The Journey Ahead: Alonza Barnett III Enters Transfer Portal After JMU’s Playoff Run
As the College Football Playoff quarterfinals approach with eight teams vying for the national championship, hundreds of players across the country are making pivotal decisions about their futures. Among this wave of talent seeking new opportunities is Alonza Barnett III, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, who has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal following James Madison University’s playoff loss to Oregon. Barnett’s decision adds his name to an already impressive list of quarterbacks looking for new programs ahead of the 2026 season, when the transfer portal officially opens on January 2. What makes Barnett’s case particularly noteworthy is that he’s making this move fresh off leading his team to the College Football Playoff—a remarkable achievement for a program like JMU that has been steadily rising in prominence.
Barnett’s journey at James Madison spanned four transformative years, with the last two seasons showcasing his development into one of the most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks in college football. The North Carolina native became the heart and soul of the Dukes’ offense, combining precise passing with explosive running ability that repeatedly left defenders grasping at air. His playing style energized the JMU fanbase and caught the attention of larger programs, as he demonstrated week after week that he possessed the rare combination of football IQ, athletic ability, and leadership qualities that coaches at top programs desperately seek. Throughout his time with the Dukes, Barnett evolved from a promising young talent to a bona fide star who could single-handedly change the outcome of games with both his arm and his legs.
The 2024 season marked Barnett’s emergence as a legitimate playmaker, as he accumulated an impressive 33 total touchdowns while amassing over 3,000 yards of total offense. However, it was his 2025 campaign that truly catapulted him into the national spotlight. Throwing for 2,806 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 589 rushing yards and an additional 15 scores on the ground, Barnett’s dual-threat capabilities were on full display as he led James Madison on their historic run to the College Football Playoff. His ability to extend plays, make throws from various platforms, and punish defenses with his running ability made him one of the most difficult quarterbacks to game plan against in all of college football. The magical season culminated in a playoff appearance that, despite ending in defeat against Oregon, firmly established both Barnett and the JMU program on the national stage.
Barnett’s decision to transfer comes in the wake of significant changes at James Madison, most notably the departure of head coach Bob Chesney, who accepted the head coaching position at UCLA. Having played his two seasons as a starter under Chesney’s guidance, this coaching change likely factored into Barnett’s decision to explore new opportunities. While some might have speculated about a potential reunion between Barnett and Chesney in Los Angeles, that particular door appears closed as UCLA’s starting quarterback, former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava, has already committed to returning for the 2026 season. This situation illustrates the complex chess game that is college football transfers, where coaching changes, existing roster situations, and personal aspirations all intersect to influence players’ decisions.
As Barnett enters the transfer portal, he does so as one of the most accomplished and promising quarterbacks available. His remarkable statistical production, proven leadership, and experience leading a team to the College Football Playoff make him an attractive option for programs looking to upgrade their quarterback situation. Programs from Power Four conferences will likely express significant interest, potentially offering Barnett the opportunity to showcase his talents on an even bigger stage in his final year of eligibility. For the quarterback himself, the decision represents both a challenging farewell to the program where he developed his skills and an exciting opportunity to test himself at potentially the highest levels of college football.
Barnett’s journey from James Madison to wherever he lands next serves as a microcosm of the modern college football landscape. In an era defined by player mobility and the ever-increasing importance of the transfer portal, talented players from smaller programs now have unprecedented opportunities to parlay their success into positions at traditional powerhouses. For James Madison, Barnett’s departure represents the bittersweet reality of their own success—having developed a player of his caliber has put both him and the program on the map, even if it means losing him for his final season. As the transfer portal officially opens and Barnett weighs his options, football fans across the country will watch closely to see where this exciting dual-threat quarterback takes his talents next, and what impact he might have on the college football landscape in 2026.
