By Mark Pszonak
Numerous 2024/2025 transfer quarterbacks are making an important early impact on the season. Some were expected, such as Cam Ward and Dillon Gabriel, while others are more of a surprise. Here are five transfer quarterbacks who are exceeding early expectations:
Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh (Alabama)
Despite being a transfer from Alabama, Holstein’s transfer to Pitt mostly stayed under-the-radar. But that has quickly changed as he has helped lead the Panthers to a 3-0 start while passing for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. While games against #21 Clemson and #19 Louisville await in November, there is also a suddenly interesting game on October 24th at home against Syracuse and Kyle McCord (see below). Holstein has helped make the Panthers relevant again.
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (Ohio)
While Indiana hasn’t beat a murderer’s row of opponents through three games, the 42-13 victory at UCLA on Saturday night was impressive. New head coach Curt Cignetti has the offense rolling with the help of Rourke, who was the perfect veteran quarterback transfer to lead the unit in year one. He has passed for 755 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 74.3% of his attempts. The schedule will get tougher, but with Rourke’s veteran leadership the Hoosiers will remain a team-to-watch.
Kyle McCord, Syracuse (Ohio State)
After being the starter at Ohio State last season, there were obviously some expectations of McCord at Syracuse. However, not many expected him to pass for 735 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception in the first two games. With only one game remaining against a currently ranked team, the season finale at home against #8 Miami, the limited expectations that existed a few weeks ago have grown exponentially. Will McCord and Cuse continue to perform?
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati (Indiana)
After the coaching change at Indiana, Sorsby decided to get a fresh start elsewhere. Cincinnati was the beneficiary of his decision, but it has also helped him flourish. Helping the Bearcats to a 2-1 start, which included a tough one-point loss to Pittsburgh, Sorsby has passed for 867 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Considering Cincinnati finished 3-9 in its first season in the Big 12, their start and Sorsby’s potential, has given Bearcat fans hope that they might make more noise than expected in the conference this season.
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Emmett Brown, San Jose State (Washington State)
New head coach Ken Niumatalolo hasn’t taken very long to adjust to the west coast, after years of success at Navy. A big part of this success has been because of Brown, who was hardly a blip on the portal landscape when he arrived from Washington State. But through three games he has passed for 915 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Brown has a huge game this Friday night at against his former team, but no matter the outcome, his play has already helped the Spartans become a player in the Mountain West this season.
