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College football 2025 quarterback tiers: Ranking the FBS' projected starters from 1 to 136
No position can change a team's fortunes quite like the quarterback. It's often called the most difficult position to play in sports because of all that comes with it — the credit when the team wins, the blame after a loss. College quarterbacks, with their varied skill sets, unique journeys and diverse backgrounds, are a special breed. One can go from a small-town star to the big man on campus overnight. Advertisement And this is the time of year when fans love to debate who the best quarterbacks are and pundits rank their top signal callers. We'll join in on the fun. Borrowing from Mike Sando's popular NFL QB Tiers, we set out to rank all 136 FBS starting quarterbacks and separate them into levels of potential impact. Introducing The Athletic's College QB Tiers. For this exercise, we surveyed more than 40 coaches and staffers from across college football, soliciting their opinions on the quarterbacks they faced, how the QBs in their conference stack up and who the best in the country are. We relied heavily on this feedback to form the list. There was no formal point system or vote tally. We simply leaned on coaches for their expertise. All coaches were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor while discussing other teams' quarterbacks. The rankings and tiers are based on a combination of coaches' perspectives, the players' physical abilities and traits, career accomplishments to date and a projection of what 2025 may hold for them. We ranked the quarterbacks based on how they stack up at the college level, not what their NFL Draft projection will be (though draft analysis is included for some 2026-eligible prospects, courtesy of Dane Brugler and Nick Baumgardner). The quarterbacks are also ranked by conference and by their status: returning starter, transfer or new starter. Returning starters are those who generally started more than half of their current team's 2024 games, with exceptions for QBs who were opening-day starters but lost extended time to injury. Transfers include only the projected starting QBs who transferred to their current team this offseason. New starters are mostly first-time starters and generally include QBs who haven't started at least half a season before. Advertisement For teams that haven't officially named a starter because they're still engaged in a quarterback battle, we ranked who we project to start based on information gathered to this point. Let the debate begin. The lack of consensus on a clear-cut No. 1 underscored the unique quarterback year this is in college football. There's no alpha. Garrett Nussmeier, LaNorris Sellers and DJ Lagway all got No. 1 votes. But Klubnik received the most love from opposing coaches because he checks every box. 'He's really solid everywhere,' a Power 4 head coach said. 'Good, accurate passer, good size, can run. … I don't know if he's elite at any trait, but I don't think he has any weaknesses.' Klubnik, a former five-star recruit, increased his production from 2023 to 2024, cut down his interception rate and got Clemson back to the College Football Playoff. 'I was a Cade Klubnik hater,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'He balled out last year. I was impressed with him.' The Tigers are a trendy pick to go deep into the CFP in 2025, and Klubnik is a big reason why. Nussmeier waited three years on the bench for his chance to be QB1 at LSU, but when his time arrived, he dazzled. He's the only returning starter in the FBS who threw for 4,000-plus yards last season. His ability to laser the ball to any part of the field has won a lot of admirers. 'I was up and down on him, then I watched him play (up close) and I was like 'This f—'s pretty good,'' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'He can make some great go-ball throws.' His footwork and ability to navigate pressure, climb the pocket and still deliver the ball accurately and on time is one of Nussmeier's best traits. He's not immune to a head-scratching decision, and he'll have to work through that, but he plays winning football. Said an SEC assistant, 'Garrett Nussmeier's a baller, dude.' Imagine you're an SEC defensive lineman or linebacker. You have a free, clean shot at the quarterback with no blockers, no impediments between you and the target. It's a sack, right? Not if it's Sellers. It may instead turn into a 40-yard gain. South Carolina's breakout star is a tank. He's raw as a passer, but he put up respectable numbers in his first year as a starter. But his playmaking ability, even in the toughest of circumstances, is otherworldly. 'He's like the size of a defensive end in that league,' a former SEC assistant said. 'So when he decides to tuck the ball and run with it, he's a bad matchup for people.' Other schools thought highly of Sellers; one reportedly offered him a two-year deal for $8 million that he turned down, according to his father. Hanging on to him should have the Gamecocks firmly in CFP contention this season. If you didn't stay up late last season or tune into the CW, you might have missed one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country. The Washington State transfer accounted for nearly 4,000 combined passing and rushing yards and 44 touchdowns. He followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Oklahoma, so the system continuity will benefit him and the Sooners. His speed and elusiveness jump off the tape, but he's no slouch as a passer. Coaches we spoke with were nearly universal in their praise, and expectations are high for Mateer, even as he steps into the rugged SEC. 'He has some Baker Mayfield to his game,' a Power 4 personnel director said. 'He can throw off-platform and run around back there if he needs to, but he still has really good arm talent. He's not hesitant to throw it in tight windows.' The No. 1 QB in the 2024 recruiting class according to On3, Lagway opened eyes immediately last season, throwing for a Florida freshman record 456 yards in his first start. He started the second half of the season, and though he made his share of freshman mistakes, he showed why he was so highly regarded, capping the year with a 300-yard performance and bowl game MVP honors. He displayed elite arm talent, good mobility and poise beyond that of a typical true freshman. His size and strength helped him keep plays alive. With Lagway behind center, the future is bright in Gainesville. 'If I'm starting a team right now, I'm probably taking DJ Lagway as my quarterback,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. Allar is a polarizing player. There are very credible NFL Draft analysts who view him as a potential top-five pick. Other observers are less enthusiastic: 'He's timid. He gets freaked out by pressure,' a Power 4 personnel director said. 'Now, he is athletic. He can run. I know people probably make the Josh Allen comparison. I don't think he's that athletic, but he's a moose. I think he's just OK.' The truth is not many quarterbacks possess Allar's physical tools — the size, the great arm, the athleticism. He's also experienced and will be surrounded by a good supporting cast and strong play caller (OC Andy Kotelnicki). Folks have soured on the former five-star because he's been underwhelming in nearly every big game he's started. Penn State has sky-high expectations this season, so Allar has an opportunity to change the narrative on the field. Coach Kenny Dillingham has quickly built a strong reputation for QB development. Leavitt is well on his way to becoming the latest success story. Leavitt rapidly progressed from first-time starter into the Big 12's best quarterback by season's end. He's a fluid athlete who relied on that athleticism and his legs early on until he found his groove as a passer in the second half of the year. Once he did, Arizona State's offense took off on its way to a Big 12 title and CFP appearance. Running back Cam Skattebo, the Sun Devils' heartbeat, is gone, so Leavitt will be relied upon more, but he showed in the second half of last year he's ready for that sort of responsibility. 'Super smart, really good processor, has traits, a real arm. He's gonna be a stud. He's a real one,' a Power 4 general manager said. The lasting impression of Jennings at the end of 2024 — throwing three interceptions, including two pick sixes, in a CFP first-round loss at Penn State — is hard to shake. But coaches didn't let that cloud their judgment about his talent and body of work, when he went 9-2 as SMU's starter last year. Jennings has the arm strength to get the ball to every part of the field and is elite at creating off schedule. He needs to trim his interception total, but most of those occurred in two games (Penn State and Duke). 'The kid's a baller, a gamer, he gets it done,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'It doesn't always look the prettiest. He's a little herky-jerky as a thrower. He's rail thin. But he wins games and is a great leader. And he can throw the crap out of the ball.' If you're looking for a traditional passer who can pick a defense apart from the pocket, Hoover fits the bill. 'He's the most natural thrower in our league,' a Big 12 coordinator said. Hoover, the Big 12's most productive returning passer — he set a TCU single-season record with 3,949 passing yards last year — is accurate, operates the offense cleanly and efficiently and has the zip to get the ball to the sidelines and down the field quickly. He's not a dynamic runner but is mobile enough to escape pressure or pick up a first down in a pinch. Some feel he has a case as the league's best quarterback over Leavitt. 'He's a problem,' a Power 4 head coach said. 'If he's gonna sit back there and throw it 40-plus times a game, you're gonna be concerned until the end of the game that he's going to move the football and score points.' Ranking Manning was one of the toughest exercises. The outside expectations have reached a fever pitch, thanks to his recruiting profile, bloodlines and famous last name. There's little question about his physical skills: He's big, with a rocket arm and a healthy dose of athleticism. 'He can throw with anticipation and be completely on schedule with everything he does,' a Power 4 personnel director said. But there is some skepticism among opposing coaches in the rush to anoint him after he showed a few growing pains in limited action. 