Top 5 Quarterback Commitments in the 2024 Transfer Portal Cycle

The MVP of the finals of the Elite 11 Quarterback Competition, Sayin passed for 2,347 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only one INT, completing 74% of his passes. For his high school career, Sayin passed for 7,970 yards, 86 touchdowns and a mere 10 INTs.

As spring practice cranks up in a couple of months, Sayin will be auditioning for the QB1 spot with new Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien.

Riley Leonard (#4)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (transferred from Duke)

6’4”, 212 lbs.

A two-year starter at Duke, Riley Leonard passed for 4,450 yards, 24 TDs, and 10 INTs in his career with the Blue Devils. In an injury-plagued 2023 season, Leonard passed for 1,102 yards, three touchdowns, and three INTs, completing 67% of his passes. In addition, Leonard rushed for 352 yards and four more scores. 

Leonard led the “life of Riley” in 2022, when he passed for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns, six INTs, completing 63% of his passes. In addition, Leonard added 699 yards on the ground and 13 TDs.

Leonard presumably will take over the offense from Sam Hartman, who has exhausted his eligibility.

Will Howard (#3)

Ohio State Buckeyes (transferred from Kansas State)

6’5”, 242 lbs.

Playing 34 games at Kansas State, Will Howard became the starter at mid-season in 2022, and led the Wildcats to the Big XII title over TCU. In 2023, Howard passed for 2,643 yards, 24 TDs, and 10 INTs, completing 61% of his passes. In addition, Howard rushed for 351 yards and nine scores.

Against Troy, Howard accounted for five TDs in a 42-13 win. In the Baylor game, he accounted for four scores in a 59-25 victory. Howard recorded five games of three or more passing touchdowns last season. For his collegiate career, Howard has 5,786 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and 25 INTs to his credit.

Howard will be the most experienced quarterback on the Buckeyes roster, a solid signal-caller with significant game experience, exactly what Ohio State needs in 2024.

Cameron Ward (#2)

Miami Hurricanes (transferred from Washington State)

6’2”, 233 lbs.

Head coach Mario Cristobal has finally found a game-changer at quarterback, Washington State transfer QB Cameron Ward. Last season, Ward ranked #4 in the FBS at 311 passing yards per game. He passed for 3,736 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only seven INTs in 485 pass attempts. In addition, Ward rushed for eight scores on the ground and completed 70% or better of his passes six times last season.

For his career, one that includes two years at the FCS level, Ward has passed for 13,876 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 30 INTs. Ward’s commitment to the Canes now gives Miami a better than average chance of making the 12-team playoff in 2024.

Dillon Gabriel (#1)

Oregon Ducks (transferred from Oklahoma)

5’11”, 204 yards

With 14,865 career passing yards, 125 touchdowns, and 26 INTs to his credit, playing for both UCF and Oklahoma, Dillon Gabriel has taken his considerable passing skills to the Pacific Northwest to play for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, and to take over for a departing Bo Nix. 

In 2023, Gabriel passed for 3,660 yards, 30 TDs, and just six INTs, completing 69% of his passes. In addition, Gabriel rushed for 373 yards and 12 scores.

In the Red River Rivalry vs. arch rival Texas, Gabriel passed for 285 yards, rushed for 113 yards, and accounted for two touchdowns in a 34-30 win over the Longhorns.

A south-paw maestro with a pin-point accuracy, Gabriel brings experience and talent to the Ducks QB room.