The demise of the FCS due to the transfer portal has been greatly exaggerated.
Yes, while the one-time transfer rule has made it easier for a handful of FCS standouts to go to the FBS before being a grad transfer and not have to sit out a year, the number of FBS-to-FCS transfers is nearly three times the amount of FCS-to-FBS transfers.
The overall level of talent in the FCS has never been better. Not only with the number of former three-star or four-star FBS players transferring to the FCS, but the subdivision is also getting some of these recruits right out of high school. An FCS recruiting class with several three-star players is no longer rare.
Of course, there are examples of FCS teams loading up on transfers and the team doesn’t improve as the locker room chemistry is a disaster and the culture is nonexistent. But there are also examples of transfers immediately taking an already-talented team to another level. Especially at the quarterback position.
Three teams in the Top 10 of the Stats Perform media poll have taken a step forward this season with the help of transfer quarterbacks.
Players below are 2022 transfer QBs who are starting for Top 10 teams. No. 5 Missouri State QB Jason Shelley is an FBS transfer from Utah State who began his career at Mo State in 2021. No. 4 Montana State has gotten great contributions from backup/running QB Sean Chambers, a 2022 transfer from Wyoming.
No. 3 Montana
Lucas Johnson is in his seventh year of college football after transferring to Montana from San Diego State this offseason.
A three-star recruit from San Diego in the class of 2016, he began his career at Georgia Tech from 2016-2019, starting two games in 2019. Johnson then transferred to San Diego State, starting one game in 2020. Last fall, he went 8-1 as a starter for the Aztecs, throwing for 1,424 yards and 12 TDs. He led the Aztecs to a Frisco Bowl win against UTSA, throwing for a career-high 333 yards with three touchdowns and a rushing TD.
He redshirted in 2016 at Georgia Tech and was granted an extra year of eligibility in 2018 due to an injury, plus the COVID year in 2020.
Already featuring a loaded defense, Montana needed more offensive explosion and playmaking abilities at the QB position to take the next step toward national title contention. So far, Johnson looks like the dude Montana has been searching for.
The Griz are 2-0 with two impressive wins against Northwestern State (47-0) and South Dakota (24-7), a playoff team from last year.
Johnson, who is 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, has gone a combined 38-of-53 passing for 406 yards, five TDs, and one interception while adding 20 carries for 148 yards and two scores.
Johnson is one of eight FBS transfers Montana brought in for this season.
No. 6 Incarnate Word
Lindsey Scott Jr. has been an absolute gem for UIW, transferring from in-conference foe Nicholls after the Cardinals lost star QB Cameron Ward to Washington State.
Scott is in his seventh year of college football and with his fifth team.
A three-star recruit as the 2015 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year, Scott began his college career at LSU. He transferred to East Mississippi Community College of Last Chance U fame in 2017, leading the team to the NJCAA national championship. Scott then transferred to Missouri in 2018, but did not see game action. He joined Nicholls in 2019, redshirting due to transfer rules. He became the starting QB for the Colonels in the 2021 spring and fall seasons, lighting up defenses.
In seven games during the spring, Scott threw for 1,684 yards, 18 TDs, and seven interceptions while rushing for 557 yards and six scores. Last fall, he threw for 2,083 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 11 games, adding 990 yards rushing and nine TDs. He was named an All-Southland Honorable Mention.
Scott was asked to use his legs a lot in Nicholls’ run-heavy system. He’s shining even more in UIW’s system under first-year head coach G.J. Kinne, operating like a throwing quarterback who can also run. In a 2-0 start featuring a 64-29 dismantling of then-No. 9 Southern Illinois and last week’s 55-41 win at FBS Nevada, Scott has completed 35-of-50 passes for 797 yards, 10 TDs, and one interception. The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder has also rushed 21 times for 55 yards and a score.
UIW brought in roughly 10 FBS transfers and four FCS transfers this year.
No. 10 Chattanooga
Preston Hutchinson joined Chattanooga this offseason from Eastern Michigan.
A three-star recruit in the class of 2017, Hutchinson played in 22 games with nine starts at Eastern Michigan. He started all six games in 2020 and was a Fourth Team All-MAC selection from Phil Steele with 1,662 yards passing, 12 TDs, and six interceptions.
Chattanooga has had a strong defense and rushing attack in recent years. Getting more balanced offensively was key for a team returning several star players. Hutchinson has delivered big.
The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder has gone a combined 28-of-45 for 449 yards, two TDs, and one interception in two wins against Wofford and Eastern Illinois, adding nine carries for 70 yards and two TDs. The passing attack has gotten noticeably more explosive and consistent with Hutchinson as the Mocs look like a favorite in the SoCon.
Chattanooga landed roughly 17 FBS transfers and two FCS transfers for this season.