'I don't know if I would be ready to crown him as the best quarterback in the nation right now,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'I didn't walk away from the Louisiana-Monroe film thinking, 'Man, this kid is a no-doubt first overall pick in the draft.'' Most coaches we spoke with remarked on how unrealistic the expectations of Manning are. But they almost all conceded future success for him. 'Arch Manning's probably going to be great,' a Power 4 head coach said. 'He should be great. He's at Texas with a good coach and a good roster, and I think he's good. All the fanfare is on potential, though.' Robertson was not Baylor's opening-day starter last year — that was transfer Dequan Finn — but when Robertson took over, it quickly became evident who gave the Bears the best chance to win. After Baylor hit rock bottom with a 2-4 first half, Robertson led the team to a six-game winning streak to save the season. In his second season as QB1 with an offense that fits his skill set, he should be even better. Robertson doesn't have the strongest arm or the quickest release, but he gets the job done with consistency and accuracy. He manages Baylor's offense well and is a real running threat. 'I think he's limited as a passer, but he was really productive and is a good athlete who can make some plays,' a Big 12 coordinator said. A year ago, Beck would have contended for No. 1 on this list. But an up-and-down final season at Georgia, an elbow injury and a transfer to Miami have led to some skepticism. Nobody questions his arm talent or his ability. But Beck's lack of consistency is a concern. 'You watch his tape and you're like, 'All right, this guy is pretty good.' And then you keep watching and it's same mistakes over and over again,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'When you need a good throw in a critical moment, sometimes you don't get it.' Multiple coaches were bothered by his lack of mobility. An ACC personnel director said Miami is in for a 'rude awakening' if it thinks it will be better with Beck compared to Cam Ward. But a former Power 4 scouting director still has optimism. 'If he's healthy — a big if — he's the second-best quarterback in the ACC,' he said. Altmyer progressed from Ole Miss' backup in 2022 to first-time starter at Illinois in 2023 to quality Big Ten quarterback in 2024. Coach Bret Bielema's offenses will always be run-first, but they're at their best when the quarterback can make the necessary throws. And Altmyer is ideal for the system. 'He's a really good game manager,' a Big Ten assistant coach said. 'Good, accurate passer. He can run it if he needs to, too. Probably a better athlete than people might think. He's a good player. He's definitely scrappy, too.' Altmyer has demonstrated moxie in several late-game situations. His game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds against Rutgers turned some heads, but he also orchestrated clutch drives against Kansas, Nebraska, Purdue and South Carolina last year. Illinois will be a trendy Playoff pick this offseason, and Altmyer is one of the reasons for the optimism. The Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP and son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht led the Cyclones to their first double-digit win season in school history. Iowa State leaned on him more as a passer in his second year as the starter, but he also became a real rushing weapon (318 yards, eight TDs). His 35 rushes for first downs as a QB trailed only Garrett Greene and Avery Johnson in the Big 12 (41). 'He plays his nuts off,' a Power 4 personnel director said of Becht. He's not the most physically imposing quarterback, but he has good anticipation and consistently gets the ball into tight windows over the middle with plenty of velocity. 'Good decision maker, processes well, does everything quickly,' a former Power 4 scouting director said. 'He manages the position and the game well.' Pavia got an extra year after challenging an NCAA eligibility rule regarding junior college seasons, and we all benefit because there are few quarterbacks more fun to watch. There may not be a better marriage between quarterback and scheme than what Pavia has at Vanderbilt under offensive coordinator Tim Beck, who also coached him at New Mexico State. Pavia's not the biggest, strongest or fastest, but he produces (he led SEC QBs with 801 rushing yards). He's slippery, able to elude elite SEC rushers whether scrambling to throw or looking for ground gains. And his competitive edge is off the charts. His performance in the Commodores' win over Alabama will live in SEC lore, but he's also the biggest reason they logged their first winning record since 2013. 'He's accurate in the RPO game and underneath throws,' a Group of 5 head coach said. 'But he's the epitome of what you want in an alpha.' After leading the Yellow Jackets to a winning record in the ACC and a bowl game in consecutive seasons, King has won over a lot of people inside and outside the conference with his dual-threat ability (1,324 combined rushing yards in 2023 and 2024) and hard-nosed play style. His performance in Georgia Tech's eight-overtime loss to Georgia last November was the epitome of the Haynes King experience. Most coaches had similar critiques. 'I hate the way he throws, but he's a f—ing competitor,' an ACC personnel director said. Said a Power 4 head coach, 'He's a warrior. He's a winner. He's a leader. He's tough. … Can he throw it good enough? I don't know. If he's healthy and takes the next step as a passer, I think he fits what Georgia Tech's doing.' Mendoza flew under the radar of the more casual college football audience while at Cal the past two seasons, but he was definitely not overlooked by some of the top programs in the country. Georgia pursued him in the transfer portal before he chose Indiana. Mendoza has a solid arm and enough athleticism to create and improvise in the pocket. He breathed life into what had been an anemic passing attack at Cal. Mendoza will face tougher defenses in the Big Ten than he did in the Pac-12 and ACC, but he's stepping into a good situation from a personnel and coaching perspective at Indiana. 'He'll be all right,' a Power 4 OC said. 'He's young, he works hard, he cares. The Indiana OC (Mike Shanahan) does a good job of calling plays in situational and stuff. He can spin it.' Mensah is a gifted young passer who burst onto the scene with Tulane last year. He was highly coveted when he entered the transfer portal, and Duke made sure he was well compensated. The Blue Devils pushed out a capable starter, Maalik Murphy, to bring him in as well. Armed with that context, expectations will be really high for Mensah this fall as the Blue Devils try to build off a nine-win season in coach Manny Diaz's first year at the helm. 'Really talented with his ability to extend and create,' said a personnel staffer whose program faced Mensah last year. 'Only going to get better. We had him bottled up a couple times, and he turned it into a big play.' Meet one of college football's lightning rods, a player who has always been at the forefront of NIL drama — the latest being a failed holdout at Tennessee. Still, Iamaleava was a starting quarterback on a Playoff team last season, and the physical tools are obvious. 'Extremely athletic, a better runner than people give him credit for,' an SEC assistant coach said. 'Cannon for an arm, accurate, capable of making every throw.' Last season, Iamaleava's first as a starter, demonstrated the former five-star prospect is still very much a work in progress. Although Tennessee did reach the Playoff, the Volunteers' run game and defense led the way. Now he'll be tasked with leading a UCLA squad with a weaker supporting cast on offense, a first-time play caller in OC Tino Sunseri and a defense that's middle of the road at best. Iamaleava faces a tall order but also a chance to outperform this ranking if he plays well. How does a quarterback of a team that went 5-7 make it this high on the list? 'Very talented thrower, NFL arm, one of the best in the country,' a former Power 4 scouting director said. Sorsby's big and gets the ball downfield effortlessly, but he's not a statue. His 447 rushing yards were third most among Big 12 QBs last year, and he was the only QB in the country last season to record a 425-yard passing game and a 125-yard rushing game. 'Super talented,' a Big 12 coordinator said. 'Really natural thrower, can run around.' Now, can the former Indiana transfer help the Bearcats take the next step and return to the postseason after a two-year absence? The word that comes to mind when watching Green is 'smooth.' He's a fluid runner with a long stride and the ability to make opponents miss (602 rushing yards, eight TDs in '24), and his throws look effortless, whether he's fitting it into an intermediate window or finding an open receiver 40 yards downfield. 'That guy's a real-deal player,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'He's so explosive as a runner, and he's a better passer than you think.' Some question his decison-making and processing — 'he takes some awful sacks,' an SEC assistant said — and cite his need to be a better passer in critical situations. But the former Boise State transfer is entering his second year working under Arkansas OC Bobby Petrino, so the bet is that Green will take a significant step forward. Johnson's first year as K-State's starter had its ups and downs. There were nights when it all came together and he was the dual-threat star many projected, and others when he was bit by the turnover bug, which doomed the Wildcats in losses to BYU and Houston. He'll have to do a better job of understanding coverages and identifying defensive looks pre-snap to cut that down. But when he takes care of the ball, there are few more electric than Johnson, who has the acceleration and burst to eat up chunks of yards on the ground (605 rushing yards, seven TDs). Coaches love Johnson's upside. 'Supreme athlete,' a Power 4 general manager said. 'It's really a good fit for that offense. It's third-and-2, third-and-3 and he scrambles around and escapes.' It's hard to argue with Madsen being the top-ranked Group of 5 quarterback after he helped Boise State reach the Playoff. He doesn't possess overwhelming physical traits, but he gets the ball out quickly and generally makes good decisions. Boise State will need that composure as it navigates life after star running back Ashton Jeanty. It'll be impossible to replace Jeanty, so more will be required of Madsen. It'll be interesting to see what the Broncos offense looks like without the 2024 Heisman runner-up. 'That will hurt the offense overall, I'm sure,' a G5 general manager said. 