Ranked from 1 to 15: The best transfer quarterback fits

John Mateer Transferring from: Washington State | Transferring to: Oklahoma Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 6-1 | WT: 219 | Class: Redshirt sophomore Why it's a good fit: When Oklahoma hired Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Dec. 2, Mateer's move to Oklahoma seemed to make too much sense. He knows the offense, has played at a high level and will see the return of some of Oklahoma's injured targets at wide receiver. Mateer is a very tough player to rush because he gets the ball out of his hand fast. He's also a solid runner who can get out of trouble and extend plays. Mateer will be like another coach on the field as he helps tutor the personnel around him. Having a coach and playcaller you trust, combined with an experienced quarterback, could be the magic needed for Oklahoma to get back on track in 2025.

Devon Dampier Transferring from: New Mexico | Transferring to: Utah Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 5-10 | WT: 198 | Class: Sophomore Why it's a good fit: Kyle Whittingham hired New Mexico's offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, and like at Oklahoma, his QB is coming with him. The Utes know exactly what they're getting in Dampier, and Utah fans should be ecstatic. Dampier will bring an athletic element to the position that could change the offense from what we've seen in years past. This offense will be built around explosive plays, and Dampier will provide plenty with his strong arm and elusive feet. He will change how people defend Utah because he is so dynamic.

Miller Moss Transferring from: USC | Transferring to: Louisville Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 6-2 | WT: 205 | Class: Redshirt junior Why it's a good fit: Louisville coach Jeff Brohm got to see firsthand what Miller Moss was capable of in the 2023 Holiday Bowl as Moss threw for 373 yards and six touchdowns while beating the Cardinals. This could be a very nice marriage. Brohm has gotten the best out of veteran transfers Jack Plummer and Tyler Shough in his two seasons at Louisville and developed Aidan O'Connell into an NFL passer at Purdue. He's got a dynamic running back in 1,000-yard rusher Isaac Brown and big-time playmaker in receiver Chris Bell. Moss might not be the athlete Shough was, but Brohm coaches pocket passers as well as anyone at the collegiate level.

Kaidon Salter Transferring from: Liberty | Transferring to: Colorado Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Redshirt junior Why it's a good fit: This is a terrific gap player for Colorado, fitting between outgoing starter Shedeur Sanders and highly touted incoming freshman Julian Lewis. Salter is another version of SMU's Kevin Jennings in many ways. Salter is crafty, makes a ton of plays off platform and can make things happen on the move. He can be incredibly accurate on tight-window throws down the middle of the field.  It'll be interesting to see how Pat Shurmur adjusts his offensive attack to play to Salter's strengths as a runner and improviser. Shurmur has shown the ability to adapt to his QB's strengths, so we like the potential. The senior will avoid more sacks than Sanders and be effective in getting ball into the hands of the Buffaloes' talented young receiving corps.

Carson Beck, QB Transferring from: Georgia | Transferring to: Miami Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 6-4 | WT: 220 | Class: Redshirt senior Why it's a good fit: This January commitment came as Miami was running out of options to replace Cam Ward. This could also be an exciting time for Beck, who will be in a wide-open, Air Raid scheme for the first time. When Beck is healthy and has a steady run game, he's one of the purest, smoothest passers in college football. Miami's offense will allow him to showcase his ability to flick the ball on quick, underneath throws and prove he can change arm angles and find more nuance as a thrower. If Beck gets back to consistent decision-making and protecting the football, Miami should continue to have high expectations.

Jackson Arnold Transferring from: Oklahoma | Transferring to: Auburn Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 6-1 | WT: 210 | Class: Sophomore Why it's a good fit: Coach Hugh Freeze landed his No. 1 target by selling Arnold on what the Tigers offer on the field, including rising star Cam Coleman and their young receiving corps. Arnold's sneaky speed and athleticism will be a welcome addition to Auburn's offense and make the Tigers much more difficult to defend. This is a significant upgrade over Auburn's quarterback play the past two years. Auburn also signed 2025 prospect Deuce Knight, leaving the Tigers with less experience but more talent behind Arnold, who needed a fresh start. It will be exciting to see how he performs with top-level talent, which he did not have at Oklahoma in 2024.

Fernando Mendoza Transferring from: Cal | Transferring to: Indiana Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 6-5 | WT: 225 | Class: Redshirt sophomore Why it's a good fit: Similar to Kurtis Rourke in 2024, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti values production over potential when recruiting the transfer portal. Mendoza has a large sample size of production despite being the most-sacked QB in college football in 2024. He keeps getting up and isn't fazed by pressure. His toughness is hugely attractive to coordinator Mike Shanahan. Moreover, Mendoza is a mobile QB and made lots of plays with his legs for Cal in 2024. With the departure of Tayven Jackson to the portal, this acquisition is all the more important for Year 2 under Cignetti.

Mark Gronowski Transferring from: South Dakota State | Transferring to: Iowa Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 6-3 | WT: 230 | Class: Redshirt senior Why it's a good fit: This guy is the definition of substance over style. All he does is make good decisions and win. He had a bit of a down year in 2024, but he's bringing over 10,300 career yards and 93 touchdowns to an Iowa team that started to open its offense a bit under new playcaller Tim Lester. It's not always pretty and his methods can be unorthodox, but Gronowski's results are among the elite in college football -- at any level. An adequate athlete, Gronowski shines thanks to his accuracy. He'll bring experience and smart play along with a sky-high expectation to perform, which he has done his entire career. He'll give Iowa stability and production.

