The Transfer Portal’s Final Call: Ranking the Top Available Quarterbacks Before the Window Slams Shut

The college football offseason moves at a breakneck pace, and no mechanism exemplifies that more than the NCAA transfer portal. With the portal window for the 2025-26 cycle slamming shut this Friday, programs across the country are making their final, frantic assessments. For teams like the Tennessee Volunteers, who are already architecting their 2026 roster, the quarterback board is of paramount importance. The departure of redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger has created a nuanced vacancy in Knoxville, behind a room featuring senior Joey Aguilar and freshmen George MacIntyre and Mason Phillips, plus incoming early enrollee Faizon Brandon. As the clock ticks down, which signal-callers remain in the portal who could provide immediate, game-changing depth or even compete for a starting job? We analyze the top remaining arms before the music stops.

The Landscape: A Seller’s Market for Elite Arm Talent

Unlike the December portal frenzy, the January window often features a different caliber of player. Many of the premier, proven starters have already found their new homes. What remains is a mix of high-upside projects, experienced backups seeking a final shot, and a few potential diamonds in the rough who entered later in the process. For a team like Tennessee, the calculus is specific: they likely seek a player who can provide legitimate competition and security, but who also understands the existing dynamics of a room with a seasoned senior and highly-touted underclassmen. The ideal candidate is as much about mindset and maturity as it is about pure physical talent. The following quarterbacks represent the best of what’s still available as the portal deadline looms.

Top Remaining Quarterbacks in the Portal

These players, ranked by potential immediate impact and long-term upside, could be the final piece of the puzzle for a contending team.

• Miles Hodge (Junior, Previous School: Boise State): Hodge is arguably the most intriguing name left on the board. A classic late-bloomer with prototypical size (6’4″, 220 lbs), he saw limited action behind a entrenched starter but flashed elite arm strength and pocket poise in mop-up duty. His appeal lies in his three years of remaining eligibility and his fit in a modern, up-tempo system. He’s a high-ceiling development project who could thrive with a year in a system like Tennessee’s before competing for the 2027 job.
• Jaden Davis (Redshirt Senior, Previous School: Memphis): The polar opposite of Hodge, Davis is the quintessential high-floor, experienced bridge quarterback. He started 18 games over his career, showing exceptional pre-snap recognition and accuracy in the short-to-intermediate game. While he lacks a cannon for an arm, his decision-making is top-tier. For a team wanting a reliable backup who won’t lose a game, Davis is the safest bet remaining. He offers one year of eligibility as a graduate transfer.
• Carter Jones (Sophomore, Previous School: Washington State): Jones is a dual-threat wild card. An electric athlete who was often used in specialty packages, he entered the portal seeking an opportunity to be a full-time quarterback. His passing mechanics need refinement, but his game-breaking rushing ability is a proven weapon. In the right offensive scheme that incorporates quarterback run concepts, he could be a dynamic change-of-pace option or even develop into a unique starter. He carries significant risk but equally high reward.
• Marcus Thorne (Redshirt Junior, Previous School: Duke): Thorne is the mystery man. A former four-star recruit, he suffered a significant knee injury early in his career and was buried on the depth chart during his recovery. Now fully healthy, he possesses the pedigree and raw tools that made him a highly sought-after prospect. He is the ultimate post-portal lottery ticket. A team with a stable quarterback room, like Tennessee’s, could take a flyer, allowing him to develop without immediate pressure.

Tennessee’s Quarterback Calculus: Development vs. Immediate Insurance

Josh Heupel’s quarterback room is in a fascinating state of transition. Senior Joey Aguilar provides a steady, known commodity for 2026. The future, however, appears to be a duel between George MacIntyre, the former five-star with a year in the system, and Faizon Brandon, the incoming freshman whom Heupel himself praised for his explosive athleticism and “quick mind.” The departure of Merklinger opens a scholarship but doesn’t necessarily create a demand for a day-one starter.

Therefore, Tennessee’s portal strategy at quarterback should be surgical. They are not in the market for a temporary rental. Instead, they should target a player who aligns with their long-term vision. A player like Miles Hodge fits that mold perfectly—a talented arm to develop behind the scenes who could compete with MacIntyre and Brandon in the years to come. Alternatively, a veteran like Jaden Davis provides invaluable depth and a mentor presence in a room that will be very young behind Aguilar. The Volunteers’ portal priority must be to add a specific profile: either a developmental talent with multiple years to grow, or a mature, low-turnover safety net.

Predictions and Closing Window Implications

As Friday’s deadline approaches, expect a flurry of activity. The remaining quarterbacks know their leverage diminishes the moment the portal closes. Here are our predictions:

• Miles Hodge will land at a Power Four program with a clear developmental plan, with Tennessee, Auburn, and South Carolina as potential fits.
• Jaden Davis will find a home quickly with a team that experiences a spring injury or simply wants proven depth; look for a contender like Utah or NC State to get involved.
• Carter Jones may transfer down a level to an elite Group of Five program where his skill set can be the focal point immediately.
• Marcus Thorne is the hardest to predict, but could follow a trusted position coach to a new school for a fresh start.

For the Volunteers, the final decision will reveal their confidence level in their young stars. Passing on a portal quarterback altogether is a massive vote of confidence in MacIntyre and Brandon. Adding a veteran like Davis is a move focused solely on the 2026 season. Securing a talent like Hodge is an investment in 2027 and beyond.

Conclusion: The Final Chess Moves of the Offseason

The January transfer portal window is the final opportunity for programs to alter their roster destiny for the coming season. While the quarterback pickings are slimmer than in December, impactful talent remains available for teams with a specific need and a clear vision. For Tennessee, the post-Merklinger era presents a strategic choice. They can use the portal to fortify the present with a steady hand, or to cultivate the future with a promising arm. As the clock ticks down to Friday’s deadline, the decisions made in these final hours will echo through spring practices and into the autumn. In the high-stakes game of roster construction, the last move in the portal can sometimes be the most critical.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.