Arizona State set to name Jaden Rashada starting QB

Back in 2019, Jayden Daniels became the first true freshman in Arizona State history to start at quarterback in the first game of the season. Now, it looks like Jaden Rashada will soon become the second.

The Sun Devils is set to name Rashada their starting quarterback, sources tell On3.

On3 had reported last week that Rashada had emerged as a legitimate possibility to earn the starting job. Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne had been the favorite to win the job but sustained a hamstring injury August 12, which led to the competition since then essentially being between Rashada and junior Trenton Bourguet, who made five starts for ASU last season.

Although Rashada hasn’t been flawless by any means during the preseason, his arm talent and the capability to make big plays down the field has stuck out and been an advantage for him compared to the other quarterbacks.

Arizona State, which is entering its first season with former Oregon and Florida State offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham as its head coach, opens its season against FCS Southern Utah August 31.

“He’s just gotten better, better and better every day,” Dillingham told local reporters of Rashada last week. “You saw him go out there today and when he’s on the field, explosive plays happen. Now, is there a learning curve with him? Yeah. He didn’t really get many reps in spring ball because he showed up the day before. He didn’t earn the right to be with the ones or twos to begin fall camp, so he started with the threes. But over a period of time, he’s grown and gotten better and better and better.”

Rashada signed with Arizona State after well-publicized NIL drama with Florida that led to him to requesting and being granted a release from his letter of intent with the Gators.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Rashada ranked as the sixth-best quarterback and 73rd-best overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s the third-highest ranked quarterback recruit for Arizona State in the modern recruiting era, behind only Daniels and Class of 2015 top-55 overall recruit Brady White.

Now, he’ll be depended on to help ASU take a step forward after finishing last season 3-9 under the previous coaching staff.