Which freshmen see the field first is always one of the most pondered questions each offseason in college football. This is especially true of the quarterback position. Here is the top 10 Industry 2025 Freshmen Quarterback Rankings, with each of them given a confidence rating to start week one and to start by midseason. They are being drafted in all formats (CFF Dynasty/C2C/Devy), but who will show out early? Who will make their mark by midseason? And who will collect dust on the shelf until 2026?
Remember that 50% of the top 10 QBs over the last two classes have entered the portal already. Some have entered multiple times (Malachi Nelson/Jaden Rashada). A lack of early action often leads to a portal entry, even if they are considered the next man up. See Luke Kromenhoek and Walker White.
Bryce Underwood – Michigan
Week 1: 9/10
Midseason: 10/10
The top overall player in the 2025 class has already received rave reviews in spring camp and has been taking reps with the ones as Mikey Keene is currently out. No one else on this roster is capable of pushing Underwood for the job. He already has the talent advantage over Keene. If he has the system reps too, then this is close to a done deal.
Keelon Russell – Alabama
Week 1: 2/10
Midseason: 4/10
Ty Simpson appears to have a stranglehold on this job as things currently stand in spring camp. He would have to really bungle this one in order not to be the Tide’s QB1 finally. Russell, an Elite 11 MVP, is battling with Austin Mack for the QB2 job. If Russell can edge him out, he puts himself in a strong position to be the top option should Simpson and Bama struggle early. They have road games at FSU, UGA, and Mizzou in the first half of the season. A loss (or two) paired with strong play from Russell in mop-up duty could have the Tide faithful clamoring to see the 5-star by midseason.
Tavien St. Clair – Ohio State
Week 1: 1/10
Midseason: 1/10
Hope is slim. It is really slim. However, the golden boy, Julian Sayin, has apparently not looked great early on in spring camp during the initial scrimmage. Thus, in the words of Lloyd Christmas – “So you are Sayin(g) there is a chance!” The only problem for St. Clair is that Lincoln Kienholz has actually been looking like the key contender for the QB1 job. Maybe that is just coach speak to try and keep him around. Either way, the narrative would need to change to St. Clair looking stellar for him to hop multiple guys.
Husan Longstreet – USC
Week 1: 1/10
Midseason: 3/10
Make no mistake, this is Jayden Maiava’s job. It doesn’t matter how talented Longstreet is (he’s very talented). Lincoln Riley NEVER starts a freshman at QB to start the season. Even Caleb Williams had to watch Rattler struggle for weeks before he took over. Longstreet should go into the season as QB2, so he could see action after USC travels to Notre Dame or after a bye at the end of October if Maiava pulls a Rattler.
Deuce Knight – Auburn
Week 1: 0/10
Midseason: 1/10
Per the C2C Freshman Guide – “Knight could best be described as raw with undeveloped potential in that he simply has not had a ton of reps at the position, and he finished his high school career with a losing record as a starter”. Not exactly what Hugh Freeze likely turns to with his job on the line, all these dynamic weapons at WR, and a healthy NIL check recently handed over to Jackson Arnold.
Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele – California
Week 1: 5/10
Midseason: 7/10
The Oregon flip sounds to be right in the thick of things at Berkeley. To the surprise of no one, Devin Brown has really struggled in the Bears’ spring camp. The staff has labeled JKS as an incredibly accurate and advanced passer.
Julian Lewis – Colorado
Week 1: 2/10
Midseason: 3/10
Early reviews from Buffs camp indicate Lewis is as advertised. He is a refined passer who has looked competent and accurate early on. It is clearly a two-man race with him and Kaidon Salter, but the expectation remains that Salter will be the starter. An incredible finish in spring and a strong summer showing could open the door for Lewis.
KaMario Taylor – Mississippi State
Week 1: 0/10
Midseason: 3/10
Taylor has undeniable tools to be SPECIAL. He probably has the most raw talent and ability of anyone in the QB room. However, he just simply isn’t passing Blake Shapen to start Week 1. He may not even pass Luke Kromenhoek to be QB2. A redshirt is the most likely outcome here, but Shapen hasn’t been a pillar of health, and Kromenhoek has proven nothing, so a midseason takeover isn’t out of the question.
Bryce Baker – North Carolina
Week 1: 5/10
Midseason: 8/10
Baker is one of the more college-ready freshmen quarterbacks, which makes sense given that he is the oldest quarterback in the class and will turn 20 this fall. He is already taking reps with the ones with Max Johnson out this spring. Expect it to be a serious battle this August when Johnson returns. Don’t be surprised if Belichick rolls with the prize recruit if he likes what he sees between now and week 1.
Matt Zollers – Missouri
Week 1: 0/10
Midseason: 1/10
Not that Beau Pribula or Sam Horn are some world beaters, but the Mizzou beat has been very clear that this is a two-man race for QB1. In fact, they have even indicated that the Tigers could look to add a quarterback for depth in the spring portal. All signs point towards a redshirt season for Zollers, barring something crazy.
