With the transfer portal where it is, college football programs are eying movement several months out. When it does reopen here on December 9th, it appears that there could be several talented quarterbacks who could be in the mix. We could see a major shakeup around college football, and some major programs are watching.
From conversations around folks in the know, there is some serious homework that has already been done on these particular players. Each is going to have a very interesting, and unique decision to make if they do choose to enter following the season.
Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland)
It has been an impressive season for Edwards, who has thrown for 2,314 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing over 68 percent of his passes. Edwards is also a capable runner who has scored five more touchdowns on the ground this season. With the Mike Locksley era seeming to stagnate, don’t be shocked if Edwards checks out options this offseason, and he could be a hot commodity if he chooses to do so.
Darian Mensah (Tulane)
This might be a deeper pull for some college football fans out there, but if you have seen Tulane this season, you know how talented Mensah is. The 6-3, 200-pound passer has thrown for 1,583 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season, also throwing only three interceptions and completing over 64 percent of his passes. Several Power Five schools will have heavy interest in forcing Mensah to the portal. He is definitely a name to know.
This one is a super interesting topic considering Altmyer already transferred once from Ole Miss, but the word on the street is that there is going to be high interest out there should he enter the transfer portal. So far this season, Altmyer has thrown for 1,667 yards and 15 touchdowns, while only throwing three interceptions. Altmyer is also a good athlete, adding another two scores with his legs. For what it is worth, Altmyer is originally from Mississippi.
John Mateer (Washington State)
Of all the quarterbacks on the list, Mateer is by far the best athlete. He has quietly rushed for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Mateer has also been good through the air, having thrown for 2,153 yards and 18 touchdowns. This is a dynamic player, and one that not enough people know. The portal market will be high for Mateer if he does take the plunge.
Depending how things end or don’t end with Billy Napier, the conversation around Lagway should be an obvious one. At 6-3 and 239 pounds, Lagway has the look of a future high draft selection. He has shown flashes of high upside in limited opportunities, and you are lying to yourself if you don’t think the portal would be robust for him. Lagway could opt to return for his sophomore season next fall, but if he does really consider the portal, the money and opportunity for a more sustainable program could be too much to pass up.
This season has been a disaster for Arizona, and they are set to lose both wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and offensive lineman Jonah Saviiinaea this offseason, both of which are projected as first round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. That could leave Fifita with an interesting decision, hoping to find a more stable program to get back to his 2023 form.
This is a wild one, but there appears to be some deep interest out there. Drones has already transferred once from Baylor, and has been an integral part of the Hokies program the last two seasons. He has thrown for 27 touchdowns and just eight interceptions during that time. Drones has also rushed for another 11 scores on the ground. The anticipation is that the 6-2, 234-pound signal caller could at least keep his eyes open to programs of interest.
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