'But I think Madsen is talented and experienced.' Moore threw just eight passes last season, but his inclusion in the top 25 is a bet on his potential, Oregon OC Will Stein's ability to produce prolific offenses and head coach Dan Lanning's talent acquisition skills. Moore, a former five-star prospect, started five games as a true freshman at UCLA in 2023 and displayed promising flashes but turned the ball over too much and was benched. We'll see how much sitting behind Dillon Gabriel last year helped his development. There will be a big spotlight placed on Moore this fall, but there's no reason for him not to be successful. 'I just thought he was accurate. I thought he was efficient — from when I saw him in high school, anyway,' said a Big Ten assistant coach. 'He has made a couple plays in his (college) career. I think he'll be a good player.' If you wanted to capture the essence of an NFL Street quarterback (remember that game?) in a real-life signal caller, he might play like Dampier. Every dropback can be an adventure, and more often than not, something memorable — good or bad — will happen. His elusiveness is his best trait. At New Mexico in 2024, he ranked fourth in the FBS in rushing yards among quarterbacks (1,166). But he can make some dynamite throws as well. Joining Jason Beck, his New Mexico offensive coordinator, at Utah and running the same offense should ease Dampier's transition to the Power 4. He's not immune to throwing an egregious interception, but there's a lot to like. 'He's a magician back there,' a P4 GM said. 'Really slippery. Has a good feel for it. Throws it better than you think.' Reed, a late take in A&M's 2023 recruiting class, filled in for the injured Conner Weigman, then took over as the starter in the final month of the season after a breakout performance in a win against LSU. He showed enough that the Aggies didn't take a QB to compete with him for the starting job in the portal after Weigman left. His speed is a game-changer. 'He's explosive,' an SEC assistant said. He needs to develop more as a passer, but he has good arm strength and a fluid motion, and he's a good fit for Collin Klein's offense, which utilizes heavy doses of the quarterback run game. Since signing as the highest-ranked QB recruit in program history in 2021, Morton has steadily increased his production and cut down his interception rate each of the last three years. But there's a level he hasn't reached just yet, perhaps in part because he played the last season-and-a-half with an AC joint injury that was finally repaired over the winter. Will a fully healthy Morton make a sizable leap? 'He's good but didn't blow me away talent-wise,' a Power 4 GM said. Lopez is a stocky southpaw with some juice. Coaches love his arm strength. He's not the twitchiest athlete, but he's a speedy, tough and effective runner (463 yards, 7 TDs last year). Can he elevate his play, going from South Alabama to the ACC? 'He's a no-brainer Power 4 guy,' a Power 4 OC said. 'He has serious playmaking abilities.' Said a former P4 scouting director, 'He's the guy in the ACC who's gonna raise the most eyebrows.' Holstein was very productive through five games last season, but he suffered a concussion and a leg injury that sent his and Pitt's season into a tailspin. So health will be key for Holstein, who managed to play in 10 of 12 regular-season games but was never seemingly at full strength down the stretch. 'He had some good moments and is physically impressive, but last year he just made some of the worst decisions you can imagine,' said a former P4 scouting director. Duke favored Darian Mensah over Murphy, who transferred to Oregon State, but if you were to draw up a prototypical quarterback, he'd have Murphy's size and arm. Murphy is still an unfinished product who needs refinement, but he made several big-time throws in clutch situations last year. 'Big dude. … Now, he wasn't really mobile, but he just had a cannon for an arm,' said an assistant coach who faced Murphy last season. 'A really sharp arm, and he's fairly accurate. Sometimes he throws it too hard. But he definitely had a cannon.' Bailey, a good passer who is more than capable of making plays with his legs, emerged as one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the country last season. There is plenty of optimism about him within the ACC. 'I love CJ Bailey. He's a dude. He's only going to keep ascending. We'll see how the supporting cast is around him this year, but I think he's going to take a big step,' an ACC personnel director said. Ohio State is breaking in a first-year play caller, Brian Hartline, and a quarterback who has thrown just 12 collegiate passes. Sayin has the pedigree as the top-rated quarterback recruit in the 2024 cycle. Additionally, Sayin will be surrounded by the best receiving group in the country. However, questions will remain until we see him in live action. 'There's going to be growing pains any time a guy hasn't played,' a Big Ten assistant coach said. 'How does he handle the fishbowl of being the quarterback at Ohio State?' Washington brought Williams along slowly last year, but it's the electric youngster's show now. Williams demonstrated great creativity in the pocket, dynamic running ability and a good deep ball in two starts to end the season. Pair those skills with coach Jedd Fisch's mentoring, and Williams has the potential to have a big season. 'Fisch is gonna put him in every situation he can to be successful,' a Power 4 general manager said. 'He's a kid who I think more people will talk about and know about (nationally) by the end of the season.' The quarterback who led Kansas' revival is still heavily respected around the Big 12, even after a down 2024 in which he never got in a groove and his turnover total skyrocketed. On the bright side, the oft-injured Daniels played all 12 games for the first time in his career. If he can do that again, there's a belief that he'll return to form. 'He's electric,' a Big 12 coordinator said. A mess of offensive problems — from the line, to the receiving corps, to the coordinator — muddied Arnold's would-be breakout sophomore season at Oklahoma, where he was briefly benched. 'He was set up to fail at OU,' a Power 4 coordinator said. Auburn provides a fresh start for a guy coaches are still bullish on talent-wise, but he'll have to take better care of the ball. Fifita was tremendous in 2023 but regressed under a new coaching staff last year. New offensive coordinator Seth Doege will have the responsibility of getting Fifita back on track, but there's still confidence in Fifita's abilities. 'That son of a b— can play now,' a Power 4 head coach said. 'He's a shorter guy and may take some unnecessary risks, but he can run. He's really talented, arm talented, has a great feel for the game.' Simmons is a unicorn: a lefty who reclassified up by two years and has already earned his college degree at 19. His resume is limited (32 career pass attempts), but he showed enticing potential last season when he stepped in for an injured Jaxson Dart against Georgia and led a touchdown drive while going 5-for-6 for 64 yards. 'He didn't even blink and dropped five dimes like he was the starter the whole time,' a G5 head coach said. 'He has no fear, he's confident, can run, has a strong arm. He's got a shot.' The Penn State transfer hit the portal when Drew Allar decided to return for one more year and was a coveted prospect. Pribula looked plenty capable in relief of Allar, especially in the second half of a road win over Wisconsin. He doesn't have the biggest arm, but his mobility, accuracy, poise and command are encouraging. And he's a real run threat, scoring four touchdowns as a change-of-pace option last season. Gronowski missed the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he won two national championships at the FCS level as South Dakota State's starter. He's a winner. He has good arm strength and is a tough, physical runner who has accounted for 130 touchdowns in his career. The quarterback spot has been a black hole for Iowa in recent years, but Gronowski is a ray of light who could help elevate an anemic passing game. Raiola looked every bit of a five-star prospect last September but hit a wall midway through his true freshman season. The hope is he'll make a jump with Dana Holgorsen fully in charge of the offense now. 'Has a calmness, maturity, and swagger to him which you want out of your QB,' a Big Ten personnel staffer said. 'Think him continuing to get bigger, faster, stronger and leaner in the offseason can take his game to another level.' Raiola didn't display top-end athleticism last year, though, which has left some in the sport wondering how high his ceiling actually is. Horvath is only the third quarterback in Navy history to run and pass for more than 1,200 yards in a season. Horvath's versatility has him in line to be a top-tier G5 QB this fall. 'He's a unique kid because he's got the ability to really run, but they actually throw the ball pretty effectively,' a G5 head coach said. 'That kid's a different type of academy quarterback than people are used to.' Braxton is a physical runner, who is a load for a defense to tackle. He seemingly turned a corner as a passer last season as he led Marshall to a Sun Belt title. Now he and coach Charles Huff will try to turn things around at Southern Miss, which won one game in 2024. 'He's probably the most dynamic playmaker at the position (in the conference),' said a personnel staffer who worked in the Sun Belt last year. 'We couldn't stop him.' Moss is a solid college quarterback who can keep an offense on schedule. He doesn't have elite athleticism, and his limitations were on display at USC last fall. Moss should be highly motivated after getting benched toward the end of the 2024 season. It's beneficial to be playing for Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, who has maximized the skill sets of transfer quarterbacks Jack Plummer and Tyler Shough the past two seasons. Chiles was inconsistent as a first-time starter last year, but some in the Big Ten still believe in his talent, skill set and athleticism. He could be poised to take a leap forward under coach Jonathan Smith, who typically gets the most out of his quarterbacks. 'Really talented but still growing as a quarterback, how to run a team, making winning plays,' a Big Ten assistant coach said. 'But that'll come with experience.' The highest-ranked QB SMU has signed in the modern recruiting era, Stone threw for nearly 3,200 yards and 28 TDs during a 2023 run to the AAC championship. But he was replaced by Kevin Jennings early last season and landed at Northwestern. Stone can extend plays if necessary but is not an elite runner. He's best in the dropback game, attacking downfield. 