Daniel Kaelin Transfer Portal: Top 5 landing spots for Nebraska QB ft. Missouri
Nebraska is back in a bowl game, but that postseason situation didn't stop quarterback Daniel Kaelin from deciding to enter the transfer portal. With players across the nation deciding to enter the portal and seek greener pastures, Kaelin's move was fairly unsurprising. The freshman redshirted this year for the Huskers and will have a full four years of eligibility on his transfer.
Nebraska succeeded in recruiting game-changing QB Dylan Raiola last spring. Kaelin was already committed and stuck with the Huskers despite the addition of Raiola. But Raiola played all season as a freshman and was backed up by junior Heinrich Haarberg. Kaelin has reportedly decided to move on from Nebraska.
Here are five potential landing spots for Daniel Kaelin via the transfer portal.
Daniel Kaelin Transfer Portal: 5 likely landing spots for Nebraska QB
#5. Florida State
Florida State, according to 247sports, was Kaelin's first scholarship offer. He almost immediately camped at Florida State, so it's clear that Kaelin is familiar with the Seminoles. Add in that FSU just sleepwalked through a brutal 2-10 season and could use some help.
Not only was FSU awful, but DJ Uiagalelei was a senior, so the QB spot is open next season. Kaelin could enroll immediately and be prepared to battle for the starting position in spring practice. That could make a quick match.
#4. Michigan State
Michigan State is another school that recruited Kaelin fairly extensively and has their own QB needs. Aidan Chiles is only a sophomore, but coming off a 5-7 season, it's not unforeseeable that State might move on from a player who had 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024.
At the least, Kaelin might decide that competing with Chiles would be a more plausible situation than trying to compete with Dylan Raiola. Michigan State has a decent foundation to build on and at 5-7, their rebuild is probably a bit ahead of schedule. Adding Chiles would only help in that process.
#3. Colorado
Here's an intriguing possibility. Shedeur Sanders will be in the NFL and somebody has to be taking snaps under center for the Buffaloes. Whether "Coach Prime" sticks around or doesn't, it's safe to assume that Colorado will want to continue to run a wide-open passing attack based on their recent success.
Kaelin might value the chance to get under center for a team that's been running one of the most watched offensive systems in the nation. On the other side of things, the Buffs certainly haven't been shy about going after just about anybody they like in the portal. Kaelin could be a guy to add.
#2. Kansas
The Jayhawks had big expectations this season but finished just 5-7. They're another team that recruited Kaelin seriously in high school. Jalon Daniels still has a season left, but he had an off-year anyway. It wouldn't be the worst thing for Kaelin to have a year to compete with him and even potentially be the backup and then take over next season.
That said, Daniels could opt for the portal himself. Again, it was a disappointing season for the Jayhawks and with 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, Daniels didn't live up to preseason expectations. But Kaelin would be a significant part of Kansas's future and could be a good fit for a Jayhawks team with some upward mobility in the Big 12.
#1. Missouri
Kaelin committed to the Tigers early in the recruiting process. He subsequently switched to Nebraska only for Raiola to pull his last-minute switch. Kaelin might decide to try again with the Tigers. Missouri is much closer to the College Football Playoff than Nebraska at the present.
Additionally, Missouri has a QB vacancy. Both starter Brady Cook and backup Drew Pyne were seniors this season. The Tigers have a productive offense and would allow Kaelin to play in the nation's most prestigious and publicized conference. Revisiting his original college choice might be Kaelin's easiest option.
What do you think of Daniel Kaelin's transfer portal options? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.