Quarterbacks That Could Be Transfer Candidates If They Don't Win Jobs This Fall
Quarterback competitions own the college football news cycle during the summer and early in the regular season, but the result of those battles can lead to winter headlines.
Partly due to the increasing popularity of the graduate transfer market, players are more likely to pursue what they feel is a better opportunity to start. Trevor Knight (Oklahoma to Texas A&M) and Davis Webb (Texas Tech to Cal) highlight the group of immediately eligible signal-callers this season.
But they're not alone. Other younger quarterbacks slipping out of the conversation for 2016 and beyond may elect to flip schools, too.
Depending on the outcome of these competitions, several quarterbacks could make a similar move next year.
J.J. Cosentino, Florida State
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J.J. Cosentino is trapped in a logjam, and there might be no escape.
Sean Maguire and redshirt freshman Deondre Francois are battling for the No. 1 position. Malik Henry, a 4-star early enrollee, will be a larger factor in the future.
What does that mean for Cosentino?
The redshirt sophomore is a fourth-stringer with an extremely unfavorable outlook—especially considering Francois has a legitimate chance to secure the starting job this season.
If Cosentino eventually transfers, perhaps he'll wait until after graduation. But it's unlikely Cosentino starts a game at Florida State.
Taylor Alie, Oregon
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Whenever Vernon Adams Jr. was unavailable, Oregon unsuccessfully tried to shuffle between Jeff Lockie and Taylor Alie. Neither player is considered a factor in the competition.
Now, by all indications, Alie is the consummate teammate. He switched positions during spring practice to give likely starter Dakota Prukop, backup Travis Jonsen and 2016 3-star Terry Wilson more reps.
"If wide receiver is an option, and it is where I need to fit in, then that is what I will do," Alie said, per Steve Mims of the Register-Guard. Alie added, "It has been fun to take on more of a coaching role, teaching the young quarterbacks and receivers."
Maybe Alie has a future in coaching. However, the redshirt junior could use his final year of eligibility somewhere else first.
Sean White, Auburn
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Jeremy Johnson's skill set matches the Auburn system, but he struggled mightily in 2015. Sean White simply doesn't fit.
Although Auburn's underwhelming receiving corps certainly didn't help, White managed just one touchdown in 143 pass attempts. He also threw four interceptions.
However, the biggest issue is White's lack of mobility. He mustered 35 rushing yards on 30 attempts. Negative yardage from sacks has a minor affect on that number, but the point doesn't change.
Gus Malzahn added JUCO transfer John Franklin III and 4-star dual-threat quarterback Woody Barrett in the 2016 cycle. Soon, the Tigers will name a starter—and it's probably not White.
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Ryan Burns, Stanford
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The featured player in Palo Alto is Christian McCaffrey, but Stanford's offense needs a new quarterback. Keller Chryst and Ryan Burns are battling to replace longtime starter Kevin Hogan.
"It's hard to say who had the upper hand," head coach David Shaw said during spring practice, according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News. "I was excited to see both guys make big throws. There were a lot of positives for both guys."
But if Chryst—a redshirt sophomore—receives the nod, Burns—a redshirt junior—will exit 2016 with just one season of college football remaining, behind the starter and trying to hold off 4-star KJ Costello.
Burns would have plenty of suitors should he decide the graduate-transfer rule is worth utilizing.
Brice Ramsey, Georgia
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Georgia fans are rightly excited about Jacob Eason. The 5-star early enrollee put together a wonderful debut in the spring game, and he might immediately take the reins.
Where there is elation, however, disappointment isn't far behind.
Brice Ramsey tossed a pair of interceptions against Alabama in 2015 and never had another opportunity to lift a frustrating Bulldogs offense. He ended the season as the punter.
"I don't think he got his fair shot at quarterback," former Georgia player Drew Butler said, per Jason Butt of the Macon Telegraph.
Should Eason back up the hype, Ramsey—a redshirt junior—could either finish his career as a specialist or graduate and transfer.
Shane Morris, Michigan
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Four years ago, Shane Morris looked like the future of the Michigan program. Heading into 2016, he's fighting to keep up with Wilton Speight and John O'Korn.
Despite whispers, Morris returned because he wants to graduate from the school. Plus, the southpaw doesn't lack confidence in himself.
"People thinking I'm going to leave? This is my dream school, it's my dream to graduate from Michigan and that's going to happen," Morris said, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm going to play here, it's going to be great."
But if Speight and O'Korn hold the first- and second-string roles throughout the season—and with 2016 4-star Brandon Peters and 2017 5-star Dylan McCaffrey not far behind—Morris' best chance to start would probably be elsewhere.
He'd have accomplished two dreams. The question is whether Morris feels another goal—becoming a full-time starter—can be accomplished in Ann Arbor.
Cooper Bateman, Alabama
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Not only does Cooper Bateman have an excellent chance to earn the starting job, Nick Saban's trend of relying on veterans under center favors the redshirt junior.
Blake Barnett is charging hard, though, and there's no shortage of hype following the redshirt freshman.
"Once he learns everything and gets stronger and all that stuff and does the things he has to do, he's going to be a monster in college football," former Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland said, per Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
Bateman's situation is relatively similar to that of Ramsey. If the youngster claims the No. 1 spot, the future looks bleak. The redshirt junior could move on and finish his college days as a starter.
Malik Zaire, Notre Dame
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After watching Malik Zaire dethrone Everett Golson at the conclusion of 2014, the thought of a transfer simply disappeared. A broken right ankle gave the notion new life.
DeShone Kizer amassed 3,400 yards of total offense and 31 touchdowns while leading Notre Dame to a 10-3 record and Fiesta Bowl appearance. Even if he's not a clear favorite, Kizer certainly isn't trailing in the competition.
Zaire spent spring practice getting comfortable, but he cannot afford a sluggish performance in fall camp. With that being said, Zaire proved last season he's capable of leading the Irish offense.
Should Kizer win this battle, though, it seems only injury would take the redshirt sophomore off the field.
If being a graduate transfer is an acceptable step for Zaire, the left-hander would be among the most coveted talents available.
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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