5 College Football Teams That Desperately Need a Transfer QB in 2015

National signing day is less than a month away. While every recruiting class is an opportunity to build for the future, some programs need help right away—specifically at quarterback.

That's where graduate transfers come in to save the day.

There's no such thing as a true "free agent" in college football—schools can still deny an athlete permission to contact other schools, for example—but grad transfers can play right away. That can put a Band-Aid over a glaring weakness until other recruits develop.

When the quarterback spot is a glaring weakness, it's evident. The quarterback touches the ball on every play—save for in the Wildcat formation—and is usually the cornerstone of the offense.

Which programs could use a grad transfer to improve their quarterback situation this offseason? The answers in the following slides include teams that either had multiple quarterbacks play in 2014 with below-average results or are replacing big names.

Texas

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The development of Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has been a frustrating journey. His redshirt was burned in 2013, but former coach Mack Brown never really utilized him. 

Swoopes was thrust into the starting job last year because of career-ending concussions to David Ash. Throughout the season, Swoopes took two steps forward and, well, two step back.

Swoopes looked like he had started to turn a corner during a three-game winning streak in November by throwing for 657 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. However, he followed that stretch with four interceptions against TCU and 57 passing yards in the Texas Bowl against Arkansas.

As noted by Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com, Strong plans to either recruit more quarterbacks and could eventually replace Swoopes as the starter. Freshman Jerrod Heard redshirted the 2014 season while the 2015 class includes 4-star signal-caller Zach Gentry.

A potentially interesting alternative, however, would be Connor Brewer, who is transferring from Arizona. Brewer, of course, originally committed to Texas and spent one season in Austin before transferring to the Wildcats.

According to Ryan Autullo of the Austin American-Statesman, Brewer's father said his son "would absolutely entertain a return to Texas."

It's a new coaching staff. Would it be a new start? It's something to keep an eye on.

Florida

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Jim McElwain's first year as the head coach of Florida could be rough if the offense doesn't turn a corner quickly. McElwain has a background in quarterback development, but the situation in Gainesville is unsettled to say the least.

Jeff Driskel transferred to Louisiana Tech and Treon Harris is the only other quarterback who took a snap in a game last season.

For as athletic as Harris is, his passing skills need obvious development. The last time Harris completed more than 50 percent of his passes was against Vanderbilt on November 8.

Will Grier was a former 4-star recruit and spent the 2014 season redshirting, so he's a possibility as well. Still, there could be room for a grad transfer to come in and push the competition for a chance to start.

These aren't McElwain's players and he needs to do whatever it takes to turn the ship around as quickly as possible.

Florida State

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has recruited and developed some solid college quarterbacks over the years. Then, he got Jameis Winston.

Winston, to no one's surprise, has officially departed for the NFL, leaving Florida State with questions at quarterback.

Sean Maguire started one game last season against Clemson and threw for 304 yards, but the drop-off from Winston is obvious. It should be noted, though, that Clemson's defense was a force. The Tigers were the No. 1 team against the pass and finished sixth in sacks per game last season.

Producing against that defense is no easy task for anyone.

Florida State has a few young quarterbacks on roster plus a couple of incoming freshmen, but the other side of that is there's zero experience.

There might be an answer, however. Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post reported late last month that Florida State was on a list of schools that piqued the interest of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller.

Officially, Miller has not announced he is transferring. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones is returning to Ohio State. He started the final three games of the season and led his team to a national championship.

What are the odds that Jones, Miller and J.T. Barrett compete for the starting quarterback job this offseason? Florida State may hope they're low.

LSU

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Sometimes, a grad transfer quarterback can be the missing piece that makes a so-so team good or a good team great. It feels like LSU is somewhere in that category.

Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris each got their shot at the starting job, but Jennings ended up being the default option. That's not a particularly ringing endorsement.

Head coach Les Miles told reporters this week that it was "unlikely" he would bring in a transfer quarterback, adding, "We would think that we’re through the quarterback misery."

Jim Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported earlier this month that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson "reached out to LSU about transferring." However, Golson tweeted, "Don't believe everything you hear.." shortly thereafter.

Still, LSU ranked 116th in passing offense last season. Miles' vote of confidence is one thing, but there would have to be a complete transformation by either Jennings or Harris for the quarterback misery to really be over.

Michigan

Tony Ding/Associated Press

If we're being specific, Michigan needs a transfer offensive line more than anything. But, hey, one out of two wouldn't be bad.

Shane Morris seems like the natural choice to start for the Wolverines and first-year coach Jim Harbaugh next season.

Morris filled in for the injured Devin Gardner two years ago against Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Certainly, it looked like a glimpse into the future. Morris has a strong arm and could stretch the field in a way Gardner couldn't.

However, Morris has limited playing experience. He went 14-of-40 for no touchdowns and three picks last season and sustained a nasty concussion against Minnesota.

According to ESPN college football analyst Todd McShay (h/t via Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News), Michigan is in need of playmakers at quarterback:

"

I don't see a lot of explosive skill players — that's one thing that kind of jumped out. But the biggest thing is, who's going to be the quarterback? I haven't seen a quarterback that's there who can be that guy. Priority No. 1 is quarterback. To me, it starts there.

"

Briefly, there were unfounded rumors connecting Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan to Michigan, but Hogan tweeted Thursday that he is returning to the Cardinal for another year. Still, could Harbaugh—a quarterback guy—try to find an immediate answer in 2015? Don't rule it out.

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.com.