It’s finally the year of Arch Manning. Football’s First Family returns to center stage as the nephew of Peyton and Eli takes over as a full-time starter at Texas.
Much has been made of Manning, but he’s not the only quarterback worth watching in college football this season. Here are 10 more you should tune in for.
The experienced veterans
Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt): You want fun? Watch Pavia (2,293 yards, 20 TD, four INT in 2024). The undersized, trash-talking signal-caller has helped turn Vanderbilt around. He took down No. 1 Alabama last season and helped Vandy to seven wins — it’s most since 2013.
Luke Altmyer (Illinois): Altmyer (2,717 yards, 22 TD, six INT) led Illinois to its first 10-win season since 2001 and its first bowl win since 2011. Now it’s an expectation in Champaign. Illinois is ranked 12th in the AP poll and is a CFP dark horse. If he can get the Illini past Duke and USC, circle the Oct. 11 home game against No. 3 Ohio State. That will be his major moment on the national stage.
Sam Leavitt (Arizona State): Leavitt (2,885 yards, 24 TD, six INT) was a key piece in one of college football’s surprise stories last season. The scary part? ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham believes the Sun Devils put Leavitt in some tough spots last season and he’s hoping they make it easier on him this year.
“This year, I hope we will put him in more positions to be successful on early downs, which will allow him to stay in rhythm, allow him to be a better quarterback on those long yardage situations as well,” Dillingham told AZCentral.
Drew Allar (Penn State): Allar (3,327 yards, 24 TD, eight INT) is a Heisman contender and he’s surrounded by weapons with America’s best backfield in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen behind him.
Allar’s interceptions jumped from two to eight last season. Four of them came in losses and three more came in a nail-biting 33-30 overtime win over USC. He has to be better in big games this season.
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): Nussmeier (4,052 yards, 29 TD, 12 INT) is the Heisman favorite. He has weapons to throw to as LSU returns three of its top seven pass catchers from 2024, along with a pair of wide receiver transfers from fellow SEC schools. Can he get LSU to the CFP?
Young guys ready to break out
DJ Lagway (Florida): If Lagway is healthy, Florida is a true threat in the SEC. The sophomore went 6-1 last season, but missed a game-and-a-half due to a hamstring injury. He then missed spring practice due to a shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery and returned to practice Aug. 2 following a calf strain.
His talent is undeniable. In his six wins as a starter, he averaged 259.8 yards per game with eight touchdowns. What does he have in store for his first full season?
Bryce Underwood (Michigan): Michigan paid Underwood between $10 to $12 million to stay home and be the Wolverines quarterback. That’s big money for a true freshman and it won’t be easy. Fresh off sanctions from the Conor Stalions sign-stealing scandal, Michigan has a target on its back. And Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith declared he won’t lose to Michigan again. The nation’s No. 1 recruit has his hands full.
New starters at big programs
CJ Carr (Notre Dame): Carr replaces Riley Leonard for last season’s national runners-up. He only appeared in one game last season, but head coach Marcus Freeman is impressed with his confidence.
“He’s a guy that’s very confident — at some points, you may be a little bit overconfident — but you want that in your quarterback,” he recently told ESPN. “You want the quarterback to say, ‘I want the ball in my hands every play when the game is on the line, and I believe that I’m going to make the right decision.'”
Ty Simpson (Alabama): A lot is riding on Simpson this season. Alabama narrowly missed the CFP last season and is expected to be a part of the 12-team field this year. For Simpson’s part, executing and slowing himself down will work wonders.
“Just play ball,” Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Monday. “I think that Ty plays his best when he stays calm and collected, just like any quarterback. I think as long as he stays within himself and doesn’t try to make each play bigger than it is, he’ll be just fine.”
Julian Sayin (Ohio State): Sayin transferred from Alabama to Ohio State and will lead the Buckeyes in their national title defense. We’ll know early how he handles the pressure as Ohio State hosts No. 1 Texas Saturday. The instructions from head coach Ryan Day are simple.
“Just win,” Day said Tuesday. “Find a way to win.”
