Liberty Flames star quarterback Kaidon Salter has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal as one of several players on the move.
While expectations were high for Salter entering the 2024 season, he struggled as a junior. Still, he has plenty of experience, production, and upside and should have plenty of interest in the transfer portal. Here are five potential landing spots for Salter.
Where Could Kaidon Salter Transfer?
Salter was a highly recruited high schooler who enrolled at Tennessee in 2021, only to transfer immediately after the spring semester. He landed at Liberty, where he’s been for the past four seasons.
Salter initially entered the transfer portal last offseason but withdrew his name a few days later. Now, he’s in the portal, and it looks like it will stick this time.
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Salter threw for nearly 6,000 yards in his Flames career, adding 2,000 yards on the ground. He had 77 total touchdowns and just 17 interceptions but struggled in 2024 after a tremendous 2023 season.
The potential and arm talent are there, and under the right circumstances, Salter could succeed at a low Power Four school. He may leverage his former recruiting connections to land in a favorable environment for a familiar coach.
Auburn Tigers
While this is unlikely, we have to start with the Auburn Tigers. A large portion of that coaching staff is the one that recruited Salter to Lynchburg in 2021. Salter initially didn’t have an offer to follow Hugh Freeze in 2023 when he took over at Auburn, but given Salter’s success and Freeze’s struggle to find a quarterback, this could be a happy reunion.
I think Auburn will try to lure a bigger fish, but if the Tigers struggle to get their top option, Freeze may circle back to Salter later.
Texas State Bobcats
Salter wasn’t recruited by G.J. Kinne when he was coming out of high school, but current wide receiver coach Chad Morris did while he was at Auburn. The Texas State Bobcats are likely in the market for a quarterback and could sell Salter on returning to the Lone Star State, where he played in high school.
This would be a lateral move for a guy likely trying to move to a bigger school and improve his draft stock. Nevertheless, Salter would be working in another QB-friendly system, and there are far worse Group of Five schools than the up-and-coming Texas State.
Georgia State Panthers
The Georgia State Panthers didn’t have a chance this season after Dell McGee took over as head coach late in the offseason. However, they flashed and will need a quarterback.
Long-time offensive assistant Jim Chaney was on staff with the Volunteers when Salter was in Knoxville and is now the Panthers’ OC. Assuming the original parting at Tennessee was amicable, Chaney may reach out to Salter to come to be the guy in Atlanta.
Syracuse Orange
After seeing Kyle McCord thrive in Year 1 under Fran Brown’s pass-happy offensive system, other players will want to do the same. Salter has the passing and rushing ability to be a threat in the ACC next season.
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Brown should have options in the transfer portal, should the Orange decide to go that route, and I think Salter could thrive under the proper guidance.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
It’d be a lateral move, but Salter fits well in the Jacksonville State Gamecocks’ offense. Rich Rodriguez wants someone who can make quick decisions in running and passing games. He’s also faced Salter multiple times over the last few years and knows how talented the former Liberty QB can be.
I just don’t know what kind of market Salter will have. If he finds that the interest from top schools isn’t there, Jacksonville State’s offense will give him the chance to succeed in his final year.
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