Notable freshmen quarterbacks that can start right away and dethrone the current starter

There are a handful of freshman that can overtake more experienced players from the jump

One of the most pressured situations to be in when it comes to college football is to be the starting quarterback when there is a highly touted recruit waiting in the wings. Every mistake will have fans clamoring for your replacement, and now with social media being as prevalent your backup's name could be trending after just one bad throw. 

Just recently have seen names like Jalen Hurts, Spencer Rattler, Kelly Bryant, and DJ Uiagalelei all be replaced by a budding star waiting in the wings. Heading into the 2023 season, there are dozens of programs across the country that have a freshman signal caller that could be the next youngster to take over the helm. 

 Let's take a look at five freshmen who have a chance to overthrow a more experienced starter and take his job. 

JJ Kohl, Iowa State

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Program's Current Projected Starter: Hunter Dekkers

Replacing Brock Purdy did not go as smoothly as the Cyclones would have liked this last season. They finished the year 4-8, marking their worst finish since Matt Campbell's first year on the job. The craziest part of their season was that they had six losses separated by seven points or less. Hunter Dekkers showed some flashes in his first season as the full-time starter, but the incoming four-star is too polarizing to ignore. Standing at 6-foot-7, Kohl has a huge arm and is also quite mobile for his size. While he looks like he should be launching threes and flying for alley oops, he is one of the most interesting incoming signal callers. If Dekkers is unable to get off to a hot start in what is a fairly easy non-conference slate outside of Iowa, it may be time for Kohl to take over as the face of the program. 

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

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Program's Current Projected Starter: Joe Milton 

Nico Iamaleava garnered so much hype during the recruiting cycle that some analysts see him as the best incoming player in all of college football despite his No. 3 ranking. Tennessee is looking to replace Hendon Hooker who is off to the NFL, after a record breaking year. Joe Milton got a leg up on Iamaleava thanks to some playing time late in the season when Hooker went down with an injury, and he was able to shine during the team's Orange Bowl victory over Clemson. Milton's issue has always been accuracy, as the sixth year is completing just 57.8% of his passes over his career. A number that was boosted this past season, as he cracked the 60% threshold for the first time. Milton has arguably the strongest arm in college, but if he cannot locate his throws the prized recruit, Iamaleava, will be ready and waiting to go. Tennessee fans will certainly want to see him as well. 

Dante Moore, UCLA

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Program's Current Projected Starter: Collin Schlee 

UCLA is another program replacing a successful starter, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson's run has finally come to an end. The Bruins are fresh off the program's best year under Chip Kelly, which makes this quarterback decision that much more important. Kent State transfer Collin Schlee is a prototypical Chip Kelly quarterback, as he played in Sean Lewis' absurdly fast offense and is a dual threat. He threw for 2,000 yards this past season while also adding 500 on the ground, and should have a leg up on both Ethan Garbers and five-star Dante Moore. Flipping the No. 5 overall recruit Moore from Oregon was a massive move for Kelly and the Bruins, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Detroit native wins the job outright due to how skilled he is. He comes in as the programs highest ranked quarterback signee ever, and will likely have the Bruin fans that show up to games enticed to see him.

 

Myles Jackson, Stanford

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Program's Current Projected Starter: Ari Patu 

Stanford hit the double whammy this offseason when it comes to difficulty of deciding a new quarterback, as not only are they replacing a steady hand in Tanner McKee who is NFL bout, but they also have a new coach. Troy Taylor who came via Sacramento State has full control of the Cardinal offense and will be choosing from junior Ari Patu, sophomore Ashton Daniels, and incoming freshman Myles Jackson. Patu and Daniels don't have much experience under their belts, but the one advantage they do have is that Jackson won't be on campus until fall as being an early enrollee at Stanford is nearly impossible. Jackson is a four-star that reclassified from the 2024 class that has a great arm and pocket awareness. Even if he doesn't win the job right away, he will likely have a chance during the season to earn some playing time if Patu or Daniels are unable to meet expectations.

Arch Manning, Texas

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Program's Current Projected Starter: Quinn Ewers

People can say whatever they want about whether or not there is a legitimate competition in Austin, if Quinn Ewers doesn't perform it is hard to imagine he won't be pulled. As of right now, all signs indicate that it is Ewers' job to lose but he, like Spencer Rattler and DJ Uiagalelei, will have the college football world waiting to see his replacement. A thought that is extremely bizarre considering Ewers is one of the highest ranked recruits ever, but that's what happens when there's a Manning in the quarterback room. Ewers was horrendous on the deep ball last season, and down the stretch the offense relied more on the run game to limit how much they had to count on him. Texas is littered with all kinds of NFL talent at the skill positions, and the offensive line was on the younger side last year so there really aren't any more excuses. Steve Sarkisian is in year three and he needs the quarterback that will get him and the program over the hump. Manning comes in as the No. 1 recruit and golden child like Ewers, and fans will likely be chanting for him as soon as Ewers misses on his first deep ball or throws a pick.