The 2025 college football season may still be months away, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next crop of star quarterbacks who will be leading their teams into battle. After a flurry of transfers and recruiting coups, the quarterback situations are already beginning to crystallize for many of the top Power 4 programs. So which big names and emerging talents will be taking the snaps once the season kicks off?
The Heir to Manning’s Throne
All eyes will be on Austin, as Arch Manning finally takes the reins as QB1 for the Texas Longhorns. The nephew of Peyton and Eli and grandson of Archie, Arch arrived at Texas in 2023 as the No. 5 overall recruit and has patiently waited his turn behind Quinn Ewers. Now a redshirt sophomore, Manning flashed his potential in limited action last season, throwing for 939 yards and 9 touchdowns. With Ewers off to the NFL, Manning’s path to the starting job is clear, setting the stage for the most anticipated debut by a quarterback with that iconic surname since his uncles took their first collegiate snaps.
Nico’s Next Act
In Knoxville, Nico Iamaleava will be aiming to build on a stellar redshirt freshman campaign that saw him become the first freshman QB to lead Tennessee to 10 wins and a College Football Playoff berth. The strong-armed Hawaiian threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns while showcasing impressive ball security with only 5 interceptions. If the Vols can shore up Iamaleava’s protection after yielding 28 sacks in 2024, the sky’s the limit for the rising sophomore who’s already drawing lofty comparisons to fellow Polynesian star quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa.
Clemson’s New King
With a full season as the starter under his belt, Cade Klubnik has Clemson fans dreaming of a return to the playoff promised land. Klubnik made major strides as a junior, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns while cutting down on his interceptions. The chemistry he’s developed with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has Tiger faithful believing this could be the most dynamic quarterback-play caller duo to wear orange since Deshaun Watson was launching bombs for Tony Elliott. If Klubnik can take his game to an even higher level, a trip to the CFP could be in the cards.
The Next Buckeye Phenom
A new era dawns in Columbus, as the Buckeyes turn to redshirt freshman Julian Sayin to fill the sizeable shoes left by the departures of Will Howard and Air Noland. A former five-star recruit, Sayin saw scant playing time during Ohio State’s run to the semifinals, but his development behind the scenes has the coaching staff buzzing. Sayin will be tasked with leading an offensive juggernaut that will again have championship aspirations, marking the youngest QB1 in scarlet and gray since C.J. Stroud’s dazzling debut in 2021. The skill is undeniable, but how quickly can the rookie adjust to the bright lights?
Stockton Steps Up Between the Hedges
In Athens, Gunner Stockton showed promise when pressed into duty for the injured Carson Beck late last season. The redshirt sophomore was poised in tight spots, leading the Dawgs to an SEC title and an overtime thriller over Texas in the CFP. His 20-for-32, 234 yard performance against an elite Notre Dame defense in the Sugar Bowl loss gave a glimpse of his potential. With Beck taking his talents to South Beach, Georgia’s quarterback room is a little thinner than Kirby Smart would like heading into 2025. But if Stockton can take the next step, the Bulldogs should once again be a force in the SEC.
The quarterback position is the most important in all of sports, and that’s especially true in college football. If you don’t have a good one, you don’t have much of a chance. But if you have a great one, he can carry a team on his back.
Kirk Herbstreit, College Football Analyst
Predicting All Power 4 Starting QBs
Of course, the household names only make up a fraction of the quarterbacks who will be leading Power 4 teams next fall. Let’s take a conference-by-conference look at who we project to be taking that first snap once toe meets leather:
- ACC: Phil Jurkovec (Boston College), Carson Beck (Miami), Tyler Van Dyke (Duke), DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State)
- Big 12: Tayven Jackson (UCF), Derek Green (Oklahoma), Josh Hoover (TCU), Vic Viramontes (Texas)
- Big Ten: Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Mark Gronowski (Iowa), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), CJ Carr (Notre Dame)
- SEC: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Zach Calzada (Kentucky), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Jalon Daniels (Texas A&M)
As always, quarterback battles will rage throughout fall camps, and an unheralded freshman or surprising transfer could seize a starting job. Injuries and inconsistency can reshuffle depth charts in an instant. But on paper, this is shaping up to be an exciting year for college quarterbacks, with a compelling mix of established stars, fast-rising sophomores, and big-time recruits finally getting their shot. When the dust settles, a lucky few will etch their names in the record books and punch their tickets to NFL stardom. The only question is, who will rise to the occasion under the bright lights of Saturday afternoons this fall? We can’t wait to find out.
