🚨 UPDATE: Portal Closed – Now Tracking Final Commitments (as of Jan. 18, 2026)
The transfer portal is now closed to new entrants, but players already in the portal may still commit to new schools.
With most quarterback rooms taking shape, this tracker is shifting from breaking movement to final outcomes, depth-chart implications and returning starters.
The two-week Division I college football transfer portal window has come and gone, and as expected, it produced a flurry of movement across North Carolina programs. But no position has seen as much chaos, intrigue and attention as quarterback.
During the Jan. 2-16, 2026 portal window, North Carolina programs experienced:
- The ACC championship game MVP entering the portal at the 11th hour after pledging in December he was staying at his 2025 school.
- FCS stars jumping to SEC and Power Four programs
- Division II quarterbacks earning FBS opportunities
- A Former ACC starter switching to an in-state rival
- Familiar faces returning home after a year out-of-state — but with new teams
- Three QBs from the same school all hitting the portal (this happened at 2 schools)
Below is a complete look at the biggest quarterback transfer portal moves involving North Carolina programs so far, with updates continuing throughout the window.
For complete, continually updated lists of portal movement at all positions, organized by division, visit our live trackers:
- North Carolina FBS Transfer Portal Tracker
- North Carolina FCS Transfer Portal Tracker
- North Carolina Division II Transfer Portal Tracker
Biggest QB Moves So Far
These are the headline-makers — the moves reshaping programs and drawing national attention.
Duke QB Darian Mensah Enters Portal at Deadline, Poised for Miami
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah delivered one of the portal cycle’s biggest 11th hour shocks, entering the transfer portal on the final day it was open to entrants. The move blindsided much of the Duke fanbase — especially given Mensah’s public commitment to stay just a month earlier.
On Dec. 17, Mensah posted an Instagram message pledging his loyalty to the Blue Devils:
“This team, this locker room, this family welcomed me with open arms… When the odds were against us, we kept fighting. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.”
Mensah, who threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns in helping Duke to an ACC championship, is widely expected to land at Miami, which is set to play in Monday night’s College Football Playoff championship.
According to On3, Mensah’s next NIL deal could approach or exceed $6 million, reflecting the increasingly cutthroat economics of the portal era. The timing adds another layer of irony: Duke’s ACC championship helped clear the path for Miami’s playoff berth. Miami is expected to bring in roughly $20 million from its CFP run — money now being reinvested into its quarterback room at what looks to be Duke’s expense
There’s also a twist of déjà vu. Duke acquired Mensah from Tulane through the portal last offseason, a reminder that even recent winners in this system can quickly become its next casualties. Mensah’s decision encapsulates the modern portal reality: loyalty is fluid, market value is king and success often makes a program more vulnerable, not less.
What is next for Duke’s QB room? Duke had added veteran QB Ari Patu, who has played at Stanford and North Alabama over five seasons, to backup Mensah. The Blue Devils 2025 backup Henry Belin IV entered the portal Jan. 2 and announced his commitment to Missouri State on Jan. 15, a day before Mensah’s surprise portal declaration. But 247Sports still lists Belin as uncommitted as of Jan. 18. Is Duke trying to convince Belin to withdraw from the portal and stay in Durham?
I'm forever grateful for Duke and the coaching staff. Thank you Duke family for everything. This wasn’t an easy decision, but after talking with my family, I believe it's in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.
— Darian Mensah (@DarianMensah) January 16, 2026
Former Elon QB Landen Clark Commits to LSU
Few North Carolina college quarterbacks saw their stock rise as quickly — or as dramatically — as Landen Clark.
After a breakout 2025 season at Elon that included freshman All-America status and conference offensive rookie of the year honors, Clark suddenly found himself on the radar of major programs such as LSU, Michigan and Kentucky. He took visits to all three, along with James Madison, which recently competed in the College Football Playoff.
Multiple outlets reported Sunday night that Clark committed to LSU, joining new coach Lane Kiffin’s first recruiting haul in Baton Rouge. Clark later confirmed the news with a simple post: “Geaux Tigers.”
Clark arrived at Elon in 2024 without a star rating and spent the season backing up starter Matthew Downing. He threw just one pass in four appearances.
By 2025, he had won the starting job — and quickly won over Phoenix fans with his deep-ball ability, creativity and knack for extending plays. Clark finished with 2,321 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns, while adding 614 rushing yards and 11 more scores. He exuded confidence and fire on the field.
