College football Week 1 grades: How six prominent transfer QBs fared, from 'A+' to 'D'

From Cam Ward's brilliance to Aidan Chiles' disappointment, here's how notable transfer QBs played in Week 1.

By John Talty Sep 1, 2024 at 2:42 pm ET• 4 min read

Cam Ward's debut against in-state rival Florida showed the college football world why Miami was so desperate to land him.

The Hurricanes fended off Florida State and the NFL to land the Washington State transfer to lead the program's offense. It was a costly endeavor with Miami laying out seven figures to bring him to Coral Gables, according to industry sources, but it is already looking like the best deal the NIL-aggressive program has made yet. That's the power of an instant-impact transfer quarterback in the modern era of college football. 

Not every transfer quarterback looked as brilliant as Ward, though. Here's how six of the biggest QB names who switched schools this offseason fared in Week 1.

Cam Ward, Miami

Grade: A+

Why:Ward looked like a legit NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender in a brilliant performance against the Florida Gators. Ward finished with 385 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and could have racked up even more offensive yards if Miami didn't ease off the gas in the 42-17 win. Ward highlighted how important the quarterback position is and how just having the right guy in that spot could elevate you to a College Football Playoff appearance. Given how sloppy Florida State's offense looked under transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in a Week 0 loss to Georgia Tech, there has to be at least some remorse in Tallahassee that Florida State didn't do whatever necessary to land Ward.