Transfers Dominate Starting Quarterback Roles Across FBS
Across the FBS, 97 of 138 programs have a transfer as their starting or projected starting quarterback this fall. Among preseason AP Top 25 teams, that number is 16, up from eight last year. The shift reflects a broader trend of coaches prioritizing immediate results over long-term development.
The shift toward transfer quarterbacks spans the entire FBS, with roughly 70 percent of programs now relying on transfers under center. Among preseason AP Top 25 teams, the number doubled from eight to sixteen in a single year. Notable examples include Julian Sayin, who left Alabama after Nick Saban's retirement, and Dante Moore, who transferred from UCLA to Oregon and nearly entered the NFL Draft before returning for another season.
Not every elite program follows this pattern. Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, and Texas's Arch Manning all developed within their original programs, waiting multiple seasons for starting opportunities. These homegrown quarterbacks demonstrate that patient development still exists, though the overall trend reflects coaches' urgency to win immediately and players' desire for early playing time.
The prevalence of transfer quarterbacks could reshape how young players approach their careers, with high school recruits potentially viewing their initial commitment as temporary rather than binding. This may accelerate