The Most Important Transfer QB From Every Conference
Photo via Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
In the last two years, NIL and the transfer portal have dominated the college football landscape. New opportunities are presented to student-athletes, both on and off the field like never before. Throughout “portal season” some of the country’s most impactful quarterbacks look for a fresh start this fall.
Big Ten: Cade McNamara (Michigan to Iowa)
While there are much more talented quarterbacks entering the Big Ten this season like Jeff Sims and Tanner Mordecai, McNamara’s addition to Iowa is the most important. A proven winner at Michigan, McNamara led the Wolverines to the Big Ten championship, a win against Ohio State, and a playoff appearance as the starter in 2021. Before losing the job to JJ McCarthy, McNamara threw for 3181 yards and 21 touchdowns in Ann Arbor.
Although his game isn’t the flashiest, McNamara is everything the Hawkeyes need to compete in the Big Ten West. McNamara has the ability to stand in the pocket and deliver to receivers with even the smallest bit of space. He makes up for a lack of mobility with his field vision and quick decision-making. McNamara is the ultimate pocket-passing game manager that should give Hawkeye fans relief after watching Spencer Petras.
Pac 12: DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson to Oregon State)
Once thought to be the next in line of great Clemson quarterbacks, D.J. Uiagalelei is heading west to Corvallis. Although his tenure at Clemson didn’t turn out as many expected, it certainly wasn’t a failure. As a Tiger, Uiagalelei finished with 5681 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Uiagalelei’s biggest goal aside from winning at Oregon State will be to improve his draft stock. Uiagalelei is a big, mobile quarterback with a rocket of an arm. Extending plays with his legs while keeping his eyes downfield should lead to big plays for the Beavers this fall. Limiting turnovers is a must this season, as interceptions were the nail in the coffin during his time at Clemson.
SEC: Devin Leary (NC State to Kentucky)
Devin Leary is just about the best possible option as a replacement to replace Will Levis for Wildcat fans. Leary was the number two-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal behind new Notre Dame star Sam Hartman. Despite battling injuries during his time at NC State, Leary was excellent when healthy. He leaves NC State with 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Leary is a definite pocket passer. He reads defenses well and has a quick release. While he doesn’t provide a ton in the run game, he is a physical runner that can stumble his way to a first down in short-yardage situations. With the weapons at his disposal at Kentucky, Leary is even considered by some to be a darkhorse Heisman candidate this year.
ACC: Phil Jurkovec (Boston College to Pitt)
For Boston College fans, the Phil Jurkovec experience was…interesting. Jurkovec is one of the more talented quarterbacks in the conference, but it always seemed like the Eagles underperformed during his tenure. A fresh start in Pittsburgh could be exactly what Jurkovec needs.
Individually, Jurkovec did put up solid numbers at Boston College, throwing for 5,183 yards and 35 touchdowns. The comparison to Ben Roethlisberger is an accurate one. Jurkovec is huge standing at 6’5 with a big arm. For his size, Jurkovec also poses a threat to opposing defenses as a rusher.
Big 12: Kedon Slovis (Pitt to BYU)
In their first year as members of the Big 12, it’s only fitting that BYU enters the conference with a brand new quarterback. Now at his third school, Slovis has one more year to show NFL scouts why they should pick him. Slovis’ time at USC statistically was more impressive than his single season at Pitt, as he finished with 58 touchdowns in three seasons as a Trojan.
Slovis is extremely crafty in the pocket and can keep plays alive with his legs. He has top-tier arm talent and can deliver strikes to his receivers. He’s also not afraid to sit in the pocket and take contact to make a throw.
