With Week 1 of the 2025 school soccer season quick approaching, the quarterback dominoes have principally fallen. With Week 0 within the books and the primary full weekend of competitors days away, some coaches are nonetheless in decision-making mode relating to naming a starter.
Some competitions are nonetheless ongoing when the precise video games kick off as groups will use early season tune-up contests to see if one sign caller can pull forward of the opposite in a stay setting. However there are some outstanding packages which have already introduced who can be main their offenses in 2025.
Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee are simply a number of the Energy 4 packages which have tabbed their beginning quarterbacks already. The Buckeyes are attempting to repeat as nationwide champions, whereas Tennessee wish to construct on its first School Soccer Playoff look in program historical past.
Bryce Underwood named Michigan QB: Prized recruit is fourth true freshman to begin for Wolverines in Week 1
David Cobb
Alabama, in an effort to bounce again from a considerably lackluster first season underneath coach Kalen DeBoer, is popping to a veteran at quarterback. Even main Group of Six packages like Memphis have decided.
There’s nonetheless some to be settled, however here is a rundown of the quarterback battles which have been determined.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is rolling with redshirt freshman CJ Carr, who beat third-year quarterback Kenny Minchey in one of the vital intriguing (and heated) competitions of the offseason. Carr actually has the pedigree to succeed. He signed with the Preventing Irish in 2024 as a top-50 prospect and the No. 6 quarterback in his class and his grandfather, Lloyd, was a school quarterback who — extra notably — later served because the coach at Michigan.
However the youthful Carr is extraordinarily skinny on expertise. He has but to aim a go on the collegiate degree and he appeared in only one sport final season when he took a number of snaps in a blowout win in opposition to Purdue. He’ll must develop up rapidly, as Notre Dame’s first two video games are on the street in opposition to Miami and at dwelling in opposition to Texas A&M.
Thankfully for Carr, he may have some assist. Notre Dame returns one of many nation’s high working backs in Jeremiyah Love, who can deal with fairly a number of carries and alleviate a number of the stress that Carr will really feel to carry out. The Irish even have a stable offensive line that ought to have the ability to preserve Carr upright most of the time. Notre Dame enters the season as a +1100 wager to win the nationwide title, in response to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Ohio State
The Julian Sayin period is underway at Ohio State. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day confirmed the anticipated when he introduced that Sayin will lead Ohio State in its Aug. 30 season opener in opposition to Texas. Sayin, a former five-star prospect and Alabama signee, beat third-year sign caller Lincoln Kienholz and true freshman Tavien St. Clair for the job.
Sayin is coming into his second 12 months with the Buckeyes after serving as backup for Will Howard final season. He appeared in 4 video games, preserving his redshirt within the course of, and accomplished 5 of his 12 go makes an attempt for 84 yards and one landing. He did see a number of snaps in Ohio State’s School Soccer Playoff win in opposition to Tennessee.
Although Sayin is brief on expertise, successful the beginning QB job at Ohio State is like getting handed the keys to a model new Lamborghini. He’ll have loads of assist from the nation’s high large receiver room, with standouts like Heisman Trophy contender Jeremiah Smith and veteran wideout Carnell Tate.
Alabama
After singing his praises all through the spring and the beginning of fall camp, Alabama’s employees made it official by naming veteran Ty Simpson the Crimson Tide’s beginning quarterback. As a substitute of coming into the switch portal, the place he would have seemingly been a scorching commodity given his blue-chip recruiting pedigree, Simpson patiently waited his flip whereas serving as backup to the likes of Bryce Younger, a former Heisman Trophy winner, and Jalen Milroe, a third-round decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.
That persistence paid off when he beat Washington switch Austin Mack, a former DeBoer recruit, for the precise to begin at one of many nation’s premier school soccer packages. Although he is brief on beginning expertise, Simpson has seen loads of enjoying time. In 2023, he saved the Crimson Tide from catastrophe in opposition to South Florida when he entered the sport late into the second quarter and helped Alabama rating 17 unanswered factors whereas throwing for 73 yards.
He is performed in 16 video games via his three years at Alabama.
