After four years with the SMU Mustangs, quarterback Preston Stone has entered the transfer portal. Where will he spend his final collegiate season?
Where Will Preston Stone Transfer?
Stone has reportedly already heard from 15+ schools since entering the portal on Dec. 10. He went 13-3 as SMU’s starter, throwing 35 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in his career.
Coming off a season-ending injury, Stone struggled to open the 2024 season, resulting in his benching in favor of Kevin Jenning three games into the year.
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Despite the situation, Stone remained loyal to the program, did all he could as a backup to help power the Mustangs to a College Football Playoff berth, and announced he would remain with SMU through the postseason run.
“It’s a little bit tough,” Stone said. “But I’ve had great conversations with (quarterbacks coach) D’Eriq (King) and Coach (Rhett) Lashlee way before I ever entered the portal and tried to do things the right way as it pertains to my teammates and coaches. I’m wanting to make sure I can finish the season with the team and still prepare for Penn State if and when an opportunity comes for me to play.”
However, where will the talented QB end up in 2025?
Syracuse Orange
Say what you will about Kyle McCord, but he helped lead the Syracuse Orange to a 9-3 record — just their second 9+ season since 2002.
Now that he is out of eligibility, barring an unlikely waiver, the Orange will turn to a new starter in 2025. The only issue is that Carlos Del-Rio Wilson and Braden Davis entered the portal, leaving a hole at the position.
Stone has said he loves to throw the ball, and “Whichever school I end up at, hopefully, we can have a great passing attack and have a great offense.” Well, Syracuse threw the ball at a 61.43% clip in 2024, good for the third-highest in the nation.
Additionally, Stone is familiar with OC Jeff Nixon, who recruited him while with the Baylor Bears.
Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins are coming off a disappointing 4-8 record, and Billy Edwards Jr. was clearly not the answer under center. If they hope to remain competitive in the Big Ten, they’ll need a QB of Stone’s caliber to right the ship.
The Terps were 10th in pass-play rate (58.79%) and will have talented pass catchers outside, even with Tai Felton and Kaiden Prather departing for the NFL this offseason.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
While a 6-6 record and a bowl berth are nothing to scoff at, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers certainly expected more under head coach Tim Beck. The pass attack’s lack of success limited the team’s ceiling, and QB Ethan Vaskko recently entered the portal.
Beck targeted Stone as a high school recruit while serving as the Texas Longhorns OC/QBs coach. Perhaps a reunion is what the doctor ordered for both sides.
Ole Miss Rebels
“I want to go somewhere where I can win football games,” Stone said. “I want to go somewhere that has a great culture and is a great fit for me personally. I’m looking for somewhere that I can go and compete and get on the field and have a chance to play at the next level.”
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Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels likely check all of those boxes for Stone. They also have a need at QB, with Jaxson Dart leaving for the NFL Draft and Walker Howard throwing his name into the portal. Not only would Stone have a chance to compete in the toughest conference in the nation, but he’d also be able to boost his draft stock in Kiffin’s offense.
Tulane Green Wave
Darian Mensah left for the Duke Blue Devils, a move that clearly rubbed Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall the wrong way. Why not replace the redshirt freshman with a talented redshirt senior aiming to revitalize his career? In fact, Sumrall followed Stone on X shortly after his transfer announcement.
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