The Ultimate Journeyman: TJ Finley Seeks 7th School In 7 Years
If you thought your college experience dragged on, you haven’t been paying attention to TJ Finley. In the time it takes most people to earn a PhD or become a specialized surgeon, Finley has been collecting game tape and jerseys from across the American South.
We are living in the wildest era of college football history, but Finley is testing the limits of the transfer portal like no one else. The quarterback, whose collegiate passport is already stamped with logos from the SEC to the Sun Belt, has reportedly entered the transfer portal yet again. His goal? A staggering seventh year of eligibility at what would be his seventh different school.
A Resume That Reads Like a Travel Brochure
You have to respect the hustle, even if you need a spreadsheet to keep track of it. Finley’s career arc is a winding road that highlights just how chaotic the modern NCAA landscape has become. It started way back in 2020 in the bayou with LSU. From there, Finley took his talents to Auburn for a two-season stint that saw him facing the harsh glare of the SEC spotlight.
But he didn’t stop there. In 2023, he landed at Texas State, where he arguably played his best football, throwing for nearly 3,500 yards and 24 touchdowns. It looked like he had found his groove. But the suitcase stayed packed. A brief, three-game stop at Western Kentucky followed in 2024. Then came the chaos of 2025.
The Georgia State Experiment and Off-Field Hurdles
The 2025 season was supposed to be the final chapter. Finley initially committed to Tulane, but that relationship ended before it began following an arrest on charges of possession of stolen goods. After navigating those legal waters, he landed at Georgia State.
On the field, the 2025 campaign didn’t exactly go according to script. Finley suited up for seven games, throwing for 1,244 yards and 6 touchdowns against 7 interceptions, while the team struggled to a 1-6 record in his starts. It was a rough outing, compounded by what he describes as a “season-ending injury.”
Why Finley Wants One More Shot
It is easy to make jokes about the sheer number of schools, but there is a very human element driving Finley here. In an emotional Instagram post, he pulled back the curtain on why he is asking the NCAA for one more waiver.
“The last two years have been the most challenging of my life,” Finley wrote, citing the pressures of new fatherhood and nagging injuries. “Football is who I am. I still love competing, leading, and playing at the highest level.”
That right there is the crux of it. Despite the transfers, the injuries, and the noise, the guy just wants to play ball. He is looking to 2026 not just as another season, but as a chance to rewrite an ending that currently feels unfinished.
What Comes Next For the Veteran QB
So, what is the market for a quarterback entering his seventh year? That remains the million-dollar question. Finley has proven he has a big arm—you don’t throw for 7,000+ career yards by accident. But he needs a program willing to bet on a veteran presence who can pick up a playbook instantly, because Lord knows he’s had plenty of practice learning new offenses.
Whether the NCAA grants the waiver is hurdle number one. Finding a locker room that needs a QB7 is hurdle number two. But if we’ve learned anything about Finley, it is that he is not afraid to pack his bags and bet on himself one last time.
