Final QB Transfer Portal Predictions: DJ Lagway, Dylan Raiola, Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby, and Josh Hoover all find new homes

Transfer portal predictions for where each of the top quarterbacks ends up for the 2026 CFB season.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Oct 10, 2025; Denton, Texas, USA; North Texas Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up prior to a game against the South Florida Bulls at DATCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2025; Denton, Texas, USA; North Texas Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up prior to a game against the South Florida Bulls at DATCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The transfer portal is set to open on Jan. 2, promising an entertaining and chaotic experience. This will be one of the best quarterback markets we have seen, which also means there will be a lot of money thrown around. With the quarterback being the most important position in all of sports, that will be where a lot of the attention goes early on. 

Since there are only a couple of days before the portal opens, it feels like the perfect time for a final prediction. Here is where I see each of the top quarterbacks ending up. These picks are projections at this point, but they are built on some intel and common sense. 

Transfer portal QB predictions 

Here are the top transfer portal quarterback options to know currently. 

Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati) – Texas Tech 

There is a long list of programs that have interest in Brendan Sorsby, and entering the 2026 NFL Draft is still technically on the table. Texas Tech, Indiana, and Tennessee are the three biggest suitors to know. The Red Raiders have the momentum and the NIL backing to get this one done. 

Josh Hoover (TCU) – Indiana

If Sorsby does end up with Texas Tech, the former TCU star should become the top priority for the Hoosiers. While Josh Hoover isn’t the biggest quarterback of all time, he’s creative with some impressive arm talent. Working with Curt Cignetti would do wonders for his NFL outlook. 

DJ Lagway (Florida) – Miami 

Miami has had a good run of transfer portal quarterbacks with Cam Ward and Carson Beck in consecutive years. DJ Lagway is the most physically gifted of those three, but also needs the most development. If the 6-3, 240-pound passer develops, then the Hurricanes should once again make a playoff run. 

Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) – LSU

LSU can go a couple of different ways, but Sam Leavitt ending up as head coach under Lane Kiffin feels like the best-case scenario. While Leavitt is talented, he is also volatile. Working in the Kiffin offense would keep things simple and hopefully tap fully into his ceiling. 

Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) – Oregon

Miami could also be a team to watch for Dylan Raiola. If Dante Moore declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ducks will need to find their next quarterback via the portal. Raiola could be the latest reclamation project at quarterback for head coach Dan Lanning. 

Byrum Brown (USF) – Auburn

With his former head coach, Alex Golesh, now leading Auburn, this feels like the easiest fit on the list. Byrum Brown is a talented running threat at 6-3 and 219 pounds, and has improved as a passer over the years. He’s the perfect fit for Golesh, who will quickly try to overhaul the anemic Tiger offense. 

Drew Mestemaker (North Texas) – Oklahoma State 

Drew Mestemaker has some very intriguing options, but one of them is following his former head coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State. The 6-4, 211-pound passer is already prolific at a younger age with a fun story. This would be a massive addition for the Cowboys. 

Aidan Chiles (Michigan State) – Nebraska

The former Spartan and Oregon State transfer has always had a ton of talent, but he just hasn’t found the right situation yet. With Raiola gone, head coach Matt Rhule needs to find a signal-caller who can deliver a big season. While Aidan Chiles is a gamble, I’m not sure there are many better options right now.

Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech) – Florida 

Aaron Philo’s former offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, Buster Faulkner, is now calling the plays for the Gators. While Philo doesn’t have a ton of experience, he has performed well with the opportunities he’s had. The 6-2, 220-pound signal caller is a pretty fun gamble worth taking with three years of eligibility remaining. 

Beau Pribula (Missouri) – Virginia Tech

Speaking of relationships with coaches, Beau Pribula reuniting with head coach James Franklin, feels like the heavy favorite right now. The Hokies are a team heading toward a rebuild, but getting experienced players like Pribula could help to jumpstart that process quickly. 

Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame) – Cincinnati

Along with the Bearcats, Wisconsin and Boston College are a couple of programs that have been reaching out to Kenny Minchey regularly. With Sorsby in the portal, Cincinnati needs to find its next quarterback. Minchey is a toolsy signal caller who could make some noise in the Big 12 conference. 

Rocco Becht (Iowa State) – Penn State 

While some other programs are also interested in Rocco Becht, it feels like only a matter of time before he ends up back with head coach Matt Campbell. Becht feels like the perfect bridge to help bring along the quarterback room, even if he’s a bit up and down at times. 

Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) – Florida State 

The former Virginia signal caller is obviously well acquainted with the ACC. The minute that Anthony Colandrea entered the portal, there was some Florida State buzz that surfaced, along with some Tennessee Vols intrigue. He fits the style that head coach Mike Norvell has liked at quarterback, a crafty signal caller who can do some fun things off schedule at times. 

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