Gunslinger Buzz: FBS & FCS College Football QB Newsletter 12/22/2023
Cameron Ward is still considering an NFL Draft entry
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I’ve been teasing this on Twitter over the last few days, but more FCS content will be in the newsletter starting today. The FBS information will remain the same, but there will be an FCS section at the bottom of each edition.
Enough emails and DMs came in from recruits, parents and player personnel departments that there must be a bigger demand for this kind of thing at an FCS level that remains extremely undercovered.
I’m only covering FCS quarterback transfer and recruiting news for now. In the meantime, I’ll be working on the 2024 QB depth chart & injury page, which will be just like the FBS edition. I haven’t found much in terms of national FCS depth charts and injury reports, so that will be a must read come betting season.
I’d love to hear your feedback as we enter the world of FCS.
Email GunslingerBuzz@gmail.com with any questions, comments or news tips.
FBS QUARTERBACK REPORT
TRANSFER PORTAL
Washington State transfer Cameron Ward is still considering the NFL Draft, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. He’s coming off Florida State and Miami visits, and they’re the top two options for Ward’s final year of eligibility. The Hurricanes are also extremely interested in Arkansas transfer KJ Jefferson. Stats: Ward, Jefferson
Florida Atlantic QB Casey Thompson will enter the transfer portal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The former Nebraska and Texas quarterback received a medical redshirt for a seventh season after a torn ACL and MCL on Sept. 16. Thompson is considering going pro, and this comes a day after Cam Fancher was predicted to the Owls by 247Sports. Stats: Thompson, Fancher
Nebraska QB Chubba Purdy entered the transfer portal. He started a few games this fall with two years of eligibility remaining. Heinrich Haarberg is the top returning QB, but the Cornhuskers have been aggressive in the transfer market. Stats: Purdy, Haarberg
Photo courtesy of FAU Athletics
Idaho transfer Gevani McCoy committed to Oregon State. He’s the favorite to start over Ben Gulbranson with two years of eligibility remaining. Stats: Gulbranson
Indiana transfer Dexter Williams II committed to Georgia Southern. He hasn’t played since a November 2022 leg injury and will get a shot to replace starter Davis Brin with JC French as his main challenger. Stats: Williams, Brin, French
Tulsa transfer Braylon Braxton planned visits for Marshall and North Texas with UTSA in the mix, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. He appeared in 19 games in three seasons with starting experience, but a Week 1 ankle injury limited him to six games this fall. All three programs need to replace their 2023 starting QB. Stats: Braxton
Samari Collier decommitted from Arkansas State. The former Illinois QB played at Hutchinson this fall and committed to the Red Wolves earlier this month with two years of eligibility left. Stats: Collier
OFFERS
UMass offered Ryan Jankowski (Akron - Stats).
RECRUITING
Illinois received a 247Sports prediction for 2025 3⭐ Carson Boyd (MO). Boyd visited the Fighting Illini last weekend.
Iowa State added another 247Sports prediction for 2025 3⭐ Alex Manske (IA). This is the second Manske-to-Iowa State pick within the week, and the in-state visited the Cyclones multiple times.
2024 2⭐ JP Pickles (FL) signed with UTEP. He joined 3⭐ QB Shay Smith (TX) in the Miners’ class after picking up an offer earlier this month.
OFFERS
DEPTH CHARTS & INJURIES
Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck named Ethan Vasko the starter for Saturday’s Hawaii Bowl vs. San Jose State. He’s listed as a co-starter with Jarrett Guest, who’s apparently available despite being in the transfer portal. Beck added Vasko has the best chance to start in 2024, but there will be a competition. Stats: Vasko, Guest
Air Force QB Zac Larrier is listed as the starter for Saturday’s Armed Forces Bowl vs. James Madison. He was not on the depth chart for the regular season finale that he did not play with an injury. In that game, backup Jensen Jones did not play, and Ben Brittain left with an injury with John Busha taking over. Stats: Larrier, Jones, Brittain, Busha
South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack reiterated multiple QBs will play in Saturday’s 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan. Carter Bradley injured his knee, and Desmond Trotter replaced him in the regular season finale. However, that may have been to keep the redshirt of true freshman Gio Lopez, who appeared to be the No. 2 option this season despite being third on the depth chart. Redshirt statuses are not impacted by bowl games this year, so Lopez will be available. Stats: Bradley, Trotter, Lopez
FCS QUARTERBACK REPORT
TRANSFER PORTAL
Albany QB Reese Poffenbarger entered the transfer portal. The two-year starter began his career at Old Dominion with two years of eligibility left.
Miami (OH) transfer Aveon Smith committed to Alabama A&M. He took over as the starter because of an injury in 2023 with two years of eligibility remaining. Stats: Smith
Stony Brook transfer Daron Bryden shut down his recruitment. Expect a commitment soon after appearing in 14 games in three seasons with starting experience and two years left.
Liberty transfer Johnathan Bennett committed to The Citadel. He played 33 games over five seasons with plenty of starting experience and one year of eligibility remaining. Stats: Bennett
Sacred Heart transfer Rob McCoy committed to Charleston Southern. He played 26 games in five seasons with one year left to play.
Butler Community College transfer Tanner Murray signed with Southeastern Louisiana. The former UTSA QB played nine games at the Juco level this fall with three years of eligibility remaining. Stats: Murray
Portland State QB Logan Gonzalez will enter the transfer portal. The former 3⭐ played five games over two seasons with three years of eligibility remaining.
Southern transfer Dylan Mehrotra is open to walk-on opportunities. The former UAB QB made his college football debut this fall after playing in one game with two years of eligibility remaining.
Former New Mexico Military Institute QB Kobe Muasau signed with Morgan State. He committed to Navy out of high school.
OFFERS
Maine offered Tyler Knoop (Georgetown).
Samford offered Zach Gibson (Georgia Tech - Stats).
Wagner offered Tyler Knoop (Georgetown).
Northern State (D2) offered Scott Lynch (Sacred Heart).
RECRUITING
2024 QB Haden Klees (FL) signed with Samford. He committed to the Bulldogs in July.
2024 QB Nahseem Deas (NY) signed with Bethune-Cookman. He committed to the Wildcats in July.
OFFERS
Portland State offered Cru Newman.
I don’t have a publishing plan for the holidays, but there will likely be enough happening that paying subscribers will get an extra newsletter over the weekend. If not, the next edition will be the day after Christmas with a postseason depth chart & injury report notebook. Adjust your lives accordingly.
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