'He throws a really good deep ball,' a Power 4 head coach said. Drones' physical talent is enticing. 'He's 230 pounds of pure muscle,' an ACC personnel director said. 'He's so hard to bring down.' But as effective a runner as he is (1,154 yards, 11 TDs in the last two seasons), coaches want to know whether Drones can win through the air. His career completion rate is 59.4 percent. 'He's gonna have to prove he can play the position as a passer to be an all-around guy,' a Power 4 head coach said. Simpson is competing with Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell, but he led the race coming out of spring and has the experience edge after backing up Jalen Milroe for two seasons. In his limited action, Simpson showed a penchant for making plays with his legs by running for first downs, throwing on the run or escaping pressure. But his potential ascension to full-time action is a subject of curiosity and even some skepticism around the conference. 'I don't think he's going to be in the upper tier of the league,' an SEC assistant said. There's no questioning Stockton's toughness — it's hard to forget the hit he endured in overtime of Georgia's SEC title win over Texas — and even in his first career start in the CFP against Notre Dame, Stockton showed poise under constant pressure and uncorked some impressive downfield throws. His physical gifts aren't quite those of his predecessor, Carson Beck, so his preseason ranking is very much a wait-and-see approach. Carr emerged as the leader in the QB competition coming out of spring practice. He took only four snaps last season and didn't attempt a pass as he recovered from an injury to his throwing elbow suffered during preseason camp. But in the Blue-Gold game, the former Elite 11 QB showed touch and accuracy on downfield throws and a good feel for the offense. He'll make mistakes as a first-time starter. How he handles those, along with the pressure that comes with being QB1 at Notre Dame, will be telling. It's difficult to temper the optimism, excitement and massive expectations surrounding Underwood, who was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025. 'He's the most talented QB I've ever watched,' said someone who evaluated Underwood thoroughly during the recruiting process. 'Literally has it all.' Underwood is a freak athlete with a huge arm and will take over the starting role at Michigan at some point. When will that be? And will the supporting cast be good enough around him? 'Really hope Michigan doesn't screw it up putting him out there early without a good enough supporting cast,' that same source said. 'Just because he's that good doesn't mean he needs to start Week 1.' The former Texas A&M five-star recruit is seeking a fresh start with the Cougars. When healthy, Weigman showed flashes of why he was so highly regarded coming out of high school, showing a quick release, good downfield accuracy and touch and the athleticism to make plays off schedule. But injuries got the best of him more often than not in Aggieland. Houston is betting on a rejuvenated Weigman to revive one of the worst offenses in the FBS. There's a lot of buzz out of Boulder about freshman Julian Lewis, who likely will see significant time this season. But Salter is a seasoned veteran with 29 career starts and a New Year's Six bowl appearance under his belt at Liberty. Salter had notable statistical dropoffs last year, and there's some skepticism as he goes to the Power 4 — 'He was super erratic,' a Group of 5 GM said — but he's still an intriguing dual-threat. 'I'm betting Salter will be the starter at Colorado,' a Power 4 head coach said. 'He's got a great skill set.' The son of former NFL QB Josh McCown had a breakout 2024 to emerge as one of the best QBs in the Group of 5. His ability to move both within and outside the pocket and keep his eyes downfield keeps defenses guessing. He throws an accurate ball, is athletic enough to pick up chunk yards on the ground and manages UTSA's offense well. "He's a competitor,' an AAC assistant said. 'I think he's clearly the best quarterback in this conference.' Maiava played well in moments last year but also displayed some really confounding lows. USC's offense was inconsistent as a result. Maiava will be in his second year under Lincoln Riley, who is one of the best QB mentors in the sport, but he'll have to trim the fat from his game and eliminate the three to four bad mistakes that stall the offense. Otherwise, the Trojans will be boom-or-bust offensively. Morris has been at Oklahoma, TCU (where he was twice the opening-day starter only to have injuries cut his seasons short) and North Texas, where he finally blossomed and led the American Athletic Conference with 3,774 passing yards. His return to the P4 gives the Cavaliers a serviceable, mobile, gritty player who should provide them consistency. 'He's not a big guy that's going to sit back there and pick you apart, but they can get creative offensively and keep him on the move, which he's good at,' a P4 head coach said. Maryland struggled last year, but Edwards was adequate as a first-time starter. He attempted 40 or more passes in six games, and the Terrapins' run game was one of the worst in the country. Jeff Grimes has taken over as the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin. The goal should be to re-establish the Badgers' identity as a run-first outfit and lessen the load for Edwards. Regardless, he'll be an upgrade at QB in Madison. This job is not cinched just yet, as new coach Rich Rodriguez also signed Texas A&M transfer Jaylen Henderson, but Marchiol has the experience edge, with 19 games of action in a Mountaineer uniform, including a 3-0 record as a starter. He's a capable thrower who can drive the ball downfield and layer it over defenders. He's also a strong runner who isn't afraid to get physical — like he did when he ran over Oklahoma State safety Trey Rucker last year. He just has to prove he can do it across an entire season. Almost four years have passed since Shapen led Baylor to a Big 12 title game victory, and he still flashes the ability that was so intriguing then. His deep-ball prowess is a good fit for Jeff Lebby's offense, which is heavy on deep choice routes. 'He's an elite thrower,' a Power 4 coordinator said. Shapen showed that last fall in his four starts before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Staying healthy and consistent — both of which have been elusive in his career — are top priorities. Veltkamp was named the 2024 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year while at Western Kentucky. Now he's paired up with coach Zach Kittley, who led a top-five scoring offense as Texas Tech's OC last year. Veltkamp should post some prolific numbers. 'That's one of my favorite quarterbacks from last year,' a G5 head coach said. 'I think he's extremely difficult to defend. I'm shocked that he's at FAU. I can't believe a Power 4 school didn't get that kid.' There will be plenty of eyes on Aguilar because of his place in the Nico Iamaleava saga. He gained an extra year via the Diego Pavia ruling and, after two years as a starter and a coaching change at Appalachian State, transferred to UCLA in the winter. But Iamaleava's arrival in Westwood prompted another transfer, and Aguilar is now in position to be Iamaleava's successor in Knoxville — though he must beat out Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the starting role. Aguilar's skills translate well to what Tennessee does. 'He's got a cannon, so that will fit that offense perfectly with how many deep shots they take,' a former G5 recruiting director said. 'And he's a better runner than you think.' He can trust his arm too much, though, as evidenced by his rising interception total last year. He'll have to take better care of the ball in the SEC. But he's confident and fearless. Angeli was the odd man out of a three-man competition at Notre Dame this spring and quickly landed at Syracuse, where he'll have to beat out LSU transfer Rickie Collins. Angeli demonstrated strong poise in a relief appearance in the Orange Bowl last season and looked good in a start against a decimated Oregon State team in the Sun Bowl the year before that. Outside of that, his game is still a mystery. Lewis took a substantial step forward at Nevada in 2024 after years of subpar play. He's a true dual-threat, and he displayed enough of those abilities for Memphis, one of the most consistent G5s in the country, to bet on him at quarterback. 'I thought he improved a lot last year,' a G5 general manager said. 'Gave us some issues, does a lot with his legs.' The sixth-year senior has had an eventful journey. He led Texas A&M to a landmark upset of Alabama in 2021 but transferred to Auburn in 2022, where a shoulder surgery knocked him out for the year. He found a home at FCS Incarnate Word, where he was the Southland Conference Player of the Year and led the Cardinals to the playoffs. Now he's back in the SEC in hopes of proving he can excel at that level. 'He has one of the strongest arms in the country,' an SEC assistant said. 'He'll have to clean up some things from a touch and accuracy standpoint, but he can absolutely rip the ball.' Castellanos was benched by Boston College last November and left the team before the season ended. Now, a Florida State program that desperately needs a culture reset is taking a chance on him and his former coach at UCF, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. 'When you ask him to be a quarterback, he struggles. But if you get him going as a runner and allow him easy access throws, then he gets confident, he can play,' an ACC personnel director said. Could McIvor be Bailey Zappe 2.0 for the Hilltoppers? He's following a similar path. Like Zappe, he came oh-so-close to upsetting Texas Tech while quarterbacking an FCS program (Abilene Christian lost 52-51 to the Red Raiders in overtime last year, as McIvor threw for 506 yards). He followed Rick Bowie, his ACU offensive coordinator, to WKU, like Zappe did with Zach Kittley. And McIvor comes with tools. 'I think he has the best arm in the league,' a G5 scouting director said. 'Stands big in the pocket, delivers strikes down the field, strong arm and can run,' a G5 head coach said. 'He's got a chance to have a big year.' In his first year as a starter after Kurtis Rourke's departure, Navarro dazzled, leading the Bobcats to the MAC championship and winning Cure Bowl MVP honors. Navarro's legs are his best asset: He racked up 1,046 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to go with 2,423 passing yards. 'He's elusive, he's hard to tackle,' a G5 head coach said. 