An FBS drop-down player is usually thought of first with quarterback transfers to the FCS, but FCS-to-FCS transfer QBs are grabbing an early spotlight in the 2024 season.
Relying on transfer quarterbacks can be a lot like playing roulette – you have absolutely no clue how it’ll play out, but you could end up with a big smile on your face.
A coaching staff didn’t necessarily get the transfer as a malleable, fresh-faced teenager, and the honeymoon phase is surely in the past.
The reason for a departure from the previous school varies. Was it as simple and benign as a grad student looking for an academic path that his former school didn’t have or maybe just one last year of fun before heading into the real world? Or was he seeking a different coaching staff, playing style or chemistry?
No matter, the new guy could work out wonderfully. An FBS drop-down player is usually thought of first with quarterback transfers to the FCS, but FCS-to-FCS transfer QBs are grabbing an early season spotlight. Maybe it’s because they aren’t jaded like some FBS transfers can be who come to this level and think the starting job and big statistics will be handed over on a silver-plated platter.
Here’s a look at some of the FCS-to-FCS transfer QBs coming off eventful first games (note the list doesn’t include QBs such as Carlos Davis of Towson or Seth Morgan of New Hampshire who were at FCS programs as recently as the 2022 season, but were on another level last season).
FCS-to-FCS Transfer QBs With a Good Start in 2024
Derek Robertson, Monmouth
Prior School: Maine
The Skinny: Had the best game statistically of any of the FCS-to-FCS transfer QBs, and it wasn’t even close, throwing for 390 yards and three touchdowns against Eastern Washington. The grad student threw for nearly 4,500 yards and 37 TDs during his career at Maine.
Rob McCoy Jr., Charleston Southern
Prior School: Sacred Heart
The Skinny: Threw for 290 yards and a TD and rushed for 40 more yards in the Bucs’ tight loss against The Citadel. This dual-threat signal caller accounted for more than 2,000 combined yards rushing and passing at Sacred Heart.
Sam Vidlak, Stephen F. Austin
Prior School: Montana
The Skinny: Started the season-opening blowout of NAIA North American but was pulled early after throwing for 288 yards and five touchdowns. He previously appeared in 11 games as a backup at Montana spread over three seasons.
Clifton McDowell, McNeese
Prior School: Montana
The Skinny: Has accounted for more than 400 combined rushing and passing yards in two games, as the Cowboys played in Week 0. He had two rushing TDs in the Cowboys’ victory over Southern U. (already improvement given they only had a forfeit win last season).
Tyler Riddell, Gardner-Webb
Prior School: ETSU
The Skinny: Threw for 238 yards and a TD in his team’s opener against Wofford. Riddell led ETSU to the best season of its second stint of football back in 2021, but injuries hampered him last season.
Carter Peevy, Maine
Prior School: Mercer
The Skinny: Threw for 186 yards on 16 of 21 passing and rushed for a TD in Maine’s win over Colgate. At Mercer, he threw for nearly 4,000 career yards and 21 TDs while rushing for 16 more in his tenure there.
Cornelious Brown, Alabama A&M
Prior School: UT Martin
The Skinny: Threw for 182 yards in a loss to Auburn in his first college game since 2022, missing 2023 with injuries. He played sparingly in one season at UT Martin in 2022, and before that threw for nearly 2,500 yards during his time at FBS Georgia State, taking MVP honors in the 2020 LendingTree.com Bowl.
Matt Morrissey, Eastern Kentucky
Prior School: Western Illinois
The Skinny: Passed for 169 yards and a TD in his start against Mississippi State. He threw for nearly 1,500 yards at Western Illinois last year, and prior to that spent time at Northern Iowa and in the junior college ranks.
Koby Tracy, Idaho State
Prior School: Utah Tech
The Skinny: Came off the bench to throw for 144 yards and a touchdown against Oregon State. The Utah Tech transfer is 61 yards shy of 6,000 in his career.
D.J. Williams, Southern Illinois
Prior School: Murray State
The Skinny: Passed for 98 yards and rushed for 121 and two TDs in the nationally ranked Salukis’ opener at Brigham Young. He accounted for nearly 3,500 combined rushing and passing yards and 21 TDs while at Murray State.
Other Notable FCS-to-FCS Transfer QBs in 2024
Eric Phoenix, South Carolina State (from Murray State) – Passed for 132 yards and a TD against Florida A&M
Jaylen King, ETSU (from Gardner-Webb) – 122 passing yards against Appalachian State
Nick Howard, Butler (from Dartmouth) – Had both a TD pass and run against Upper Iowa
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