for Crimson Tide backup Mack, who has but to announce his plans for subsequent season.
Minnesota: Drake Lindsey, R-So.
It was a stable first season for Lindsey, who accomplished 63.2 % of his passes for two,235 yards, 16 touchdowns and solely six interceptions within the common season. He has reportedly signed an settlement to return to the Gophers in 2026.
Nebraska: TJ Lateef, So.
Dana Holgorsen’s seek for a brand new Air Raid quarterback may result in a stopgap possibility from the portal. However Lateef, who performed in 5 video games and made three begins as a real freshman, has already spent a yr within the system and is likely to be greatest geared up to take over for Dylan Raiola.
Northwestern: Ryan Boe, R-So.
SMU switch Preston Stone was a little bit of a disappointment in his one season at Northwestern, however he was an inexpensive possibility who led the Wildcats to a 6-6 common season. Boe is a less expensive in-house possibility for a workforce seeking to fill a number of wants.
Ohio State: Julian Sayin, R-So.
The Heisman finalist ought to have Jeremiah Smith again with him to gentle up defenses as soon as once more.
Oregon: Drew Mestemaker, R-So. (North Texas)
The Geese are prone to lose Dante Moore to the NFL Draft. Mestemaker’s upside is difficult to disregard, and Oregon may in all probability swipe him away from new Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris, who helped make him a star at North Texas.
Penn State: Rocco Becht, Sr. (Iowa State)
Becht spent the final three years beginning for Matt Campbell at Iowa State, and with Campbell bringing his workers with him to State School, it feels inevitable Becht will observe.
May Rocco Becht observe coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State? (David Purdy / Getty Pictures)
Purdue: Ryan Browne, R-Jr.
Browne ranked final within the Large Ten in passing effectivity however is prone to proceed working because the starter underneath second-year offensive coordinator Josh Henson.
Rutgers: AJ Surace, R-So.
It seems like will probably be an inside battle to exchange two-year captain Athan Kaliakmanis. Surace will get competitors from redshirt freshman Sean Ashenfelder and incoming 6-6, 215-pound three-star freshman Xavier Stearn.
UCLA: Nico Iamaleava, R-Jr.
Iamaleava, a Southern California native, introduced on Monday afternoon that he’ll return to UCLA to play for brand spanking new coach Bob Chesney.
USC: Jayden Maiava, R-Sr.
Maiava had a breakout season in his first yr because the full-time starter at USC and has already introduced he’ll return in 2026. The actual query is whether or not 2025 five-star recruit Husan Longstreet sticks round to attend for Maiva’s eventual exit.
Washington: Demond Williams Jr., Jr.
Head coach Jedd Fisch has been rumored as a candidate for the Michigan job, and Williams already adopted his coach from Arizona to Washington. I believe they’ll each be in Seattle in 2026.
Wisconsin: Carter Smith, R-Fr.
Smith began the final three video games of the season for the Badgers, who went 4-8 in Yr 3 underneath Luke Fickell. It is sensible that Wisconsin would need an skilled switch on the roster. However does anybody price a rattling actually need to go to Madison proper now?
Large 12
Arizona: Noah Fifita, Sr.
Coach Brent Brennan and Fifita completed the 2025 common season robust at 9-3, and there’s no motive to assume Fifita goes to ditch him now.
Arizona State: Cameron Dyer, R-Fr.
Kenny Dillingham may in all probability lure a proficient quarterback within the portal to exchange Sam Leavitt, however he has two younger high-end choices to select from in Dyer, coming off an ACL harm, and four-star true freshman Jake Fette.
Baylor: DJ Lagway, Jr. (Florida)
DJ’s father, Derek, was a working again at Baylor within the Nineteen Nineties, and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital runs a system that might maximize Lagway’s dual-threat potential.
BYU: Bear Bachmeier, So.
There weren’t many true freshman starters in 2025 higher than Bachmeier, who led the Cougars to an 11-2 report. He has labored in concord with offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.
Cincinnati: Samaj Jones, R-So.
Contemplating this will probably be Scott Satterfield’s fourth season, it’s a great wager competitors will probably be introduced in to exchange Brendan Sorsby. This could possibly be a spot the place Kenny Minchey lands, however I believe he in all probability will receives a commission extra to go some place else. Within the meantime, Jones will get a great look within the Liberty Bowl.
