Keeping up with quarterbacks in the transfer portal era isn't easy.
More than 20 Power 4 schools will have a first-year transfer quarterback in 2025.
That includes two playoff teams in Tennessee and Indiana. The Vols named Joey Aguilar their starting quarterback Monday. Aguilar, of course, transferred to Tennessee after Nico Iamaleaava transferred to UCLA in the spring. Fernando Mendoza transferred from Cal to Indiana.
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Miami and Oklahoma are hoping to make the CFP this season. Carson Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami in one of the most high-profile moves of the offseason. Mateer moved from Washington State to Oklahoma and has generated some Heisman sleeper buzz.
Sporting News ranked the top dozen transfer QBs in the Power 4 heading into the 2025 season.
Top transfer quarterbacks for 2025
12. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
Last year: Aguilar passed for 3,003 yards, 24 TDs and 12 interceptions at Appalachian State.
New outlook: Aguilar beat out Jake Merklinger for the starting job at Tennessee. "He's extremely comfortable in what we're doing right now," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said via the Knoxville News Sentinel on Aug. 15. We think Aguilar has success if he limits turnovers and will be effective in Heupel's offense.
One stat: Aguilar threw five interceptions on 114 attempts of passes of 10 yards or less last season, according to PFF. Iamaleava had zero interceptions on 125 attempts.
MORE: Why the AP preseason poll still matters
11. Miller Moss, Louisville
Last year: Moss passed for 2,555 yards, 18 TDs and nine interceptions at USC.
New outlook: Moss had a hot start at USC, but he was eventually benched in favor of Jayden Maiava. Now, Moss will get to work with coach Jeff Brohm, and it will help to have a strong running back with SN Preseason All-American Isaac Brown and Duke Watson.
One stat: Brohm's last three QBs – Purdue's Aidan O'Connell and Louisville's Jack Plummer and Tyler Shough – combined to average 3,296 yards, 22 TDs and 10 interceptions the last three seasons. How close will Moss' line be to that?
MORE: Sporting News 2025 Preseason All-America Team
10. Chandler Morris, Virginia
Last year: Morris passed for 3,774 yards, 31 TDs and 12 interceptions at North Texas.
New outlook: Morris is in his sixth season and on his fourth school. He spent one season at Oklahoma, three years at TCU and last season with North Texas. He lands with Virginia for one more swing in the Power 4. Cavaliers quarterbacks have averaged 14 interceptions the last two seasons. Morris should be an upgrade for the Cavaliers, a school looking for their first winning season since 2019.
One stat: Morris ranked fourth in the FBS in total offense with 334.7 yards per game last season. That was between Cam Ward (347.5) and John Mateer (330.4).
MORE: CFP projections | Bowl projections | Composite preseason Top 25
9. Jackson Arnold, Auburn
Last year: Arnold passed for 1,421 yards, 14 TDs and three interceptions at Oklahoma.
New outlook: Arnold was in and out of the starting lineup for the Sooners last season before transferring to Auburn. The five-star recruit has shown flashes of talent and does not turn the ball over too much. He should produce with a group of receivers that includes Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr. He is under the same microscope at Auburn with Hugh Freeze, and the pressure won't change heading into the opener against Baylor.
One stat: Arnold took 36 sacks in nine games in 2024. Better protection would help.
MORE: Ranking the SEC quarterbacks
8. Kaidon Salter, Colorado
Last year: Salter passed for 1,886 yards, 15 TDs and six interceptions at Liberty.
New outlook: Salter and Julian Lewis are both fighting for the starting job to replace Shedeur Sanders at Colorado. Salter will have the first shot. Salter also had 579 rushing yards and seven TDs at Liberty in 2024. Salter was 20-4 as the starter the last three seasons with the Flames, and he could thrive in the Colorado offense under Deion Sanders. Can Salter make the jump to the Big 12?
One stat: Salter had 44 total TDs with Liberty in 2023. If the Buffaloes get that kind of production, then watch out.
MORE: Ranking 2025 CFB head coaches, from 1-136
7. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Last year: Mendoza had 3,004 passing yards, 16 TDs and six interceptions at Cal last season.
