Transfers in college football are becoming more and more rampant. There are plenty of positions that have players switching teams, but quarterbacks are stealing all the headlines. Here are the quarterback transfers who will have a big impact this season.
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Hurts rode the bench for Alabama last season, but did come up clutch for the Crimson Tide when called upon. He has a lot of wins under his belt, but Tua Tagovailoa took the starting quarterback job from him last season. As a result, Hurts decided to transfer to Oklahoma to play for Lincoln Reilly.
It was always an odd fit for Hurts in Alabama’s system, but he should be able to thrive in Lincoln Reilly’s. Oklahoma has produced the last two Heisman Trophy winners at the quarterback position and with Hurts’ dual-threat abilities, he should have an opportunity to win the award as well. If Hurts plays up to his potential, Oklahoma could be headed back to the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Georgia signed Fields before last season, as he was a highly-touted prospect. Fields spent the season backing up Jake Fromm, but did get some playing time. He accounted for nearly 600 total yards. After the season he decided to transfer to Ohio State, which resulted in Tate Martell transferring.
Fields is now the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes, which is important because they have very little depth at the position. Ohio State has a talented team, but they’ll have a new head coach in Ryan Day. With Fields, Ohio State should be able to get to double-digit wins on the season.
Kelly Bryant, Missouri
At Clemson, Bryant started in a lot of big games. He and Hurts have some of the best experience any transfer quarterback could ever have. Bryant led Clemson to a lot of victories and helped them make the CFP. With Trevor Lawrence taking over the starting job in the middle of last season, Bryant decided to transfer to Missouri.
Missouri is still awaiting a decision from the NCAA as to whether they will be eligible for postseason. Even so, they should be able to win a lot of games in the SEC East. Bryant has thrown for 3,338 yards in his career and has rushed for 973. The Tigers will be relying on him to carry them to victory.
Jacob Eason, Washington
Eason was one of the biggest recruits Georgia had ever signed and started as a freshman. He threw for 2,458 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 55.2 percent completion. When he got hurt as a sophomore, Fromm took his spot and didn’t look back. Eason transferred after the season and sat out a year, but now will suit up for the Huskies.
While he is a talented quarterback, Eason has not won the starting job yet. If he finds his groove, Washington’s offense could take a huge step forward. The vertical passing game will be more of an option for the Huskies than in years past, as Eason has a much stronger arm than Jake Browning’s, who started the last four years for Washington.
Brandon Wimbush, UCF
Wimbush started a lot of games for Notre Dame over the last two seasons. He has passed for 2,606 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 50.5 percent completion. Early last season, Wimbush was benched for Ian Book, who led the team to the CFP. He decided to transfer to UCF after the season.
The Knights lost quarterback McKenzie Milton to a gruesome leg injury at the end of last season. Backup Darriel Mack Jr. played well in Milton’s absence, but he got hurt in fall camp. For UCF to crash the New Year’s Six Bowl Games again, Wimbush is going to have to step in and keep the offense productive.
Hunter Johnson, Northwestern
He started his career at Clemson, but didn’t see the field very often. Johnson passed for 234 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 77.8 percent completion. Because he was unable to see the field, Johnson decided to transfer to Northwestern.
Northwestern won the Big Ten West, but lost in the Big Ten Championship to Ohio State. The Wildcats have a decent amount of returning starters, so Johnson could step in and help Northwestern compete in the division again.
Gage Gubrud, Washington State
Gubrud is transferring from the FCS to the FBS, as he is going from Eastern Washington to Washington State. At Eastern Washington, he passed for 9,984 yards, 87 touchdowns and 32 interceptions on 64.6 percent completion.
With Gardner Minshew graduating, Gubrud could take over the starting quarterback job for the Cougars. Mike Leach has done a fantastic job of churning out quarterbacks and Gubrud could be the next quality starter for the Cougars. If he can step up to the challenge, Washington State could win the Pac-12 North.
Austin Kendall, West Virginia
Oklahoma has produced some great quarterbacks over the last few years, which left Kendall on the bench. He was behind both Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield, so after Jalen Hurts decided to transfer to Norman, Kendall took his talents to West Virginia. He has passed for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 71.8 percent completion.
Kendall still hasn’t won the starting quarterback job, but likely would fit best into Neal Brown’s system. The Mountaineers lost a lot from last season, but Kendall can help them push for a bowl game if he is healthy. He currently is questionable for the season opener against James Madison with plantar fasciitis.
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