NIL deals have completely changed roster building in college football and turned the transfer portal into the NCAA version of free agency. On Friday, the talent market will be reopened and quite a few high-impact players will be available to the highest bidder. Especially at the quarterback spot.
Landing a veteran QB can help elevate a program from a pretender to a real deal playoff contender in 2026. Just look at what Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza did for Indiana. So who are the best available on Jan. 2? We look to answer that question with our rundown of the 15 best college football QBs available in the latest transfer portal.
15. Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State
Arkansas State junior Jaylen Raynor had his best season yet for the Red Wolves. Posting 3,361 passing yards and 423 more on the ground, to go along with 26 combined TDs in 2025. Furthermore, he showed growth with his accuracy and touch passes this past season.
Raynor is one of the most experienced QBs in the transfer portal, but he is on the smaller side, and his decision-making — especially against elite schools — is a big issue.
14. Colton Joseph, Old Dominion
Old Dominion star Colton Joseph took a notable leap forward in his profile during his second season with the Monarchs. The sophomore not only threw for a career best 2,624 yards and 21 TDs (To 11 INTs), he also rumbled for another 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2025. While he can be a serious problem when running, he still has a lot to prove as a pocket passer.
Joseph can throw a good deep ball. However, he is inconsistent with his passing and needs to improve his decision-making if he is to reach his full potential at his next stop.
13. Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame
In the summer, Kenny Minchey was beaten out by CJ Carr for the QB1 spot on the Notre Dame depth chart. But it doesn’t mean he isn’t a player who can star elsewhere. While he is a bit undersized compared to what the prototypical QB should be, he has shown serious athleticism and the ability to extend plays. But stay in the pocket and make the right plays underderess while not rushing to use his running skills.
12. Beau Pribula, Missouri
Former Penn State recruit Beau Pribula had a solid season this year at Missouri. Early in the year, the Tigers looked like a real contender for a playoff spot because of the strong play of three year veteran. However, when the competition got tougher — Alabama and Oklahoma — he struggled.
His ability to put the ball down and run is an impactful part of his game, and he ran for 329 yards and six touchdowns in just 11 starts as a freshman for the Nittany Lions. But his turnovers are a problem (11 TDs and nine INTs in 2025). With some better coaching, he could leap forward in his skills during his final season of eligibility.
11. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Oregon State transfer Aidan Chiles had a much-improved season in year two with Michigan State. After having an alarming 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024 and a 59% completion percentage, he was 10 to 3 with a 63% completition percentage in nine starts this year. He also added six TDs and 221 yards on the ground.
Chiles still needs a little more work on his technique, but his big-play potential on the ground and air, as well as his leadership skills gives him a high upside.
10. Anthony Colandrea, UNLV
Former Virginia recruit Anthony Colandrea took a big leap forward in 2025 during his first season at UNLV. His 3,459 yards were the 12th best in the nation this season, and he added 23 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions. He is also an underrated runner who tallied 649 yards and 10 more TDs on the ground for the Rebels this season.
While he has a solid arm and is very strong in short and intermediate passes, he tends to hold on to the ball way too long and needs to work on his mechanics to be a truly elite player at the position in 2026.
9. Alonza Barnett III, James Madison
Alonza Barnett III had another very good season at James Madison and is a major reason why the Sun Belt Conference champions reached the college football playoffs this season. The junior is one of the better dual-threat options in the transfer portal after posting 38 total TDs (23 passing and 15 running) and 3,395 combined yards for the Dukes.
He is a gifted athlete, runner, and scrambler with a strong arm. However, he struggles under pressure and is most effective when he can use his legs. He hasn’t yet proven to be a player who can stay in the pocket all day and pick opponents apart.
8. Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Iowa State veteran Rocco Becht regressed in year four. After posting career highs of 3,505 passing yards, 33 total TDs, and 318 yards on the ground in 2024, his numbers were down this past season for an 8-4 Cyclones team that had playoff hopes early in the year.
He is tough, gritty, and is good at extending plays. However, he is a little undersized for the position, doesn’t have a big arm, and he has some decision-making issues. Nevertheless, he is one of the most experienced QBs in the transfer portal and has worthwhile intangibles.
7. Byrum Brown, USF
South Florida veteran Byrum Brown has a ton of potential if he can get into a program that maximizes his talents after four seasons for the Bulls. This past season, he led the team to a rock-solid 9-4 record. Throwing for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. But most importantly, he also ran for just over 1,000 yards in 2025. On the right team, Brown can be a Heisman contender, but he must further develop his accuracy and processing skills.
6. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
There was a lot of hype surrounding former five-star recruit Dylan Raiola when the hopes of Nebraska’s football program were foisted on his sizable shoulders two years ago. He has an NFL build, arm, and accuracy for the next level. However, he is a classic pocket passer who isn’t very mobile. Unfortunately, his stats drop notably when he has to throw under pressure. With the right coordinator and QB coach, he still has the potential to be a Heisman candidate in his final two seasons.
5. DJ Lagway, Florida
Florida QB DJ Lagway got more opportunities in his second season as the starter for the Gators and showed growth. In the same amount of starts as 2024 (12), his completion percentage, yards, and TDs were all up. However, with more passing attempts came more INTs, and he ended the year with a 16 to 14 TD to INT ratio.
The 2023 Gatorade High School Player of the Year has a big-time arm and can make all the throws, but as his INTs this past season showed, he still needs improvement on his decision-making and mechanics. Nevertheless, he would be a huge addition for any program that landed him.
4. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Entering the 2025 season, Arizona State signal-caller Sam Leavitt was viewed as one to watch as he was primed for a big breakout season. However, a season-ending Lisfranc injury in his foot limited him to just seven games. Nevertheless, the sophomore with a big-time football in his bloodline is one of the very best QBs in the portal.
He is very smart with a football, has a good arm, and is strong at processing plays before the snap. While he is not an elite athlete, he is also dangerous scrambling or tucking the ball and running. The big knocks on him are his size and limited experience. There are concerns that if he lands in a top conference and proven coordinators get more film on him, there will be a drop-off in performance.
3. Josh Hoover, TCU
TCU star Josh Hoover is another one of the most experienced QBs in the upcoming transfer portal. During his four years with the Horned Frogs, he has made 36 starts and thrown for nearly 10,000 yards, which is third all-time. He is also tied for third in school history with 71 TD passes.
Although he has a strong NFL-level arm, his decision-making with the ball and in the pocket is problematic, and he has a bit of an inconsistent streak. But for a program that has nice pieces but needs a proven veteran QB, he would be a great signing.
2. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
Playing at a notable program always draws significantly more attention. A good QB at a nationally known school can feel like an elite talent in the game. That wasn’t the case for North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker. The Mean Green redshirt freshman had a huge season for the team. Leading the nation in passing yards with 4,129. That was over 400 more than the second-place finisher. He was also tied for second with 31 TD passes.
He could be, arguably, the best QB signing in the transfer portal. The main issues with his game are concerns about notable dips in production against better competition. He also isn’t a QB who is good at extending plays.
1. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Former Indiana and now Cincinnati recruit Brendan Sorsby is viewed by many as the best QB in the Jan. 2 transfer portal. This was his best year yet as he threw for 2,800 yards and tallied 27 TDs to 5 INTs. He had a career-best 155 passer rating and can be a problem on the ground as he ran for 580 yards and nine more TDs.
Like Mestemaker, there are concerns about his performance against better teams, and he needs to work on his touch on certain passes But for a program on the cusp of being a title contender if they can get a difference maker QB, Sorsby would be a massive addition.
