The 2026 college football season is almost upon us, with action kicking off in a matter of weeks in late August. Who are the best transfer quarterbacks looking to make the leap from the FCS ranks? There are several intriguing names at the lower levels of college football that fans should be aware of by the end of the season. Which passers made the cut in these FCS-to-FBS quarterback rankings?
Note: All Statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference and various school websites where applicable
Starters
1. Jaden Craig | 6’3 225 | Graduate Transfer | TCU
The Horned Frogs could have the most intriguing portal quarterback situation with the transfer in of Harvard standout Craig. He ranked as the 16th-best quarterback in the portal by 247 Sports. His production is immense with over 6,000 yards and 52 touchdowns in the air while pitching in 11 touchdowns on the ground in his career. The physical profile will have scouts interested as he measures in at a listed 6’3 225 with some athleticism. With a good 2026 campaign that restores TCU to Big 12 contender status, he could sneak onto some draft boards. He defines ball security, which is something TCU has struggled with in the past couple of seasons. Can he become the face of the FCS-to-FBS quarterback movement to come?
The production is there, but game speed in the Big 12 is vastly different than the one featured in the Ivy League. It will be a question of how fast he assimilates to that difference in speed and tempo. TCU’s schedule is a bear to handle with dates against Big 12 contenders like BYU, Baylor, and WVU before the leaves start changing colors in September and October. They have to close with perennial Big 12 favorites Kansas State, Utah, and Texas Tech in November. Fortunately for the Hypnotoads, BYU, Kansas State, and Utah all have to come to Fort Worth, but the last game against Texas Tech beckons.
Transferred From: Harvard
2. E.J. Colson | 6’1 190 | Redshirt Junior | UTEP
Transferred From: Incarnate Word
Colson has had an interesting journey to UTEP after a pit stop at UCF in 2024 when he reclassified early. He then left for Purdue before ending up at Incarnate Word for the 2025 season. The Peach State native was named the starter early in the process after battling Morgan State transfer Raymond Moore III. Incarnate Word was made famous as a transfer hub for passers after Cam Ward became the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Can history repeat itself with Colson? He was rated as a three-star prospect by 247 coming out of high school. The network ranked him as the 36th-best portal quarterback in this cycle after he threw for 2,142 yards and 16 touchdowns with a 71% completion percentage. He also threw in 287 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The Miners have a rough opening month on their schedule with road dates against Oklahoma and Michigan looming. While those are certain losses, the schedule sets up nicely for a run towards contention in the MWC. They also have to visit NDSU on Halloween, so that could be a litmus test. Colson will have to play well this season for the Miners to make a run at a bowl game in 2026.
3. Trey Hedden | 6’3 225 | Junior | New Mexico State
Transferred From: Furman
Hedden signed with Furman as a three-star recruit in the 2024 class and took over the starting job early in that season. He didn’t relinquish control of the job until he transferred at the end of 2025. The Sunshine State native threw for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024 while getting his feet wet. 2025 proved to be a better season for the Paladins as they won six games, a three-game improvement. The former Furman starter produced almost 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 68% completion rate. He’s in a slight quarterback battle with incumbent Adam Diamante but should win the job outright. Hedden ranked as a three-star transfer and the 127th-best portal quarterback according to 247.
Impact Backups
4. Landen Clark | 6’0 195 | Redshirt Sophomore | LSU
Transferred From: Elon
Clark curiously elected to transfer from Elon, where he was a surefire starter, to become a second-string quarterback at best at LSU. He was a zero-star recruit in the 2024 class who got all of his playing time last season, throwing for 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns. The former Elon signal-caller also contributed 625 yards and 11 touchdowns in the run game. He battled former USC five-star signee Husan Longstreet in the spring for “QB1” honors while starter Sam Leavitt dealt with injury. It could be a season-long battle for backup duties behind Leavitt. Clark is firmly in the mix for the opportunity over the unproven but more hyped Longstreet. With Leavitt’s play style leaving him susceptible to injury concerns, QB2 could rapidly become QB1 in a hurry.
At the very least, he’ll give Longstreet a run for his money. If LSU and Leavitt have the season that they want, the 2027 QB race could get interesting in a hurry. Clark is a redshirt sophomore entering the 2026 season and ranked as a three-star transfer recruit.
5. Davin Wydner | 6’5 225 | Redshirt Senior | Louisville
Transferred From: West Georgia
Wydner started his career at Ole Miss as a three-star recruit and was the 37th-best quarterback in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports. He redshirted during the 2022 season and did not play a single snap the following season. The former Ole Miss signee transferred to the University of West Georgia before the 2024 campaign. In his first season with the Wolves, he threw for 1,718 yards and nine touchdowns on a 142-229 stat line during eight starts. Wydner earned the full-time starting job for the 2025 season, leading the Wolves to eight wins in ten starts for the nascent program. His production dipped somewhat to 1,667 yards and 15 touchdowns on 148 completions. He presents himself as a dual-threat passer who also chipped in 691 rushing yards and ten touchdowns over two seasons at UWG.
247Sports rated him as the 184th-best quarterback in the transfer portal, and he signed with the Cardinals during the most recent portal cycle. He’s expected to back up Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who spent the past three seasons competing for the job in Columbus. The former four-star recruit is relatively inexperienced, so a “veteran” backup like Wydner could keep Jeff Brohm’s system going. Wydner is the expected backup over true freshman Briggs Cherry. Louisville should contend for the ACC crown in 2026.
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!
