Ranking college football’s marquee 2024 true freshman QBs by likelihood of playing in Year 1

Projecting a true freshman’s immediate impact is hardly an exact science, but considering a number of factors like past performance, positional depth, scheme fit and program stability can help us indicate which first-year quarterbacks are ready to take their number. be called earlier rather than later on Saturdays.

Last year’s harvest of 14th class of 2023 with Top247 ranking quarterbacks have made a modest 11 combined starts and 53 games played in 2023, as Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Dante Moore (UCLA), Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), Jaden Rashada (Arizona State) and Avery Johnson (Kansas State) have all started at least least one game last season.

While there’s no shortage of name recognition from last year’s heralded group of passers, it’s not always the highest-ranked prospects who make the most timely impact, as exemplified by two of the nation’s most under-the-radar 2023 freshmen in Anthony, Virginia. . Colandrea and Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor, who emerged as college football two most productive first-year quarterbacks last season. Ranked as a three-star and the 45th QB in the country by 247Sports coming out of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, Colandrea started six games for the Cavaliers in his rookie season, rushing for more than 300 yards in two of his six starts, while also helping Virginia to a surprising victory over Duke. Colandrea headlined the 247Sports True Freshman All-American team in 2023.

An unranked prospect out of East Forsyth High School in North Carolina, Raynor earned his first start of 2023 for the Red Wolves in week four against Southern Miss, leading his team to a 44-37 victory against the Golden Eagles. Raynor became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the program since 2001 and the only one to lead a program to victory in his first career start. The Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year started double-digit games as a true freshman.

With the qualifiers out of the way, see how we ranked five true freshman quarterbacks for the likelihood of seeing serious playing time in 2024.

UNLIKELY, BUT CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED

5. Walker WhiteAuburn (No. 5 QB, No. 41 overall)

The Tigers will return some experience at quarterback this season as Payton Thorne prepares for another try on the Plains, along with Hank Brown and Holden Geriner as the second year of the Hugh Freeze era approaches with more expectations.

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, White has the ability to give Freeze and Auburn fans a taste of what the future could bring with his combination of raw athleticism as a runner and NFL-caliber arm talent. While he needs some refinement in the passing game and likely a year or two to develop, Freeze and the Tigers could opt to quickly get to know the talented true freshman by utilizing him situationally in rushing and short-yardage situations.

Comparable to Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis in terms of physique, athletic advantages and arm talent, expect White to become a household name in scouting circles very quickly, as he possesses all the physical characteristics sought after at the position. quarterback.

DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN YOU

4. Julian SayinOhio State (No. 3 QB, No. 20 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 school in Tuscaloosa, opting to suit up for Day and the Buckeyes following Nick Saban’s departure from the Crimson Tide. While the path to camp isn’t very clear with Kansas State transfer Will Howard, the presumed starter, and former recruit Devin Brown also in the room, there are some question marks, especially after a spring season that didn’t saw Howard light the world on fire.

Arguably the most polished passer of a trio of quarterbacks to be named five-stars in the last cycle, it’s easy to see why Sayin could excel at the start of a Chip Kelly offense that offers one of the best supporting casts in the country. A timely passer who operates with no shortage of maturity in the pocket, don’t be surprised if we see the California native on the big stage sooner than we think. Given the pressure Day faces, we could see him turning to Sayin at the first sign of trouble. It’s up to Howard, and to some extent Brown, to keep the true freshman at bay.

PROBABLY NOT, BUT MAYBE

3. Demon WilliamsWashington (No. 19 QB)

Although he currently had to unseat transfer quarterback Will Rogers from the starting job, the former four-star signal caller could be in position to see his fair share of playing time in Seattle this season as Jedd Fisch and the Huskies try to replace Michael Penix Jr. and navigate 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 huge, if unsurprising, roster development for Fisch.

Quickly gaining a reputation as an undersized point guard who plays with elite command, Williams has drawn comparisons to Fisch alumnus and current Arizona signal-caller Noah Fifita in regards to his stature and 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 through the air and on the ground while rushing for 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Basha High School in Arizona.

Often referred to as a “player” because of his competitive nature and lack of height, Williams offers first-year Huskies coach Jedd Fisch an interesting off-ramp on which to build toward the future if the first half of the Huskies’ schedule Washington conference proves very frightening. .

MOST LIKELY 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, while Graham Mertz and his wealth of experience return to Gainesville with hopes of building on an encouraging first year in the Swamp. That said, Lagway is simply too talented and important to Napier’s future to be left off the field as he enters the fray and what is considered a pivotal season for the Gators.

Listed at 6-foot-4 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 touchdown passes, while in which he led the program to its best record in more than 60 years and its first trip to the regional semifinals in nearly three decades. A proven winner, it’s not just the freshman’s true intangibles that should be noted, but also his dual-threat capabilities that should allow Napier and his staff the creativity to use the five-star play-caller in a way that resembles most Florida fans of the Anthony Richardson Era.

PROBABLE – AND MAY EVEN START GAME 1

1. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska (No. 2 QB, No. 7 overall)

It seems increasingly likely that Former five-star and Nebraska legacy Dylan Raiola could emerge as 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 yourself the same question: Why not start the talented freshman?

Raiola will enter an interesting situation in his first season, hoping to start a program in pursuit of a postseason bowl candidacy since 2016, not to mention trying to revitalize one of the worst passing offenses in college football from last season. It’s a tall order, but certainly one filled with opportunities for a talented young signal-caller, as the Cornhuskers will host five of their first six opponents at home in Lincoln, two of which include games against UTEP and Northern Iowa.

A big 6-foot-2, 220-pound passer, Raiola’s rugged frame and physicality are undoubtedly ready for the rigors of college football, but there’s no answer until the first game as to whether the Cornhuskers have the protection and playmaking ability. sufficient to facilitate their transition to the collegiate ranks.

Ready or not, expect a heavy dose of Dylan Raiola this season in Lincoln.