Ohio State football may not get the chance at two of the biggest potential quarterback names in the portal for the Buckeyes' 2027 roster.
With Julian Sayin's throwing shoulder injury potentially ending what may be his final collegiate season, and a possible lack of confidence that Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair is ready to take the baton, a veteran transfer option may be OSU's best chance to win big next season.
Unfortunately, two of the biggest names thought to potentially be available may be off the market already.
Braden Atkinson given major reason to stay at Oregon State
A star has been born in Corvallis, Oregon. Beavers quarterback Braden Atkinson is having a breakout season at Oregon State, which naturally means everyone is projecting his next school.
A major hint that Atkinson may not be going anywhere next season may have been dropped on Friday afternoon. Beavers receiver Jesse Legree announced he'd be re-signing with Oregon State for the 2027 season.
Mid-season announcements about future intentions are a thing now for college football players, apparently.
Atkinson wasn't an ideal fit in Arthur Smith's system anyway, but imagining his big arm in Columbus was an exciting prospect. Perhaps it's best to let that thought go.
Arch Manning may leave Texas for Ole Miss
When Arch Manning was handed the keys to the Texas football program, his first challenge as the full-time QB1 came at the "Shoe" in a 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
It would've been symmetrical to end his career in Scarlet and Gray, but the rumor mill is pointing to Manning sticking to the SEC blueprint and joining his uncle Eli's alma mater, Ole Miss, if he leaves the Longhorns.
"Arch could transfer," NFL insider Tom Pelissero said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. "I texted one person who's known Arch for a long time, and I said, 'Where do you see Arch in 2027,' and his response was, 'Ole Miss.'"
This is just a rumor. Don't expect any rumors that have Arch going to Big Ten country, though.
Drake Lindsey is the perfect fit in the transfer portal
Minnesota hasn't been a relevant college football power in a long time. Credit to P.J. Fleck for getting this thing back on track, but the Golden Gophers may not be able to win a bidding war for emerging quarterback Drake Lindsey.
Ohio State can and will steal a veteran quarterback if it has to, à la Will Howard from Kansas State before the 2024 championship season.
System-fit-wise, Lindsey is perfect for Smith's offense. This is the guy who Mark Pantoni and Co. need to have eyes on in the portal if Fahey or St. Clair aren't up to snuff in Sayin's absence, and if Sayin never makes it back and pursues his NFL dream.
Two of the top names may have just been quickly yanked off the transfer portal market, if they were ever truly on the open market to begin with.
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