Sports Illustrated Lists Top 15 FCS Transfer-Portal Quarterbacks for 2026

1. Craig

If NFL scouts are right, Craig is the portal’s crown jewel: “If you ask NFL scouts, there's little debate about Craig being the top FCS passer in the portal. He already had a Day 3 draft grade going into the season and was previously Mel Kiper's No. 9 QB prospect for the 2026 draft. Craig is a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in FCS and could be a fifth- or sixth-round pick if he goes pro but preferred to explore his options in the portal. At Harvard, he was a 24-game starter and All-Ivy performer who threw for 6,074 yards on 61% passing with 63 career total touchdowns and 12 interceptions.” Performance-wise, those Harvard numbers make Craig a prototype FCS passer ready to move an offense immediately. Industry implication: his draft buzz and portal availability fuel both NIL marketplaces and FCS coaching strategies that chase proven production. Socially, Craig’s path reframes the portal as a parallel pro-window, attracting NFL attention while reshaping FCS roster construction.

2. Collin Hurst

The Bluebloods podcast singled out Collin Hurst: “Collin Hurst may be one of the top FCS‑to‑FCS transfers this offseason.” Hosts Zach McKinnell and Timothy Rosario used Hurst as an example of intra‑FCS movement that can flip conference balances. From a performance angle, being highlighted on the podcast signals Hurst has tape or metrics that matter to FCS coaches; culturally, it underscores a trend where FCS programs poach proven FCS starters rather than only chasing FBS castoffs. Businesswise, that talent flow tightens competitive windows for mid‑tier programs and amplifies recruiting staff value.

3. Tarleton State quarterback (forum‑reported SI slot)

Multiple sources emphasize Tarleton State’s QB haul: the podcast noted “Tarleton State reloaded at the quarterback position,” and fan reaction framed Tarleton as a focal point. Facebook user Steve McDonald wrote, “Tarleton is once again the team to watch. Tarleton vs. Sac St. will be wild.” That social chatter, plus forum claims that Tarleton occupies three entries on the list (#2, #8 & Honorable Mention), points to program stacking. The immediate impact: opponents must plan for multiple new signal-callers and playbooks; the broader implication is a marketplace where concentrated recruiting and NIL resources can create rapid contenders.

4. Mestemaker

An ESPN excerpt framed Mestemaker as a key piece for a program turnaround: “What he brings to Oklahoma State: The Cowboys will try to pull off one of the most ambitious roster flips in college football in 2026, and it was absolutely essential that coach Eric Morris get Mestemaker to Stillwater to help lead the turnaround. Had Mestemaker opened up his recruitment and taken more visits, he would've had a lot of options to choose from. Teams certainly tried to tamper during the season to get an early lead in this recruitment. Instead, Mestemaker stayed loyal to Morris and offensive coordinator Sean Brophy and trusted this is the best coaching and offensive system for his continued development.” While Mestemaker’s move is discussed in an FBS context, the narrative matters to the FCS transfer conversation: top QBs now have leverage and coaching fit is central. The quote highlights recruiting poaching pressures, and the loyalty angle signals the continuing importance of coach-player relationships in portal decisions.

5. Byrum Brown

ESPN listed him with clear measurables: “5. Byrum Brown Transferring from: South Florida Transferring to: Auburn Years remaining: 1 HT: 6-3 | WT: 231 | Class: Redshirt junior” Brown’s size and immediate eligibility profile make him the sort of high‑ceiling arm that changes program timelines. For FCS watchers, Brown’s profile is a reminder that FBS→FCS and cross‑level movement complicate roster planning and NIL dynamics, programs must weigh short‑term production against development windows. His placement in national coverage also creates a share hook: a known name with FBS pedigree entering the portal conversation.

6. Former Group of Six quarterback (unnamed, podcast reference #1)

The Bluebloods flagged “why two former Group of Six quarterbacks could become the newest FCS stars in 2026.” One of those unnamed signal‑callers represents a growing trend of experienced Group of Six starters landing at the FCS level to immediately tilt conference races. From a performance lens, coaches prize their game‑readiness and leadership; from an industry standpoint, these moves illustrate a widening funnel for proven college QBs seeking playing time and NIL deals.

