The seven most compelling QB transfers for the 2026 college football season
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The seven most compelling QB transfers for the 2026 college football season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Indiana and Miami, the participants in last year’s College Football Playoff championship game, are among several teams who have a transfer portal QB. This strategy paid off for the Hoosiers and Hurricanes each of the last two seasons.
While Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, Miami’s Cam Ward was a Heisman Trophy finalist who ended up being selected with the NFL Draft’s top overall pick. Last season, Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a victory in the national title game over the Hurricanes and quarterback Carson Beck.
Who are the new quarterbacks for Indiana and Miami? And who else will make an impact in 2026? Here is a closer look at seven transfer quarterbacks capable of creating headlines in 2026 and beyond.
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Darian Mensah, Miami
(via Duke)
A redshirt junior, Mensah was a late addition to the transfer portal. In his one year at Duke, he led the Devils to an ACC championship with an ACC-best 3,973 yards and 34 TDs. Beck and Ward improved their downfield passing the last two years with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Look for Mensah to do the same, which makes him a trendy Heisman candidate.
Sam Leavitt, LSU
(via Arizona State)
A redshirt junior, Leavitt will help Lane Kiffin usher in a new era at LSU. Leavitt is coming off foot surgery, but he’s 16-4 as a starter and led Arizona State to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. Assuming Leavitt can still make those improv scrambling plays, he should make an instant impact for the Tigers.
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Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
(via North Texas)
Mestemaker, a redshirt sophomore, followed coach Eric Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State. Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards and was tied for second with Mensah with 34 TD passes. Mestemaker had a 185.7 QB rating in the fourth quarter—and that will be tested in a Big 12 conference known for frantic finishes.
Byrum Brown, Auburn
(via South Florida)
Brown led the nation in total offense with 347.2 yards per game in 2025. The fifth-year senior followed coach Alex Golesh from South Florida to Auburn, which means a chance to compete in the SEC. Brown averaged 268.5 passing yards against Florida and Miami last season, and he added 1,008 rushing yards and 14 TDs.
Rocco Becht, Penn State
(via Iowa State)
Becht, a fifth-year senior and three-year starter at Iowa State, followed Matt Campbell to Penn State. He’s the perfect transition quarterback, one who compiled a 24-12 record with the Cyclones. Becht has 64 TDs and 27 interceptions, and he should thrive in his new surroundings against a friendly Big Ten schedule.
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Dylan Raiola, Oregon
(via Nebraska)
A junior and two-year starter at Nebraska, Raiola made a bold decision to transfer to Oregon, where he will reset for a year behind Dante Moore. Raiola suffered a broken fibula against USC in 2025. The former five-star quarterback might be out of sight this year, but don’t be surprised if this pays off long term.
DJ Lagway, Baylor
(via Florida)
Lagway, a junior whose father Derek played at Baylor, should benefit from a fresh start. Lagway led the Power 4 with 14 interceptions as a sophomore at Florida, but he maintained a 62 percent completion percentage the last two years. That will play off well in the Big 12, where the five-star quarterback should re-emerge as a playmaker.
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