Category: College Football

Building depth at the quarterback position in college football is almost impossible in the transfer portal era. It’s rare that a quality backup actually sticks around, especially since — if they’re good enough — they can go somewhere that they’re promised a more immediate starting spot. 

So quality backup quarterbacks are an invaluable commodity. Teams hope they never need them, but it’s entirely possible that a No. 2 quarterback could make or break a season, depending on injuries and other factors. 

From Nick Saban at Alabama to Jeff Brohm at Purdue: College football’s top 25 coaching hires this century

Shehan Jeyarajah

That’s why it’s appropriate to shine a spotlight on those unheralded backups. Whether it’s a veteran that’s stuck around in spite of other changes to the quarterback room, or a young player that decided to transfer to a better situation, here’s a look at the top 10 backups quarterbacks in college football. 

It should be noted that this list is limited to collegiate backups that have played meaningful snaps before. One could make an entire article based around the former blue-chip prospects that are serving as backups in 2025 while they wait their turn to start. 

As such, those highly rated No. 2s are included in a rapid fire list at the end of the article. 

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DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star High School Football Game

MVP Brysheem Davis of Hodgson sparks big-play Blue offense

Brysheem Davis, who will attend Albright College, earned game MVP honors with 225 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Blue team.Ryan Tattersall, future Harvard wide receiver, threw an 80-yard touchdown pass and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass for the Blue team.The Blue team’s 48 points set a new scoring record for the Blue-Gold game.

A constellation of Blue all-stars sprinkled big plays across Tubby Raymond Field on June 20, stirring up some Friday night football moments they’ll remember fondly.

Three different passers, including one who’d lined up as wide receiver, threw four touchdown strikes to three different Blue teammates.

Hodgson Vo-Tech’s Brysheem Davis hauled in 80- and 97-yard scoring passes to highlight the happenings as the Blue trounced the Gold 48-18 in the 69th edition of the DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game at Delaware Stadium.

 It was just 21-18 before Ryan Tattersall, lined up at wide receiver, caught the football and then heaved the 80-yard strike to the speedy Davis with 3:34 left in the third period. Tattersall was a wideout his first two seasons at Friends before playing quarterback the last two and will be a receiver at Harvard.

Tattersall had also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Brady McBride on the first play of the second quarter, but said throwing for the TD was more fun.

“Being able to see my teammate score, that was great,” Tattersall said. “Sheem and I lived right across the hall from each other [in a University of Delaware dorm leading up to the game] so we spent a lot of time talking. I knew right when I caught it, I saw him wide open.”

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Salesianum quarterback McBride then threw…

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Arizona State17 [7] Sam Leavitt (QB), Jordyn Tyson (WR), Chamon Metayer (TE), Joshua Atkins (LT), Ben Coleman (LG), Kyle Scott (RG), Max Iheanachor (RT) 
[10] Prince Dorbah (DL), C.J. Fite (DL), Elijah O’Neal (DL), Clayton Smith (DL), Jordan Crook (LB), Keyshaun Elliott (LB), Keith Abney (CB), Javan Robinson (CB), Xavion Alford (S), Myles Rowser (S)

Illinois16[9] Luke Altmyer (QB), Aidan Laughery (RB), Collin Dixon (WR), Tanner Arkin (TE), J.C. Davis (LT), Josh Gesky (LG), Josh Kreutz (C), Brandon Henderson (RG), Melvin Priestly (RT)[7] Gabe Jacas (OLB), Dylan Rosiek (LB), Torrie Cox Jr. (CB), Kaleb Patterson (CB), Xavier Scott (CB), Matthew Bailey (S), Miles Scott (S)

Clemson16[8] Cade Klubnik (QB), T.J. Moore (WR), Bryant Wesco Jr. (WR), Antonio Williams (WR), Tristan Leigh (LT), Ryan Linthicum (C), Walker Parks (RG), Blake Miller (RT)[8] DeMonte Capehart (DL), Peter Woods (DL), T.J. Parker (DE), Sammy Brown (LB), Wade Woodaz (LB), Jeadyn Lukus (CB), Avieon Terrell (CB), Khalil Barnes (S)
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Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer is hoping for a better Year 2 than his debut season in Tuscaloosa.

Not that Alabama couldn’t have done far worse than a 9-3 regular season that included a thrilling win over Georgia, a blowout victory at LSU, and a fifth straight Iron Bowl win over Auburn. Those and six other victories aren’t bad for any new coach to have on his résumé.

But it’s still Alabama, where high expectations will always be part of the job for any coach (historically, some have understood this better than others). For DeBoer to improve on last year’s mark, a trip to the 12-team College Football Playoff is a must.

On Thursday, CBS Sports looked at the biggest X-factors for 12 prime College Football Playoff hopefuls. In Alabama’s case, analyst Carter Bahns highlighted linebacker Qua Russaw as the player he views as poised to “make or break” the Tide’s playoff hopes in 2025.

Per Bahns:

“The Alabama defense lost some of its identity last season as the pass rushing scheme lacked explosiveness and did not feature the superstar-caliber edge rushers that were cornerstones of the roster under Nick Saban. Someone needs to take a step forward in 2025 for the Crimson Tide to be more than just a mid-tier defensive front. Enter Qua Russaw, who cut his teeth as a redshirt freshman and should be the top option at the “wolf” position in Year 3. He managed just one sack a year ago, and Alabama needs more from the former No. 64 overall recruit.”

