Former Albany Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger Chooses Miami for Transfer

Former Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger, who had a standout season in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), has announced his transfer to the University of Miami. Poffenbarger revealed his decision on Monday in an interview with ESPN.

During the past season, Poffenbarger led the FCS in passing touchdowns with 36 and total passing yards with 3,603. His impressive performance caught the attention of several Power 5 schools, but the quarterback ultimately decided on Miami due to the scale of opportunity it offers. Poffenbarger made a recent visit to the university before committing to the Hurricanes.

In his phone interview with ESPN, Poffenbarger expressed his gratitude towards Albany, stating that the university will always hold a special place in his heart. However, he felt it was time to move on and put himself in the best position to compete for a national championship and eventually play in the NFL.

Poffenbarger, who initially walked on at Old Dominion before transferring to Albany, is expected to be eligible immediately at Miami and will have two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound quarterback has showcased his athleticism, releasing a video on social media displaying his skills with a series of windmill and tomahawk dunks.

Miami had been actively searching for a transfer quarterback, with Poffenbarger being their top choice. Previous visits from Will Howard and Cam Ward from Kansas State and Washington State, respectively, ended with the Hurricanes opting for the former Albany standout.

Poffenbarger spoke highly of Miami's offensive coordinator, Shannon Dawson, stating that they immediately connected. He also praised the culture established by head coach Mario Cristobal, emphasizing their shared mindset as fierce competitors. The presence of talented wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, along with a formidable offensive line led by right tackle Francis Mauigoa, further influenced Poffenbarger's decision.

The Hurricanes' quarterback competition already includes sophomore Jacurri Brown and freshman Emory Williams, but Poffenbarger remains confident in his abilities to contend for the starting position. He expressed his excitement about joining a roster filled with players who have the potential to make a push for the NFL and dominate at the collegiate level.

Growing up in an athletic family, Poffenbarger drew motivation from his siblings' success. His mother, Amy, was a basketball star at Missouri, while his younger sister, Saylor, is a standout basketball player at Arkansas. Poffenbarger's younger brother, Brittin, already has a scholarship offer from UNLV as a high school sophomore.

Poffenbarger's career took a positive turn when he transferred to Albany and found a strong connection with offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose. Under Ambrose's guidance, Albany experienced a significant turnaround, going from a 2-9 season to an impressive 11-4 record that included a trip to the FCS semifinals.

Now, Poffenbarger sets his sights on making a mark at Miami, where he hopes to contribute to the team's pursuit of a national championship. With his skills and determination, he aims to prove that height is not a limiting factor and that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level of college football.