Transfer Portal Landing Spots: Quarterbacks

Andy Pham is back! He looks at the landing spots for transfer quarterbacks and their potential impact.

The 2024 season has concluded, ushering in the transfer portal and its significant impact on the offseason and the upcoming season. Here are some quarterbacks who have found new homes and how these moves could influence their value for Devy, C2C, and CFF purposes.

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Northwestern QB Preston Stone (2025)

Stone ended the 2023 season with a gruesome injury. He rushed back and was cleared by the end of spring camp in 2024. In hindsight, rushing back hindered him, as he didn’t look as crisp or decisive. Returning from a major injury often comes with the challenge of overcoming a mental block, and Stone struggled to regain his free-flowing, gunslinger style. Instead, he became more hesitant, staying in the pocket. This one-dimensional approach allowed defenses to tee off on him, and he ultimately lost his job at SMU.

Now at Northwestern, the move may not seem promising, but Stone will be another year removed from his injury and faces no competition for the starting position. He is set to be the unquestioned starter. If he can make waves in the Big Ten, he could secure Day 2 draft capital. A key quality to watch for in a quarterback is the ability to elevate the players around them, and Stone will have ample opportunities to do so at Northwestern.

Colorado QB Kaidon Salter (2025)

Salter tested the portal last year after his team’s bowl game but found limited options as programs had already settled on new quarterbacks. This time, Salter acted quickly, declaring his intentions and landing at Colorado for his final season. He will be the unquestioned starter, as incoming freshman Julian Lewis will need a year to acclimate.

Salter has been viewed as a Devy asset since the fall of 2023. A dual-threat option, he makes all the throws you’d expect from a Devy-caliber player. Salter layers his passes, navigates the pocket well, and demonstrates excellent field vision, waiting for receivers to clear one passing window before progressing to the next. With Deion Sanders at the helm and the accompanying media coverage, Salter’s stock is set to rise. His final season in the Big 12 should be an exciting one to watch.

Oklahoma QB John Mateer (2025)

Mateer’s transfer to Oklahoma was expected after Ben Arbuckle joined the program. While he is primarily a top-tier CFF asset, the platform at Oklahoma gives him fringe Devy potential. Mateer is an adequate passer with an improvisational style that makes him thrilling to watch. He thrives in a backyard football-style approach, often going off-script.

If Mateer can develop as a passer, the media attention surrounding SEC football could elevate him to Devy status.

Auburn QB Jackson Arnold (2026)

Arnold’s value took a significant hit after a disappointing 2024 season at Oklahoma. While his status as a Devy asset has diminished, his transfer to Auburn—a quarterback-friendly program—offers a chance for redemption. He may never regain the peak value he held in the 2024 offseason, but he remains an intriguing CFF option.

Arnold is a flawed prospect with mechanical issues that Auburn may struggle to address. His NFL potential appears limited. Managers holding Arnold are in a waiting game, and those seeking to acquire him may find his price too high to justify.

Louisville QB Miller Moss (2025)