Air Noland, the former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback, is still on the hunt for a starting role at the FBS level. Unfortunately, it looks like the 2026 College Football season might not be his breakthrough year, much like 2024 and 2025.
The buzz around Memphis is that Marcus Stokes, a standout transfer from West Florida Argonauts, is favored to secure the QB1 spot. With a stellar season under his belt, where he racked up 40 touchdowns and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, Stokes is turning heads. Memphis head coach Charles Huff and offensive coordinator Kevin Decker will have the final say, but Stokes’ impressive track record makes him a strong contender.
Stokes’ journey to Memphis follows a remarkable run at West Florida, where he not only dazzled with his stats but also became a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the D-II equivalent of the Heisman. His arrival at Memphis sets up an intriguing competition with Air Noland, who was once a blue-chip recruit with high expectations at Ohio State. After a stint at South Carolina with limited playing time, Noland finds himself at a crossroads.
For Noland, the pressure is on to prove himself. His path began with a national championship as a third-string QB at Ohio State, followed by a transfer to South Carolina, where he saw minimal action.
Now, at Memphis, he faces what could be his last shot at making an impact in the FBS. If things don’t pan out here, the FCS might be his next destination.
The landscape of college football is shifting, especially with changes in NIL and transfer rules. Noland may have limited options ahead, making this season with the Tigers potentially pivotal for his future in the sport. Whether he can seize this opportunity and carve out a name for himself remains to be seen, but the stakes couldn’t be higher.