Under the radar 2025 quarterbacks who could outplay their recruitment

Many of the top quarterbacks in college football began their college careers outside of the Power 4. Cam Ward (Incarnate Word), Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel (UCF), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State), Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke (Ohio) and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia (junior college/New Mexico State) excelled at lower levels before moving to Power 4 programs.

Several Group of Five quarterback commits from the 2025 cycle – Ethan Houck (Liberty), Jamarian Ficklin (Texas State), Antwann Hill (Memphis), Chris Denson (Coastal Carolina) – already rank as top 40 quarterbacks for On3. With that said, there are several more intriguing under the radar passers who could outplay their recruitment at the next level.

Weston Bryan – Georgia Southern

Weston Bryan has taken his play to another level as a senior while at the helm of Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County, the No. 1 team in Georgia, per the On3 Massey Rankings. Bryan has made progress as a passer year-over-year and has completed 68.8% of his passes for 1,592 yards and 16 touchdowns against three picks. He’s shown good arm strength and has made several nice throws against tight coverage. At 6-foot-2.5, 240 pounds, Bryan has an excellent combination of size and athleticism, making him a dangerous threat on designed quarterback runs. He’s particularly dangerous in the red zone and on the goal line, rushing for 771 yards and 20 touchdowns to this point in the season. There’s a possibility some programs could take a late look at Bryan as an athlete prospect given his physical tools. With that said the multi-sport standout (state runner-up wrestler) has shown he’s talented enough to make an impact behind center at the next level.

Max Gerlich – UTSA

Max Gerlich looks like one of the biggest senior risers among quarterbacks, especially those committed to Group of Five programs. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder missed most of his junior year with a knee injury. After a strong off-season, he’s carried positive momentum into the fall. Gerlich has been carving up defenses through the air, showing a quick release and impressive downfield arm strength while hitting several high-difficulty passes. To this point in the season, the UTSA pledge has thrown for 2,319 yards (11.7 yards per attempt) and 35 touchdowns against two interceptions. He’s also shown the ability to rip off some long runs. Gerlich and TCU wide receiver commit Ed Small have their Austin (Texas) Anderson team off to a 6-2 start and trending for the program’s first winning season in five years.

Chris Jimerson – North Texas

North Texas head coach Eric Morris discovered Cam Ward while working at Incarnate Word. Morris’ 2025 quarterback commit Chris Jimerson fits the bill of an under the radar signal caller who could be in line for a very productive college career. A one-time commit to TCU as an athlete, Jimerson is one of the more accomplished and productive high school signal callers in the cycle at Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley, a top ten team nationally in the On3 Massey Rankings. Jimerson is at the dials of an offense that is averaging over 55 points per game. To this point in the season he’s completing 72% of his passes for 2,255 yards (14.5 yards per attempt) and 36 touchdowns against two interceptions. While Jimerson is on the smaller side around 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, his mastery of North Crowley’s offense, willingness to push the ball downfield and athleticism make. There are some similarities between Jimerson and former Houston/Miami quarterback, D’Eriq King at the same stage.

Chase Herbstreit – Uncommitted

Chase Herbstreit has shown steady progress in his senior year at Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier. The son of former Ohio State quarterback and long-time ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, has led St. X to a 7-3 record while accounting for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder looks to have a strong grasp on the pro-style offensive scheme and is comfortable working from under center. He’s added arm strength and displays good zip on intermediate passes. We’ve also seen Herbstreit become more of a run threat as a senior. He’s effective in avoiding pass rushers and is more than capable of picking up chunks of yardage as a scrambler and on designed runs. The level of improvement and the general competitive nature Herbstreit shows has us feeling he will maximize his talent.

Au’Tori Newkirk – Uncommitted

Au’Tori Newkirk is the quarterback behind Virginia’s top team in the On3 Massey Rankings – Norfolk (Va.) Maury. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder accounted for over 4,300 total yards and 57 touchdowns as a junior, while leading the Commodores to a state title. A strong-armed lefty, Newkirk has the ability to stretch the field and deliver with touch to different levels. He also shows good feel and movement within the pocket. Newkirk is 23-0 as a starter at Maury over the past two seasons and is very young for the cycle, not turning 18 years-old until the fall of his freshman year of college.

Finley Polk – Gardner-Webb

Finley Polk looks to be a steal for FCS program Gardner-Webb. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is one of the more productive and accomplished quarterbacks in the Palmetto State. Polk leads a Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern team that ranks 30th nationally in the On3 Massey Rankings. He’s playing at a high level as a senior, completing 72% of his passes for 2,379 yards and 32 touchdowns against four interceptions Polk has also gotten it done on the ground, rushing for 11 more scores. He’s shown impressive timing, touch and location while operating Northwestern’s offense at a very high level. This is a high school program that has produced several Power Four quarterbacks, including Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State/NFL) and Justin Worley (Tennessee).

Brady Stober – Samford

Brady Stober is putting the finishing touches on a fantastic high school career at Hickory (N.C.) High. Stober has put up prolific stats while leading Hickory to 25 straight wins and a state title in 2023. You’d be hard-pressed to find many 2025 quarterback prospects who are playing more efficiently as a passer. Stober has completed 82% of his passes for 2,134 yards (16 yards per attempt) and 24 touchdowns and two interceptions. The game is clearly moving slow for the Samford commit as he’s picking apart opposing defenses. At 5-foot-11.5, 180 pounds, Stober is a bit on the smaller side, but he’s a plus athlete and excels in the combine setting. Given his play on Friday nights, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him make some noise in college.