'He's not the best pure thrower, but he's a winner.' In eight starts as a redshirt freshman, Joseph dazzled with his dual-threat ability. He ran for 647 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with 1,627 passing yards. Opposing coaches see a rising star. 'He's super dynamic,' a former G5 personnel director said. 'His athleticism can change the game, and they scheme it up really well.' Jackson, who is competing with Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown, was Indiana's opening-day starter in 2023 before being replaced midseason by Brendan Sorsby. He backed up Kurtis Rourke last season and excelled in limited action. He has good size and velocity on his throws and can move. But he's on his third stop (he played at Tennessee in 2022). Can he be a consistent, winning QB for an entire season? Good luck predicting whether Colandrea, a transfer from Virginia, will produce an amazing play or a costly turnover from one down to the next. But coach Dan Mullen is good with quarterbacks and could fine-tune Colandrea's game. 'If you're a casual fan just watching the game, you enjoy it,' a former Power 4 scouting director said. 'If you work for the team he plays for, you hold your breath a little bit. If Mullen's gonna do his traditional stuff, Colandrea's gonna be a great fit.' Gleason is big and mobile (364 rushing yards, seven rushing TDs), which makes him a load to bring down and comes in handy in the red zone. He did some of his best work last year against Power 4 opponents, leading the Rockets to wins over Mississippi State and Pitt with a combined 636 passing yards and six touchdowns. He should be even better in his second year as Toledo's full-time starter. Coming off a phenomenal 2023 season, Brown would've been much higher on this list a year ago. But the dual-threat playmaker was underwhelming and injured last season. Which version will show up in 2025? 'When there are good things happening, they're good,' a former P4 scouting director said. 'But he's been there for three years now and it doesn't feel like someone you can parse yet. … If it clicks, sure, you can take a chance on that." It's a return to the MAC for Finn, the league's 2023 MVP at Toledo. Finn struggled in a brief stint at the Power 4 last year at Baylor, and an injury two weeks into the season opened the door for Sawyer Robertson, who never relinquished the job. With the RedHawks, can Finn recapture the success he had his first time around in the conference? 'He's a big, raw, pull-the-ball-down-and-go guy,' a G5 head coach said. 'Not a pure polished quarterback but a good player who's strong.' James is a good-looking athlete, has a good arm and is fluid enough to hurt defenses with his legs when the situation calls for it. He's involved in a competition with Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan, but James has an edge in experience — both in Boston College's offense and from his three seasons and 422 passing attempts at FIU. That should give him a leg up. Sullivan has never been a full-time starter but has a shot at Tulane this season if he can beat out Ball State transfer Kadin Semonza, who was productive in the MAC. Sullivan is the more athletic, dynamic option but still has work to do as a passer. The Green Wave have been one of the better G5 programs over the past three seasons, so this is an intriguing situation to monitor. Kaliakmanis has attempted 800 passes over the past three seasons for two Big Ten programs (Minnesota and Rutgers). We have a pretty good idea of what he is at this point: a so-so passer who completes around 53 percent of his throws. He was the first Rutgers quarterback to cross the 2,000-yard passing mark since 2015, so he has provided some stability under center for the Scarlet Knights. Hejny (pronounced hey-knee) is competing with Zane Flores, but his familiarity with OC Doug Meachem, who was at TCU with Hejny, and QB coach Kevin Johns, whom Hejny originally committed to at Duke before flipping to the Horned Frogs, gives him an edge. There's very little experience to draw upon: He only took 18 snaps in four games as a true freshman last year. But the ball rockets out of the hand of the former Elite 11 QB, and he possesses 10.6-second speed in the 100-meter dash. 'He is a little shorter, but the kid is a tough son of a b—,' a Power 4 coordinator said. Finley helped Akron to four wins last season, the program's most since 2018. The former NC State and Cal QB can zip the ball to any part of the yard and has enough mobility to pick up a first down or create conflict in a defense. 'He's super underrated, but I think he could be an NFL prospect,' a G5 head coach said. 'He can absolutely sling it.' Raynor is a very entertaining watch because he's athletic and slippery in the pocket, which allows him to keep plays alive that would normally be doomed. He's entering his third year as the Red Wolves' starter, and that experience will make him one of the best signal callers in the Sun Belt. 'He's the best pure QB in the league that's returning,' said a personnel staffer who worked in the Sun Belt last season. This is a very interesting situation. Barnett was a dual-threat standout for the Dukes last season but suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out of the bowl game and spring practice. Coach Bob Chesney brought in UNLV transfer Matthew Sluka, who played for Chesney at Holy Cross. Sluka famously left the Rebels last September after an NIL dispute. Sluka is a good insurance option and has history with the staff, but Barnett offers higher upside — health permitting. 'If he can stay healthy and get back to a consistent level of play, he could get some P4 attention,' a former P4 scouting director said. Vattiato is coming off back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons and has a chance to hit 10,000 career passing yards with another productive year. He has no issues pushing the ball down the field or freelancing to make a play on the run. 'He's one of the purest passers in the conference,' a G5 head coach said. 'Extremely level-headed. Nothing rattles him and he's extremely consistent.' Eget started just seven games last season but still passed for 2,504 yards. He fits the gunslinger mold, and he isn't afraid to test the defense vertically. Eget is also a surprisingly good athlete for his size. There's little doubt he'll post big numbers in Craig Stutzmann's spread-and-shred offense, especially now that Eget is armed with the confidence of being the clear starter for the first time in his career. Fagnano's 20 touchdown passes last season (on 206 pass attempts across 10 games and six starts) were the most by a UConn QB since 2017. He's a steady presence and displays an array of skills, from patience in the pocket as he works through progressions to a willingness to deliver the ball as a defender is closing in for a hit. He possesses good touch on downfield passes and good velocity in the intermediate game. Colorado State asked Fowler-Nicolosi to do less last season, which created more offensive balance and cut down on the 16 interceptions he threw in 2023. Fowler-Nicolosi is talented and experienced. Can he put all the tools together to elevate himself toward the top of the league? 'I didn't necessarily feel like he was an absolute world beater. But I do think he's a solid quarterback,' one G5 head coach said. 'He's a good player. There just wasn't a level of fear when we played him.' Brown was involved in a competition for the starting role at Ohio State each of the past two seasons but never claimed the job. He's the front-runner to do so at his new home, Cal, as it moves to a new offensive coordinator, Bryan Harsin. Brown doesn't have an overwhelming arm, but he is a willing runner. We'll see how that translates to Harsin's offense and whether Brown can hold off true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. All but four of Singleton's 28 pass attempts at Arkansas came in blowouts last season: a win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff and a loss to Ole Miss. While he's a major unknown, Singleton should be a plus in the run game at the very least. He hasn't been named the starter but is the favorite for the job. Former Boilermaker quarterback Ryan Browne transferred back to the program this spring and could be in the mix along with Evans Chuba. Jenkins is a difference maker in CUSA. Entering his third year as a starter, he is one of the league's better passers and a good enough athlete to move the chains. 'When he has time, he's dropping dimes,' a G5 head coach said. 'Arm strength isn't overwhelming. His expertise is over-the-middle throws, hitting digs and spots.' Warner, a former starter at Temple, has a lot of career production (8,814 yards) but needs a better scheme fit than what he had last year at Rice, where he was a bit out of his comfort zone and the turnovers piled up. 'He struggles to push the ball down the field, but he's smart enough to take the checkdowns and know where the ball should go,' a G5 defensive coordinator said. 'If (Fresno State is) able to do some things maybe more West Coast-style, to use his skill set, he'll be better off.' Ashford is at his fourth school and looking to finish his career off by claiming the starting job in coach Jake Dickert's first season at Wake Forest. Ashford only has one season of starting experience (Auburn, 2022), and his career passing numbers are fairly underwhelming. But he can be a strong threat in the run game at the very least, assuming he can hold off Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie for the No. 1 spot. Lindsey will be one of the least experienced quarterbacks in the Big Ten. His main competition for the role, Zach Pyron, transferred out of the program during the spring, so he's the overwhelming favorite to start. Max Brosmer was fine for Minnesota last year but had to adjust to the FBS level after five seasons at New Hampshire. There will be growing pains for Lindsey, who has attempted just five passes in his college career. True freshman Malik Washington is the future at quarterback for the Terrapins. It's just a matter of when that future arrives. In the meantime, Maryland can rely on Martin, who played sparingly (one start) in three seasons at UCLA. Either way, the Terrapins will start a relatively green player at quarterback this fall. Bryson Daly did so much for the Black Knights in 2024 and finished sixth in Heisman voting. It'll be really difficult for anyone to fill that void, but Coleman is going to get the first crack at it. His lack of experience — one career start against a sub-.500 Air Force team last season — is why he's low on this list. He'll have a chance to be productive in this offense. Barnes isn't going to wow anyone as a passer, but he emerged as a very credible run threat at the end of last season, rushing for 193 yards against San Diego State and 185 against Colorado State. There's a new staff in place — Bronco Mendenhall is the new head coach — but Barnes' running ability makes him the surest bet among the Aggies' quarterback candidates. Brown doesn't have the strongest arm, is only an OK athlete and lacks experience. But he's the only quarterback on the roster who threw a pass for Stanford last season, so that makes him the leader in the race for the starting role. UCF transfer Dylan Rizk could be a factor. Interim coach Frank Reich has no ties to either quarterback. It'll be interesting to see how this situation unfolds. Houser, a former Michigan State transfer, is a gamer. He oozes confidence, and it shows when he uncorks a downfield throw. It can get him into trouble at times, as evidenced by his interception total. And he played last season with a fractured wrist, which was repaired after the season. But given his arm strength and above-average mobility, there's a lot to like. Clark, a seventh-year senior who spent his first three seasons at Minnesota, broke out in 2024, averaging over 300 passing yards per game while averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt. As the Bears move up to the FBS, Clark has a chance to immediately be one of CUSA's best passers. 