The college football transfer portal continues to reshape rosters, especially at the quarterback position. This article dives into the latest trends and impactful moves within the spring transfer portal, including a look at the headlining availability of nico Iamaleava. Discover which quarterbacks are on the move and how it could impact the upcoming season.
Spring Transfer Portal: Quarterbacks on the Move
April 15,2025
A look at quarterbacks who have found new opportunities through the spring transfer portal,and the potential impact of Nico Iamaleava’s availability.
Nico iamaleava: The Headliner
As the spring transfer portal opens, all eyes are fixed on former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. After leading the Volunteers to a College Football Playoff appearance and a 10-3 record, Iamaleava presents an enticing option for Power 4 programs seeking a quarterback upgrade.
Though, a notable hurdle exists. But his asking price — and the new financial structure in college football — complicates things.
Most Power 4 programs have already committed financially to their starting quarterbacks during the winter portal window in December.
Spring Portal Trends: A Deeper Dive
Iamaleava’s availability in April is unusual for a Power 4 starting quarterback. While not unprecedented, history reveals some trends within the spring transfer portal.
- 2024 Cycle: Over 80 Division I quarterbacks entered the portal after April 1, but only a dozen started an FBS game last fall, and only five did so at Power 4 schools.
- Typical Scenario: The spring window primarily features inexperienced backups seeking a fresh start,with few immediately securing starting roles.
- Best QBs Move Early:
It’s obvious, though, that the best quarterbacks are no longer waiting until the spring to make a move, which is why the market is usually dry this time of year.
Notable Spring Transfer Moves: A Retrospective
Examining past spring transfer portal moves provides valuable context. Hear’s a look at quarterbacks who switched schools and the outcomes they experienced:
2021
- TJ finley (LSU → Auburn): Finley, now at his fifth school (Tulane), initially transferred to Auburn in May 2021. he started three games in 2021 and began the 2022 season as Auburn’s starter before transferring to Texas State in May 2023. Recently, Finley ran into some legal issues.
- Joe Milton (Michigan → Tennessee): Milton joined Tennessee in April after a 2-4 season with Michigan. He initially won the starting job but was later replaced by Hendon Hooker due to injury. Milton regained the starting role in 2022 and remained the starter in 2023.
- Artur Sitkowski (Rutgers → Illinois): After starting 15 games for Rutgers,Sitkowski transferred to Illinois in april 2021.He started three games in Bret Bielema’s first season (2021) and served as a backup in 2022.
2022
- Gerry Bohanon (Baylor → USF): Bohanon, after leading baylor to a 12-2 record, lost his starting job and transferred to USF in April 2022. He started seven games for USF in 2022 before becoming a backup at BYU in 2023.
- Billy Edwards Jr. (Wake Forest → Maryland): Edwards transferred to Maryland in April after limited opportunities at Wake Forest. He started three games in 2022 due to injury and 11 games in 2024 before transferring to wisconsin. He earned MVP honors in the 2023 bowl win over Auburn.
- Emory Jones (Florida → Arizona State): Jones transferred to Arizona State after Jayden Daniels’ departure. He started seven games in 2022. He then transferred to Cincinnati, leading them to a 3-9 record in 2023.
2023
- Ben Bryant (Cincinnati → Northwestern): bryant,after a accomplished stint at Eastern Michigan and Cincinnati,transferred to Northwestern in April 2023. He started and whent 6-3 in 2023.
- Thomas Castellanos (UCF → Boston College): castellanos transferred to Boston College in April 2023 after limited playing time at UCF. he became the starter by Week 2, leading the Eagles to a 7-6 season. He is expected to be the starter at Florida State this fall.
- Casey Thompson (Nebraska → FAU): Thompson transferred to FAU in April 2023 after a coaching change at Nebraska. He won the starting job but suffered a season-ending injury three games into the season.He spent last season as a backup at Oklahoma.
- Payton Thorne (Michigan State → Auburn): thorne transferred to Auburn in April to join Hugh Freeze. he led Auburn to a 5-7 record in 2023 and improved his passing efficiency in 2024.
- Hayden wolff (Old Dominion → Western Michigan): Wolff transferred to Western Michigan in the spring of 2023. He took over as the starter mid-season and led Western Michigan to a bowl game.
2024
- Jacolby Criswell (Arkansas → North Carolina): Criswell returned to North Carolina after a stint at Arkansas. He started 10 games in 2024 after an injury to Max Johnson before transferring to East Tennessee State.
- Nick Evers (Wisconsin → UConn): evers transferred to uconn and won the starting job in 2024, starting eight games.
- Collin Schlee (UCLA → Virginia Tech): Schlee transferred to Virginia Tech in april 2024. He backed up Kyron drones before starting three games late in the year.
- Christian Veilleux (Pittsburgh → Georgia State): Veilleux transferred to Georgia State in April after Pittsburgh acquired Eli Holstein. He won the starting job, throwing for 2,047 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight starts.
