Jalen Hurts, 6-2, 220 lbs, (Alabama):
Career Stats:
Passing: 5626 YDS, 48 TD, 12 INT, Rushing: 1976 YDS, 23 TD.
Background:
-SEC Offensive Player of the Year (as True Freshman) & 1st Team All-SEC in 2016.
-Two-year starter with a 26-2 record.
-Benched last year following halftime of the National Championship for Tua Tagovailoa.
-After Tua won the title, he then became the backup for the entire 2017 season.
Possible Destination?
TCU: The Horned Frogs reportedly “are in pursuit for Hurts”, potentially entering the sweepstakes for Jalen Hurts. He is originally from Texas, and they just previously two seasons ago had a successful experience adjusting a transfer QB with Kenny Hill.
Maryland: Following Alabama’s National Championship loss to Clemson, Alabama’s offensive coordinator Mike Locksley left to become the head coach of Maryland. Locksley, would has coached Hurts the past three seasons, also with Maryland’s strong need for a quarterback it could make this a real sensible destination for Hurts.
Florida: The Gators return a very talented roster following their huge victory in the Peach Bowl over Michigan under first-year head coach Dan Mullen. The addition of Jalen Hurts over Feleipe Franks, could just be what establishes them as a National Championship contender. Also, there would be some added motivation for Hurts being apart of the same conference in the SEC with Alabama.
Houston: With Dana Holgorsen surprisingly being named as new head coach, he always could move on from their injured starter D’Eriq King. Holgerson’s recent experience transferring to West Virginia from Florida could definitely entice Holgerson to try it again.
Tennessee: Another link from the Alabama coaching tree is Volunteer’s head coach Jeremy Pruitt, who previously was the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator. It would be surprising if Pruitt did not look to try to recruit Hurts, although it surely would be tough to convince Hurts they’re competing for the National Championship next season.
Brandon Wimbush, 6-2, 220 lbs, (Notre Dame):
Career Stats:
Passing: 2606 YDS, 20 TD, 12 INT, Rushing: 1156 YDS, 16 TD.
Background:
-Gatorade’s New Jersey High School Player of the Year.
-As Freshman, he sat behind current Green Bay Packers QB DeShone Kizer.
-Redshirted the following season, and then was the starter the entire 2017 season.
–Ian Book replaced Wimbush after a slow-start midway through the past season.
Possible Destination?
Penn State: Considered the favorite, per BetDSI.eu. In high school, he originally committed to Penn State in high school, making it extremely likely that he’s considering towards re-committed again. With Penn State’s graduation of their all-time record holder Trace McSorely, it would be an ideal situation for Wimbush to compete with Tommy Stevens or Sean Clifford, but would fit well into their offensive system.
Mississippi State: After Kelly Bryant choose to transfer to Missouri over them, head coach Joe Moorhead should now aim towards Wimbush to be their “consolation prize” for Bryant. Wimbush would be an immediate replacement for their all-around dynamic playmaker Nick Fitzgerald.
Northwestern: The campus location of Evanston, Illinois is really not too far away from Notre Dame. Wimbush is known to excel in the classroom, which would benefit the Wildcats case due to their academic prestige, which ultimately can be a determining factor in his school choice. Coach Pat Fitzgerald would be wise to pull the trigger on Wimbush, making him the replacement for Senior Clayton Thorson.
Georgia Tech: Their new head coach Geoff Collins is planning on implementing a new offensive scheme, swaying away a bit from their strict triple option rushing scheme. Wimbush’s mother is listed to be from Georgia, which although everything is just speculation, maybe it could impact his decision in some aspect.
Rutgers: There’s never been a real top-level talented QB from New Jersey that has chosen to stay in-state and play for Rutgers University. Head Coach Chris Ash is on the hot seat, so in order to retain his job he may have to consider bringing an experienced in-state talent, rather than rushing the developmental process of Arthur Sitkowski forcing him to go up against top premier Big-Ten opponents every Saturday.
Tate Martell, 5-11, 210 lbs (Ohio State):
Career Stats:
Passing: 269 YDS, 1 TD, Rushing: 128 YDS, 2 TD.
Background:
-At Bishop Gorman HS he was 45-0 as Starer, Gatorade’s High School Player of the Year.
-2nd best Dual-Threat QB according to Scout, featured on a Netflix documentary QB1.
-Sat behind 1st round NFL Draft prospect Dwayne Haskins this past season.
–Justin Fields, (who also ironically was featured in the QB1 Documentary in the 2nd season) announced he is transferring to Ohio State, which ultimately be why Martell wants to transfer.
Possible Destination?
Texas A&M: Martell originally planned on enrolling to be an Aggie, until ultimately de-committed where he would attend Ohio State. Head coach Jimbo Fisher also recruited him when he was at Florida State, and may be intrigued again to go after Martell.
UCLA: Martell is from California, so possibly he is looking to get back to the West Coast and be closer to his family. If so, head coach Chip Kelly could definitely give a look into adding a dynamic player like Martell, with hopes he can quickly turnaround the Bruins program.
Florida State: The Seminoles originally recruited him, and with questions surrounding Deandre Francois past struggles as a starter, they could maybe convince Martell into competing to start at another football powerhouse like Florida State.
Miami: “The U” are anxiously waiting to get back into competing for National Championships again. With their defensive coordinator Manny Diaz now replacing Mark Richt following his recent retirement announcement, they perhaps could go “all-in” for Martell in order to bring back the excitement to the Hurricanes’ fan base.
Shane Buechele, 6-1, 210 lbs (Texas):
Career Stats:
Passing: 4636 YDS, 30 TD, 16 INT, Rushing: 268 YDS, 4 TD.
Background:
-2nd QB in UT History to start as a true freshman.
-Broke Colt McCoy’s record for most passing ever at Texas by a freshman.
-Injured during sophomore year, was replaced and then eventually lost the starting job to Sam Ehlinger.
Possible Destination?:
Arkansas: The Razorbacks are considered by BetDSI.eu to be the favorite to land Buechele. Head Coach Chad Morris would receive a huge boost towards improving his 2-10 record in his first year as HC with Buechele at the helm.
Houston: New head coach Dana Holgerson’s experience with Will Grier transferring to West Virginia from Florida could entice Holgerson. It would make a ton of sense for Houston to land an experienced QB from Texas, in hopes to garnering national attention right away.
Ole Miss: With starting QB Jordan Ta’amu graduating, it would be a huge addition for them to land an experienced QB to go alongside a roster that always is consumed by potential NFL talent.
Mississippi State: Buechele would be the consolation prize for not getting Kelly Bryant or Jalen Hurts, but has the chance to be highly successful in Joe Moorhead’s offensive scheme.
Off The Gridiron 