Russaw committed to Nick Saban as a five-star player from Montgomery’s Carver High School in 2022. As a redshirt freshman a season ago, he played in 13 games and made six starts while totaling 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) to go with two interceptions.

DeBoer has a talented roster heading into 2025, and it’s apparent everywhere you look. PFF (Pro Football Focus) ranked the Tide’s offensive…

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The College Football Playoff will begin requiring teams to provide player availability reports for its games next season, following a similar initiative implemented by the Big Ten and SEC in recent seasons.

CFP executive director Rich Clark announced the move Wednesday at the group’s meetings in Asheville, North Carolina, according to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. The CFP did not specify if their model would closely resemble either the Big Ten or the SEC’s approaches to player availability reports, which are typically used for injuries.

In 2023, the Big Ten announced that all teams must submit injury reports at least two hours before kickoff. The availability reports, which are posted online, list athletes as either “questionable” or “out.”

The SEC implemented a similar but more complex measure in 2024. Players are listed under one of four statuses: “out,” “questionable,” “probable,” or “available.” These statuses are submitted on Wednesdays and updated each day leading up to and including the day of the game. The final report must be submitted no later than 90 minutes before kickoff. Schools failing to provide accurate or timely information are subject to increasingly escalating fines.

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John Talty

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The Michigan football team could be picking up another big commitment soon as elite four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee has set a commitment date. Lee is one of the best offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class, and he will announce his college decision on June 27th. He will choose between Michigan, Alabama, Georgia and Texas. This would be a massive pickup for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines.

“Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee has set his announcement date for June 27,” Brandon Huffman said in a post.

Malakai Lee is a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #137 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #10 OT and the #2 player in the state of Hawaii. Lee currently attends Kamehameha High School in Honolulu, HI. Michigan and Lee’s other three options are a long way from home.

“From a traits standpoint, offensive linemen don’t come much better looking than Lee,” Lee’s scouting report reads. “He’s all of 6-6, 325 pounds with verified 36” arms and an 85”+ wingspan. He’s a fluid mover as well and has the feet, balance and frame to project as a tackle and could line up on either side, right or left in college. He plays a little hoops as well and checks off the multi-sport box for us.”

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Lee is one of the top offensive lineman in the country for a reason. Michigan is hoping to land a player that can make an impact quickly.

“He uses his length well and has the ability to slide and mirror opposing edge rushers,” his scouting report reads. “He has added some physicality in the run game over the last year. He’s putting guys on their backs more but playing with a more aggressive edge to him is an area we think Lee can still improve on. Saying that, he’s an easy high Power 4 prospect and if he hits his ceiling, he…

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Less than two months after Bryce Underwood’s arrival at Michigan, some of his new teammates were ready to test the Wolverines’ new five-star freshman quarterback.

The opportunity came during Michigan’s winter workouts, which include players competing against each other in 15-round, one-on-one sessions that feature sled pushes, races and other speed and agility exercises. Whoever wins each round gets a point.

Jake Garcia transfers to Michigan: What it means for QB battle headlined by 5-star freshman Bryce Underwood

Cody Nagel

Since the showdowns have players in similar weight classes pitted against each other, some of the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Underwood’s early opponents were members of the Wolverines’ defensive front seven, including standout senior defensive end TJ Guy. Not only did the 17-year old Underwood beat one of the defensive ends one day but he lost by just one point to another defensive end the next day. 

It impressed both teammates and members of Michigan’s staff, and Underwood hasn’t stopped impressing since that point. He’s become the clear favorite in the Wolverines’ starting quarterback job and has more than lived up to the hype that comes along with being the No. 1 ranked overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.

“He’s a unique and rare guy,” a source told CBS Sports.

It’s been a combination of Underwood’s physical ability to go along with advanced maturity, work ethic and leadership skills for someone his age.

Despite players being given time off in May, Underwood has been a constant presence around…

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Jun. 16—New Mexico landed commitments from a trio of prep offensive lineman over the weekend, with all three entering their senior years. A look at the trio:

OL Brody Litton (Beloit, Kansas)

Summary: A rising senior at Beloit High School, Litton committed to UNM via a post on social media Sunday after receiving an initial offer in April. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound offensive lineman is being recruited as a tackle after he spent last season as a tight end and defensive end; Litton was named All-Class 2A honorable mention in 2024 after catching two passes for 32 yards.

Litton held an additional offers from South Dakota, Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois, and interest from Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, per 24/7 Sports. His father, Travis Litton, was a linebacker at Kansas State from 1997-99.

OL Ty Gates (Peoria, Arizona)

Summary: A rising senior at Centennial High School, Gates committed to UNM via a post on social media Saturday after receiving an initial offer in May. Like Litton, the 6-6, 280-pound All-District selection is a converted tackle after previously playing tight end at the prep level.

Gates held an additional offer from Black Hills State University, a Division II school in Spearfish, South Dakota.

OL Braden Chick (Queen Creek, Arizona)

Summary: A rising senior at American Leadership Academy, Chick committed to UNM via a post on social media Saturday after receiving an initial offer in May. The 6-2, 285-pound interior offensive lineman held an additional offer from Army and interest from New Mexico State and San Jose State, per 24/7 Sports.

Camp offers

After UNM held a prospects camp Saturday, here's the list of campers to walk away with an offer:

WR Jacob Maldonado (Albuquerque)

Summary: A rising senior at Cleveland High School, the 5-11, 170-pound wide receiver caught 50 passes for 918 yards…

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