Entering the 2025 season, the ECU Pirates had their sights set on big things. Quarterback Katin Houser played a huge role, and a successful season put him in a position to elevate his game. He’s entering the transfer portal and will give his new team an upgrade, but where could the former Pirate play in 2026?
Penn State
New head coach Matt Campbell takes over a roster that is going through plenty of turnover. Their 2026 recruiting class looks bleak as well, which means the Nittany Lions might have to use the portal to help build the roster.
When Drew Allar went down, the offense went to Ethan Grunkemeyer, but the struggles continued. Campbell needs to figure out what to do at quarterback, so getting a bridge player in Houser could be the move.
The passing attack hasn’t thrived as much as it should in Happy Valley, but that could change. Houser can be a game-changer with his arm talent, something that the Nittany Lions need to be competitive next year.
Vanderbilt
Clark Lea’s done wonders for the Vanderbilt Commodores, and a huge reason was bringing Diego Pavia into the fold. The runner-up in the Heisman Trophy race took Lea’s team to new heights, but now they must find his replacement.
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Houser to Vanderbilt isn’t the most conventional fit, but his arm talent could evolve the offense. Lea and his staff continue finding underrated players to catch passes, and Houser actually gives them something that Pavia couldn’t in terms of downfield passing.
Oklahoma State
It’s obvious that the Oklahoma State Cowboys need an upgrade at the quarterback position, and new coach Eric Morris has options. The transfer portal continues to add quarterbacks, and Houser could help the new Pokes head coach
Houser transferred to ECU from Michigan State, and he improved his production each of the two seasons as a starter for the Pirates. In 2025, he threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns, while getting an 83.0 score according to PFSN’s QB Impact metrics.
Louisville
The Miller Moss experiment fell short of expectations, and Jeff Brohm understands the urgency of finding a quarterback who can stabilize and elevate the offense heading into 2026. Backup Duece Adams struggled in extended action, and third-string option Brady Allen has since entered the transfer portal, leaving the depth chart thin and uncertain.​
Houser offers both reliability and upside, bringing consistency to the position while also flashing the arm strength to push the ball vertically and attack all three levels.
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Brohm’s track record of identifying and developing quarterback talent through the portal speaks for itself, and adding Houser would address the program’s most glaring need with a player capable of immediate contributions.
Tennessee
Joey Aguilar managed Josh Heupel’s system adequately, but Tennessee clearly needs a higher ceiling at the position. Houser, despite also coming from the Group of Five level, profiles as a legitimate challenger to Aguilar for the starting job, given his arm talent and decision-making under pressure.​
The Volunteers offer Houser a familiar dynamic — a roster loaded with talent but searching for consistent quarterback play — only this time the weapons and scheme are built to maximize production.
Heupel’s tempo-based system has consistently elevated quarterback performance, and pairing Houser’s skill set with that structure and Tennessee’s receiving corps creates one of the more natural fits available in the portal.