Conner Weigman Transferring from: Texas A&M | Transferring to: Houston Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 6-3 | WT: 220 | Class: Redshirt sophomore Why it's a good fit: If Weigman can stay healthy, this could be a steal for Houston coach Willie Fritz. Weigman gets to play in his hometown and for coaches who developed Michael Pratt into the AAC Offensive Player of the Year at Tulane and an NFL draft pick. Weigman is 9-4 as a starter, won the starting job twice at Texas A&M and has plenty of quality film showcasing his arm talent and accuracy in tight windows, which made him attractive to Houston offensive coordinator Slade Nagle. He has competitive intangibles that we love and really good timing and rhythm as a passer.

Darian Mensah Transferring from: Tulane | Transferring to: Duke Seasons remaining: 3 HT: 6-3 | WT: 200 | Class: Redshirt freshman Why it's a good fit: Duke wants to be more athletic under center and Mensah gives the Blue Devils that option. In 2024, Maalik Murphy made strides in the passing game but was not a weapon outside of the pocket or when things broke down. Duke OC Jonathan Brewer wants to be more dynamic and play faster, which Mensah can do with his feet and arm. He also brings more pocket movement and can change the launch point. Duke has gone all in on this selection, and though Mensah was only a one-year starter for a good Group of 5 team at Tulane, the Blue Devils are betting on him to take the program to another level.

Michael Van Buren Jr. Transferring from: Mississippi State | Transferring to: LSU Seasons remaining: 3 HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Freshman Why it's a good fit: Van Buren gets a chance to be the No. 2 QB at LSU and the successor to Garrett Nussmeier. He's arriving at a good time after the Tigers lost No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood to Michigan in December. Van Buren showed flashes as a true freshman on a struggling team. He brings poise and maturity for a young player and might have the luxury of redshirting and preserving eligibility while serving as the backup to Nussmeier. He has very similar traits to Dillon Gabriel, but Van Buren is right-handed. Offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Sloan is getting a player he can develop but also depend on if needed.

Beau Pribula Transferring from: Penn State | Transferring to: Missouri Seasons remaining: 2 HT: 6-2 | WT: 203 | Class: Redshirt sophomore Why it's a good fit: Pribula brings a very similar skill set and background to former Penn State and Kentucky QB Will Levis. Pribula will add the athletic traits Missouri is losing with the departure of Brady Cook, who started 38 games with the Tigers. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz wants his QB to be a runner, but not the feature runner. However, Pribula allows Missouri to run a short-yardage and red zone run package thanks to his size and power. Pribula is a high-ceiling pick for Missouri. He does not have the same experience as others in the portal, but when he has played, he has been very impressive.

Chandler Morris Transferring from: North Texas | Transferring to: Virginia Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 6-0 | WT: 191 | Class: Redshirt senior Why it's a good fit: Virginia coach Tony Elliott knows Morris well from Elliott's days as an assistant at Clemson and is getting a player who understands Virginia's scheme. Morris has won the starting quarterback job at two schools over the past four years and has a large sample size of experience to bring to Charlottesville. He's a scrapper who knows the game and accounted for 35 touchdowns in 2024. The Cavaliers lost starter Anthony Colandrea to the portal and have put together a great combo with Morris, a one-year pickup, and Nebraska freshman transfer Daniel Kaelin. Morris is more risk-averse than Colandrea and that might provide more consistent production.

Thomas Castellanos Transferring from: Boston College | Transferring to: Florida State Seasons remaining: 1 HT: 5-10 | WT: 196 | Class: Junior Why it's a good fit: New Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is bringing a familiar face to Tallahassee. Castellanos signed with Malzahn at UCF and was his third-string QB during Castellanos' lone season in the program. Malzahn knows Castellanos can be more explosive than any of the Seminoles' quarterbacks from this past season. Castellanos' familiarity with the scheme and Malzahn's desire to feature an athletic quarterback in the run game should make for an impressive reunion. Castellanos has had many bright moments during his time at Boston College, but must regain a consistent level of passing production to bring some explosiveness back to the FSU offense.

Luke Kromenhoek Transferring from: Florida State | Transferring to: Mississippi State Seasons remaining: 3 HT: 6-4 | WT: 208 | Class: Freshman Why it's a good fit: This is a great situation for both sides. Coach Jeff Lebby gets a blue-chip freshman quarterback to replace Van Buren and compete with Blake Shapen and ESPN 300 signee KaMario Taylor for the 2025 starting job. Kromenhoek is a talented signal-caller who was thrown into an impossible position to succeed at Florida State in 2024. He's a polished passer who can make all the throws in a very QB-friendly scheme that creates clear reads. Lebby should love the toughness and mental fortitude Kromenhoek showed for such a young player in a dire situation last fall. It might benefit Kromenhoek to redshirt if the opportunity is available. However, Shapen has been injury-prone his entire career, which could open the door for Kromenhoek if he does not initially win the job.