Last week in Lato’s Lens, I criticized the NCAA transfer portal for ruining collegiate athletics in various ways, from the degradation of school pride to fostering an uneven playing field among schools.
What I failed to consider, is that the portal makes the offseason substantially more entertaining—especially in college football. In times like these when there aren’t any games being played, news of big names entering the portal and landing at other universities has been enough to keep fans like myself captivated during the long offseason.
This year’s transfer portal featured several big-time quarterback prospects who had already made a name for themselves at other programs. Whether it’s Nico Iamaleava or Carson Beck, several standout quarterbacks will be suiting up for new teams this fall. So, for this week in Lato’s Lens, I’ll be analyzing the top five quarterback transfers of the 2025 portal and grading how well they fit in with their new programs.
Nico Iamaleava: Tennessee → UCLA
Grade: A+
Nico Iamaleava shocked the country recently after abruptly departing from Tennessee due to an NIL issue. In his redshirt freshman campaign, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions, leading the Volunteers to a playoff berth before falling to eventual national champion Ohio State in the first round. Just a few days ago, he announced his commitment to UCLA, surprising the nation all at once.
I think this move is incredible for both Iamaleava and UCLA. Transferring to UCLA presents the opportunity to play in his home state in front of a familiar crowd—an undeniable factor for success in college football. Not only that, but the Bruins have gone through rough times as a program, finishing 14th in their first season in the Big Ten with a 5-7 record. Landing the best overall player in this year’s portal not only gives UCLA the chance to win games but also to contend for a Big Ten title and even a College Football Playoff berth.
Carson Beck: Georgia → Miami
Grade: A
Whether his decision to transfer was swayed by his now ex-girlfriend Hanna Cavinder or not, I think former Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck fits in well in Coral Gables, Fla. After losing 2024 ACC Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward to the NFL Draft, picking up Beck from the transfer portal was a strong move for Miami.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Nov. 16, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Though he had a subpar season at Georgia in 2024, throwing 12 interceptions, there’s no denying Beck’s high-level arm talent meshes well with head coach Mario Cristobal’s air raid offense. The rising senior also brings with him four years of experience in the SEC, including two national championships as a backup for Stetson Bennett—something many quarterbacks in this year’s portal don’t have. His experience playing for Kirby Smart at Georgia will serve him well in the ACC this fall.
John Mateer: Washington State → Oklahoma
Grade: A
John Mateer is one of college football’s hidden gems. Despite playing in the dismantled Pac-12 last season for Washington State, the dual-threat quarterback posted impressive numbers, completing 224 of 347 pass attempts for 3,139 yards while throwing 29 touchdowns. On the ground, Mateer showcased his legs by rushing for 826 yards and another 15 touchdowns.
Mateer chose Oklahoma to follow his offensive coordinator at Washington State, Ben Arbuckle. Arbuckle’s explosive spread offense, focused on quick tempo and attacking the deep part of the field, will undoubtedly challenge opposing secondaries in the SEC. With his experience in this style of offense, Mateer is the perfect quarterback and a great portal pickup for Oklahoma in their second year in the SEC.
Fernando Mendoza: California → Indiana
Grade: B+
Fernando Mendoza is a solid quarterback prospect by all means. Ranked the No. 4 quarterback prospect in the portal per 247Sports, the rising junior tossed for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in Cal’s inaugural season in the ACC, leading the Golden Bears to a bowl game for the second straight year. After opting to transfer, Mendoza hedged his bets by committing to Indiana for his junior season.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has a track record of turning underrated quarterbacks into high-level performers. In his first season at Indiana in 2024, Cignetti developed quarterback Kurtis Rourke, an otherwise average signal-caller, to lead the Hoosiers to an 11-1 season and the school’s first-ever College Football Playoff berth. With a high ceiling and tremendous upside, Mendoza certainly has the intangibles to thrive in Cignetti’s program this fall.
Luke Kromenhoek: Florida State → Mississippi State
Grade: D
After filling in for injured starter DJ Uiagalelei midway through the 2024 season, freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek threw for 502 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions throughout his six games played at Florida State. The former four-star prospect from Georgia showed flashes of potential but struggled nonetheless in the Seminoles’ abysmal 2-10 campaign in 2024.
Unlike other quarterbacks in the portal, Kromenhoek lacks much-needed experience. He appeared in just six games for the Noles before entering the portal—virtually nothing compared to Carson Beck’s and Nico Iamaleava’s experience in the SEC. On top of that, the grass isn’t exactly green at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs posted a 2-10 record in 2024, losing all eight of their SEC matchups. With a combination of inexperience and a struggling program, success might not be in the blueprint for the sophomore in Starkville this season.