College Football QB Newsletter - December 10, 2023
Transfer Portal, Recruiting, Depth Chart, Injury & NFL Draft News of the Day
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A few more transfer quarterbacks announced their commitments over the last couple days including some this morning. In case you’re not scoring at home, 117 FBS QBs have entered the transfer portal with nine commitments to this point. Check out the latest data here.
Today’s College Football QB Newsletter takes a look at the latest transfer portal news with a list of offers and visits from a busy weekend of recruiting.
TRANSFER PORTAL REPORT
Former Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel (Stats) announced he will play his final college football season at Oregon. Gabriel started the last two years with the Sooners after spending his first three seasons at UCF. He will be the replacement for Bo Nix (Stats), who is out of eligibility following the bowl game.
After landing Dillon Gabriel (Stats), Oregon will potentially host former UCLA QB Dante Moore (Stats) next weekend, according to 247Sports’ Allen Trieu. Moore has three years of eligibility remaining with the opportunity to redshirt if needed, and the Ducks are in the market to add another quarterback to the roster this offseason. Moore has also been in contact with Michigan but was not expected to go on any visits over the weekend, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Following the Dillon Gabriel (Stats) commitment to Oregon, Ducks backup QB Ty Thompson (Stats) posted a cryptic tweet shortly after. He entered the transfer portal, according to Ducks Digest’s Max Torres, though that was refuted by On3’s Pete Nakos. Still, it looks like we’re headed in that direction for the former 5-star prospect, who has two years of eligibility remaining after the 2023 season.
Photo courtesy of GoDucks.com
Florida State remains in the mix for former Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei (Stats), though a visit has yet to be scheduled, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The Seminoles are in need of a new starting quarterback with Jordan Travis (Stats) out of eligibility and Tate Rodemaker (Stats) as the backup this season. Uiagalelei has one more year to play.
Syracuse has been in contact with Ohio State transfer QB Kyle McCord (Stats), according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The Orange are looking to replace Garrett Shrader (Stats), who is out of eligibility after the bowl game with Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Stats) as the next best option on the depth chart. McCord previously met with Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield with one year of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Louisville is open to taking another transfer quarterback in addition to Tyler Shough (Stats), according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The Cardinals were initially expected to be in the mix for DJ Uiagalelei (Stats), but it seems unlikely Shough would make a commitment without a good idea he will spend his final college football season as the starter. Louisville had nine quarterbacks on the roster this season but needs to replace starter Jack Plummer (Stats) and backup Brock Domann (Stats).
Former Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen (Stats) announced he will play his final year of eligibility at Mississippi State. Shapen was a multi-year starter with the Bears and will join a quarterback room looking to replace Will Rogers (Stats). Mike Wright (Stats) and Chris Parson (Stats) are the top two quarterbacks on the roster, but Shapen’s experience likely makes him the favorite to start in 2024.
Miami was expected to host Washington State transfer Cameron Ward (Stats) and former Mississippi State QB Will Rogers (Stats) over the weekend, according to Rivals’ Adam Gorney. Both have multiple seasons of starting experience with one year of eligibility remaining as the Hurricanes look to replace starter Tyler Van Dyke (Stats), who’s in the transfer portal.
Wake Forest received a commitment from Louisiana Tech transfer QB Hank Bachmeier (Stats), according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Bachmeier has plenty of starting experience with his time at Boise State and his lone season with the Bulldogs. Michael Kern (Stats) is the top option on the roster after taking over the starting role late in the 2023 season, but this is Bachmeier’s job to lose.
There is speculation Georgia Southern transfer QB Beau Allen (Stats) could return to Kentucky, according to 247Sports’ Aaron Gershon. Allen started his college football career with the Wildcats before transferring to Tarleton State and Georgia Southern, though he was unable to play in 2023 after the NCAA became more strict on its one-year transfer rule. Allen would add depth to a QB room that needs to replace its top three quarterbacks with two years of eligibility remaining.
Fresno State transfer QB Logan Fife (Stats) said Minnesota offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh plans to visit him this week, followed by a weekend visit to see the Golden Gophers, according to 247Sports’ Ryan Burns. Minnesota recently landed a commitment from New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer to be the starter, but the Gophers need to add depth after losing two scholarship QBs to the portal. Minnesota recently offered Fife, who has two years of eligibility remaining and has been a backup with the Bulldogs.
Former NC State quarterback MJ Morris (Stats) received a visit from LSU and saw Maryland last week, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Morris took over as the starter in each of the last two years with the Wolfpack but shut down his 2023 season to use a redshirt season. The Tigers need to replace Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (Stats) in 2024, and the Terrapins need to do the same with Taulia Tagovailoa (Stats).
Notre Dame received another prediction to land Duke transfer Riley Leonard (Stats), according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer. That makes it eight crystal ball picks for the Fighting Irish to get another one-year quarterback, and they had him on campus last week. It would be a huge surprise if Leonard went anywhere else, and expect a commitment very soon.
Wisconsin was expected to host Miami transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke (Stats) this weekend, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Van Dyke has multiple years of starting experience with the Hurricanes, though he was replaced by Emory Williams (Stats), who suffered a season-ending injury in his first start since taking over the QB1 spot. Van Dyke has one year of eligibility remaining as the Badgers look to replace Tanner Mordecai (Stats), who’s out of eligibility after the bowl game.
Michigan State received another prediction to land Oregon State transfer QB Aidan Chiles (Stats) from 247Sports’ Greg Biggins and four more from On3. The Spartans had him on campus this weekend, and they have been considered the favorite to reunite with head coach Jonathan Smith immediately after he entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. Chiles would tart in 2024 if he commits to Michigan State.
