🏈 Gunslinger Buzz: Will Howard trending to Ohio State
College football QB recruiting, transfer portal, depth chart & injury news 1/3/2024
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The transfer portal closed yesterday except for those participating in the College Football Playoff, FCS Playoffs and late bowl games, who get an extra five days to make a decision. For the rest, the next transfer portal window is on May 1.
Three of the top quarterbacks on the market highlight today’s edition, and I’ll make sure to hit on noteworthy items from bowl season throughout the week in addition to the latest transfer and recruiting items. Thursday’s edition will be exclusive to paying subscribers.
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MY TOP THREE
Kansas State transfer Will Howard (stats) will visit Ohio State, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported, and On3’s Alex Gleitman predicted he’ll land with the Buckeyes for his final season. He would likely take over the top spot ahead of Devin Brown (stats), who left Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri with an ankle injury with Lincoln Kienholz (stats) finishing the game. Howard previously saw USC and Miami, and the Trojans had been considered the early favorite, though Miller Moss’ (stats) bowl game performance may have helped him solidify the starting spot in 2024.
Former Washington State QB Cameron Ward (stats) announced he’ll enter the NFL Draft. He had one year of eligibility and was down to Florida State and Miami if Ward stayed in school. The Hurricanes are still looking for quarterback, and we’ll get to the Seminoles in a few seconds.
Florida State added Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei (stats), who announced his decision. The Seminoles needed to replace three of their top four quarterbacks, and all parties were waiting on a Cameron Ward (stats) decision before this came together. Uiagalelei immediately steps in as the starter ahead of Brock Glenn (stats).
Photo courtesy of KStateSports.com
DEPTH CHART & INJURY REPORT (6)
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said the 2024 starting QB position is wide open after Payton Thorne (stats) started every game this fall. Thorne was pulled from the Music City Bowl loss to Maryland with Holden Geriner (stats) and true freshman Hank Brown (stats) getting snaps. The Tigers have not been too active in the transfer market, though Liberty’s Kaidon Salter (stats) would make a lot of sense with his connection with Freeze.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers (stats) has not officially announced if he’ll return in 2024 but said he and the team will work hard to get back to the College Football Playoff following the Sugar Bowl loss to Washington. Heading into the game, Arch Manning (stats) said he has not considered transferring, so those two will highly likely make up the two-deep depth chart at quarterback next season.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson (stats) did not reveal his 2024 plans when asked about them before the Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. This fall, he lost the quarterback competition to Jalen Milroe (stats), who announced he’ll be back with the Crimson Tide next season. While the transfer portal closed on Jan. 2, College Football Playoff participants have an extra five days to enter.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (stats) announced he’ll return for his third season as the starting quarterback. He beat out Spencer Sanders (stats) and will not be challenged for the role in 2024.
Miami QB Jacurri Brown (stats) is expected to return next season, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. Brown started the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rutgers with Tyler Van Dyke (stats) off to Wisconsin and Emory Williams (stats) out with a season-ending shoulder injury. Brown and Williams are the top returning options with Williams likely the frontrunner, though the Hurricanes have been as active as any team in the transfer QB market. They’ve recently been in contact with USC transfer Malachi Nelson (stats), ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported, and Yale transfer Aidan Warner revealed a Hurricanes offer.
Virginia QB Tony Muskett (stats) underwent successful shoulder reconstruction surgery and will return for his final season, he posted on his Instagram story. Muskett missed stretches of the season with multiple injuries, leading to Anthony Colandrea (stats) burning his redshirt as a true freshman. This is a competition worth monitoring, and the Cavaliers will have New Mexico State transfer Gavin Frakes (stats) on campus this week as a potential depth addition. Frakes will also see Buffalo, Wahoos 247’s Jacquie Franciulli reported.
TRANSFER PORTAL REPORT (15)
Arkansas transfer QB KJ Jefferson (stats) committed to UCF for his final season, he announced on Instagram. He was a three-year starter with the Razorbacks and immediately steps into the starting role ahead of Timmy McClain (stats).
TCU transfer QB Chandler Morris (stats) will visit South Carolina, SportsTalk Media Network reported. Morris opened 2023 as the Horned Frogs’ starter with two years of eligibility left, and LaNorris Sellers (stats) would be his top competition if he lands with the Gamecocks.
Liberty QB Kaidon Salter (stats) entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility left, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported. He started every game this fall with Trey Lowe III (stats), Nate Hampton (stats) and Reese Mooney (stats) as the top on-roster candidates to start in 2024 unless the Flames hit the transfer portal.
VISITS
OFFERS
Arkansas State: Tyler Huff (Furman (FCS)) | Scoop
Ohio: Gunnar Gundy (Oklahoma State - stats) | Scoop
Utah State: Kasen Weisman (Colorado - stats) | Scoop
Duquesne (FCS): Gunnar Gundy (Oklahoma State - stats) | Scoop
Gardner-Webb (FCS): Colten Gauthier (South Carolina - stats) | Scoop
Indiana State (FCS): Gunnar Gundy (Oklahoma State - stats) | Scoop
Utah Tech (FCS): Luke MacPhail (Syracuse - stats) | Scoop
Utah Tech (FCS): Jackson Stratton (Colorado State - stats) | Scoop
RECRUITING REPORT (2)
OFFERS
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