Predicting College Football QBs Who Are Most Likely to Transfer Next
Quarterbacks enter college football determined to lead their programs to the highest points they have ever been—whether it be relevancy, a conference title or a national championship.
Unfortunately, those dreams don't always come true at the first stop. A handful of players will chase success elsewhere, largely because of the graduate transfer rule.
Jarrett Stidham is the predominant name in a group of quarterbacks who are eventually headed to different programs. Several well-known names might be joining Stidham, who cannot take advantage of the loophole to transfer and play immediately.
Organized alphabetically by school, this list highlights eight of the most noteworthy options who might command a new offense's huddle in the 2017 season or beyond.
Cooper Bateman, Alabama
1 of 8
Throughout the offseason, the Alabama quarterback battle appeared to be a two-man race between Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett. In the season opener, Jalen Hurts announced his candidacy.
Unfortunately for Bateman—a redshirt junior—both Barnett (redshirt) and Hurts (true) are freshmen in terms of eligibility.
Perhaps the 2016 campaign doesn't progress as expected, but it appears Bateman will be relegated to third-string duties at best.
If he's on track to graduate during this school year, Bateman could start looking for a program with a vacancy after the season.
Thomas Sirk, Duke
2 of 8
Thomas Sirk amassed 3,428 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns during his first season as a starter at Duke. A third career Achilles injury wasn't supposed to be his encore.
Should he not play in 2016—and that is the expectation—Sirk could apply for a sixth year of eligibility. He also missed the entire 2013 season due to a ruptured right Achilles.
Returning to Duke means Sirk would need to upend now-freshman Daniel Jones for the starting nod. Sirk could also finish his graduate program and then transfer, which is what defensive tackle Kevin Williams (Nebraska to Michigan State) recently did.
Another choice would be chasing the NFL, but Sirk likely wouldn't get drafted on his 2015 performance alone. Sirk is an underrated name to watch on the transfer market.
J.J. Cosentino, Florida State
3 of 8
Florida State's depth chart is already crowded, but starting Deondre Francois—a redshirt freshman—only adds to the unlikelihood of J.J. Cosentino making an impact in Tallahassee.
Cosentino could stay with the Seminoles, though he'd continue to battle Malik Henry—a 5-star prospect in 2016—for the backup job as long as Henry is on the roster.
Barring injury, Cosentino's best opportunity to play isn't found at Florida State. If he doesn't want to leave college without being a starter, transferring may be preferable.
Depending on the time needed to earn his degree, Cosentino could be a two-year grad transfer, be a normal transfer (sit out 2017, play in 2018) or switch schools after finishing 2017 at FSU.
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Brice Ramsey, Georgia
4 of 8
Brice Ramsey was Georgia's most effective punter in 2015, averaging 41.9 yards on 25 kicks. Meanwhile, he threw 35 passes.
However, the Bulldogs have handed the special teams duties to freshman Marshall Long, who isn't the only first-year player above Ramsey on the depth chart. By now, college football fans are probably familiar with Jacob Eason, a 5-star talent.
Ramsey might be comfortable in his current environment, but as a redshirt junior, graduation likely beckons. Finishing his college days as the No. 1 may be appealing.
But now that Eason is working to establish himself as the quarterback, Ramsey's future with Georgia is limited.
Kyle Bolin, Louisville
5 of 8
Following a scorching end to the 2015 season, Lamar Jackson was an offseason favorite. Against rival Kentucky, he erased a 21-point deficit after replacing Kyle Bolin.
It only makes sense that the redshirt junior would consider transferring. "There were moments when it crossed my mind," Bolin said heading into fall camp, according to Eric Crawford of WDRB.
However, with one year of eligibility remaining and an expected December graduation, would Bolin stay to be Jackson's backup again?
As long as the sophomore Jackson is healthy and continuing to show promise, Bolin will likely consider a transfer for 2017.
Shane Morris, Michigan
6 of 8
Shane Morris could be a quality college quarterback. His time is simply running out at Michigan.
Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press noted Morris laughed off transfer rumors in 2015 because the quarterback is determined to graduate from his "dream school."
But the redshirt junior's future depends on his willingness to engage in another quarterback competition. Next season, that battle may include a returning starter (Wilton Speight), a returning backup (John O'Korn), a handpicked Jim Harbaugh recruit (Brandon Peters) and an incoming 4-star (Dylan McCaffrey).
Morris, who is set to graduate in May 2017, per Snyder, is facing an intriguing decision from an outside perspective.
Malik Zaire, Notre Dame
7 of 8
The quarterback dilemma at Notre Dame seems to have found a clear-cut answer. Despite losing to Texas, DeShone Kizer accounted for six touchdowns, while each of Malik Zaire's drives ended in a punt.
It appears 2016 will be yet another setback in Zaire's road. But as a redshirt junior, he might decide to follow a different path.
Perhaps Kizer declares for the 2017 NFL draft, meaning Zaire hangs around South Bend for one final season and battles Brandon Wimbush for the starting job.
Otherwise, Zaire and Stidham would be the biggest names available on the transfer market.
Hayden Rettig, Rutgers
8 of 8
Hayden Rettig transferred from LSU to Rutgers two years ago, but his door to playing time is closing in Piscataway.
Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media noted the redshirt junior is currently the fourth-stringer and "does not seem to fit the power spread offense" the new coaching staff has implemented.
In the 2015 season opener, Rettig scored two touchdowns while Chris Laviano served a first-half suspension. From that point on, Rettig managed three appearances and 14 pass attempts.
Rettig—a 4-star prospect in high school—has never earned a full-time spot to showcase that potential. Switching schools is probably the best route to a starting role.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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