Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, DJ Lagway: Where the 2024 blue-chip quarterback recruits stand

New York Times

a day ago

Year 2 has become a well-established inflection point for most college quarterbacks. By the end of their second season on campus, they have typically completed two spring practices, two training camps and two actual seasons. By that point, coaches have an idea of what they have. And players know if they're on track to start — or at least compete for the starting role.
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That's when business decisions are made. On both sides.
The blue-chip quarterbacks from the 2024 recruiting cycle are set to start their second training camp. Some are in position to start, some have already been recruited over and some have already switched schools.
Here's a snapshot of where they stand entering Year 2.
Note: All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.
Recruiting ranking: No. 1 QB, No. 6 overall
Where he stands: The Buckeyes have not named a starting quarterback, but Sayin — who signed with Alabama but transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired — is the favorite to claim the role. His main competition is junior Lincoln Kienholz, though true freshman Tavien St. Clair is waiting in the wings.
Recruiting ranking: No. 2 QB, No. 7 overall
Where he stands: Lagway is the face of the program at Florida and is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the sport. This will be his first full season as the starter.
Recruiting ranking: No. 3 QB, No. 21 overall
Where he stands: Raiola had an up-and-down freshman season but is the unquestioned starter as he enters his sophomore season. There are valid reasons to believe he'll take positive steps forward this fall, especially since he will be working with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen for a full season.
Recruiting ranking: No. 4 QB, No. 56 overall
Where he stands: Noland is already at his second stop after leaving Ohio State in December. He'll definitely sit behind starter LaNorris Sellers, but the question is whether he can beat out Luke Doty and Cutter Woods for the backup role.
Recruiting ranking: No. 5 QB, No. 59 overall
Where he stands: Kromenhoek played a bit at Florida State last season but transferred once the Seminoles hired Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and added Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos through the transfer portal. Blake Shapen is returning as Mississippi State's starter, so Kromenhoek will have to wait patiently for at least another year.
Recruiting ranking: No. 6 QB, No. 68 overall
Where he stands: Carr is in the middle of a competition with Kenny Minchey but is viewed as the favorite to start. Notre Dame has sky-high expectations after playing for the national championship last season.
Recruiting ranking: No. 7 QB, No. 105 overall
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Where he stands: Grunkemeyer was elevated to the backup role when Beau Pribula hit the transfer portal last December. Theoretically, he should be in line to serve in that capacity again this season, but he has to hold off third-year sophomore Jaxon Smolik in camp.
Recruiting ranking: No. 8 QB, No. 107 overall
Where he stands: The Bears have an established starter in Sawyer Robertson, one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12. White transferred from Auburn after one season and will have to compete with Nate Bennett, the only other quarterback on the roster who threw a pass last season, for the backup role.
Recruiting ranking: No. 9 QB, No. 112 overall
Where he stands: With the arrival of five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, the favorite to start, and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene this offseason, Davis has become something of an afterthought. The Wolverines also signed ECU transfer Jake Garcia for an added veteran presence this spring as well, so it's a very crowded path for Davis.
Recruiting ranking: No. 10 QB, No. 114 overall
Where he stands: Puglisi is competing for the starting role, but Gunner Stockton, who started the Sugar Bowl, is widely viewed as the leader.
Recruiting ranking: No. 11 QB, No. 160 overall
Where he stands: Nico Iamaleava's departure this spring left this job wide open. Merklinger will compete with UCLA/Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar and true freshman George MacIntyre for the role.
Recruiting ranking: No. 12 QB, No. 205 overall
Where he stands: Williams signed with Arizona and followed coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. He started the final two games of the 2024 season and showed some really encouraging signs. He's a potential star in the making for the Huskies.
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Recruiting ranking: No. 13 QB, No. 226 overall
Where he stands: Hammond earned some valuable experience while serving as the backup during the regular season and then started the Liberty Bowl loss to Arkansas. With Behren Morton returning, Hammond will remain the backup.
Recruiting ranking: No. 14 QB, No. 234 overall
Where he stands: According to the Indy Star, Cherry suffered a knee injury during prep for the College Football Playoff opener at Notre Dame and will serve as a student assistant during the 2025 season while he recovers.
Recruiting ranking: No. 15 QB, No. 239 overall
Where he stands: Van Buren gained valuable experience at Mississippi State last season but transferred to LSU in the offseason, giving him a chance to learn behind Garrett Nussmeier before the job opens in 2026.
Recruiting ranking: No. 16 QB, No. 247 overall
Where he stands: Brown is the only quarterback on the roster who threw a pass for the Cardinal last season, but Stanford has added transfers Dylan Rizk (UCF) and Ben Gulbranson (Oregon State). Both are experienced and could push for the job.
Recruiting ranking: No. 17 QB, No. 279 overall
Where he stands: Davis signed with Washington but transferred to UCLA when Kalen DeBoer took the Alabama job. He transferred again in late May after the Bruins added Nico Iamaleava. He's now at Hawaii, where he will compete with Micah Alejado.
Recruiting ranking: No. 18 QB, No. 280 overall
Where he stands: Wilson started seven games after Cam Rising's season-ending injury last season, but both he and the offense struggled. Utah went to New Mexico to bring in offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier. Wilson decided to stay at Utah but will sit behind Dampier this fall.
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Recruiting ranking: No. 19 QB, No. 295 overall
Where he stands: Hejny spent one season at TCU before transferring to Oklahoma State, where he is in the mix for the starting role. Former Horned Frogs assistant coach Doug Meacham is now the Cowboys offensive coordinator, and that familiarity might give Hejny a leg up.
Recruiting ranking: No. 20 QB, No. 297 overall
Where he stands: Hawkins started four games last season but was raw and thrown into the fire a bit too early. Oklahoma brought in Washington State transfer John Mateer, so Hawkins will serve primarily as the backup once again this season.
21. Trey Owens, Texas (No. 299)
22. Miles O'Neill, Texas A&M (No. 308)
23. AJ Maddox, Ole Miss (No. 337)
24. Cutter Boley, Kentucky (No. 344)
25. Colin Hurley, LSU (No. 357)
26. Trever Jackson, Arkansas (No. 391)
27. Marcos Davila, Nebraska (No. 400)
28. AJ Surace, Rutgers (No. 419)
29. CJ Bailey, NC State (No. 432)
30. KJ Jackson, Arkansas (No. 457)
31. Mabrey Mettauer, Sam Houston (No. 462)
32. Samaj Jones, Cincinnati (No. 472)
Texas, Texas A&M and Ole Miss each added veteran quarterbacks this offseason, so Owens, O'Neill and Maddox have work to do if they want to claim the backup job for their respective programs.
Zach Calzada is in line to start at Kentucky. Boley played some valuable snaps last fall but will get this season to develop.
Hurley was injured in a car accident in January but has rejoined the team at LSU. He'll be behind Nussmeier and, presumably, Van Buren.
Trever Jackson (Florida State) and Davila (Purdue) have already transferred from the schools they initially signed with and are now sitting behind established starters at Arkansas and Nebraska, respectively. Surace remained at Rutgers but will have to wait patiently behind starter Athan Kaliakmanis.
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Bailey was one of the most promising true freshman quarterbacks in the country last season and will be a significant piece of NC State's future.
KJ Jackson is poised to be Arkansas' backup, even with the arrival of Trever Jackson.
Mettauer signed with Wisconsin but transferred to Sam Houston after the 2024 season with former Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who is now the Bearkats head coach.
Jones will compete with Brady Lichtenberg for the backup role behind Brendan Sorsby at Cincinnati.
(Top photo of CJ Carr: Michael Caterina / Imagn Images)