His season included touchdown throws of 96 yards (Campbell), 81 yards (Hampton) and 76 yards (North Carolina A&T). In the finale against A&T, he accounted for six total touchdowns, including an 86-yard run.
A day before committing to LSU, Clark posted a heartfelt message to his college coach:
“I want to personally thank Tony Trisciani for being the only coach to take a chance on me to play QB collegiately coming out of HS. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE!!”
BREAKING: Former Elon QB Landen Clark has committed to LSU.
Clark in his Fr(RS) season had 2,321 passing yards, 18 TDs, & 8 INTs.
Clark rushed for 614 yards and 11 TD’s as well. pic.twitter.com/PAtLvEdy8I — AYS Sports (@AYSSPORTS) January 12, 2026
Former UNC QB Gio Lopez Transfers to Wake Forest
Gio Lopez, who played much of Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina, is staying in-state — but switching sides of one Tobacco Road divide.
Lopez announced Jan. 8 that he will transfer from UNC to Wake Forest, giving the Demon Deacons an experienced option under center for 2026.
His time in Chapel Hill was uneven but productive at times. Lopez threw for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2025 season. He originally came to UNC from South Alabama via the portal in 2024 and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
North Carolina had three players enter the portal this cycle. Former starter Max Johnson has committed to Georgia Southern. Prized 2025 recruit Bryce Baker, who played at East Forsyth High, has pledged to ACC rival Virginia Tech.
Western Carolina’s Taron Dickens Drawing ACC Attention
A record-setting season in Cullowhee has turned Taron Dickens into one of the most coveted FCS quarterbacks in the portal.
Dickens finished as the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS football. He received 10 first-place votes.
He has reported offers on his social media from Syracuse, North Texas, Toledo and James Madison, and recently visited Syracuse. While the Orange later announced the signing of Kennesaw State transfer Amari Odom, Dickens remains one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the portal. But his socials have been mostly quiet since the portal opened.
Dickens’ 2025 accomplishment included breaking two NCAA records — most consecutive completions in a single game (46 vs. Wofford) and most consecutive completions across multiple games (50 Campbell/Wofford).
Former Rolesville High Standout Braden Atkinson Commits to Oregon State
One of the most impressive freshman seasons in FCS football history is sending Braden Atkinson across the country.
The former Rolesville High standout won the Jerry Rice Award after a sensational 2025 season at Mercer, where he led the Bears to a Southern Conference title.
Atkinson threw for 3,611 yards and 34 touchdowns and outdueled Dickens and Western Carolina in one of the most thrilling games played in North Carolina last season.
Now, he’s headed to Oregon State, which plays in the newly reorganized Pac-12 Conference.
Wingate QB Elijah Holmes Signs With Buffalo
After a 3,000-yard passing season that led Wingate back to the Division II playoffs, Elijah Holmes is making the jump to the FBS.
Holmes recently signed with Buffalo, which competes in the Mid-American Conference. He becomes one of multiple North Carolina Division II quarterbacks to earn FBS opportunities this cycle (Chowan’s Maurice Smith is the other. More on him below).
In-State QB Shuffles: Familiar Names, New Homes
Several quarterbacks who once led North Carolina programs are staying close to home — but wearing different colors in 2026.
Former Wake Forest QB Mitch Griffis Headed to ECU
Mitch Griffis, who played at Wake Forest from 2020-2023, will return to North Carolina after a season at Texas Tech.
He is expected to compete for the starting job at East Carolina.
Griffis passed for 1,957 yards at Wake Forest, with most of that production coming in 2023 under Dave Clawson. He saw limited action at Texas Tech, completing 26 of 36 passes with two touchdowns.
Spot the ball 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/mQ8IG2QKq8 — Mitch Griffis (@mitch_griffisqb) January 12, 2026
Former Western Carolina QB Cole Gonzales Commits to Charlotte
After spending 2025 as a reserve at Pitt, Cole Gonzales is coming back to the Old North State.
The former Western Carolina star committed to Charlotte, returning to the state where he threw for 6,682 yards and 51 touchdowns across three seasons. Gonzales earned conference player of the year honors in 2023 and served as Dickens’ mentor before transferring to Pitt.
