By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
There’s a wealth of expertise within the West on the quarterback place, each amongst starters and backups.
As we proceed to gear up for the 2025 faculty soccer season, we wrap up our breakdowns of the highest place models.
Immediately, we have a look at the area’s high signal-caller rooms in our last installment of the collection.
1. Arizona State Solar Devils
Sam Leavitt is the perfect QB within the West and one of many premier sign callers within the nation.
Sitting behind him is a sixth-year veteran with expertise. Jeff Sims has began at each Nebraska and Georgia Tech and has appeared in 34 video games over his profession.
Sims is a luxurious for the Solar Devils—ought to one thing occur to their All-American—a savvy sixth-year vet is not going to be simply rattled.
Michael “Butter” Tollefson is the long run; the freshman was one of many high dual-threat prospects.
2. USC Trojans
Jayden Maiava goes to start out for the Trojans.
However ought to they’ve to show to true freshman Husan Longstreet, I don’t assume there can be a drastic drop-off.
And that’s good for a USC squad that has seen quite a lot of expertise on the QB place in the previous couple of years, however have additionally seen quite a lot of that expertise go away to play elsewhere.
Sam Huard provides a veteran presence to the QB room and presents the Trojans three very succesful sign callers for 2025.
3. UCLA Bruins
The arrival of Nico Iamaleava made the QB state of affairs at UCLA so much brighter.
After all, the Bruins didn’t simply get one Iamaleava, however two. Youthful brother Madden additionally transferred from Arkansas.
Madden will probably see a redshirt this season, and that may be a testomony to the depth of the Bruins at QB. Whereas they’ve a real, bonafide starter now, one thing they might have been missing final December, there by no means was a void of depth.
Luke Duncan would be the second choice in 2025, and the sophomore would be capable to step up. Past that, Henry Hasselbeck, and Pierre Clarkson make depth on the QB place an issue of the previous for the Bruins.
4. Arizona Wildcats
Noah Fifita had a little bit of a dip final 12 months, however two years in the past regarded like among the best passers within the nation.
Backing him up this season is Braedyn Locke who has seen loads of massive sport motion at Wisconsin. The Wildcats are loaded with expertise on the high half of the depth chart.
The remainder of the QB room might be made up by freshmen Sawyer Anderson, Luke Haugo, and Mason Bray.
Ought to the Cats must transcend Locke for a major period of time, there might be a steep studying curve, however amongst these high two on the QB spot, Arizona is simply wonderful.
5. Utah Utes
Devon Dampier is an electrical participant. There will not be a extra dynamic dual-threat QB within the nation.
Isaac Wilson noticed quite a lot of motion as a real freshman, and whereas he actually struggled at instances, he’s a gifted passer and had glimpses of the potential he presents.
Behind these two is quite a lot of youth, and Byrd Ficklin could also be the perfect of that group.
The Utes have a QB room with quite a lot of expertise but additionally quite a lot of inexperience.
6. Boise State Broncos
Maddux Madsen may be probably the most underrated and neglected QB within the nation. In 2023, he cut up time. Getting into final 12 months, nobody thought he’d win the beginning job.
He was extraordinarily productive, however his backfield mate was one of many two finest gamers within the nation, and he shined in anonymity. Effectively, he’s nonetheless again there slinging it with the perfect of them.
Max Cutforth is an effective passer, and may his quantity get referred to as, the Broncos might be okay. Jack Benson transfers in from Mt Sac whereas Kaleb Annett is a RS freshman who can spin the ball and lengthen performs along with his legs.
There’s a clear No. 1 on the depth chart in Boise, however the Broncos have quite a lot of depth within the QB room past the highest spot.
7. Oregon State Beavers
Maalik Murphy is the clear No. 1 choice for the Beavers, and whereas he has had his ups and downs throughout his faculty profession, he may be one of the crucial proficient QBs OSU has had in fairly a while.
Past Murphy is Gabarri Johnson, who’s a dual-threat QB who noticed motion on some packages final season, however solely threw 29 passes. He might be a weapon within the floor sport.
Kallen Gutridge and Tristan T’ia will battle it out for the third-string spot. T’ia is a extremely touted recruit who might be in line to be the subsequent starter for the Beavs, however not this season.
8. Washington Huskies
Demond Williams Jr. is about to run the present in Washington, and issues may get actually thrilling.
Kai Horton would be the backup, and whereas he performed sparingly in his 4 years at Tulane, he does have expertise profitable video games. That have would bode properly for UW, ought to their dynamic twin menace starter miss a while.
Past these two, the depth is just not there, however the promise is.
Sprint Beierly and Treston McMillan are a pair of incoming freshmen with a great deal of expertise and potential for the QB room on Montlake to be good for a very long time.
9. Oregon Geese
Dante Moore didn’t play a lot final season, however he realized along with present Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel.
At UCLA, Moore confirmed indicators of brilliance but additionally performed like a freshman with 9 interceptions in 9 video games.
Austin Novosad additionally lacks quite a lot of expertise however guarantees to make performs if referred to as upon. Luke Moga and Akili Smith Jr. add depth to the place.
The Geese offense has sufficient expertise round them that it ought to proceed to click on irrespective of who’s underneath middle.
10. Colorado Buffaloes
We will see how issues shake out between JuJu Lewis and Kaidon Salter for the beginning spot in Boulder, and that may be a competitors that will not be determined for some time.
Whichever route the Buffs go, they need to be in fine condition, with a strong starter and backup.
Salter was a former CUSA MVP whereas at Liberty and a twin menace. Lewis was one of the crucial sought-after highschool recruits final 12 months and has a robust correct arm. Salter’s expertise could give him the sting early on.
Past these two, it’s a drop off to Ryan Staub.
11. San Jose State Spartans
Walker Eget would be the starter this season so the Spartans are in fine condition at QB. Eget was phenomenal for San Jose State final season and the offense ought to click on with him on the helm this fall.
The long run can also be shiny with Robert McDaniel becoming a member of the fold from UCLA with 4 years of eligibility, and a redshirt 12 months to work with.
Xavier Ward is athletic and may make performs along with his arm or legs however lacks a lot expertise. Macloud Crowton is a bit undersized however put up large numbers on the JUCO degree.
12. Fresno State Bulldogs
E.J. Warner brings a ton of taking part in expertise with him to Frenso, having been a starter at Temple and Rice since his freshman 12 months.
Jaden Mandel and Carson Conklin give the Bulldogs choices and depth underneath middle.
Mandel is a twin menace with a robust arm. Conklin was an FCS Freshman All-American with Sacramento State final fall.
The Bulldogs have sufficient depth that they actually have choices at QB in 2025.
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
