The new era of college football has the Transfer Portal being a major part of the equation. SEC football is in the crosshairs, especially at the quarterback position.
Including statistics, here's a first look at the quarterbacks who are moving on from one school and will join an SEC program. Plus, thoughts on teams like the Auburn Tigers that are going after big-time players like former Washington State signal caller Cameron Ward, plus the conundrum of whether to even take a transfer quarterback for some SEC schools.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Adding: Boise State quarterback Taylen Green. He's a 6-foot-6 and 220-pound mobile quarterback who's shown flashes of being a big-time performer. Can Green put it all together as a Razorback?
2022 Statistics: 121/212, 57.1%, 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Green also has 78 rushes for 436 yards, a 5.6 average, and 9 touchdowns.
Analysis: Green has a 91-yard touchdown run during his career and there's no shortage of arm talent. Perhaps a fresh start will be good for him in Fayetteville, Ark. Green has two more seasons of eligibility.
Kentucky Wildcats
Adding: Georgia Southern quarterback Beau Allen and Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Allen is a redshirt freshman next season while Vandagriff is a former 5-star that did not have the expected career for the Bulldogs that many anticipated.
Vandagriff's career statistics: 12/21, 57.1%, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Analysis: Vandagriff has the arm talent to make big plays and is also a former prep quarterback who won games with his legs. If he picks up the playbook and Lexington, perhaps he can be a surprise player for the Wildcats.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Adding: Baylor loses Blake Shapen to newly hired Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs. He's a veteran signal caller that's seen a good deal of success in Waco, Texas.
2022 Statistics: 184/298, 61.7%, 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Playing in only eight games, Shapen also had four rushing touchdowns despite not being considered a true dual-threat quarterback.
Analysis: Shapen will be a quality starter in a spread offense that utilizes run-pass option plays and provides a balance between running and passing the football. The Bulldogs found a really good fit as Shapen is a fairly accurate quarterback who understands how to distribute the football to his playmakers.
Beyond the quarterbacks already in the fold for SEC teams, time to bring up the options for other teams in the conference.
Looking at Auburn, there's been much discussion about former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard (that recruitment has Notre Dame written all over it) and Washington State's Ward as mentioned toward the top of the article. Here's a news blurb about Ward that came out yesterday (see the bottom of the tweet):
Do not forget that Payton Thorne could also be back at Auburn. If the Tigers do not hit a home run via the Transfer Portal, that does not mean the Tigers cannot move up the passing rankings and be a more effective 2024 offense.
That's also an interesting topic with SEC teams that are at least considering bringing in a quarterback from the Transfer Portal.
Could a team like LSU use a veteran signal caller? Possibly. There's also a Tiger waiting in the wings with soon-to-be junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. While Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy and deservedly so, Nussmeier is a talented quarterback in his own right.
Not that there's evidence of LSU shopping for a quarterback, but the Tigers are an example of a program that must weigh the option of continuing with a signal caller who knows the team's offensive system but is mostly unproven against gaining a veteran from another team.
If any team, LSU included, opts for the Transfer Portal quarterback, there's the risk of losing at least one of the current quarterbacks on the roster to a transfer. Also, a person could insert a different SEC team and make a similar statement and it would probably fit the situation quite well, outside of an obvious situation where a quarterback like Georgia's Carson Beck (assuming he does not declare for the 2024 NFL Draft) is expected back for the 2024 season.
Overall, some quarterbacks already made the switch to an SEC school, and the Transfer Portal is likely to see more additions to SEC quarterback rooms soon.
Recruiting Pages to Bookmark
2024 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations
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