The price of a starting quarterback is going up, up, up.
This week, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said the price for a Power Five-caliber starting quarterback is “$1 million to $1.5 million to $2 million right now.” That’s for a transfer class that is currently deep in experience but devoid of a transcendent passer.
But programs in the Bowl Subdivision will pay the cost, and sometimes the investment will pay off. Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels were not seen as game-changing transfers when they joined Oregon and LSU, respectively, and the pair head into Saturday as the overwhelming favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. is a third former transfer in the mix for postseason hardware.
Coaches are looking at three different types of quarterbacks: one-year rentals looking to cash in a final year of eligibility, plug-and-play starters with more than one season on campus, and high-ceiling but inexperienced players who transfer as redshirt freshmen or sophomores.
Players will be given about one month after the transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 4 to choose a new program.
These are the best quarterbacks currently available:
Cam Ward (Washington State)
Ward could also enter the NFL draft, though he’s more likely to stay in college and become the most desired transfer quarterback on the market. The former Championship Subdivision transfer accounted for 61 combined touchdowns in his two seasons at Washington State and was much improved as a passer this past year,…
