Top transfer QBs tracked
College football’s portal shuffle elevated Darian Mensah and Sam Leavitt as the two transfer quarterbacks most likely to move the needle for new programs this cycle. (nytimes.com) The cycle also saw a twist when former five‑star Justin Flowe withdrew from the portal and opted for a seventh college season instead — a rare roster development. (si.com)
Darian Mensah finalized a move to the University of Miami after leaving Duke, a switch that gives the Hurricanes a proven starter coming off a 3,973‑yard season at Duke. (cbssports.com) (espn.com) Sam Leavitt signed with LSU after entering the portal, bringing a resume that includes a Big 12 title, a College Football Playoff appearance, and 4,652 career passing yards across his stops. (espn.com) The transfer portal is an NCAA database where players officially list themselves as available and schools can immediately contact them during designated windows; entering the portal starts a public recruiting process similar to high‑school recruiting. (espn.com) Mensah’s move mattered partly because of how he got to the portal — a legal and name‑image‑likeness dispute with Duke that required a settlement before he could enroll elsewhere — and because his 2025 production (nearly 4,000 passing yards and more than 30 touchdowns) fills a high immediate need for Miami. (cbssports.com) (espn.com) Leavitt’s value came from his 2024 breakout and his ability to step into a vacant room at LSU after the program lost its projected starters, plus a 2025 season that was limited by a foot injury but still showed dual‑threat production (he has rushed for more than 800 career yards). (espn.com) Former five‑star Justin Flowe withdrew from the portal and elected to play a seventh college season after a multi‑stop path through Oregon, Arizona and UNLV that included significant injuries; his choice is noteworthy because asking for a seventh season requires special NCAA relief or a waiver and is uncommon. (si.com) (247sports.com) (bakerlaw.com)