Michigan
It might have taken longer than some anticipated, however five-star freshman Bryce Underwood has gained Michigan’s beginning quarterback job, in response to CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz. Underwood beat out veteran Fresno State switch Mikey Keene and Davis Warren for the position.
Underwood could also be unproven, however the pedigree suggests he might be a particular participant in school and past. Based on 247Sports, Underwood was the No. 1 general recruit within the 2025 signing class. The Wolverines flipped Underwood from LSU in November, and fewer than a 12 months later, he’ll lead the offense onto the sector within the season-opener in opposition to New Mexico.
Though Michigan coach Sherrone Moore performed it near the vest for a lot of camp, Underwood’s brilliance was evident to everybody across the group facility. Again in June, Zenitz spoke with sources in Ann Arbor who could not cease raving about Underwood’s efficiency on and off the sector.
Tennessee
Former App State star and UCLA switch Joey Aguilar has emerged as Tennessee’s starter after the Vols have been thrust into an sudden quarterback competitors. Aguilar beat redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre, who had a stable fall camp after including some much-needed weight, to grow to be the third switch to begin for Tennessee in Josh Heupel’s tenure.
Aguilar does convey a wealth of expertise to the Vols — one thing that units him other than Tennessee’s final two quarterbacks. He began 24 video games at App State, the place he was the 2023 Solar Belt Newcomer of the 12 months, and threw for six,759 yards and 56 touchdowns.
He’ll have to chop down on the turnovers after tossing 24 interceptions in two years, and Tennessee has some inexperience at large receiver, however the Vols are hoping that Aguilar can spark a go sport that is began to lag behind since 2022. Tennessee enters the 12 months as a +310 wager to make the CFP, in response to DraftKings.
Kentucky
Veteran Zach Calzada has gained the beginning quarterback job at Kentucky after a decent camp battle with redshirt freshman Cutter Boley, in response to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Calzada, a seventh-year senior, brings loads of expertise to the position with 32 begins, together with 12 at Texas A&M in 2021.
Calzada was a member of the Aggies’ 2019 signing class, however he transferred to Auburn forward of the 2022 season. Calzada has spent the final two years at FCS Incarnate Phrase, the place he totaled 6,342 passing yards, 54 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Now with the fourth group of his school profession, Calzada will attempt to present a gradual hand for the Wildcats on offense.
Boley made this a detailed race because the redshirt freshman pushed Calzada all through camp. Boley solely noticed motion in 4 video games final season, however the former three-star recruit will have to be prepared if the offense struggles or Calzada goes down with an harm.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State has named Hauss Hejny its beginning quarterback, CBS Sports activities’ Chris Hummer is reporting. Hejny dedicated to TCU out of highschool and transferred to Oklahoma State this offseason. He gained the beginning job over Zane Flores.
The Cowboys open the 2025 season in opposition to UT Martin on Aug. 28 earlier than enjoying Oregon on the street the next week. Three totally different quarterbacks obtained snaps final season for OSU as Mike Gundy’s group endured a depressing 3-9 marketing campaign.
Notre Dame switch Steve Angeli will lead Syracuse’s offense because the Orange look to construct on a breakout 2024 season of their first 12 months underneath coach Fran Brown. Although his enjoying time with the Preventing Irish was restricted, Angeli made probably the most of his alternatives on the sector.
He accomplished 15 of his 19 go makes an attempt for 232 yards and three touchdowns whereas dashing for 27 yards on eight carries in a 2023 Solar Bowl win in opposition to Oregon State and performed essential snaps in Notre Dame’s School Soccer Playoff win in opposition to Penn State final season, as he led the Irish on a discipline aim drive late within the second quarter after Riley Leonard briefly entered concussion protocol.
Boston School has its substitute for former starter Thomas Castellanos. Alabama switch Dylan Lonergan beat veteran Grayson James, who began a handful of video games for the Eagles after they benched Castellanos final season, and can take the primary snaps in Boston School’s Aug. 30 opener in opposition to Fordham.
Lonergan, a former four-star prospect within the class of 2023, appeared in three video games in two seasons at Alabama.
Stanford went with expertise over upside when it tabbed Oregon State switch Ben Gulbranson as its starter as a substitute of former blue-chip prospect Elijah Brown, who’s coming into his second season with the Cardinal after signing as their highest-rated prospect within the 2024 class.
