Let's face it, a talented quarterback transfer who fits in with an FCS team's chemistry can change everything — and quickly.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
In offseason, several top FCS programs went through a transition at the quarterback position. Programs like James Madison and Sam Houston State are replacing two of the best QBs in their schools' history (if not the best). Delaware and Jacksonville State were looking to "up" the competition and improve their offenses and brought in top QB transfers … and the list goes on and on. Below, we bring up some of the top FCS QB transfers … and we wonder … could these guys be the key?
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DARIUS WADE, DELAWARE
LAST SCHOOL: Boston College
STATS: 498 yards passing, 2 TDs while at B.C.
THE SKINNY: Wade was highly recruited coming out of high school and held offers from Syracuse and Nebraska among his 7 FBS opportunities. His career never really got off the ground in Boston, but now he has a massive opportunity at Delaware — a 7-win program from a year ago that played staunch defense and just needs a spark on offense. Wade could easily be the spark to take the Blue Hens back to being a national power.
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ZERRICK COOPER, JACKSONVILLE STATE
LAST SCHOOL: Clemson
STATS: 145 yards passing, 1 TD
THE SKINNY: Cooper was in the Clemson program for several years and was beloved by Tigers nation, but now he has a chance (along with incumbent starter Bryant Horn and young talent Zion Webb) to help turn around a JSU offense that struggled at times last year. The competition in the spring was fierce, and one has to think that Cooper — who held 14 FBS offers in high school, including Ohio State, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech — helped turn things up a notch.
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BEN DINUCCI, JAMES MADISON
LAST SCHOOL: Pittsburgh
STATS: 1,107 passing yards, 6 TDs at Pitt
THE SKINNY: DiNucci comes into a great situation for growth as a QB after starting 6 games for Pitt. The running game is going to be as good as any in the FCS with studs like Marcus Marshall, Cardon Johnson and Trai Sharp back. And receivers Riley Stapleton and David Eldridge are stellar, and on defense the secondary is as good as any. The big question in the offseason always was: Who will step into the QB role. Backup Cole Johnson has stepped up and won games before, and Gage Maloney is a former state player of the year in South Carolina, but DiNucci brings another great QB into the fold.
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DALTON SNEED, MONTANA
LAST SCHOOL: UNLV (and JUCO)
STATS: 980 total yards in 9 games in 2016
THE SKINNY: Montana was already solid at QB with freshman All American Gresch Jensen, but he decided to transfer after spring ball — and now it is Sneed's team. The former 3-star prospect played at UNLV before transferring to Fort Scott Community College last year. He and head coach Bobby Hauck — who is in his second stint with the Griz — are poised to make big noise in the Big Sky Conference. Don't be surprised when this program gets back to being in the national discussion year in and year out, and Sneed may help get that kick started.
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MIKE DARE, SAM HOUSTON STATE
LAST SCHOOL: Rutgers (and JUCO)
STATS: DNP at Rutgers (threw for 1,900 yards and rushed for 300+ yards at Lackawanna College last year)
THE SKINNY: You have to love the idea of being in Dare's shoes. While Sam Houston State already had some young, talented QBs in Ty Brock and Eric Schmid, Dare brought more experience to the table with Jeremiah Briscoe gone to the NFL ranks. The Bearkats provide an incredible array of offensive weapons to their new quarterback, with proven receivers Nathan Stewart and Davion Davis and 6-foot-3 Coree Compton — who will explode this year. And don't forget Rhemus Bulmer (700 yards rushing) in the backfield. Dare may keep this Bearkats train right on track.
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CHASON VIRGIL, SE LOUISIANA
LAST SCHOOL: Fresno State
STATS: 2,843 yards passing, 19 TDs in his career
THE SKINNY: This grad transfer held 15 FBS scholarship offers coming out of high school, and originally was a Mississippi State commitment. He battled former South Carolina and current SELa QB Lorenzo Nunez in the spring and that may give fans an idea of how strong the quarterback play could be with the Lions in 2018. Obviously Nunez was an effective starter last fall, but Virgil gives the Lions another strong option.