The excitement of college football is palpable, especially as the 2024 regular season wrapped up on Saturday. For many teams, this marks not just the end of a season but the beginning of a new chapter as they prepare for the upcoming transfer portal window. Although the portal officially opens on Monday, Dec. 9, whispers of players looking to make a move are already buzzing throughout the college football landscape.
The Transfer Portal: A Game-Changer for College Football
In recent years, the transfer portal has transformed the recruiting game for college football programs. It has become a crucial avenue for teams seeking to bolster their rosters, particularly with talented quarterbacks. This season, several playoff-caliber teams have strategically built their lineups around standout signal-callers who made the leap via the portal. Notable names like Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Ohio State’s Will Howard, and Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke have emerged as key players, showcasing the impact of this new recruiting tool.
With the transfer portal’s significance growing, Sporting News is committed to tracking all the notable quarterbacks entering the portal and making commitments throughout December. Fans and analysts alike will want to keep a close eye on the latest rumors and developments in this ever-evolving landscape.
Quarterbacks Making Moves
As the portal opens, several quarterbacks have already announced their intentions to seek new opportunities. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most recent players making headlines.
USC QB Miller Moss enters the portal
In a heartfelt Instagram post, former USC quarterback Miller Moss revealed he is entering the transfer portal. Moss expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for the Trojans, calling it a dream come true. He thanked his coaches, teammates, and teachers for their support over the years. However, he concluded that to become a better quarterback and leader, he needed to explore new avenues.
Moss started for USC this season, but after a challenging three-interception game in a 26-21 loss, he was benched in favor of backup Jayden Maiva. With one year of eligibility remaining, Moss is eager to find a fresh start.
Liberty QB Kaidon Salter announces he’s leaving for the portal
Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter also made waves by announcing his entry into the transfer portal. In a message on Instagram, he thanked his teammates and the university for their support over the past four years. Salter emphasized his desire to “take the next step in my journey” as the reason for his departure.
After a slow start in his first two seasons, Salter found his stride in 2023, throwing for 32 touchdowns and running for over 1,000 yards. However, his performance dipped in 2024, with 15 touchdowns against six interceptions in 11 games. Now, he’s looking to reignite his career elsewhere.
Stanford QB Justin Lamson reportedly entering the portal
Another name to watch is Stanford’s Justin Lamson, who is reportedly entering the transfer portal. Having played in 24 games over the past two seasons, Lamson has started only four games for the Cardinal. Throughout his career, he has thrown for 804 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Notably, Lamson is a dual-threat quarterback, having rushed for 428 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground. His next destination could be crucial for his development.
Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos
In mid-November, Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. After starting for the Eagles, he was benched for Grayson James late in the season. Castellanos has one year of eligibility left, having spent the last two seasons at BC and the previous year at UCF.
During his time at Boston College, Castellanos threw for 3,614 yards, accumulating 33 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also showcased his running ability, rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns last season. His next move will be pivotal for his career.
Former UNLV QB Matt Sluka
One of the more dramatic entries into the portal came from former UNLV quarterback Matt Sluka. After a dispute with the school regarding an NIL deal, Sluka announced his decision to enter the transfer portal mid-season. His departure made headlines, as he accused UNLV of failing to fulfill NIL promises. Sluka previously played at Holy Cross from 2020-2023 and has one year of eligibility remaining. His story raises questions about the intersection of NIL deals and player mobility in college football.
The Future of College Football
As the transfer portal continues to reshape the college football landscape, the coming weeks will be filled with anticipation and speculation. Which quarterbacks will find new homes? How will these moves impact the teams involved?
With the stakes higher than ever, the decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting effects on the programs and players alike. Fans should stay tuned, as the excitement of college football is far from over. The transfer portal is just one of the many dynamics that make this sport so thrilling, and it promises to keep us on the edge of our seats as we head into the offseason.
