Top 2021 CFB Transfers: Quarterback

To kick off our consistent coverage of College Football for the 2021 season, we will be looking at the top transfers, by position, via a mini-series. We will break down the top transfer quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and defense as one group. Each position group will be ranked based on the combination of talent, impact/role on their new team, and previous production. Most, if not all, of these players will be in a competition so their chance to win the competition will also play into the ranking. Let’s jump right into the quarterbacks!

- Photo via USA Today

1. Tanner Mordecai – Oklahoma to SMU

A former four star* recruit, its not hard to understand why there is minimal production here by sitting behind current starter and Heisman hopeful Spencer Rattler, along with current NFL starter Jalen Hurts. The talent is obvious though, and Mordecai walks into a situation that will require a competition, but if won will be surrounded by plenty of talent and a great offensive mind in Sonny Dykes. I expect a big year statistically from Mordecai and if SMU has a great season he could be up there with former teammate Spencer Rattler in the Heisman conversation. As Garrett Riley, SMU OC said:

"Little faster and a little better with his feet than I probably thought when he came in. Really strong arm. Competitive, definitely a guy that can run and is good and light on his feet. Accurate. All the things that you've got to have. I thought he really made strides and he just gained more and more confidence with our players and just kind of our system here at SMU."

2. Ryan Hilinski – South Carolina to Northwestern

Ryan Hilinski has had some up and downs throughout his career, going from starting 11 games for the Gamecocks, to losing the quarterback battle in the following year after a coaching change. While Hilinski did have a completion percentage of sub-60% as a full-time starter in 2019, he is walking into a situation where the most experienced quarterback on the roster, Hunter Johnson, completed sub-50% in 2019 when given a full year to start. After a disastrous 2019 offensively, transfer QB Peyton Ramsey led Northwestern to a 7-2 record in a shortened 2020 season. The staff hopes to have the same luck with Hilinski given his experience. He may not be able to rely on the defense like Ramsey was in 2020, but Northwestern appears to be set with a full stable of talented running backs to lean on. I am not expecting award winning stats from Hilinski in 2021, but he has the talent and experience to keep Northwestern in the running for another division title in the Big Ten West.

3. Grant Gunnell – Arizona to Memphis

Gunnell really is a mystery that has wildly different ends of the spectrum in terms of the play we have seen from him in 2019 and 2020. Gunnell was a former three star* prospect with offers from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State and Texas A&M so the talent is obvious. With measurements approx. at 6’6 and 225 pounds, he has the prototypical body type the next level looks for in a QB, especially with his arm strength. The numbers from 2019 are eye popping, 65% completion at 1,200+ yards, 9 touchdowns and 1 INT in 8 games as a freshman. However, 2020 was a disappointing year with injuries and less promise shown in 2019 with 93 attempts across 4 games. Gunnell mentioned the reasoning for transferring was to “push the ball down the field”, which he wasn’t given the green light in Arizona. The average depth of target for 2020 was about 6.1, per PFF, which is among the worst among active CFB quarterbacks. With this prolific Memphis offense and their ability to churn out skill players, I expect some big numbers from Gunnell in 2021. He will have to battle for the job but given there were limitations for Gunnell in Arizona under then coach Kevin Sumlin (who had since been fired following the 70-7 blowout vs Arizona State in 2020), I expect Gunnell to let it fly and let his true potential show.

4. McKenzie Milton – UCF to Florida State

Back in November 2018, off the heels of an undefeated season with the UCF Golden Knights, Milton suffered a nasty injury that would come to take him away from football for years to come. The injury was a severe dislocated knee, but it was found shortly after leaving the field there was also significant artery and nerve damage in the knee, which required immediate surgery to continue blood flow. Milton would then have three follow-up surgeries, including the reconstructive surgery in January of 2019. Fast forward to August 2021 and Milton is gearing up for a fall QB battle that could have him starting a game of CFB against Notre Dame week 1. Which is incredible given there were questions at the time whether Milton would play another down of football again. The unfortunate side of this incredible comeback story is the idea that there is a chance Milton just won’t be able to recreate the magic he did during that UCF run with Scott Frost. Even if Milton was his old self, there would still be questions surrounding his time off from the game in nearly three years, along with the change in competition, and how “QB friendly” the Scott Frost offense is. The ACC is not the SEC or Big 10 top to bottom, but they are better than the American conference and consistently bring in more talent. The grind of a P5 schedule was always a question and now we get to see Milton in that grind. Its unfair to put expectations on Milton during this comeback as there was a question whether he would ever be here, but that’s what comes with being at the top of your sport. This is a fantastic story and how could anyone root against Milton here? Unfortunately, there are questions surrounding his return that make it difficult to even punch him in as an immediate starter, let alone a year that could propel FSU to new heights. I will stay conservative in my projections for McKenzie Milton in 2021 but man am I rooting for him.

-Photo via Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jack Coan – Wisconsin to Notre Dame

Probably the most experienced quarterback on this list outside of Milton, you know what you get with Coan. He wont consistently beat you with his legs, but he can scamper for a first down if needed and can move around the pocket well in the face of pressure. He has the arm strength to push it down field, but Wisconsin never really worked the offense that way and Coan did what the offense asked him to do. Jack Coan is more of a “game manager” than anything and that is precisely what Notre Dame needs in 2021. Replacing Ian Book will be a tough task as Book was the most winningest QB in school history, however he had some flaws and Coan is the exact opposite player the Irish are used to with Book. Tommy Rees has a new offensive archetype to work with and the playmakers at WR and RB to help Coan out. I fully expect Coan to win the QB battle out of fall camp, but the question is whether he can keep it throughout the year. If he continues to be efficient with the ball and not turn it over the job is his, but given his game is very safe and conservative, if the turnovers show up it could be a quick change at the helm. This isn’t an “exciting” pick but Coan knows what it takes to win at a big time program.

*via 247sports composite rankings