QB Transfer Portal Predictions: Lane Kiffin’s guy, Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore replacements, and the Penn State connection

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The College Football Playoff is well underway, but the spectacle that is the transfer portal has already captured everyone’s excitement. Set to open up officially on January 2, we have already seen a long list of talented football players announce that they will be entering. That includes an impressive group of quarterbacks, which has the chance to completely alter the landscape of college football.

While things are still a bit early, we are getting a better understanding of where the top available signal callers might end up. Here is my updated prediction for where I believe each quarterback ends up. That includes Lane Kiffin finding his game, replacements for Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, and some past Penn State relationships.

Transfer Portal QB predictions

Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati) – Texas Tech

The Red Raiders and Indiana are both fighting hard for Sorsby, as well as other programs like Tennessee. The Texas Tech vibes are strong, and they have a lot of money behind them. While Behren Morton is a good quarterback for the team, Sorsby would be a substantial upgrade if he does end up in Lubbock.

Josh Hoover (TCU) – Indiana

The Indiana smoke for Hoover continues to get stronger and stronger. The Hoosiers have a strong list of potential fits, but this feels like the most likely direction right now. Working with head coach Curt Cignetti would be a blessing for an extremely talented signal caller who is still rough around the edges.

DJ Lagway (Florida) – Miami

Predicting a spot for Lagway is a bit difficult. There’s no doubt that he’s extremely talented, but he has been plagued by inconsistency and durability so far in his career. If Shannon Dawson could get the most out of the 6-3, 242-pound pocket passer, Lagway still has a chance to be special.

Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) – LSU

Leavitt’s fit in Lane Kiffin’s offense makes so much sense. He’s a bit of a volatile passer right now, and he could really use an offense that simplifies things. Kiffin feels like the perfect offensive mind to get more out of the 6-3, 215-pound passer.

Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) – Oregon

If Dante Moore enters the 2026 NFL Draft, Oregon is going to need to invest into another portal quarterback. Head coach Dan Lanning and his staff have made it a habit of harboring talented reclamation projects and creating success stories. Raiola could be the next one.

Aidan Chiles (Michigan State) – Nebraska

The two teams that have been mentioned lately with Chiles are Nebraska and Cincinnati. It could very well end up being a coin flip between the two teams in the end. There’s no question that Chiles is very talented, but he’s running out of time.

Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech) – Florida

Once Philo entered the portal, a lot of rumors surfaced about him rejoining his former head coach at Tulane, Jon Sumrall. Philo has very little experience, but he has been good when given opportunities. It will be interesting to see how productive he is in the SEC if he does end up with the Gators.

Beau Pribula (Missouri) – Virginia Tech

There is already some chatter about Pribula joining his former head coach, James Franklin. That familiarity could play a huge part in getting him to Blacksburg. Pribula has a chance to make a lot of plays in the ACC.

Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame) – Cincinnati

Along with Wisconsin and Boston College, Cincinnati feels like one of the programs that are early favorites for Minchey. With Sorsby eyeing other opportunities, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Minchey replace him. His run-throw upside would be a good fit.

Rocco Becht (Iowa State) – Penn State

New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell has already shown that he isn’t afraid to bring recruits with him to Happy Valley. At this point, it would be shocking if Becht didn’t follow him. Other programs have interest, but the Nittany Lions have the inside track, obviously.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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