Every Power Five conference will have its championship race impacted by at least one high-profile quarterback transfer.
What was once unique has become the norm, as more and more programs become comfortable with handing the starting job to a transfer. In this year’s cycle, many of the biggest names to hit the portal eventually reunited with former coaches, as in the case of Southern California transfer Caleb Williams (Lincoln Riley) and West Virginia addition JT Daniels (offensive coordinator Graham Harrell).
After his strong true freshman season at Oklahoma, Williams tops the list of the most impactful quarterback transfers in the Power Five for 2022.
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Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams throws the ball during the spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
1. Caleb Williams, Southern California (Oklahoma)
The questions about Williams’ lack of experience are valid. That he spent only two months as the Sooners’ starter as a freshman should temper expectations somewhat with his move to USC, though Williams is still projected to be the most prolific passer in the Pac-12 and a strong Heisman Trophy candidate. Despite an inconsistent November, he still had 21 touchdowns and averaged 9.1 yards per attempt in nine games against Power Five competition.
2. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma (Central Florida)
Beyond his two-plus years of starting experience at UCF and his sterling touchdown-to-interception ratio (70-14), Gabriel seems poised to flourish with the Sooners due to his connection to new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who previously held the same position with the Knights. He’s a great fit for the scheme and accompanying skill talent as the Brent Venables era gets underway in Norman.
3. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (Oklahoma)
This isn’t a boom-or-bust addition for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. Frankly, Rattler was more hit than miss during his time at OU despite the way his 2021 season went from…