Notable College Football Players Likely to Transfer This Offseason

The transfer portal has been a steady source of impact talent at high-profile, Power Five programs in recent years.

Recent standout quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields and D'Eriq King all found success on the side of a transfer, and while the quarterback position receives the most attention, the transfer portal is packed with talent across all positions.

Ahead, we've highlighted seven notable potential transfers. The list is made up of four quarterbacks, a running back, a wide receiver and a former 5-star linebacker.

These are by no means the only potential transfers who are capable of making an impact with their next teams, but they are seven names to know as the offseason unfolds.   

QB Jack Coan, Wisconsin

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Career Stats: 297-of-437, 3,278 yards, 23 TD, 8 INT (22 games played)

The starting quarterback for the Wisconsin Badgers during a 10-4 season in 2019, Jack Coan completed 69.6 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also added four rushing touchdowns, though he's not a dual-threat option.

A right foot injury and the subsequent surgery sidelined him to start the 2020 season, and redshirt freshman Graham Mertz seized control of the Wisconsin offense in his absence, leading to a lost season for Coan.

He fits best in the role of game manager, with the team's success in 2019 due in large part to 2,000-yard rusher Jonathan Taylor and a stout defense, but he's a proven major conference winner.

Pro Football Focus had him at No. 27 in their 2020 preseason rankings of every FBS team's projected starting quarterback, and as long as he's not asked to do too much, he can make an immediate impact in a starting role.      

LB Palaie Gaoteote IV, USC

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Career Stats: 105 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks (17 games played)

A 5-star recruit and the No. 15 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, USC linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV has failed to live up to lofty expectations in his three years at USC.

An ankle injury in 2019 and a concussion this season have played a part in altering his development, and a clean bill of health in 2021 could mean a breakout season in a new uniform.

It's not out of the question to think the 6'2", 250-pound inside linebacker could return to the Trojans defense. But his name is in the transfer portal, so he's at least weighing his options.

Could he be the next impact defensive transfer to join the University of Miami?

The Hurricanes were one of a number of high-profile schools that offered him a scholarship out of high school, and they have cleaned up on the transfer market in recent years.     

QB Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Career Stats: 494-of-808, 6,174 yards, 38 TD, 17 INT (41 games played)

There's plenty of blame to go around for the Tennessee football program's recent struggles, and while quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has had his ups and downs, he's more than capable of making an impact elsewhere as a grad transfer.

A 4-star recruit in 2016, he redshirted as a freshman before moving into the starting role midway through his second year on campus. He had a solid game on the road against Georgia this year, completing 23 of 36 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 44-21 loss.

Pro Football Focus had him in the No. 36 spot on their list of every FBS team's starting quarterback at the start of 2020, pointing to issues with his accuracy as the thing keeping him from ranking any higher.

Nevertheless, he's an experienced SEC quarterback who takes care of the football and understands how to run an offense, and there are plenty of teams that would welcome him under center.

QB Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech

Steve Helber/Associated Press

Career Stats: 197-of-312, 2,894 yards, 22 TD, 7 INT (21 games played)

One of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country during the shortened 2020 season, Hendon Hooker threw for 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 620 yards and nine more scores.

In a 38-35 loss to a very good Liberty team on Nov. 7, he showcased his full range of skills.

The 2017 4-star recruit threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns while completing 20 of 27 pass attempts, and he added 156 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

It will take the right landing spot for him to thrive, and he may ultimately fit best at a Group of Five program committed to an option offense. But his dual-threat abilities give him as much impact potential as any quarterback transfer in the nation this year.     

QB Lance LeGendre, Maryland

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Career Stats: 12-of-17, 98 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT (6 games played)

Lance LeGendre shocked more than a few pundits on national signing day in 2019 when he chose Maryland over Florida State, giving the Terrapins one of the best quarterback recruits in recent school history.

Now the former 4-star recruit is looking for a new home.

Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa took over as Maryland's starting quarterback in 2020, and strong performances against Minnesota (394 passing yards, 3 TD) and Penn State (282 passing yards, 3 TD) solidified his place as the quarterback of the immediate future.

LeGendre is now set to transfer, and he's searching for a good fit for his dual-threat abilities.

In terms of untapped potential, he has as much upside as any quarterback in the portal. There's a good chance he'll get another Power Five opportunity as a result.

RB T.J. Pledger, Oklahoma

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Career Stats: 135 carries, 695 yards, 6 TD (23 games played)

It looked like T.J. Pledger would have a chance to be the featured back in the Oklahoma offense after Kennedy Brooks opted out of the 2020 season, and he turned in a pair of stellar performances early against Texas and TCU.

• vs. Texas: 22 carries, 131 yards, 2 TD
• at TCU: 22 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD

However, he carried the ball just 27 more times over the Sooners' final five games as Rhamondre Stevenson moved into the starting role upon returning from a six-game NCAA suspension.

There are more exciting backs in the transfer portal based on raw ability, but none have proved themselves against Power Five competition the way that Pledger did early in the 2020 season.    

WR Tyrell Shavers, Mississippi State

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Career Stats: 10 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD (7 games played)

Tyrell Shavers was an Alabama commit out of high school, when he was a 4-star recruit and the No. 88 overall player in the 2017 class.

Now the wide receiver is looking to transfer for a second time.

He has not made much of an impact at the collegiate level to this point, but with 4.38 40-yard speed and a huge 6'6", 200-pound frame, his measurables are impossible to ignore, and he remains a candidate to play on Sundays if he can prove himself in 2021.

At the least, he's a tantalizing red-zone target, and there may be no pass-catcher in the transfer portal with more upside.

All stats courtesy of Sports Reference, while recruiting information comes via 247Sports.