Phil Steele: Top 25 Freshman Quarterback Rankings ahead of 2024 college football season

With the 2024 college football season just a couple of months away, Phil Steele has released a list of the top 25 freshman quarterbacks. The list is part of his 2024 college football preview magazine that is released annually prior to every season.

We’ve seen a number of freshman QBs finds success over the years whether it be Caleb Williams in 2021 or Johnny Manziel in 2012. This year’s class also brings plenty of promise and likely has a few future stars in its midst, some of whom could play right away.

You can view the full top 25 freshman quarterbacks in college football, according to Phil Steele, below.

1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Sayin was originally committed to Alabama before flipping to the Buckeyes following the news of Nick Saban‘s retirement. He ranks as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Sayin threw for 2,347 yards, 24 touchdowns and one interception this past season as a senior at Carlsbad (CA) High School. He will have competition for the starting job this fall in the form of Kansas State transfer Will Howard and third-year returner Devin Brown.

2. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

Raiola has perhaps the best chance to start of any freshman quarterback in the country this season. The No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 class, he is set to join a Nebraska team that finished 5-7 in 2023 and has not made a bowl game in the past seven seasons.

His main competition this fall is Heinrich Haarberg, who led the Cornhuskers to all five of their wins with a 5-3 record across eight starts. Raiola still presents the most upside between the two, and the battle in fall camp will be one of the more intriguing ones in the country.

3. DJ Lagway, Florida

Lagway is set to enter this season as the backup to Graham Mertz, who is returning for his second season as the Gators’ starter. However, as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class according to the On3 Industry Rankings, he offers the highest upside of any of the players in Phil Steele’s top three.

Lagway brings dual-threat ability having thrown for more than 8,000 yards and rushed for more than 2,000 across his high school career at Willis (TX) High School. The Gators are set to enter their third year under Billy Napier having yet to record a winning season in his tenure.

4. Jadyn Davis, Michigan

It seems unlikely that Davis will be able to walk into the defending national champions as a true freshman and claim the starting job. However, it might not be many years before he eventually takes over the reigns given his talent.

Davis is No. 8 in the On3 Industry Rankings for this class and led Providence Day School to back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023. He threw for 3,370 yards and 43 touchdowns as a senior, providing promise of the player he can one day become.

5. Air Noland, Ohio State

Perhaps the best name of any quarterback in this freshman class, Air Noland is the second Ohio State player to make Phill Steele’s top 25. That should give Buckeyes fans plenty of optimism about the future of their quarterback room.

Noland also comes in at No. 5 according to the On3 Industry Rankings, making Ohio State the only school with two QBs inside the top five. Along with their reputation for bringing in top receivers, the Buckeyes should have no trouble remaining one of the top passing offenses in the country.

6. CJ Carr, Notre Dame

Carr’s father played football at Michigan and his grandfather is a former Wolverines coach, but he opted to begin his college career in South Bend. There he’ll have a chance to develop as coach Marcus Freeman prepares to enter his third year at the helm.

Carr ranked as the No. 6 quarterback in this class after wrapping up his senior season at Saline (MI) High School. He should benefit from a redshirt season but could potentially make a push for a starting role as soon as next year.

7. Elijah Brown, Stanford

Brown will have a shot to compete for a starting role immediately as coach Troy Taylor gets ready to enter his second season in charge. The Cardinal are coming off of a 3-9 finish in 2024 and looking to find an offensive spark after missing a bowl game for five straight seasons.

The 6-foot-1 quarterback played for Mater Dei (CA) High School, where future Heisman winners Bryce Young, Matt Leinart and John Huarte played before him. He’ll look to follow in their footsteps and get Stanford back on the winning track as it enters the ACC.

8. Ethan Grunkemeyer, Penn State

Penn State continues to stock up on talented quarterbacks just two seasons after adding Drew Allar to its roster. Grunkemeyer enters as a four-star prospect from Olentangy (OH) High School as the next player waiting in the wings.

The No. 9 quarterback in the 2024 cycle saw his first action during the Blue-White game this spring. He’ll hope to show Nittany Lions fans much more in the coming years once he gets some experience under his belt.

9. Luke Kromenhoek, Florida State

Despite coming in at No. 9 on Steele’s list, Kromenhoek ranks as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He chose to attend the Seminoles over offers from Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee and several other big names.

Kromenhoek should have plenty of time to develop with FSU having its starting spot already locked up for this coming season. However, he figures to be a big part of the plans for coach Mike Norvell in the future.

10. Walker White, Auburn

Auburn fans might have found their quarterback in the future with White, who will likely use this year to redshirt behind more experienced players. He finished 5-of-13 passing for 83 yards during the Tigers’ spring game, flashing potential of what he can one day become.

The 6-foot-3 four-star recruit out of Little Rock (AR) Christian Academy took his time to a state championship appearance as a senior and finished his career with 80 touchdowns. That certainly provides promise for what his college career could hold.

Top 25 freshman quarterbacks No. 11-25

11. Cutter Boley, Kentucky
12. Colin Hurley, LSU
13. Jake Merklinger, Tennessee
14. Ryan Puglisi, Georgia
15. Kam Mikell, Colorado
16. Demond Williams, Washington
17. Isaac Wilson, Utah
18. Michael Van Buren, Mississippi State
19. Michael Hawkins, Oklahoma
20. Hauss Hejny, TCU
21. Marcos Davila, Purdue
22. Jayden Bradford, Liberty
23. Trey Owens, Texas
24. AJ Maddox, Ole Miss
25. Dante Reno, South Carolina