The Transfer Portal Is Open: Chaos, Cash, And The 2026 Quarterback Carousel
If you thought the actual football season was stressful, welcome to the real madness. As of midnight on January 2, the NCAA transfer portal is officially open for business. And folks, this isn’t your grandfather’s college football. It isn’t even your older brother’s college football.
Because the NCAA decided to condense the transfer portal chaos into a single, frantic window running through January 16, we are witnessing the equivalent of Black Friday shopping, speed dating, and a high-stakes poker game all rolled into one. There is no spring window to fix mistakes. General managers and exhausted coaches have two weeks to build a roster for 2026.
The Quarterback Market is Absolutely Sizzling In the Transfer Portal
Let’s be honest: in modern college football, if you don’t have a trigger man, you don’t have a prayer. This transfer portal cycle features a fascinating mix of proven veterans, statistical monsters, and former five-stars looking for a fresh start.
Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati)
Sorsby feels like the adult in the room. After stabilizing Cincinnati and looking like a legitimate NFL prospect, he’s back on the market. He threw for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, but it’s his poise that stands out. He’s not a project; he’s a plug-and-play starter for a contender who needs to win now. If your favorite team has a defense ready to win a title but a quarterback who can’t hit the broad side of a barn, pray they call Sorsby.
Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
This one hurts if you’re a Sun Devil fan. Leavitt was the engine behind that Cinderella run in Tempe before his foot injury derailed the fun. He’s got toughness, grit, and the ability to make plays when the pocket collapses. He threw for over 1,600 yards in just seven games. He’s leaving Kenny Dillingham’s squad, and you have to imagine the bidding war for a guy with his ceiling is going to be astronomical.
Drew Mestemaker (North Texas)
Who? If you don’t know the name, check the stat sheet. He led the nation with 4,379 passing yards. Yes, it was at North Texas, and yes, they throw the ball every three seconds, but arm talent is arm talent. He’s a former walk-on who is about to become very, very wealthy. He’s the classic “Group of 5 superstar moving up to the Power 4” story we love to watch.
The Redemption Tours: High Rankings, Hard Falls
The portal isn’t just about moving up; sometimes it’s about hitting the reset button before your career flatlines.
Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
Remember the hype? The Patrick Mahomes lookalike contest? The savior of Lincoln? It didn’t go as planned. Between a broken fibula and an offensive line that treated him like a piñata, 27 sacks, Raiola is looking for a new home. The talent is undeniable, but he needs a system that protects him. He’s got two years left to prove the five-star rating wasn’t a mirage.
DJ Lagway (Florida)
Another mega-recruit is hitting the road. Lagway had the unenviable task of trying to save Billy Napier’s job in Gainesville. It didn’t work. Leading the SEC in interceptions (14) is a tough look, but the physical tools are off the charts. He needs a quarterback whisperer, not a pressure cooker.
The Playmakers In the Transfer Portal Who Change Scoreboards
It’s not just quarterbacks. Some truly elite skill talent is looking for a new jersey.
Cam Coleman (Auburn)
It feels like Coleman has been at Auburn for 10 years, but he’s just a sophomore. Despite the Tigers’ rollercoaster existence, Coleman put up 1,300 yards over two seasons. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Put him in an offense with a stable QB, and he’s a Biletnikoff contender instantly.
Isaac Brown (Louisville)
Speed. Pure, unadulterated speed. Brown averaged nearly 8 yards per carry. That is video game stuff. He is arguably the most explosive running back in the country, and he is looking for a featured role. Defensive coordinators are already losing sleep thinking about this guy in the open field.
Defense Wins Championships (and Transfer Portal Wars)
Trey White (San Diego State)
If you like sacks, you love Trey White. The guy lived in the backfield for the Aztecs. Edge rushers are the second most valuable commodity behind quarterbacks, and White is a disruptor. He’s not just getting pressure; he’s wrecking game plans.
Koi Perich (Minnesota)
The “hometown hero” story has a twist ending. Perich, a dynamic safety and return man, is testing the waters. He’s a ballhawk with a nose for the football that you simply can’t teach. Losing a guy like this is a gut punch for Minnesota, but an absolute gift for whoever lands him.
The Bottom Line
We are in for a wild two weeks. Loyalty is great, but in 2026, roster construction is about business decisions. Players are chasing development and dollars, and coaches are chasing survival.
