Projecting the immediate impact of a true freshman signal caller is not an exact science, but consideration of a number of factors such as past performance, position depth, scheme fit and Schedule stability can help us indicate which freshmen quarterbacks are ready to hear their number called early on Saturday. rather than later.
Last year’s crop of 14 Top247 ranked quarterbacks from the class of 2023 yielded a modest 11 combined starts and 53 games played in 2023 like Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Dante Moore (UCLA), Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), Jaden Rashada (Arizona). State) and Avery Johnson (Kansas State) all started at least one game last season.
While there’s no shortage of name recognition when it comes to last year’s heralded group of passers, it’s not always the top-ranked prospects who make the most timely impact, as evidenced by two of the freshmen the country’s most unknown year in 2023 in Anthony of Virginia. Colandrea and Jaylen Raynor of Arkansas State, who became the two most productive freshman quarterbacks in college football last season. Rated a three-star and the No. 45 QB in the country by 247Sports, out of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., Colandrea started six games for the Cavaliers during his rookie season, eclipsing more than 300 passing yards. two of his six starts while helping Virginia earn an upset victory over Duke. Colandrea was the headliner for the 2023 247Sports True Freshman All-American team.
An unranked prospect from East Forsyth High School in North Carolina, Raynor earned his first start of 2023 for the Red Wolves in Week 4 against Southern Miss, leading his team to a 44-37 victory over the Golden Eagles. Raynor became the first true freshman quarterback to start in the program since 2001 and the only one to lead a program to a victory in his first career start. The Sun Belt Conference freshman pitched in double-digit games as a true freshman.
With the qualifying over, here’s how we rank five true freshman quarterbacks by likelihood of seeing serious playing time in 2024.
UNLIKELY, BUT CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED
5. Walker White, Auburn (QB No. 5, 41st overall)
The Tigers will return some experience at quarterback this season as Payton Thorne prepares for another attempt on the Plains, alongside Hank Brown and Holden Geriner as the second year of the Hugh Freeze era approaches with more of expectations.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, White has the ability to give Freeze and Auburn fans a taste of what the future might hold with his combination of raw athleticism as a runner and talent as a runner. NFL caliber arm. While he needs some refinement in the passing game and more than likely a year or two to develop, Freeze and the Tigers could opt to make the talented true freshman known quickly by using situationally in running and short distance situations.
Comparable to Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis in physique, athletic potential and arm talent, White is expected to become a household name in scouting circles very quickly as he has all the physical characteristics sought after at the quarterback position.
DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN YOU
4. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (No. 3 QB, 20th overall)
Ohio State has arguably the most interesting quarterback room in the country, as the Buckeyes undoubtedly possess the talent to compete for a national championship in what will be a very important seventh season for Ryan Day in Columbus.
A former Alabama signee, Sayin entered the portal just nine days after enrolling at the Tuscaloosa school, choosing to suit up for Day and the Buckeyes following Nick Saban’s departure from the Crimson Tide. While the path to the field isn’t very clear with Kansas State transfer Will Howard, presumptive starter and former top recruit Devin Brown also in the room, there are some question marks, especially after a spring period which did not see Howard enlighten the world. in fire.
Arguably the brightest passer in a trio of five-star quarterbacks last cycle, it’s easy to see why Sayin could excel early in a Chip Kelly offense that offers one of the best supporting casts in the country . A timely passer who doesn’t lack pocket maturity, don’t be surprised if we see the California native on the big stage sooner than expected. Given the pressure Day is facing, we could see him turning to Sayin at the first sign of trouble. It’s up to Howard, and Brown to some extent, to keep the true freshman at bay.
PROBABLY NOT, BUT MAYBE
3. Demond Williams, Washington (QB No. 19)
Although he currently has to unseat transfer quarterback Will Rogers from the starting job, the former four-star signal-caller might be able to see his fair share of playing time in Seattle this season as Jedd Fisch and the Huskies attempt to replace Michael Penix Jr. and deal with massive roster turnover in their first year in the Big Ten. Convincing Williams to transfer from Arizona to Washington after a few weeks in Tucson was a significant, if unsurprising, development for Fisch.
Quickly earning a reputation as an undersized playmaker who plays the game with elite command, Williams has drawn comparisons to Fisch’s former student and current Arizona signal caller Noah Fifita in concerns both his stature and his style of play.
Currently listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Williams also plays much bigger than his size, showing a knack for maximizing game-changing opportunities both in the air and on the ground as he rushed for 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns as a player. senior at Basha High School in Arizona.
Often referred to as a “player” due to his competitive nature and lack of height, Williams gives first-year Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch an interesting exit route to build toward the future if the first half of Washington’s conference schedule is proving too daunting. .
MORE LIKELY THAN NOT
2. DJ Lagway, Florida (No. 1 QB, No. 3 overall)
On paper, Billy Napier and the Gators appear to be in a very comfortable position at quarterback as Graham Mertz and his wealth of experience return to Gainesville with hopes of building on an encouraging first year in the Swamp. That being said, Lagway is simply too talented and too important to Napier’s future to stay off the field as he enters the fray and what is considered a breakthrough season for the Gators.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and north of 240 pounds on Florida’s spring roster, Lagway is coming off a senior season at Willis High School where he set the Texas Class 6A single-season record for assists of touchdowns while leading the program at its best. record in more than 60 years and their first trip to the regional semifinals in nearly three decades. A proven winner, it’s not just the true freshman’s intangibles that should be noted, but also his dual-threat abilities that should allow Napier and his team the creativity needed to utilize the five-star signal-caller of a manner that should remind most Florida fans of the Anthony Richardson era.
LIKELY – AND MAY EVEN START GAME 1
1. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska (No. 2 QB, 7th overall)
It’s looking increasingly likely that former five-star and Nebraska legacy Dylan Raiola could become Matt Rhule’s starting quarterback this fall after putting together an impressive spring campaign. If you’re fans of Rhule and Nebraska, you’re probably asking the same question: why not start the talented freshman?
Raiola will find himself in an interesting situation in his first season hoping to kick off a program seeking a playoff bowl bid since 2016, not to mention trying to revitalize one of the worst passing offenses in football university last season. It’s a tough task, but certainly full of opportunity for a young and talented signal-caller, as the Cornhuskers will host five of their first six home opponents in Lincoln, two of which include games against UTEP and Northern UT. Iowa.
A tall passer at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Raiola’s sturdy frame and physique are undoubtedly ready for the rigors of college football, but there are no answers until the opening game as to whether the Cornhuskers have enough protection and playmaking to ease his transition. in the collegiate ranks.
Ready or not, expect a heavy dose of Dylan Raiola this season in Lincoln.