Colorado: Julian Lewis, R-Fr.
Deion Sanders has plenty of work to do within the portal coming off a 3-9 season, but it surely seems new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and Lewis are on the identical web page.
Houston: Conner Weigman, R-Sr.
Gifted five-star freshman and hometown hero Keisean Henderson goes to take over in some unspecified time in the future. However Weigman led the Cougars to a 9-3 report within the common season and deserves the prospect to not less than start 2026 because the man.
Iowa State: Alex Manske, R-Fr.
The Cyclones plucked Jimmy Rogers from Washington State to exchange Matt Campbell, and he wants to carry onto some gamers. Manske, a 2025 four-star recruit who grew up rooting for the Cyclones, is completely positioned to take over for portal-bound Rocco Becht.
Kansas: Isaiah Marshall, R-So.
The Jalon Daniels period is over, and Lance Leipold mentioned earlier this month he’s advantageous with staying out of the high-priced portal marketplace for a substitute. Redshirt junior Cole Ballard has been the backup, with Marshall because the third-stringer — till this level. Marshall has extra upside.
Kansas State: Avery Johnson, Sr.
Former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein returns to his alma mater, and it appears like a secure wager he’ll trip with the veteran Johnson in his first yr again in Manhattan.
Oklahoma State: Aidan Chiles, Sr. (Michigan State)
Everybody expects Mestemaker to observe Eric Morris, and it makes full sense. However the pondering right here is that Dan Lanning will covet Mestemaker — and have much more assets to signal him. Morris, in the meantime, tried his greatest at Washington State to recruit Chiles there earlier than he chosen Oregon State. He’s a great Plan B.
TCU: Beau Pribula, Gr. (Missouri)
Josh Hoover hit the portal, and Sonny Dykes employed Gordon Sammis away from UConn to exchange Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator. Dykes would love an skilled starter. Pribula, Colton Joseph (Outdated Dominion) and Jaden Craig (Harvard) are early names linked to the Horned Frogs. A bridge quarterback for 2025 four-star recruit Adam Schobel makes probably the most sense.
Brendan Sorsby threw 27 TDs and 5 INTs for Cincinnati this season. (Ron Jenkins / Getty Pictures)
Texas Tech: Brendan Sorsby, R-Sr. (Cincinnati)
In case you join the dots, Sorsby’s volleyball-playing girlfriend, Gretchen Sigman, transferred to Texas Tech across the similar time the quarterback entered the portal. Additionally, we hear Texas Tech pays properly.
UCF: Davi Belfort, R-So.
Scott Frost’s first season again in Orlando was marred by a season-ending again harm to Cam Fancher, which led to Tayven Jackson taking on because the starter. Jackson is now within the portal, and Fancher is searching for a medical redshirt. Belfort, a Virginia Tech signee, was the third-stringer. Incoming freshman Rocco Marriott is likely to be the long-term reply.
Utah: Devon Dampier, Sr.
Kyle Whittingham is gone, however Jason Beck remains to be Utah’s offensive coordinator, and what he and Dampier completed in Salt Lake Metropolis in 2025 is repeatable in 2026.
West Virginia: Marcus Stokes, R-Jr. (West Florida)
Wealthy Rodriguez had 4 completely different gamers begin at quarterback for him in his first yr again in Morgantown. Stokes, initially a Florida signee, reportedly has journeys lined as much as Memphis and Syracuse. However it could be enjoyable to see what Rodriguez may do with him after he threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns and ran for 367 yards and 10 touchdowns within the Division II ranks this season.
Impartial
Notre Dame: CJ Carr, R-So.
The Irish have probably the greatest conditions in faculty soccer heading into subsequent season: a top-five beginning quarterback in passing effectivity and a roster stuffed with gamers with an enormous chip on their shoulder. Will Marcus Freeman be teaching the New York Giants by then, although?
SEC
Alabama: Keelon Russell, R-Fr.
Ty Simpson isn’t a lock but to depart early for the NFL, however he’s actually proficient sufficient. Russell, a former five-star recruit, spent a season ready within the wings.
Arkansas: KJ Jackson, R-So.
