CFB: Best Fits for 2021 Transferred Quarterbacks
Michigan quarterback Joe Milton announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Thursday. The embattled QB struggled to find his footing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season at Michigan and hopes to find greener pastures elsewhere.
With Milton entering his name into the portal, which quarterbacks have found the best fits in their new home so far this offseason? Let’s examine.
McKenzie Milton: UCF to FSU
It has been no mystery that FSU has been a mess for the last four years, but there’s a good chance that could change with a legit elite option under center like Milton. The 5’11, 185 pounder announced his transfer back in December, spending the last two years trying to come back from a devastating knee injury he suffered at the end of the 2018 season vs USF.
It’s been so long since we’ve seen Milton on the field, that some have forgotten just how good he was in the Knights run of 25-straight wins in the 2017-18 seasons (completing more than 60 percent of his passes, and scoring 62 passing touchdowns, while adding 17 more on the ground).
Milton joins his former rival coach Mike Norvell (Memphis), who is known for his offensive proficiency. Both Norvell and Milton hope to unlock some hidden potential here, hoping to bring Florida State back to the top of the ACC in 2021.
Grant Gunnell: Arizona to Memphis
Gunnell had a tough couple of years down in Tucson. The 6-6 signal-caller started three games in both 2019 and 2020 for the Wildcats, but an injured shoulder against UCLA and the firing of Kevin Sumlin derailed his Arizona career, causing him to hit the transfer portal.
Memphis needs to replace Brady White, a transfer himself out of the Grand Canyon State (also transferred from Arizona State after the 2017 season). Gunnell is extremely confident he is the guy to replace White in that offense.
"In high school, my coach gave me a lot of freedom, and he allowed me to make decisions at the line of scrimmage and make checks," Gunnell told 247Sports. "I'm ready to get back to that, and I'm ready to get back to pushing the ball down the field. I think Memphis’ offense is going to fit me better than Arizona's did."
Jack Coan: Wisconsin to Notre Dame
This is more of a good system fit than anything. In Coan’s lone season as a starter at Wisconsin in 2019, he tossed 18 touchdowns against five interceptions and completed 69 percent of his passes in a run-heavy system with Jonathan Taylor.
Coan’s role at Notre Dame will offer him a similar structure to the one he ran with the Badgers. All Coan needs to do is play manager here; lean heavily on the run with that strong Irish offensive line, use budding star tight end Michael Mayer as a top target and complement Notre Dame’s elite defense to his advantage. Coan should be the odds-on favorite to start under center in 2021 for the Irish.
Ja’Quinden Jackson/Charlie Brewer: Texas/Baylor to Utah
I wanted to include both of these because I don’t think it’s clear who will start (I don’t think Kyle Whittingham knows either. Not that he should, c’mon, it’s February). Utah is primed to jump back to the top of the Pac-12 South, and these two could be huge in helping them get there.
Talk about a pair of different play styles, though. Jackson was the No. 3 dual-threat QB in the class of 2020 by 247Sports. He’s a superb athlete who’s a major threat with the ball in his hands, having passed for 40 touchdowns and running for 51 during his high school career at Duncanville.
Charlie Brewer is the more experienced out of the duo and should bring a steady presence under center. After three years in Waco, throwing for 9,700 yards and 65 touchdowns, Brewer announced his transfer to Utah back in December with one year of eligibility left. Whittingham will have his handsful evaluating which of these two he wants leading his program once pads come on in the spring.
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson