Four quarterback options to watch in the transfer portal

The Charles Huff era has officially begun, and it started with 27 players entering the transfer portal. Huff will be tasked with replacing most of the roster, including most of the starters on both sides of the ball.

One of the biggest questions will be at the quarterback position. Brendon Lewis is out of eligibility, and both Antwann Hill and Arrington Maiden entered the portal. 

Huff and his staff have already set up a visit with West Florida quarterback Marcus Stokes, and there will be more quarterbacks that the staff will bring in. With the portal not yet officially open, it’s hard to tell what type of quarterbacks the coaching staff will target, but here’s a quick look at a few options that make the most sense.

Colton Joseph

It’s been reported that Old Dominion’s Kevin Decker will be hired as the Tigers’ next offensive coordinator, and his starting quarterback is an ideal fit for what Huff wants to do with the offense next year.

Colton Joseph played in nine games and made eight starts in 2024, recording 1,627 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. This season, he played a huge role for the Monarchs and finished the season with 2,624 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 

The quarterback also has the capability to run at a high level, and he recorded 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Joseph will garner a lot of Power Four interest, but the relationship with his offensive coordinator should put Memphis in a good spot.

Marcus Stokes

On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Sunday that Marcus Stokes will visit Memphis on January 10 after visiting Syracuse on January 3. Stokes, who played at the D2 level this season, led the conference in passing touchdowns and entered the transfer portal looking to make the jump to the FBS.

Stokes was a four-star recruit out of high school and committed to Florida, but his scholarship offer was rescinded after he posted a video rapping along to a song containing a racial slur. After that incident, Stokes committed to West Florida and became the full-time starter this season.

Stokes finished the year with 3,297 yards, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and he ran for 367 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

The quarterback was named the conference offensive player of the year, and he was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is considered the Division II’s equivalent to the Heisman trophy. Stokes is already receiving interest to multiple Power Four schools, but the Tigers have an upper hand by bringing him in for a visit. 

Brock Glenn

There is no indication that Brock Glenn would be interested in Memphis, but he is a local product who has entered his name into the transfer portal. Glenn, who was a four-star out of high school, flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Florida State and spent the last three years at Florida State.

Glenn only attempted 175 passes in three seasons and recorded 895 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in three seasons. He struggled with accuracy when he was on the field, only completing 43.4 percent of his passes, and it was clear he needed a change of scenery.

It’s unclear if the new coaching staff would have any interest in the local quarterback, but he has experience in the ACC and could find success with the Tigers.

Return of Antwann Hill or Arrington Maiden

There’s still the possibility that one of the quarterbacks in the portal could return to Memphis. It feels like the most likely to return would be Arrington Maiden, especially after he left the door open in his post on social media.

“I would love to discuss with the new coaching staff what their plan is for me and Memphis’s future,” Maiden said on X. “However, I feel it’s only fair for me to explore other opportunities when the time comes. Thank you. God Bless.”

Maiden completed 50 percent of his passes for 59 yards this season, and he added 79 yards and a touchdown with his legs.

True freshman quarterback Antwann Hill will also be an option, but they might have a harder time with him in the portal. Hill threw for 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception in two games with the Tigers.