While signing a coveted quarterback prospect is exciting, very seldom they start for their college football team as a freshman.

Ordinarily, that standout player ends up being a reserve during his first season on campus. Many of them ultimately take a redshirt, sometimes even if they secure the second-string job.

But there are exceptions.

In 2024, that group included Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, North Carolina State's CJ Bailey and Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren, among a handful of other QBs to open a majority of games.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, no QB should be viewed as a "lock" to start. It's too early to say that. Within this incoming crop, however, are at least eight blue-chip talents with a real chance to earn the job.

Keelon Russell, Alabama

Jalen Milroe's departure has created an opportunity for Keelon Russell to make an immediate splash in Tuscaloosa.

The early favorite is Ty Simpson, a prized recruit in the 2022 cycle who's largely been a backup for Bama. Austin Mack, the other contender, had committed to Washington when Kalen DeBoer was there and instead followed him to the Crimson Tide.

Russell, meanwhile, is the No. 2 player of the 2025 class. He's a gifted dual-threat prospect and guided his high school team to a pair of state championships at the highest level of Texas football.

While the SEC is still a dramatic leap in competition, it certainly doesn't hurt to have played 6A in Texas.

Russell enrolled early and will be fighting for reps this spring.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Cal

As the season ended, it seemed like Cal's QB room was eroding.

Oregon stole Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at the last second, leaving the Golden Bears without a quarterback in their recruiting class. Fernando Mendoza chose to transfer after two years leading the offense, and Chandler Rogers—although it appears maybe not?—had used up his eligibility. (Either way, he won't be back in Berkeley.)

Keawe Sagapolutele enrolled at Oregon, but he entered the portal in early January and quickly picked Cal again.

An adventure, to be sure!

Along with returning CJ Harris and EJ Caminong, Cal brought in Ohio State transfer Devin Brown. But since none of them have significant college experience, Keawe Sagapolutele is a contender from Day 1.

Julian Lewis, Colorado

At the very least, Julian Lewis is in the conversation.

The full expectation is Colorado landed Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter with the purpose of him starting in 2025. This is the former Conference USA Player of the Year's final season of eligibility.

Salter said in an interview that he wasn't promised the QB1 label, though, so there's a real competition with Julian Lewis.

Lewis, who flipped from USC in November, is mostly a drop-back passer. While a decent athlete, he's more likely to buy time to throw than create explosive plays with his feet—whereas Salter is a dynamic runner with 2,006 rushing yards at the college level.

Given that difference, it's all a matter of what Deion Sanders and his staff believe will best fit a revamped CU offense in 2025.

Malik Washington, Maryland

Michigan's battle will command lots of headlines, but Maryland may actually have the Big Ten freshman most likely to start.

Not only did 2024 starter Billy Edwards Jr. transfer to Wisconsin, backup MJ Morris and third-stringer Cameron Edge bolted for Coastal Carolina and Eastern Michigan, respectively.

But here comes top-100 prospect Malik Washington.

An early enrollee, the 6'4", 215-pounder is a well-built dual-threat QB. His immediate upside is tantalizing because of that playmaking ability, although it'll be necessary for the Terps to sharpen his accuracy.

Washington's top competition is UCLA transfer Justyn Martin, who played sparsely in 2023 before throwing 35 passes in 2024.

Antwann Hill, Memphis

Four years ago, Memphis handed the keys to true freshman Seth Henigan. In return, he shattered the career passing record by more than 3,500 yards and guided the Tigers to a pair of 10-win seasons.

Might as well do that again, right?

It's not so simple, of course, but Antwann Hill is an intriguing newcomer. He starred for three years in high-level Georgia football, creating a bit on the ground but doing a heavy majority of his damage as a passer.

Yes, the 4-star is entering a crowded room with Harris Boyd, Arrington Maiden and Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis. The latter started in 2024 and is seemingly the front-runner to replace Henigan.

Nevertheless, head coach Ryan Silverfield clearly wasn't scared to pick a freshman once. He'll do it again—if Hill deserves it.

Bryce Underwood, Michigan

Given that Bryce Underwood is the No. 1 prospect of the 2025 cycle, that alone is a strong foundation to the argument.

In some cases, though, that player does not have a legitimate path to starting. Such was the case for 2024 top quarterback Julian Sayin, who enrolled at Alabama, transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired and was blocked (by Milroe and Will Howard) at both schools.

Underwood, on the other hand, doesn't face that dilemma.

Michigan had a horrible year under center in 2024, waffling from Davis Warren and Alex Orji to Jack Tuttle and back to Warren with Orji contributing in various packages. That instability led the Wolverines to make Underwood, then an LSU commit, an offer he couldn't refuse to flip him—and later add Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene.

Keene's depth of starting experience can steady the room, but it's fair to suggest Underwood demanding the QB1 label is the hoped outcome.

Tavien St. Clair, Ohio State

The reigning national champions are prepped for a competition.

Will Howard exhausted his eligibility, and both Devin Brown and Air Noland left via the portal. The returners are 2024 prospect Julian Sayin and former blue-chip signee Lincoln Kienholz, but neither has attempted more than 22 passes with the Buckeyes.

As a result, early enrolling 5-star Tavien St. Clair is expected to have a say in the position battle.

St. Clair's acclimation period will be critical to his chances; spring practice will be a sharp rise in competition for the Ohio native. It's possible the Bucks see he simply needs time to develop in the background.

Until or unless that becomes reality, though, St. Clair will be mentioned as a possibility to lead Ohio State's aim at a repeat title.

Husan Longstreet, USC

Rounding out the list is 5-star Husan Longstreet, a one-time Texas A&M pledge who flipped to USC late in the cycle.

Longstreet's mobility is a real threat, but there's no question his greatest asset is a powerful arm. His comfort with quick distribution seems like an ideal match for a Lincoln Riley-coached offensive system.

As with several others, there is a front-runner to chase.

Miller Moss' exit for Louisville left Jayden Maiava as the offseason leader in the clubhouse. A former starter at UNLV, he replaced Moss in November and guided a reeling Trojans team to a 3-1 finish—capped by a victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Maiava deserves that label, yet he mostly has a head start on Longstreet rather than a commanding edge.