7. Former Group of Six quarterback (unnamed, podcast reference #2)

The second former Group of Six transfer mentioned on the podcast similarly speaks to rising cross‑level mobility. Programs that can identify and package these QBs quickly are effectively buying readiness and reducing development risk. Culturally, fans view such transfers as marquee signings, the sort of move that drives engagement and, when publicized, increases shareability of rankings and listicles.

8. Tarleton State quarterback (forum‑reported SI slot #8)

Forum users claimed Tarleton had three entries on the list, including #8, and the podcast corroborated Tarleton’s reload narrative. That plurality of reported entries signals Tarleton’s strategy: recruit multiple portal QBs to create competition and depth. The on‑field effect could be a faster installation of varied schemes; off the field, it raises questions about resource allocation in smaller programs and how stacked rosters affect parity.

9. Tennessee Tech quarterback (forum‑reported SI slot #4)

Tapatalk users reported Tennessee Tech accounted for multiple list spots (#4 & #11). Even as fan posts carry speculation, “I guess they got more money or better recruiters”, the factual takeaway is that Tennessee Tech’s portal activity is getting noticed. That attention has both competitive and social implications: opponents will scout Tech closely, while donors and local markets will use rankings exposure to justify increased investment.

10. Tennessee Tech quarterback (forum‑reported SI slot #11)

A second Tennessee Tech slot was cited by forum participants, reinforcing the perception of targeted recruiting success. If verified, dual entries from one program highlight how concentrated portal strategies can turbocharge a season outlook. The cultural conversation fans are having, and the sometimes blunt NIL speculation, reflects how portal lists have become currency in fan discourse.

11. Jackson Stratton

An On3 excerpt lists: “16. QB Jackson Stratton RS-JR6-4195 85.22 NIL Value: Committed” While On3 placed Stratton at #16, the numbers (6-4, 195 implied in the snippet) and an 85.22 rating signal a quarterback with measurable upside and NIL status already sorted. The wider trend: third‑party databases and media ratings increasingly shape perceptions of portal value, affecting how programs and boosters prioritize pursuit.

12. Knight

ESPN’s excerpt discussed a Knight in the Ole Miss quarterback plan: “Knight is most likely coming in to be the Rebels' No. 2 QB and continue his development towards starting in 2027, but this is a fluid situation for new coach Pete Golding and his staff to navigate.” Even without a first name in the excerpt, that storyline illuminates the ripple effects of portal movement on roster hierarchies: teams balance immediate competition with multi‑year development plans, and coaching staff decisions here have recruiting and NIL consequences.

13. Trinidad Chambliss

ESPN referenced Trinidad Chambliss in the context of an NCAA waiver request that affected an SEC program’s QB planning. The waiver drama shows how eligibility rulings can alter portal strategies, a single decision can change whether prospects wait, transfer, or enter the portal. That legal/administrative axis is now a central part of QB recruitment and merits attention from FCS programs tracking available talent.

14. Parker Awad (Chattanooga)

A forum‑quoted entry read: “14. Parker Awad (Chattanooga) Awad started six games at New Mexico State over the past two seasons. He totaled over 1,000 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. He started his career at Golden West College at the JUCO level, where he had a solid true freshman season.” Awad’s JUCO-to-FBS-to-FCS arc is emblematic of non‑linear QB development paths that now populate portal lists. For Chattanooga, adding a veteran with six starts and 1,000+ yards is a tangible upgrade; for the industry, it reinforces how JUCO pipelines and transfer histories are winning attention and reshaping roster construction philosophies.

15. Austin Simmons

ESPN supplied this explicit profile: “15. Austin Simmons Transferring from: Ole Miss Transferring to: Missouri Years remaining: 2 HT: 6-4 | WT: 215 | Class: Redshirt sophomore” Simmons’ measurables and two years remaining make him a notable developmental asset. His placement at #15 in the supplied material underscores how power‑five transfer traffic factors into broader FCS/QB market narratives. On the cultural side, moves like Simmons’ feed fan debate and social engagement, the Facebook post promoting the list drew 65 reactions, 12 comments and 10 shares, showing that portal rankings are now a key way fans interact with roster-building storylines.