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Ashton Daniels transfer portal: Top 5 landing spots for Stanford QB ft. Auburn

As the transfer portal heats up, Stanford QB Ashton Daniels is a player getting plenty of discussion. Daniels started for the Cardinal for the past two seasons and has now entered the portal. Plenty of competitive football teams have need of a veteran passer, particularly a dual-threat candidate like Daniels.

In two seasons of full-time action and another of mostly Wildcat formation substitutions, Daniels has passed for 3,986 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 1,117 yards and nine more scores on the ground.

Daniels seemed likely to go the FCS or Group of Five route out of high school, but Stanford signed him late. This time around, he'll make much more of a recruiting splash. Here are five schools which are plausible destinations for the talented passer.

Ashton Daniels transfer portal: 5 potential landing spots

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze is the most likely bet to land Ashton Daniels in the transfer portal. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze is the most likely bet to land Ashton Daniels in the transfer portal. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia made Vanderbilt football relevant in 2024, but given the atmosphere of the transfer portal, it's entirely possible that Pavia will now jet off in the transfer portal. Daniels has many of the same skills as Pavia and could fulfill his role. Meanwhile, Daniels obviously has the academic chops to attend such an excellent school and could finish his college career closer to home and in the SEC.

4. Georgia Tech

This scenario hinges entirely on one matter. Haynes King, who started for Georgia Tech before his health reduced his role late in the season, had a wonderful season. King, who previously played at Texas A&M, might try his own luck in the portal. If not, he's the QB and Daniels isn't going to Tech.

But if King does elect to move along (or to test the NFL Draft waters), then Daniels would make sense. Tech likes dual-threat QBs and Daniels is from Georgia. He could continue the rise of the Yellowjacket program.

3. Michigan

Michigan's situation is unusual in that they just signed the top QB prospect in the nation, Bryce Underwood. But the Wolverines, who were awful at quarterback this season, could use a one-year bridge to help Underwood get acclimated to college football. The Wolverines might utilize Underwood like Tim Tebow or Justin Fields as freshmen. In which case, Daniels could be an excellent one-year addition.

2. Indiana

The Hoosier's 11-1 season and starring turn by Kurtis Rourke were unexpected. But Curt Cignetti needs to find his next QB to keep things humming, as Rourke is a senior. Daniels's stats aren't exactly on the same level as Rourke's, but Cignetti doesn't need a ton of talent to find a ton of production.

Actually, Daniels's skill set is arguably superior to Rourke's. Put in the right offense, Daniels could have a Michael Penix-like rise in 2025. Indiana could be just the place for such a season.

1.Auburn

The overwhelming early favorite to sign Daniels is the Auburn Tigers. Geography probably helps, as the school has proxymity to Daniels's roots. The need factor is strong as QB Payton Thorne graduated and Hugh Freeze has to put together a winning season at Auburn or his time may run out in the job.

That said, the Tigers' brand still has enough prestige to be attractive to Daniels. It hasn't been that many years ago since Cam Newton was a one-and-done transfer who led the Tigers to a national title. While Daniels might not be able to do the same thing, he and the Tigers are a very likely fit.

What do you think of Ashton Daniels' portal possibilities? Share your take below in the comments section on where Daniels will end up.

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