Division II QBs Transferring to FCS, Poised to Elevate 2026 Season

Kennedy McGill’s arrival at Western Illinois immediately changes the quarterback valuation map for FCS programs. McGill, whom Sports Illustrated calls "one of the most accomplished Division II-to-FCS transfers in the country, bringing nearly 40 games of experience to Western Illinois," has thrown for over 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in three seasons and added nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, finishing with double-digit rushing TDs in each of the past two seasons. That statistical corpus gives Western Illinois a proven dual-threat signal-caller with game reps that NFL and FCS evaluators can cross-check against scheme fit and NIL marketability.

Another upward mover is Donovyn Omolo, who after a breakout season at Central Missouri is headed to Central Arkansas and is listed as the projected starter for the Bears in 2026. SI notes Omolo "could bring stability to a quarterback room that struggled at times last season," a room that helped produce a 3-9 record for Central Arkansas in 2025. Omolo’s jump from Central Missouri to Central Arkansas represents a classic portal valuation play: a DII starter stepping into a high-opportunity FCS role where early starts can translate to draft scouting attention and transfer-market leverage.

The DII-to-FCS sweep also includes a rising passer from UNC‑Pembroke identified only as Robinson, who posted a 64 percent completion rate for 2,437 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 511 yards and nine TDs, leading UNC‑Pembroke to an 8-3 overall record and earning a second-team All-Conference nod as a sophomore. Robinson’s metrics—mid-60s completion, 25 passing TDs, and a 500-yard rushing component—map cleanly to the type of multi-dimensional QBs FCS coordinators covet when evaluating portal fits.

Sports Illustrated’s DII roundup names additional prospects—Knowles, Ackerley, Olanegan and Lee—without providing full statistical profiles in the current release, leaving their schools, destination teams and eligibility details to be confirmed. SI frames this piece as a complement to a recent Top 15 transfer portal QB ranking that focused on Division I movement, noting "Now, we take a look at the top Division II transfers who have a chance to become stars at the FCS level next season," and placing these DII transfers squarely in the 2026 opportunity window.

Portal timing and momentum are evident in January transaction logs tracked by GunslingerBuzz, which recorded multiple high-profile moves between Jan. 5 and Jan. 16, 2026, including Angelo State QB Braeden Fuller’s transfer to Arkansas on Jan. 10, 2026, and Byrum Brown’s move to Auburn on Jan. 6, 2026. Those dated entries underline how early‑to‑mid January portal activity sets the roster landscape for FCS coaches hunting for instant upgrades.

National context sharpens the stakes: ESPN captures NFL-level interest in FCS passers such as Harvard’s Jaden Craig, who has a Day 3 draft grade, is Mel Kiper’s No. 9 QB prospect for 2026, and "could be a fifth- or sixth-round pick" while exploring the portal. The NCAA narrative adds a coaching precedent: Lane Kiffin’s willingness to insert a small-school quarterback delivered results, with the note that "If Trinidad Chambliss proved anything under Kiffin, it’s that he’s going with the player that gives him the best shot to win."

Programs listed in SI’s "In this story" block—Western Illinois Leathernecks, Furman Paladins, South Carolina State Bulldogs, Central Arkansas Bears, Florida A&M Rattlers, Tennessee State Tigers and Morgan State Bears—now have quantifiable quarterback upgrades to monitor. With McGill’s 4,500-plus passing yards and nearly 3,000 rushing yards, Omolo’s projected starter tag at Central Arkansas after a Central Missouri breakout, and Robinson’s 2,437-yard, dual-threat sophomore season, the 2026 FCS quarterback market has clear, data-driven candidates who can accelerate wins, draft visibility and program valuation.