By Mark Pszonak
Quarterbacks don’t come cheap in the transfer portal, especially veterans. Some are worth the money while others turn out to be busts. Here are five who turned out to be bargains in 2024:
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (Ohio)
Rourke already had a very productive collegiate career at Ohio before joining new head coach Curt Cignetti at Indiana. Now, playing at the P4 level for the first time, he has continued to flourish while leading the Hoosiers to one of the best stories of the season. With Indiana currently undefeated and ranked #13, Rourke has passed for 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. A hand injury has been a slight detour but hope in Bloomington is that he returns this weekend after missing the game against Washington.
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (New Mexico State)
Despite his two-season success at New Mexico State, 4,423 yards and 39 touchdowns passing, plus 1,431 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing, Pavia wasn’t necessarily a hot commodity in the transfer portal. But with his head coach and offensive coordinator making the move to Vanderbilt, he decided to join them in Nashville. Everything has worked out perfectly for Pavia and the Commodores who are relevant in 2024 thanks to their new quarterback.
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Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh (Alabama)
One would think that a transfer quarterback from Alabama would grab more attention, but that really wasn’t the case with Holstein. Pittsburgh identified him as a primary target immediately and the result has been an undefeated season and a #18 ranking. Holstein, who has passed for 1,808 yards, 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions, has given the Panthers offense a huge spark and stability as the redshirt freshman is set to be a multi-season starter.
Chandler Morris, North Texas (TCU)
Morris began his collegiate career at Oklahoma before transferring to TCU prior to the 2021 season. After passing for 1,532 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions last season with the Horned Frogs, he decided to find a fresh start at North Texas. And that move has worked out exceptionally well for both sides as Morris currently leads the country with 2,873 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, while the Mean Green are 5-3.
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati (Indiana)
After leading the Indiana offense last season, Sorsby decided to enter the portal while the Hoosiers underwent a coaching change. And with the Bearcats, Sorsby is enjoying his best season with 2,108 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is also completing 65.6% of his attempts and has rushed for six touchdowns as Cincinnati is one win away from bowl eligibility.
