From Nico Iamaleava to Avery Johnson, five talented sophomore QBs to watch this spring

Spring practice has begun to commence around the country, with some schools returning to the gridiron as early as this week and the others following suit beginning next month. 

From Athens to Eugene, there will be no shortage of storylines, pressing questions and notable positional battles to watch, but what I’m most interested in monitoring the next two months are the reports around college football’s quintet of — potentially sensational — sophomore quarterbacks. 

I’m talking Nico Mania. Arch. A new iteration of Lamar Jackson at Kansas State.

While more and more veteran quarterbacks are sticking around in college thanks to lucrative NIL opportunities and the transfer portal, the sport has a special crop of second-year passers who could all play major roles in the 2024 season. 

Ironically, Arch Manning was the highest-rated recruit among the group, and he’s the only one not projected to start next season. Regardless of his role at the beginning of the year, though, Manning will still cast a huge shadow in 2024. 

So here are five sophomore quarterbacks I’m curious to hear about their development over the course of the spring. 

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee 

Iamaleava is already a household name because he was the birth-child of the first major NIL deal, but the electric talent will soon be famous for his highlights on the field, too. 

In his lone start in the Cheez-It-Bowl last season, Iamaleava ran all over Iowa (three touchdowns) and also threw for 150 yards and a touchdown. He showcased a rare combo skill set (big arm, shifty athleticism), teasing Tennessee fans with his all-world potential as the prince who was promised.

Iamaleava is a natural leader who seems destined for stardom. But there are areas of his game worthy of tracking this spring. Has his pocket awareness improved (he was also sacked six times by the Hawkeyes)? Has he filled out that 220-pound frame at all? What’s his rapport like with a wideout corp? 

Arch Manning, Texas

After leading Texas to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff berth, Quinn Ewers is the cemented starter for the Longhorns in 2024 — for now anyway. 

Ewers could be the first quarterback off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, but there’s also a non-zero chance he cedes his job to Manning sometime next fall, too. 

While Manning barely played in 2023, his development was praised throughout the season. With Maalik Murphy transferring to Duke, Manning will be the unquestioned backup for Texas next season. The Longhorns’ staff would like to see more consistency from Manning, and that’s what the spring will be all about. 

But if we start to hear rave reviews or certain whispers about a No. 16 in burnt orange and white?

Then my ears will be perked. Not necessarily because of what it could mean for the start of the 2024 season — but the end of it. Could Manning play a similar role as Tua Tagovailoa, who subbed in for Jalen Hurts in the national championship game to get Alabama over the hump against Georgia?

What happens if Ewers, who has been dinged up both seasons as a starter, gets hurt again, too? Manning will play a role in 2024 — what that is remains the question.

Avery Johnson, Kansas State

In a 2024 QB discussion on the Andy Staples Show, my esteemed On3 colleague compared the Wildcats’ second-year quarterback to Lamar Jackson — and it was a great take. Avery Johnson might be the fastest quarterback in college since Jackson, and he has a cannon, too. 

The former blue-chip recruit is the reason why Will Howard is now at Ohio State. He’s too good to keep off the field. Johnson excelled in spot duty last season, especially as a runner. Like Iamaleava, he got to start the bowl game, offering a glimpse of what’s to come (250 total yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers) in a win over NC State. 

Now it’s his show, but this spring will be all about playing behind an offensive line that lost four starters and working with a new coordinator and QBs coach. 

Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma 

Arnold was the third of the blue-chip freshman to make his lone start in the bowl game last season, and while he struggled more than Iamaleava or Johnson (two touchdowns, three picks), the burley 6-1, 215-pound Texan still looked like a facilitating point-guard pinging the rock all over the field (361 yards). 

Arnold’s upside is the reason why Brent Venables was comfortable with letting Dillon Gabriel leave for Oregon. The consensus former 5-star prospect has the tools and talent to become the best quarterback in the SEC. 

The goal this spring is for Arnold to get up to speed in a semi-new offense with Seth Littrell calling the shots in place of Jeff Lebby, who is now the head coach at Mississippi State. How the sophomore fares working behind a really green offensive line bears monitoring, too. 

Aidan Chiles, Michigan State

The former Oregon State quarterback followed head coach Jonathan Smith to East Lancing this offseason, which was quite the boon for Spartan Nation. 

Chiles could be just the QB to spark a toothless Spartan offense (13.3 points per game in 2023). Outside of the bowl games, Chiles received more playing time than any of the blue-chip freshmen a year ago. Smith handed him the third series of almost every game, with Chiles leading a bunch of scoring drives and finishing the season 24 of 35 for 309 yards and seven total touchdowns. 

He’s a true dual-threat quarterback with a big frame (6-4, 205), shifty feet and a quick arm. Chiles was ranked as the No. 5 quarterback in the 2024 transfer cycle, and now he’ll get to continue his development this spring working with Smith and Brian Lindgren.