Air Noland transfer portal: 5 landing spots for Ohio State QB if he leaves the program ft. LSU, Indiana
With a crowded quarterback room at Ohio State, Air Noland, among others, could be looking for greener pastures in 2025. Noland, a freshman from Fairburn, Georgia, is currently fifth on the depth chart after Julian Sayin arrived from Alabama this year.
Noland was ranked as one of four 5-star quarterbacks in the 2023 class by 247Sports, however, while names like Dylan Raiola and DJ Lagway are already showing their talent on the field, the Buckeyes commit could be on his way out of Columbus.
Should Air Noland decide to enter the transfer portal, where could he end up? Let's explore some potential landing spots
5 Air Noland transfer portal landing spots
#1 LSU Tigers
This wouldn't be the first time a Buckeyes quarterback ended up in Baton Rouge. While it does look like Garrett Nussmeier might be back next year, Noland would join a considerably less crowded quarterback room at LSU. Rickie Collins and Vanderbilt Junior transfer, AJ Swann, have backed up Nussmeier this year, but combined for five passes in 2024.
Noland could immediately challenge for a starting spot after Nussmeier leaves, whether it's for 2025 or 2026. His skill set as a running quarterback could also be a fit for Brian Kelly's offense.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers
Oh, how things have changed in Bloomington. After Curt Cignetti's first season was a complete success, someone has to follow in Kurtis Rourke's footsteps. Tayven Jackson is currently favored to take over, but with under 1,300 yards to go with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in two years at Indiana, there is no certainty he can follow through.
Also worth considering, after Ryan Day rubbed it in on the Hoosiers by scoring a last-minute touchdown on an already decided game, Cignetti would probably be in on taking a jab back at Day and the Buckeyes by getting Noland to play with the Hoosiers.
#3 Auburn Tigers
Auburn may have more options than other programs at quarterback. However, that depends on what Notre Dame flip, Deuce Knight, can bring to the table. Freshman Hank Brown is starting now in place of Payton Thorne (senior), so he might be in the mix.
Two other freshmen, Holden Geriner and Walker White, could also challenge for the starting spot, but Air Noland seems just as capable of getting the gig.
Noland visited the Auburn campus several times in 2022, so there was some interest. And while the Tigers' are all in on Knight, perhaps they could see Noland as another alternative after a disappointing 2024.
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide
Wouldn't it be something for Air Noland and Julian Sayin to simply trade places? Besides that connection, there are other reasons that suggest this would be a convenient move for the quarterback. The Crimson Tide did look to recruit Noland out of high school and Jalen Milroe could declare for the NFL Draft this year.
That would leave Ty Simpson (and his 50 career pass attempts) as the only experienced quarterback on the roster. However, the Tide have reportedly committed over $1 million to incoming freshman Keelon Russell, which pushes a potential move down in the order.
In his favor, Air Noland earned comparisons to Michael Penix Jr., who succeeded under now-Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer while both were with the Washington Huskies. Also of note, Alabama has had no issues having multiple top-tier quarterbacks on the roster in the past.
#5 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Would a move closer to home work for Air Noland? The Yellow Jackets showed some interest in recruiting the talented Georgia native quarterback and there is some space in their quarterback room, as they have been alternating Haynes King, Aaron Philo and Zach Pyron.
However, Georgia Tech likes to use athletic quarterbacks constantly running the football. While Noland ran track in high school and is certainly able to outrun defenders at the college level, he is better suited as a pocket passer.