'Arm strength isn't a question mark; it comes out of his hand quickly,' a G5 personnel director said. 'He has a smooth, consistent release. He's not the most athletic guy, but athletic enough to make guys miss.' French leads all Sun Belt returnees in 2024 passing yards (2,831), and he set a single-season school record for completion percentage. 'He's got a pretty good arm,' a former G5 personnel director said. 'They throw a lot of back-shoulder fades, and they trust him to make a bunch of throws.' Ball security will be paramount for French, who threw two pick sixes last year. Vasko, who started his career at Kansas but spent the last two years at Coastal Carolina, is a big, tough dual threat with a fierce playing style. He should be an ideal fit for Jamey Chadwell's spread option attack. 'Vasko is a way better runner than he is a thrower,' a former G5 personnel director said. 'He'll run all the option stuff really well, and he's good enough as a thrower for that offense.' The well-traveled Pyne is on his fourth stop after tours at Notre Dame, Arizona State and Missouri. He started 10 games with the Irish in 2022, going 8-2, but departed when it became clear they were taking a transfer quarterback. He had highs (three TD passes in a win over Oklahoma) and lows (three interceptions in a loss to Alabama) at Mizzou. But coaches are optimistic about his future at Bowling Green. "He's a little undersized, but he has a chance to be a good player in that league,' a G5 head coach said. After Jake Retzlaff's departure, the Cougars will enter the year without any quarterback who took a snap for them last fall. Hillstead (Utah State) and Treyson Bourguet (Western Michigan) transferred to BYU before the 2024 season but didn't see the field. Former Stanford signee Bear Bachmeier also transferred in this spring and may have the highest upside of the bunch, but it seems unlikely the Cougars will trot out a true freshman come Aug. 30. Both Hillstead and Bourguet have starting experience from their previous stops, but coaches haven't tipped their hand. Bourguet is the bigger of the two (6-2, 205) but Hillstead is the more mobile, showing elusiveness and good instincts in the pocket. His diminutive stature is hard to get over (5-10 feels like a generous listing), but he processes quickly, and his arm strength is sufficient. This will be Purdy's sixth season in college, but it's lining up to be his first as a full-time starter. He has completed only 54.8 percent of his passes in his career and has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (seven), so he will have to take a significant step forward in that area. He does have decent mobility, though, which should give Nevada's staff something to work with. Swann, who is competing with Iowa State transfer JJ Kohl, started 12 games in two seasons at Vanderbilt before a brief detour to LSU last season. Swann has the type of zip on his throws you'd expect from someone his size and enough mobility to evade the pass rush. But turnovers were an issue in his last year at Vanderbilt, and he has yet to complete 60 percent of his throws in a season. There's a boatload of quarterbacks in San Marcos. In addition to Jackson, Holden Geriner (Auburn), Nate Yarnell (Pitt) and Keldric Luster (SMU) all arrived this offseason. But don't be surprised if it's Jackson, the redshirt freshman returnee, who emerges from the competition. He was primarily used as a runner last season to take advantage of his speed and agility, but he's an accurate passer as well. Lack of experience is his biggest issue. 'I think he's going to be really special,' a Power 4 coordinator said. 'I think he'll be there a year or two and then he'll be a Power 4 kid.' New coach K.C. Keeler brought in former Idaho and Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy in the spring portal window, but Simon is in position to win the job. Simon started nine games last season for the Owls, throwing for 2,032 yards. He has gotten a lot of buy-in from the team and staff in the offseason. If Keeler runs an offense similar to what he had at Sam Houston, McCoy, who's the more athletic quarterback, figures to have a role. Morris, a former NC State and Maryland QB, figures to have a leg up on fellow transfer Emmett Brown (San Jose State) because of his familiarity with Chanticleers head coach Tim Beck. Morris was recruited to NC State by Beck when he was the offensive coordinator for the Wolfpack. 'He has a really good understanding of the game and a good arm,' a former G5 recruiting director said. Alejado started Hawaii's regular-season finale and turned in an awesome performance with 469 passing yards and five touchdowns. We know Alejado was talented enough to start at a high school power like Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). We also know that his size is a concern. Will he be able to hold up for a whole season? If he can, Hawaii may have found a diamond in the rough. Pyron is a good runner for his size but is inconsistent and inaccurate as a passer, which his career 56.8 completion percentage demonstrates. But South Alabama needed to find someone after Gio Lopez left the program in mid-April and transferred to North Carolina. So Pyron found a landing spot in his home state, and based on experience alone, he should be in line to start for the Jaguars this fall. UAB coach Trent Dilfer is high on Kitna, saying in May that the QB has an NFL skill set and compares favorably to past Elite 11 passers he tutored. It shows in Kitna's arm; the ball whizzes off his hand and gets to its target quickly. But the interception rate needs to come down as he enters his second year as a starter. 'I don't know that he's in the upper echelon quite yet, but he's a really good, solid player,' a G5 defensive coordinator said. It feels like Washington State, at the very least, always has someone intriguing at quarterback. Eckhaus backed up John Mateer last season and started the Holiday Bowl. Eckhaus looked a little Mateer-lite, producing on short-to-intermediate-range throws while showing good mobility. But he forced some risky passes, which led to two picks. Eckhaus will also have to adapt to a new coaching staff and a new set of receivers after the Cougars lost their top two wideouts from a year ago. The Utah transfer is short on experience, with only three appearances and 86 career snaps, all coming last year. Rose did show some poise and decent skill in his lone career start, in the Holy War against rival BYU. He throws a solid ball and is confident enough to attack the middle of the field. He has enough straight-line speed to be accounted for as a runner. But he's not immune to a turnover; he threw two interceptions in 36 attempts last season. He suffered a lower leg injury against BYU that kept him out of spring ball, but if he's healthy in time for camp, he'll be well-positioned for the job. Yale transfer Grant Jordan and returnee AJ Hairston are also in the mix. Layne is a promising passer when given proper protection but won't contribute much in the run game. What should give him a boost this fall is familiarity. He followed coach Jason Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner from Idaho to New Mexico. So while Layne will be taking a step up in competition, at least he'll be comfortable in the offense. There were some freshman growing pains for Armenta last season, but he also showed poise, leading the Warhawks to wins in his first two starts. He'll have to rein in the turnovers, but there's reason for optimism. 'He really throws the ball pretty well,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'I'd expect him to take a pretty big jump.' Roberson is looking to start in his seventh and final season after stops at Penn State, UConn and Kansas State. Most of his game experience came in 2023, when he started 10 games at UConn. He has only one start outside of that season. He displays solid mechanics and a quick release and is an adequate runner. Howard was an Elite 11 quarterback in the 2021 class but has seen minimal playing time while buried on the depth chart at LSU and Ole Miss. He's attempted a combined 10 passes in three seasons and only two last year. In Lafayette, Howard should finally get to prove himself. 'He's definitely got a whip and he can control it,' a G5 defensive coordinator said. 'He can throw 60 yards off his back foot to the far hash.' This is an interesting situation to watch. Watson started 12 games last year and helped lead Sam Houston to its breakout 10-3 campaign in Year 2 of FBS membership. He's a battering ram as a runner (647 yards, nine TDs) but not an elite thrower. New coach Phil Longo is bringing his Air Raid-inspired scheme to Huntsville, along with a former four-star recruit he signed at Wisconsin, Mabrey Mettauer. '(Watson) was great for what their system was last year with the QB run game and power read,' a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. 'I don't think he's a good system fit for Longo and what they do, dropping back, throwing the football.' Three coaches we spoke with felt Watson is one of the best QBs in CUSA, though. 'I love that kid,' a G5 head coach said. 