Ryan Silverfield came visiting from Memphis and introduced his offensive coordinator, Tim Cramsey, with him. On Sunday, Class of 2025 blue-chipper AJ Hill entered the portal, an indication he could possibly be headed from Memphis to Fayetteville, too. Nonetheless, Jackson feels just like the early chief to exchange Taylen Inexperienced.
Auburn: Byrum Brown, R-Sr.
Deuce Knight, a former five-star recruit, will slot in properly with new coach Alex Golesh’s offense … in some unspecified time in the future. Brown, who performed for Golesh at South Florida, will function a one-year stopgap.
Former Notre Dame QB commit Deuce Knight 75 yard TD on the primary snap in his first profession begin.
Completely happy he’s lastly taking part in for Auburn.
pic.twitter.com/HZTCxYoeWL
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) November 22, 2025
Florida: Aaron Philo, R-Jr. (Georgia Tech)
Former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall employed Buster Faulkner away from Georgia Tech to be Florida’s new offensive coordinator, and it appears inevitable Philo will observe him to Gainesville.
Georgia: Gunner Stockton, R-Sr.
Stockton led Georgia to an SEC championship and will quickly make them a nationwide championship. However he’s not creating a lot NFL Draft buzz, so count on him again in Athens.
Kentucky: Michael Van Buren, R-So. (Mississippi State)
Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein took over for Mark Stoops and employed former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. Van Buren, who began three video games for the Tigers in 2025, could possibly be a stable possibility in Lexington.
LSU: Austin Simmons, R-Jr. (Ole Miss)
Lane Kiffin invested two years getting Simmons able to be his beginning quarterback at Ole Miss, however the Florida native misplaced his job to Trinidad Chambliss after taking place with an early-season harm. Simmons would additionally assist carry a few of the different Rebels with him to Baton Rouge.
Mississippi State: Kamario Taylor, So.
Taylor began the Egg Bowl and confirmed flashes of why Jeff Lebby was thrilled to signal the in-state four-star recruit within the Class of 2025.
Missouri: Matt Zollers, So.
It’s been assumed that Zollers will take over now that Beau Pribula has transferred out. I may see the Tigers including a veteran to offer some competitors — Auburn switch Ashton Daniels would make sense — however Zollers confirmed sufficient as a real freshman to be the starter in 2026.
Oklahoma: John Mateer, R-Sr.
The highest quarterback switch had his troubles with turnovers, and the Sooners averaged solely 21.8 factors in 9 video games in opposition to SEC competitors. With slightly extra assist, Mateer and OU’s offense must be higher in 2026.
Ole Miss: Katin Houser, R-Sr. (East Carolina)
Houser, a 2022 four-star recruit, is likely one of the most skilled starters accessible within the portal (26 profession begins, 1,872 snaps). He performed final season for brand spanking new Rebels offensive coordinator John David Baker.
South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers, R-Jr.
Sellers was regarded as a possible first-round choose within the 2026 NFL Draft, however the Gamecocks have been one of many nation’s most disappointing groups, and he struggled (13 touchdowns and eight interceptions) by way of a forgettable season. He will get a recent begin underneath new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who was employed away from TCU.
Tennessee: Faizon Brandon, Fr.
There’s an opportunity Joey Aguilar will probably be granted one other season of eligibility, however a call on that isn’t imminent. They’ll kick the tires on a portal possibility, however five-star quarterbacks aren’t low-cost, so it wouldn’t be very environment friendly to maintain Brandon on the bench. Jake Merklinger has already introduced his plan to switch, leaving redshirt freshman George MacIntyre as the one in-house competitors.
Texas: Arch Manning, R-Jr.
Perhaps the entire preseason Heisman hype was only a yr early for Manning, who has thrown for practically 3,000 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions heading into the bowl sport.
Texas A&M: Marcel Reed, R-Jr.
The Aggies had a disappointing end to their season due partially to Reed, who was liable for three turnovers within the School Soccer Playoff loss to Miami. However Texas A&M received 11 video games, and Reed averaged 281.7 whole yards per sport.
Vanderbilt: Jared Curtis, Fr.
Curtis, a five-star prospect who flipped from Georgia, is the robust favourite to exchange Diego Pavia in Tim Beck’s offense.