Former Michigan State QB Sam Leavitt (Stats) received offers from Oregon State, BYU, Utah, Arizona State and Washington State, and Nebraska visited and is keeping close tabs on him, he told 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman. Leavitt has four years of eligibility remaining after playing in four games in 2024 and had originally been committed to the Cougars and is from Oregon. He added every school that offered will be considered, according to the report. Leavitt visited Utah and was expected to see Arizona State over the weekend with Oregon State up next, according to 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman.
Ohio transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke (Stats) plans to visit Indiana and Wake Forest, he told On3’s Pete Nakos. This news came before the Demon Deacons added Hank Bachmeier (Stats) over the weekend, so it’s unlikely Wake is an option considering Bachmeier and Rourke both have just one year of eligibility remaining. The Hoosiers need to replace Brendan Sorsby (Stats) as the starter in 2024, and Rourke would be a strong option with years of starting experience and could potentially enter the NFL Draft.
BYU was expected to have former Hawaii QB Brayden Schager (Stats) on campus Sunday, according to 247Sports’ Mike Roach. Schager was a starter with the Rainbow Warriors as the Cougars look to replace starter Kedon Slovis (Stats), who is out of eligibility. Jake Retzlaff (Stats) is the top returning option on the roster, and Schager has one year of eligibility remaining.
Minnesota transfer Drew Viotto (Stats) announced his commitment to Eastern Michigan after redshirting as a true freshman in 2023. Viotto did not play a snap this fall, so it’s unclear whether he is ready to take on a starting role, but the Eagles need to replace starter Austin Smith (Stats), who is in the transfer portal. Ike Udengwu III (Stats) and Cam’Ron McCoy (Stats) were listed as co-backups all season.
Texas Tech received a commitment from West Georgia transfer Cameran Brown, according to his Twitter post. Brown has three years of eligibility remaining and adds some depth to the Red Raiders quarterback room with Behren Morton (Stats) expected to return as the starter in 2024.
Charlotte quarterback Micah Bowens (Stats) announced will enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Bowens spent one season at Penn State and two at Oklahoma before joining the 49ers for the 2023 season. He played one snap over his college football career.
North Texas transfer QB Stone Earle (Stats) announced his commitment to Abilene Christian after spending the 2023 season as the backup quarterback with the Mean Green with two years of eligibility remaining.
UCF transfer Brady Shannon announced he committed to Youngstown State. He has been on the Knights’ baseball team before entering the portal as a quarterback in football. He has three years of eligibility remaining as he gets his football career going again.
VISITS
ARST - Samari Collier (Stats) | Tweet
MSU - Aidan Chiles (Stats) | Tweet
SYR - Cole Snyder (Stats) | Tweet
VAN - Cole Snyder (Stats) | Tweet
OFFERS
GASO - Dexter Williams II (Stats) | Tweet
GAST - Dexter Williams II (Stats) | Tweet
IND - Kurtis Rourke (Stats) | Tweet
MINN - Logan Fife (Stats) | Tweet
UNT - Dexter Williams II (Stats) | Tweet
UTSA - Dexter Williams II (Stats) | Tweet
AAMU - Aveon Smith (Stats) | Tweet
CHSO - Aveon Smith (Stats) | Tweet
CIT - Aveon Smith (Stats) | Tweet
NWST - Ren Hefley (Stats) | Tweet
SAM - Dexter Williams II (Stats) | Tweet
SCST - Aveon Smith (Stats) | Tweet
SELU - Ren Hefley (Stats) | Tweet
TU - Ren Hefley (Stats) | Tweet
RECRUITING REPORT
VISITS
APP - Matthew Wilson | Tweet
ARK - KJ Jackson | Tweet
BYU - Enoch Watson | Tweet
EMU - Jace Stuckey | Tweet
ILL - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
ILL - Jimmy Sullivan | Tweet
IND - Alberto Mendoza | Tweet
MEM - Arrington Maiden | Tweet
MICH - Jadyn Davis | Tweet
MINN - Drake Lindsey | Tweet
MINN - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
NEB - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
NIU - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
NW - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
OSU - Air Noland | Tweet
RICE - Drew Devillier | Tweet
UCLA - Henry Hasselbeck | Tweet
VT - Davi Belfort | Tweet
DART - Ethan Plumb | Tweet
DEL - Braden Streeter | Tweet
EWU - Jake Schakel | Tweet
OFFERS
ILL - Jimmy Sullivan | Tweet
MISS - Anthony Maddox | Tweet
MIZZ - Dillon Duff | Tweet
MSU - Alessio Milivojevic | Tweet
TLSA - Trever Jackson | Tweet
UNC - Dia Bell | Tweet
UNC - Will Griffin | Tweet
UNC - Noah Grubbs | Tweet
UTEP - Shay Smith | Tweet
UNA - Neko Fann | Tweet
NFL DRAFT REPORT
UPCOMING KEY DATES
A look at what’s ahead over the next 30 days.
Dec. 16 - Bowl season starts
Dec. 20 - 2024 recruiting early signing period starts
Dec. 20 - 2024 Juco midyear transfer signing period starts
Dec. 22 - 2024 recruiting early signing period ends
Jan. 1 - Bowl season ends
Jan. 1 - College Football Playoff semifinals
Jan. 2 - Transfer portal window closes
Jan. 6 - All-American Bowl
Jan. 8 - National Championship
Tomorrow’s College Football QB Newsletter will have a ton of recruiting updates after a big weekend of visits with plenty of bowl game info. And of course, there will be more transfer portal news from today that we’ll react to. Adjust your lives accordingly.