Dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph is one of the most intriguing names in the transfer portal after a breakout 2025 season at Old Dominion. With two years of eligibility remaining and the ability to make plays with both his arm and legs, several programs could benefit from his skill set.
Looking at Colton Joseph’s Breakout Season at Old Dominion
Joseph had a breakout 2025 season with Old Dominion, quickly establishing himself as one of the most intriguing names in the transfer portal. Over 19 career starts, he has compiled 4,251 passing yards with 32 passing touchdowns, while adding 1,654 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground. He still has two years of eligibility, meaning he wouldn’t just be a short-term solution but a potential cornerstone for any offense.
In 2025 alone, Joseph threw for 2,624 yards and totaled 34 touchdowns, leading the Monarchs to a 9-3 season and a second-place finish in the Sun Belt East — their best result since joining the FBS. He had an 85.7 QB impact grade, according to PFSN, ranking 29th among all QBs. That success will naturally draw interest from Power Four programs, and the SEC’s bright lights, along with other major programs and a fresh coaching staff, could provide the perfect platform for Joseph to showcase his talent on a bigger stage.
Here’s a look at five potential landing spots.
Arkansas
With Ryan Silverfield installed as the new head coach and Taylen Green moving on to the NFL, Arkansas has a clear need at quarterback. Joseph’s dual-threat ability mirrors what Silverfield had last year with Brendon Lewis, and his combination of passing and rushing skills could help the Razorbacks maintain an electric offense for the next two seasons. Arkansas needs talent throughout the roster, and starting at quarterback to right the rebuild will be a huge step toward keeping the offense electric in 2026.
Virginia Tech
James Franklin now leads the Hokies, and with starting QB Kyron Drones out of eligibility, a new signal-caller is needed. Franklin has inside knowledge of Joseph through Ricky Rahne, Joseph’s head coach at Old Dominion and Franklin’s former assistant at Vanderbilt and Penn State. Franklin favors quarterbacks who can extend plays outside the pocket while still making accurate throws, making Joseph a natural fit.
UCLA
California native Joseph could thrive under new head coach Bob Chesney, who hails from James Madison and has faced Joseph in the Sun Belt. Chesney favors dual-threat QBs to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. Should current QB Nico Iamleavea depart under the new staff, Joseph would be in a prime position to compete immediately.
Oklahoma State
With Eric Morris taking over the Cowboys after North Texas, Joseph would be an ideal fit for a high-powered, quarterback-friendly system. Morris has a track record of maximizing his QBs’ potential, and with Drew Mestemaker potentially exploring other options, Joseph could step in as the centerpiece of Oklahoma State’s offense. With Oklahoma State’s offensive impact grade at 68.6 (114th in the country), according to PFSN, Morris will need all the offensive firepower he can get. Look no further than the arm and legs of Joseph.
LSU
The dream scenario: Lane Kiffin and the Tigers. Kiffin loves dual-threat quarterbacks and transfer portal talent, as shown with Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss. Joseph could make a huge leap at LSU, combining his playmaking ability with Kiffin’s adaptive offensive schemes, which would put him in the SEC spotlight and on a national stage. LSU’s offense was further behind the defense, according to PFSN, grading 75.1 (73rd in the country) on offense and 86.9 on defense. Expect that to change immediately under Kiffin, and seeing what a Colton Joseph-led LSU offense could do would surprise the conference and the college football world.