Gulbranson was an on-again, off-again starter at Oregon State, the place he threw for two,648 yards and 15 touchdowns in 5 seasons.
Memphis
Memphis has to exchange program icon Seth Henigan, who set a number of information whereas main the Tigers to a 21-5 document over the previous two seasons. To attain this tall activity, coach Ryan Silverfield is handing the offense over to Nevada switch Brendon Lewis, who brings a wealth of expertise to the Tigers.
Lewis spent three years at Colorado, the place he began 12 video games as a real freshman, and performed at Nevada from 2023-24, the place, in 2024, he led the Wolf Pack in each passing (2,290 yards) and dashing (775 yards).
Fresno State will begin E.J. Warner, the son of former Tremendous Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, at quarterback. This would be the third separate college that Warner has began for in 4 years on the collegiate degree.
The youthful Warner beforehand performed at Temple, the place he was the 2022 AAC Rookie of the 12 months, and Rice, the place he began all however one sport in 2024.
New Mexico coach Jason Eck is popping to a well-recognized identify to guide his first offense with the Lobos. Jack Layne, who appeared in eight video games underneath Eck at Idaho final season, was named the beginning quarterback forward of New Mexico’s season opener at Michigan.
Layne threw for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Vandals final season.
Rice
New Rice coach Scott Abell’s first beginning quarterback can be Chase Jenkins, a plus athlete who has performed each quarterback and large receiver for the Owls. His athleticism ought to make him a super match for Abell’s possibility offense, which he developed throughout his time at Davidson.
After spending final season as a backup at Utah, Brandon Rose transferred to UMass this offseason and can begin in this system’s season-opener in opposition to Temple. Rose appeared in three video games final season — which features a two-touchdown efficiency in opposition to BYU — and completed with 157 yards in these video games.
UMass’ first-year offensive coordinator is Mike Bajakian. He most lately served as an offensive analyst and interim OC/QB coach with the Utes final season whereas Rose was with this system.
Kennesaw State will begin former Indiana and Georgia Southern quarterback Dexter Williams ll in its season-opener in opposition to Wake Forest. He appeared in 4 video games through the 2024 season, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Williams will seemingly see his former group (Indiana) in Week 2, as Kennesaw State travels to Bloomington on Sept. 6.
Cal has named freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele its beginning quarterback forward of this system’s season-opener in opposition to Oregon State, CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz reported on Monday. Sagapolutele, the previous No. 65 general recruit within the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, gained the beginning job over Ohio State switch Devin Brown.
Sagapolutele’s street to Cal has been a rollercoaster. After initially committing to Cal final summer season, Sagapolutele de-committed and flipped his dedication to Oregon earlier than coming into the switch portal in early January. He signed with Cal days later.
He was 247Sports’ No. 5 quarterback within the switch portal class, solely behind Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), Carson Beck (Miami), John Mateer (Oklahoma) and Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), who spent the earlier two seasons with the Golden Bears.
BYU
BYU is predicted to identify true freshman Bear Bachmeier as its beginning quarterback within the wake of Jake Retzlaff’s departure. Retzlaff, who threw for 3,595 yards and 23 touchdowns final season, withdrew from college in July after violating the college’s honor code.
Bachmeier gained a fall camp battle in opposition to redshirt freshman McCae Hillstead and redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet. Bachmeier initially signed with Stanford in 2025 over presents from the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame however transferred to BYU in Could after former Stanford coach Troy Taylor was fired.
UCF
UCF is about to call Cam Fancher as its beginning quarterback for its season opener in opposition to Jacksonville State, CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz reviews. Fancher, an FAU switch, will get the primary alternative to impress in a stay sport state of affairs after successful out in opposition to Indiana switch Tayven Jackson and Jacurri Brown.
Fancher appeared in 9 video games final season at FAU and accomplished 125 passes for 1,528 yards and 6 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. UCF coach Scott Frost lately mentioned that he wished to keep away from enjoying multiple quarterback within the season opener if potential, so it is seemingly that Fancher may have full management of the offense so long as the rating is shut.
