With the crazy first day of the portal behind us, it’s time to take a look back and examine this year’s portal class, especially the QBs. There are numerous P5 starters that decided to enter the portal, and they are sure to draw plenty of attention. Here, we take a look at some of the best QBs in the portal and point out some landing spots that make sense.
Devin Leary
Devin Leary, who put up prolific numbers over his NC State career, instantly became the best available QB in the portal when he entered. Leary has battled with injuries, but his junior year provided us with a glimpse of what he is capable of. In 2021, Leary threw for nearly 3500 yards while crossing 35 TDs against just 5 INTs. Leary is an extremely fundamentally sound QB with a quick release, frequently showcasing the ability to put the ball into tight windows and make good decisions. Leary has already garnered plenty of attention, and when healthy, he is an elite signal-caller.
Best Fit: Alabama
Bryce Young is headed to the NFL, so there will be a QB competition in Tuscaloosa next season. There is plenty of talent in the Bama QB room with prospects like Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and more incoming freshmen, but there is reason to believe the Tide will make a push for a portal QB. After a disappointing year, best believe the Tide will do whatever they can to beef up their roster. They could start by adding the best QB in the portal and allow their young guys to grow.
DJ Uiagalelei
Uiagalelei never quite met the lofty expectations the country had for him out of high school, but make no mistake, he is one of the best available players in the portal. It was a roller coaster few years for Uiagalelei, but he is a big QB that showed some mobility and serious arm talent. Also, he has a few years of eligibility if he wants to use them. With his experience and ceiling, there will be plenty of options for Uiagalelei.
Best Fit: UCLA
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s UCLA career winding down, the Bruins could look to the portal to add a QB, and Uiagalelei seems like a match made in heaven for both teams. Chip Kelly will get another talented QB to work with as UCLA appears to finally be turning the corner as a program, and Uiagalelei can return closer to home while playing in a QB room with less pressure.
Jeff Sims
Sims, a three-year starter at Georgia Tech, never quite tied things together with the Yellow Jackets. Granted, the situation around him was as bad as it gets for P5 QBs. Also, his health became an issue over his time at GT. Like Uiagalelei, Sims is a big QB with a big arm and is very dangerous as a runner. If he can get into the right system and be surrounded by playmakers, best believe he has a chance to finally have his breakout moment.
Best Fit: Florida
With Anthony Richardson headed to the NFL, Sims could provide the Gators with another dynamic athlete at the QB position as uncertainty looms around the future of their QB room. Sims grew up in Jacksonville, and would surely be interested in returning closer to home. Billy Napier needs to show some progress in year two, and getting a veteran at QB could help tie things together.
Hudson Card
In my opinion, Card is the most underrated QB in the portal. This season, he was fairly productive while filling in for the injured Quinn Ewers. He is a dynamic runner that can put some touch on the ball. Also, he showed some toughness over his few years in Texas. With the right situation, Card should turn the corner in his development and finally get the opportunity he deserves.
Best Fit: Notre Dame
Notre Dame has been rumored as a potential landing spot for Card, and I believe Card would be a good fit in South Bend. Card would be in a comfortable spot where he would be able to manage the game around him, but he would also give Notre Dame some athleticism they haven’t had at QB in a while. Card has a high floor, making him a welcomed addition in any QB room.
Brennan Armstrong
At times, Brennan has looked like an elite QB prospect. At other times, it has looked like the complete opposite. Still, the Virginia transfer has proven that he can and will produce when all is lined up. With one year of eligibility left, the experienced southpaw will look to show some consistency and upside as he tries to get back to his 2021 form.
Best Fit: West Virginia
Armstrong is a high-risk addition, which is why I don’t see him landing at a big destination, even though he has the physical attributes to do so. For that reason, I think he will land at a school with something to prove. For WVU HC Neal Brown, his job is in serious jeopardy next season. If he could get the 2021 version of Armstrong, his seat would cool off. Also, Armstrong could put up some numbers in the big 12.
Spencer Sanders
Sanders, a multi-year starter at Oklahoma State, will use his last season somewhere else. As far as physical attributes go, Sanders is one of the best in the nation. He is an elite runner and has a rocket arm. Over the course of his career, he has made some NFL-level plays. However, he has also shown some inconsistencies and lapses in decision-making. With the right coaching, he could fix up those mental errors and show some consistency headed into the NFL.
Best Fit: Auburn
New Auburn HC Hugh Freeze has done well with athletic QBs in the past, and Sanders fits that mold. Returning starter Robby Ashford has shown some flashes, but it’s probably in Auburn’s best interest to add an experienced QB while Ashford grows. Sanders could bring some much-needed stability to Auburn, and Hugh Freeze’s offense would certainly fit Sanders’ skillset.