New outlook: Mendoza replaces Kurtis Rourke at Indiana. We like the fit with Curt Cignetti, who maximized Rourke's talent in the down-field passing attack. Mendoza had just 44 passing attempts on passes of 20 yards or more last season, according to PFF. He will get more opportunities here, and that efficiency will pay off. Can Mendoza lead the Hoosiers back to the CFP?
One stat: Mendoza had a 64.4% completion percentage with six TDs and one interception in the fourth quarter last season.
MORE: Why didn't the NCAA hammer Michigan for NCAA violations?
6. Devon Dampier, Utah
Last year: Dampier passed for 2,768 yards, 12 TDs and 12 interceptions at New Mexico last season.
New outlook: Dampier also had 1,169 rushing yards and 19 TDs, and that makes him one of the most exciting transfer QBs in the Big 12. Utah had four different QBs with at least 30 passing attempts last season – and the Utes finished 5-7. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham also hired New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck in the offseason. The offense will revolve around Dampier.
One stat: Dampier had a 35.2% completion percentage, one TD pass and four interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more.
MORE: Ranking the Big 12 quarterbacks
5. Darian Mensah, Duke
Last year: Mensah passed for 2,723 yards with 22 TDs and six interceptions at Tulane last season.
New outlook: Mensah received an $8 million NIL deal as part of his transfer to Duke, and he gives the Blue Devils an intriguing playmaker at the position. Mensah was 33 of 61 (54%) with an average of 254 passing yards, three TDs and two interceptions against Power 4 schools in Kansas State and Oklahoma last season. He follows Maalik Murphy, who passed for 26 TDs for a nine-win Blue Devils' team in 2024 and left for Oregon State.
One stat: Look for Mensah to develop a connection with Harvard transfer Cooper Barkate, who had 63 catches for 1,084 yards and 11 TDs. Oklahoma transfer Andrel Anthony also is in the mix for more targets.
MORE: Ranking the ACC quarterbacks
4. Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Last year: Gronowski passed for 2,721 yards, 23 TDs and seven interceptions at South Dakota State last season.
New outlook: Gronowski put together a 49-6 record at the FCS level – and that tied the FCS record for the most victories. He had 93 TDs and 20 interceptions. He had just one interception in the Jackrabbits' last eight games last season, and he added 380 rushing yards and 10 TDs. That added mobility gives Iowa an exciting option at QB.
One stat: Iowa has averaged 124.9 passing yards per game the last two seasons. Gronowski should help improve that statistic dramatically in 2025.
MORE: Ranking the Big Ten quarterbacks
3. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Last year: Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 TDs and five interceptions at Tennessee.
New outlook: Iamaleava led the Vols to 10 wins and a College Football Playoff berth last season, but he left for UCLA in the spring in a controversial exit. Iamaleava joins UCLA – whose QBs averaged 20 TDs and 12 interceptions the last two seasons. Iamaleava will have to adjust to the Big Ten schedule, but he might thrive in the new closer-to-home surroundings.
One stat: Iamaleava had a 145.3 efficiency rating last season – which was identical to Carson Beck.
BENDER: What are the lessons from the Nico Iamaleava saga?
2. John Mateer, Oklahoma
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Last year: Mateer passed for 3,139 yards, 29 TDs and seven interceptions at Washington State last season.
New outlook: Mateer is generating some Heisman hype at Oklahoma, where he arrives with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State. Mateer also rushed for 826 yards and 15 TDs last season. How does that translate in the SEC? It's going to be an exciting answer to figure out.
One stat: According to PFF, Mateer was 52 of 61 (85.2%) on screen passes with four TDs and no interceptions. Look for that to be incorporated with Jaydn Ott at running back.
MORE: John Mateer breaks silence on gambling allegations
1. Carson Beck, Miami
Last year: Beck passed for 3,485 yards, 28 TDs and 12 interceptions at Georgia.
New outlook: Beck transferred to Miami and will fill the void left by Cam Ward. Beck has a 24-3 record as a starter and brings big-game experience to a program that is 1-6 against ranked teams the last three seasons. The Hurricanes – led by Beck – can answer those questions in the Sunday night opener against No. 6 Notre Dame.
One stat: Beck had 11 TDs and one interception on passes of 20 yards or more last season. Ward had 12 TDs and no interceptions in the same range.
MORE: Beck discusses transfer from Georgia, fit at Miami