Former Hickory High MVP Brady Stober Signs With Elon
Brady Stober, who led Hickory High to the 3A state championship in 2024 and earned MVP honors in the title game, is transferring from Samford to Elon.
Stober threw for more than 9,000 yards and 110 touchdowns during his prep career. As a freshman at Samford, he appeared in 10 games, throwing for 1,240 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions while splitting time with Quincy Crittendon.
Stober was Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week in October after leading Samford to a comeback win over VMI.
From FCS Stardom to Power Conference Opportunities
One of the most striking themes of this portal cycle: North Carolina-based FCS quarterbacks cashing in on big seasons.
Landen Clark, Taron Dickens and Braden Atkinson all parlayed dominant campaigns into Power Four or high-profile FBS interest.
This pipeline — from regional stardom to national opportunity — is becoming more common, and 2026 may be the clearest example yet.
From Division II to the FBS: North Carolina’s QB Pipeline Strong
Division II quarterbacks from North Carolina are proving they belong at the highest levels.
Elijah Holmes (Wingate → Buffalo) and Maurice Smith (Chowan → Illinois) both earned FBS opportunities after standout seasons. Smith will join former ECU quarterback Katin Houser in the Illinois QB room in 2026. Houser also committed recently.
This type of movement reflects the growing respect for D2 football — and the increasing willingness of Power Five and Group of Five staffs to mine those levels for experienced talent. (Read more about Maurice Smith’s journey from Chowan to the Big Ten here.)
Programs Resetting Their QB Rooms
With portal departures piling up, several North Carolina programs are undergoing full quarterback resets for 2026.
Appalachian State
All three quarterbacks who started games for App State in 2025 entered the transfer portal. The Mountaineers have already added two Big Ten transfers to compete for the vacant role:
• Henry Hasselbeck (UCLA)
• Malachi Singleton (Purdue)
Hasselbeck, the son of former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, did not see game action at UCLA but had numerous Power Four offers out of high school.
Singleton is now on his third college stop after stints at Arkansas and Purdue.
Western Carolina Lands Key High School Commitment
With Dickens departing, the Catamounts face a major transition at quarterback.
There is good news on the recruiting front, however. Western Carolina picked up a commitment from 2026 quarterback Patrick Harding from Zephyrhills High in Florida.
Harding threw for 2,543 yards and 33 touchdowns during his senior season, while adding six rushing scores. He earned all-county and all-district honors and trains with Baylin Trujillo — the same quarterback coach who works with Landen Clark.
More QB Transfer News & Notes
- Campbell has signed UMass transfer quarterback Zach Lawrence, a former Butler High standout. Lawrence did not record a stat in 2025. He threw for 3,377 yards and 37 TDs while at Butler, twice earning all-conference honors.
- Chaston Ditta, who led ECU to a bowl win after Katin Houser opted out, entered the portal Jan. 9 and has committed to North Texas, which competes in the Pirates’ conference.
- Former Texas A&M QB Miles O’Neill will join UNC’s 2026 transfer class. O’Neill, a sturdy 6-5, 225 pounds, was 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year (high school) for New Jersey. He’ll join Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards in the QB competition in Chapel HIll.
NC State will have its QB1 back in 2026: CJ Bailey pledged his return to run it back with the Pack. He’ll be the lone returning starter among North Carolina’s ACC programs. - Cole Pennington announced he will return to Gardner-Webb for 2026. He started during the back half of the season.
- Former Winston-Salem State standout Daylin Lee is headed to Tennessee State, an FCS program.
- Lenoir-Rhyne backup QB Amari Yelding committed to Tuskegee.
- Former UNC Pembroke QB Cam Estep committed to Barton, also in Conference Carolinas.
Track Every North Carolina Transfer in Real Time
This story focuses on quarterbacks — but scores of players across all positions are on the move.
Follow commitments, portal entries and update on our live trackers:
- North Carolina FBS Transfer Portal Tracker →
- North Carolina FCS Transfer Portal Tracker →
- North Carolina Division II Transfer Portal Tracker →
Why This Quarterback Carousel Matters
Quarterback movement isn’t just roster churn.
It reshapes offenses. It resets depth charts. It changes recruiting priorities. It can redefine entire seasons before spring practice even begins.
And in 2026, North Carolina has become one of the most active QB ecosystems in the country — spanning every level of the sport.
This page will continue to update as more quarterbacks make their decisions.
