The transfer portal has been a polarizing topic across college football, with debates surrounding its impact on players and programs. While it doesn’t always guarantee success for athletes, some quarterbacks have leveraged transfers to revive or elevate their careers, ultimately translating that success to the NFL.
Here’s a look at college football transfer quarterbacks who are now making their mark in the NFL playoffs.
College Football Transfer QBs in the NFL Playoffs
Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
Daniels began his collegiate career at Arizona State, where he showed promise as a freshman in 2019. Leading the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record, Daniels threw for 2,943 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
However, a COVID-shortened 2020 season and a lackluster 2021 campaign, where he posted a 10:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio, left him searching for a fresh start.
In 2022, Daniels transferred to LSU and flourished. That season, he threw for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 888 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 2023 campaign was even more spectacular, with 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, alongside 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores.
Capping his college career with a Heisman Trophy, Daniels’ move to LSU proved pivotal in his journey to the NFL.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Nix’s college journey began at Auburn, where he debuted in 2019 with 2,542 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions, adding seven rushing touchdowns. While his freshman season showed potential, his next two years were marked by inconsistency, and doubts about his future loomed.
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Transferring to Oregon ahead of the 2022 season rejuvenated Nix’s career. That year, he amassed over 4,100 total yards and 44 touchdowns. In 2023, he raised his game even further, compiling 4,700 total yards and 51 combined scores, with an astounding 74.9% completion rate over two seasons.
Nix’s time at Oregon, where the Ducks went 22-5, revitalized his draft stock and NFL prospects.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts had a storied start at Alabama, accounting for over 3,700 total yards and 36 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2016. However, he lost his starting job to Tua Tagovailoa during the 2017 National Championship Game and spent much of 2018 in a backup role.
Despite limited playing time, Hurts stepped in to lead a comeback win in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.
In 2019, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, where his career soared. He threw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 1,298 yards and 21 scores, leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff and finishing second in Heisman voting.
His transfer not only revitalized his career but positioned him as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the NFL.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson didn’t go through the new-age transfer portal, but was one of the first to take advantage of the graduate transfer rule. After three strong seasons at NC State (8,545 passing yards, 76 touchdowns, 26 interceptions), Wilson transferred to Wisconsin in 2011.
At Wisconsin, he flourished, throwing for 3,175 yards and 33 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He added 338 rushing yards, six touchdowns on the ground, and even a receiving touchdown.
Leading the Badgers to an 11-3 record and a Rose Bowl appearance, Wilson’s transfer set the stage for his NFL success.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield’s transfer journey began at Texas Tech, where he threw for 2,315 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2013. After transferring to Oklahoma, he sat out the 2014 season due to NCAA rules but became one of college football’s most prolific quarterbacks from 2015-2017.
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At Oklahoma, Mayfield threw for 12,292 yards, 119 touchdowns, and just 21 interceptions while rushing for 895 yards and 19 scores. He finished in the top four of Heisman voting three times, winning the award in 2017.
Mayfield’s success led the Sooners to two College Football Playoff appearances and solidified his NFL aspirations.
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