13 remaining: College football's top QB pool shrinks to underclassmen

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is expected to sign a retention contract on Wednesday, November 11, making him the highest-paid quarterback in college football. The deal keeps a primary offensive weapon in Starkville and further restricts the transfer market for programs seeking immediate help.

Taylor's move follows a recent series of similar agreements. Missouri's Austin Simmons, Oregon State's Braden Atkinson, and Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea have reportedly signed deals to stay at their current schools. While these contracts can face challenges, as seen with Duke's Darian Mensah last season, the number of available targets is decreasing rapidly.

Eligibility rules and NFL draft decisions have already narrowed the field. Only 13 of the nation's top 25 passers are underclassmen. Several of those players, including Alabama's Keelon Russell and Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, are expected to either depart for the NFL or remain where they are. Other arms, such as Wake Forest's Gio Lopez, Baylor's DJ Lagway, and Kentucky's Kenny Minchey, recently changed schools and may hesitate to move again.

If current trends hold, Memphis's Marcus Stokes, Texas State's Brad Jackson, and NC State's CJ Bailey could become the leading available options. Several programs are actively searching for quarterbacks. Texas A&M and Oklahoma view the position as the final missing piece in their playoff bids. Indiana and Miami have already improved their rosters with transfers, while Oklahoma State and Notre Dame may enter the market if their current passers leave for the NFL.

Uncertainty persists around two prominent names. Texas quarterback Arch Manning has stabilized his play in the second half of the season, though rumors of a potential move persist. Oregon's Dante Moore, who passed up the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, may seek a new start after a concussion sidelined him for the latter part of the season.

LSU and Ohio State must also decide on contract terms for Sam Leavitt and Julian Sayin, respectively. These decisions come as the pool of viable alternatives tightens. Transfers currently account for much of the sport's elite production. Eight of the top 10 passers previously transferred, and all three players at the top of the list are former transfers.

The supply of available players is tightening as schools that develop quarterbacks turn to upperclassmen. Programs looking for immediate impact face a smaller selection of experienced arms than in previous seasons.