'Tough as nails.' The sixth-year senior is on his fourth school after stops at Old Dominion, Albany and Miami. His only substantial action was at the FCS level, throwing for 6,000-plus yards and 60 touchdowns in two seasons for Albany. He threw seven passes at Miami last season. 'I really like Poffenbarger. I loved him at Albany,' a G5 head coach said. 'He's got some s— to him. He's got some damn moxie. He ain't gonna lack confidence. He can sling it around.' He'll have to fend off Drew Mestemaker, a former walk-on who had 448 total yards and three touchdowns in North Texas' bowl game in December. Crowder started the first four games of the 2024 season before being sidelined by injuries. The former West Virginia transfer doesn't have a huge arm or elite athleticism, but he's accurate and mobile enough to escape trouble. He showed poise in the lone crunch-time situation he faced, leading a touchdown drive in the final minute vs. Nevada. He just needs more reps; he has just 219 career snaps entering his fifth season. Harrell, a North Carolina transfer, is one of three newcomers at QB, joining Grayson Loftis (Duke) and Zach Wilcke (junior college). Harrell has the most intriguing skill set of the bunch with an extra gear in the running game. He still has much to prove as a passer, though. Coach Sean Lewis is still searching for the right trigger man for his fast-paced offense as he enters his second season at San Diego State. Enter Denegal, a transfer from Michigan who hasn't thrown a pass in a game since 2023. Denegal is an imposing physical presence with a strong arm and good athleticism. He still needs to beat out Central Michigan transfer Bert Emanuel Jr., who is a dynamic running threat. Bullock fits into the traditional mold: a big, dropback passer. He worked his way up from third on the depth chart to start the final 10 games last season. He won't produce jaw-dropping highlights or wow anyone with his athleticism, but he's accurate and keeps the ball out of harm's way. 'He's 6-5, has got a good arm and can sling it, but his decision-making is what's gonna give those guys a chance to win every game,' a G5 head coach said. Kim started five games at Michigan State in 2023 before transferring to Coastal Carolina, where he backed up Ethan Vasko last year. When in the pocket and in rhythm, Kim can make some impressive throws. But coaches who have seen him believe he can get easily rattled. 'He's got a pretty good arm,' a former G5 personnel director said. 'He should be a solid-to-above average MAC quarterback, as long as he's got his confidence back.' Anderson started three games for Wyoming and showed some promising flashes as a passer, particularly in a 49-45 win against New Mexico, but the overall performance during those contests was a mixed bag. Still, he has an advantage in the Cowboys' QB competition based on the experience he gained last November. It's been a long road to significant playing time for the sixth-year senior, who endured two major knee injuries in his four years at Indiana. Williams appeared in five games in a reserve role at Georgia Southern last year and has just 68 career pass attempts but is trending toward being the starter at Kennesaw State. If healthy, Williams is an intriguing dual threat: The ball flies off his hand, and he's shifty when on the move. Veilleux made two Power 4 stops — Penn State and Pitt — before arriving at Georgia State last year and starting seven games. He was productive but inconsistent. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his last two seasons. 'Big, good-looking kid who can really throw it, but he's hit-or-miss,' a Power 4 coordinator said. Labas started CMU's first six games before an arm injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He has the velocity to fire the ball into tight windows over the middle or make teams pay downfield. But he'll have to take much better care of the ball. Labas threw interceptions in half of his 2024 starts, including a five-INT outing in a blowout loss to FIU. In a true QB battle, Holst led coming out of spring over former Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Jalen Macon, who's bigger (6-5, 230) and talented but raw. Holst started three games last year, including the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where he won MVP honors. He's a true dual threat and doesn't lack confidence, but he and Macon are inexperienced. The former Fresno State and Montana quarterback should bring a steady, consistent presence to the Aggies, who need it. Two coaches we spoke with believe Fife slots in as a mid-tier CUSA starter because of his lack of elite traits. 'Solid arm, makes solid decisions,' a G5 scouting director said. 'Takes care of the ball, manages the game well and is an accurate passer,' a G5 head coach said. 'On tape, nothing struck me as a redeeming quality, but he's crisp and fundamentally sound.' The Blue Hens, who make their FBS debut in 2025, played three QBs last year, including two returnees: Marker and Nick Minicucci, who each have six career starts. Marker took a redshirt year in 2024 but played in four games — and played well, throwing for 1,011 yards despite coming off an ACL injury. He showed flashes of his athleticism but doesn't have the biggest arm. The Broncos may have one of the most inexperienced QB depth charts in the country. Lowry, a former Indiana transfer, has the most FBS pass attempts (nine) on the team. He was used regularly in designed quarterback runs last season and displayed significant speed and a tough running style that allows him to run through contact. Two of his three touchdown runs last season involved broken tackles. The 2023 five-star recruit is at his third stop after one year at USC and one at Boise State, where Maddux Madsen beat him out for the starting job last year. Locked in a quarterback battle with returning starter Skyler Locklear in El Paso is not where anyone pictured Nelson at this point. Though Locklear has the experience edge, Nelson will have a good shot at the starting job, spending this summer catching up. The Miners will probably bet on Nelson's physical talent and upside, but he has attempted just 20 passes in two college seasons. Kelly has traveled a unique path to potentially being QB1 at Ball State. He started six games in 2023 but was more of a run threat than a passer. He entered the portal after the season but returned to Ball State and changed positions. He took limited snaps at quarterback, receiver and running back in 2024 and re-entered the portal after a coaching change, but new coach Mike Uremovich convinced him to return and promised him a true shot at quarterback in an offense that will fit his athleticism (724 rushing yards, seven TDs in 2023). 'He's a good runner, but I don't know what kind of thrower he is,' a G5 head coach said. Francis had a tough first year as the starter, struggling through poor offensive line play and an injury. He possesses a quick release and nice touch on downfield throws, and he can throw from multiple arm slots. But he has limited mobility and needs to trim the turnovers. Turner hasn't received extended snaps since 2022 at UConn. His production was underwhelming, but he was only a true freshman at the time. He's attempted just six passes since then, so he's a pretty big question mark for a Marshall program that will have turned over much of its roster and coaching staff from last year's Sun Belt title team. Syracuse transfer Carlos Del Rio-Wilson will be in the mix, but Turner played for offensive coordinator Rod Smith at Jacksonville State last year. Jenkins hasn't attempted a pass since his true freshman season in 2023, but that's likely to change. New Rice coach Scott Abell is bringing the gun option that he used to marked success at Davidson. Rice's other two quarterbacks, AJ Padgett and Drew Devillier, are more suited for the pro-style attack the Owls used previously. Jenkins has real burst and is a more natural fit for the offense. But with just 19 career pass attempts and 15 rush attempts, he will have a learning curve as he steps into the starting role. The former Rutgers starter, who played in a reserve role at Kentucky last season, brings good size and athleticism to the Gamecocks. Wimsatt has rushed for a combined 680 yards and 13 touchdowns the last two seasons, but his throwing accuracy is lacking: his career completion percentage is 46.2. He also has more career interceptions (21) than touchdown passes (17). Kargman started the Golden Flashes' first four games before an injury against Penn State knocked him out for the year. He can put tremendous velocity on the ball behind his large frame, but his inconsistent accuracy can make it difficult to establish a rhythm in the passing game. He'll have to be on target much more than he was in 2024. Fordham transfer CJ Montes, who was an All-Patriot League pick in 2023 but missed most of last season with an injury, is also in the mix. Johnson's sample size is extremely small (14 pass attempts, 14 rushes), but he's the only quarterback on the Falcons' roster who has played in a college game. Air Force had one of the worst offenses in the country last year and will likely turn to Johnson. His speed should help in the run game, but he is limited as a passer. Sophomore Liam Szarka is also a candidate for the job. (Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: John Byrum, Tim Warner, Julio Aguilar, Robin Alam / Getty Images )
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Notre Dame Impact Players For 2025: No. 46 Noah Burnette
