dominoes are falling College Football Transfer Portal Quarterback Market Several notable players will be leaving this week. Miami and Tennessee are premier programs that still need immediate talent at the position, and given the talent left on the market, they may have to pay a premium to do so.
singular portal The window for the 2026 cycle closes on Friday, so a final decision needs to be made as soon as possible. USC’s Husan Longstreet, 6th best quarterback in the portal; Cooper Petagna’s Big Board on 247Sportscurrently Top-ranking, dedicated quarterback Available.
Longstreet previously committed to Texas A&M before signing with USC in the 2025 class. He was the No. 32 player in his class (last among five-star players in that cycle) and No. 4 QB behind Bryce Underwood (Michigan), Kieron Russell (Alabama) and Tavian St. Clair (Ohio State). He’s a two-way quarterback with a “rifle in his arm,” said 247Sports scouting director Andrew Ivins. USC wanted to keep Longstreet, but Longstreet wanted to play in his second season of college football. And the Trojans are rewarding the talented Jayden Maiava. So Longstreet is in the transfer portal.
Should Miami push for Longstreet?
Some in the industry believe Miami could target Longstreet. People who recently visited LSU. Despite signing Sam Leavitt from Arizona State on Monday night, the Tigers are still perceived as a leader in Longstreet. The No. 1 transfer QB (LSU will likely be willing to pay a premium for a QB2 in the portal, and Kiffin could sell Longstreet for his credit for coming into his system; Trinidad Chambliss has become a household name despite entering this year as an afterthought in the QB room).
Meanwhile, in Miami, Carson Beck will run out of eligibility after next week’s national championship game, and there is concern in Coral Gables. Hurricanes don’t hit the jackpot Like they managed to get through the last two portal cycles under center.
If Miami is unable to land a quarterback this week, Mario Cristobal’s program is expected to enter spring practice in the coming months. luke nickel, judd andersonand Dereon Coleman It will be difficult for him to start unless the Hurricanes convince backup Emory Williams to return.
“This is really important and it looks like they (Miami) are trying to find a guy by any means possible,” InsideTheU’s Gabby Urrutia told CBS Sports on Wednesday. “I don’t see Longstreet as a viable option yet.”
Urrutia wrote an article similar to Longstory’s on Tuesday.That should be Miami’s top option as they search for Beck’s replacement.
Longstreet has four years of eligibility remaining, and if he signs with LSU, Leavitt will be a bridge to the future in Baton Rouge. That’s only if Lane Kiffin can add his opinion. third quarterback this month.
Josh Heupel’s plans for Tennessee
Longstreet could also attract Tennessee’s attention, although there are no plans for a visit at this time. Like Miami, the Vols also lack available options as the portal window closes on Friday.
Ironically, the next highest-ranked quarterback available is Jake Merklinger, who spent his redshirt freshman season in 2025 as follows: Tennessee’s primary backup.
Top 10 Transfer QBs for 2026 Portal Cycle
Currently, the Vols’ only quarterbacks are George McIntyre, who will be entering his redshirt freshman season in 2026, and early enrollee five-star Faizon Brandon. Tennessee senior Joey Aguilar, who threw for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns after transferring from UCLA in exchange for Nico Iamareaba, hopes to be available in a year. Challenge NCAA eligibility rules.
Patrick Brown of GoVols247 said, “Aguilar’s return is highly probable at this point, and there is no clear timeline for when it will be resolved.” “So their options seem to be flipping a player who may have committed but didn’t sign, or acquiring a quarterback who hasn’t entered the portal yet, or acquiring an FCS player to compete with McIntyre and Faizon.”
The Vols made an offer to Leavitt and later saw Missouri’s Beau Pribula commit to Virginia after delaying his recruitment to take Leavitt’s wishes into account. Like Miami, Tennessee made a big offer for Ty Simpson from Alabama, but he has now decided to remain in the 2026 tournament. nfl draftciting reasons for loyalty among others. Wednesday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft.
Miami’s transfer QB woes: Overturning Ty Simpson’s draft decision becomes the best option as options dwindle
brad crawford
It was expected that Longstreet would compete with Maiaba for the national team this spring at USC. A disconnect between the freshman quarterbacks was reported. and the Trojans coaching staff. If he were to sign with Miami or Tennessee, Longstreet’s path to QB1 status would be a little clearer given the depth of both programs compared to the situation he would have faced in Los Angeles.
Close portal window
With the entry deadline approaching later this week, multiple sources told CBS Sports that a returning Power Five starter who hasn’t resigned from his or her current school could jump in.
Given the financial implications of jumping into this portal now as a top prospect, some are waiting until the last minute to negotiate a retention deal, but that could work in Miami and Tennessee’s favor if neither school likes the remaining options left on the market.
We saw this coming earlier this week, with Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton becoming one of the newest additions. The former five-star and second-year starter for the Buffaloes has catapulted to the status of a top prospect, a top-five transfer, according to 247Sports, and reportedly settled for around $3 million.
Given the quarterback market, imagine how much money could be made if this position’s difference-maker announced his intention to transfer within the next 48 hours.