Notre Dame Impact Players For 2025: No. 46 Noah Burnette originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Notre Dame is now 46 days away from kicking off the 2025 season against the Hurricanes down in Hard Rock Stadium. The Irish will be relying on some impact players to get them through the home opener as well as getting them back to another run at the National Championship. I broke down who I believe will be the top 50 impactful players for Notre Dame this season. Let's continue this countdown to kickoff with my No. 46 most impactful player, North Carolina transfer kicker Noah Burnette. Advertisement Transfer kickers have become a staple of Notre Dame's special teams over the past couple of seasons. In 2023, they picked up transfer kicker Spencer Shrader who set a Notre Dame record for making two 50 plus yard field goals in the same game. South Carolina transfer Mitch Jeter drilled the game winner against Penn State in the Orange Bowl which sent the Irish onto the National Championship game. This year, it's Burnette's turn to cement his name in Fighting Irish lore. What He Brings To The Table Burnette is a a quality kicker who spent his first three seasons kicking for the Tar Heels. He was a mid-year transfer who spent the spring getting acclimated to special teams coach Marty Biagi and the Notre Dame special teams unit. Last season, he drilled 97.4% of his extra points going 38-39. His field goal kicking percentage took a hit in 2024 (71.4%) but was a 95% field goal kicker for North Carolina in 2023. Burnette had a rough kick in the jersey scrimmage and missed his first attempt in this years Blue Gold game, but the numbers don't lie, he's a pretty accurate kicker inside of 50 yards. Notre Dame struggled last season in the kicking game, in large part due to Jeter's midseason injury. The Irish finished the year ranked No. 128 in the country in field goal percentage (55.6) after missing 12 of their 27 field goal attempts throughout the season. Advertisement At North Carolina, Burnette kicked on some big stages including on the road against Florida State, Boston College (who Notre Dame will face on the road on November 1), at Minnesota, at Clemson and against Miami. It doesn't have quite the leg that Shrader has, and doesn't have the top level accuracy of a healthy Jeter, but his skillset should improve Notre Dame's kicking stats at the end of the season dramatically. What Is His Impact? Burnette's experience against upper level P4 opponents in the ACC gives him an advantage at Notre Dame. He's kicked against Pittsburgh, Miami, Boston College, Syracuse and NC State, all ACC opponents on Notre Dame's 2025 schedule. Outside of his on the field impact, Burnette will also have the opportunity to mentor incoming freshman kicker Erik Schmidt. The 6-2 Wisconsin native was the No. 1 rated kicker in the nation by 247Sports composite rankings. In high school, he specialized as a punter, but took on kickoff and place kicking duties his senior year. Schmidt will likely be Burnette's replacement in 2026 when he's out of eligibility, but he has a ways to go before he's ready to kick in big moments for the Irish. Burnette will have the opportunity to work with Schmidt for an entire season to help get him ready. Advertisement Players who have transferred to Notre Dame for their final year of eligibility have bought into the culture that Marcus Freeman is building and is leaving the program better than they found it. Burnette can make a significant impact on and off the field which is why I have him ranked as the No. 46 most impactful player for Notre Dame in 2025. Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge Irish Breakdown Content 2025 Depth Chart 2025 Football Schedule Notre Dame 2026 Scholarship Offers 2025 Commit Rankings - Offense 2025 Commit Rankings - Defense 2024 Recruiting Class 2023 Recruiting Class 2022 Recruiting Class ——————— Advertisement Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Join the Irish Breakdown community! Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5 Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 hours ago
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Nick Saban Receives Job 'Offer' Amid Coaching Return Speculation
Nick Saban Receives Job 'Offer' Amid Coaching Return Speculation originally appeared on The Spun. Even though he's in his mid-70s and been out of coaching for a year now, Nick Saban is still getting "job offers" to come back into college football. The latest one comes from a former star pupil. Advertisement In a recent interview, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart - who previously worked under Saban for years - said that he called Saban and offered to give him assistant Will Muschamp's job of defensive analyst. He said that Saban was "overqualified" and "wasn't interested." Granted, Smart was joking. But Smart still feels that the game is better with Saban coaching it. "Yeah, I called and offered him (Will) Muschamp's job, but he was overqualified, so he wasn't interested," Smart joked. "No, I heard all the scuttlebutt and everything about it. I almost laughed. It was like somebody needed something interesting to talk about yesterday, so they chose to go to Coach Saban to do it. "The game is better with him involved, and he is involved. He is passionate about it. He and I still talk and share ideas from time to time about defensive philosophies and the way to do things, and he's still watching tape and very, very involved in football. He loves it. His brilliance, as brilliant as he is in many ways, is around football. It's around scheming. It's around another way to do something to stay ahead of the offensive minds, and I think that's one of the elite talents he has, and he still loves that. He's still passionate about that." Saban retired from coaching at the University of Alabama following the 2023 season. Advertisement The Crimson Tide hired Kalen DeBoer after an exemplary spell at Washington, but the team struggled to retain recruits and struggled even harder to replicate Saban's success in their first year without him. Alabama went 9-3 in the regular season and lost the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish 9-4 on the year. It was their first season since Saban's first year at the helm where Alabama suffered four losses in a year. TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Alabama could certainly use Saban a lot more than Smart can right about now. Related: Kirby Smart Expresses Respect and Jokes About Retirement with Nick Saban Nick Saban Receives Job 'Offer' Amid Coaching Return Speculation first appeared on The Spun on Jul 15, 2025 Advertisement This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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7 hours ago
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Florida Given High Praise in College Football Expert's Preseason Poll
Florida Given High Praise in College Football Expert's Preseason Poll originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The college football landscape has changed a great deal from the end of last season until now. This includes a revamped roster for a Florida Gators team that looks to be a significant threat to the blue-blood programs of the sport. Advertisement With Billy Napier entering his fourth year as the head coach of the Gators and star quarterback DJ Lagway healthy and primed for a big sophomore season, Florida has people around the country buzzing coming into 2025. College football expert Phil Steele released his preseason poll, ranking every team No. 1 through No. 136 in his 2025 preview magazine, and had the Gators in the top 10. Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and quarterback DJ Lagway (2).Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Steele placed Florida at No. 10 on his list, landing behind the SEC-rival Georgia Bulldogs, Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies, who are Nos. 7-9. "The DJ Lagway era is in full effect in Gainesville, with Gator fans all around the state ready to crown him as the Heisman winner this season," Steele said. "As a freshman in 2024, Lagway passed for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns in relief of an injured Graham Mertz." Advertisement The former five-star recruit and No. 1 quarterback in the country for his class, per 247Sports, Lagway excelled last season after Mertz went down. While he appeared in all 13 games, the dual-threat signal caller went 6-1 in seven starts, leading the Gators to four straight victories to end the season, including a Gasparilla Bowl win. "Florida's leading rusher Jadan Baugh is back, along with talented receiver Sturdivant (UCLA) coming through the Transfer Portal," Steele continued. "In what may be a make-or-break year for head coach Billy Napier, a push for the CFP would be massive for the program." Baugh will again be a big part of Florida's offensive attack in 2025 after rushing for a team-high 673 yards and seven scores as a freshman last year. Sturdivant was a FWAA First Team All-American in 2022 with the California Golden Bears before putting up 912 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions across two seasons with the UCLA Bruins. As Napier and the Gators head into the 2025 season with high expectations from many around the sport, it will be interesting to see if they can live up to the hype. Related: Nation's No. 2 LB Commits to SEC Powerhouse This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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7 hours ago
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Elite Four-Star EDGE Stuns Fans and Experts With Commitment Decision
Elite Four-Star EDGE Stuns Fans and Experts With Commitment Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There has been a whirlwind around 2026 four-star edge rusher Kevin (KJ) Ford's commitment over the past two days. After previously being a favorite for the Florida Gators, Ford received expert predictions from Rivals' Steve Wiltfong and Sam Spiegelman to land with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday. Advertisement In a stunning turn, Ford announced his commitment to Florida on Friday, reported by Rivals' Hayes Fawcett. Ford picked up the Gators hat over the Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas A&M Aggies. After Alabama not being in Ford's final three schools before his commitment date, this pledge to head coach Billy Napier and the Gators is a shock to the college football world. "Going to make a statement in the SEC," Ford said. Florida Gators head coach Billy NapierDenny Medley-USA TODAY Sports The Duncanville, Texas, native is ranked in the top 100 nationally and is the No. 11 edge in the country, per the Top247 rankings. Ford helped Duncanville High School reach the Texas 6A D-I state semifinals with 57 total tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks as a junior, according to 247Sports. Advertisement The Gators have had an incredible run on the recruiting trail since the calendar turned to July, and with this commitment from Ford, Napier improves his already fantastic 2026 class. After Ford's staggering decision, Florida now has 17 total commits in the class, including 11 four-star recruits. The Gators are now up to No. 15 in On3's Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Ford is the second-highest rated recruit in Florida's 2026 class, landing behind cornerback CJ Bronaugh and ahead of defensive lineman Kendall Guervil. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive powerhouse also becomes the first edge rusher commitment to co-defensive coordinator Ron Roberts' position group. With four commitments on the defensive side of the ball for Napier's Gators in the past two weeks, the future of Florida's team is looking bright. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
