The future of college football looks promising with the highly skilled quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, even though it may not be as deep as previous years.
While the 2024 recruiting cycle saw a remarkable number of dual-threat prospects, including D.J. Lagway and Julian Sayin in the top 10, this class stands out for its exceptional pocket passers.
The competition for the top spots in the ESPN 300 rankings is fierce between Julian Lewis and Bryce Underwood, currently holding the first and second positions respectively. These talented pocket passers are among the best we have seen in recent years and will showcase their skills at the upcoming Elite 11 Final event.
The Elite 11 Final is a highly anticipated showcase featuring 20 of the most promising quarterback recruits. In the past, this event has featured renowned quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Bryce Young.
Before this exciting QB showcase, we delve into a breakdown of the top five dual-threat quarterbacks and the top five pocket passers in the 2025 class.
Pocket Passer Breakdown:
Julian Lewis
ESPN 300 ranking: 1
Committed to: USC
Strengths: Lewis displays a remarkable fluidity and effortless style in his gameplay. His ability to alter arm angles and maintain consistent fundamentals from his feet to his shoulders results in impressive accuracy, consistently delivering catchable balls. One of his unique skills is adjusting ball speeds to suit each throw, while also demonstrating anticipation by throwing to a specific spot, trusting his target to reach the intended landmark. A standout trait of Lewis is his release, which allows him to swiftly get the ball out from various angles, making it challenging for opponents to rush or pressure him. In terms of playing style, he resembles a slightly smaller version of Spencer Rattler at South Carolina.
Areas for improvement: Lewis could benefit from showing more urgency, particularly during drill work, as he occasionally appears to be going through the motions. Despite being a capable quarterback, he has the potential to make more plays with his feet, taking opportunities to flush the pocket and create second chances. Although he may not possess an elite arm like Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields, Lewis still possesses a strong arm and good velocity on his throws.
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Fit at USC:
Lewis possesses the ability to execute various aspects of the offense, similar to previous standout quarterbacks like Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and most recently Caleb Williams in Lincoln Riley’s system. His strengths lie in spreading the field and swiftly releasing the ball. While it’s unlikely that Lewis will match the dynamic playmaking ability of Williams, the quarterback-friendly scheme at USC provides an ideal environment for Lewis to thrive and showcase his skills.
Bryce Underwood
ESPN 300 standing: second
Dedicated to: LSU
Strengths: Underwood is the perfect example of a measurable standard because of his combination of size and length, strong arm, and robust stature. He possesses 10-inch hands and an 82-inch wingspan. The ball launches itself off his hand with force and speed. He can make things look simple and plays with ease and confidence. He may not be a true dual threat, but he is a very good quarterback. When necessary, he can sprint to generate second opportunities. I think his deep ball is one of his strongest traits. Underwood resembles Michael Penix Jr. with a right hand.
Improvement opportunities include his tendency to stiffen up in the upper body and his need to be more steady with his feet and platform inside the pocket. Because of his exceptional arm power and talent, he can make plays that most prospects would find difficult to execute with accuracy.
Antwann Hill
ESPN 300 position: 40 Not Dedicated
Strengths: Hill’s unmatched arm strength is what immediately draws attention to him. In addition, he is extremely large, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 215 pounds. Despite not being a true runner, he can escape, keep his eyes down field, and get the ball out with his sly good pocket agility. He is good off platform and has the arm angle flexibility to shift when throwing on the run or falling away for a big, long prospect. When conditions aren’t ideal, he can still execute accurate plays thanks to his strong arms. On the field, he has produced a great deal at a high level.
Improvement opportunities: He could play a little looser and less tense and robotic. He might also be a more eager runner when the going gets tough.
Best fit: It seems Memphis has the edge over other teams to sign Hill. Memphis might be a College Football Playoff upset in 2024, so this would be a major victory for Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield. He should be playing in a strong RPO offense that uses his arm power to attack the field vertically.
Tavien St. Clair
ESPN 300 standing: 48
Dedicated to: Ohio State
Strengths: Physically, he pretty much meets all the requirements. Although he lacks lightning speed, he possesses good body quickness and pocket movement. St. Clair has a powerful arm and the ability to drive the ball vertically. He has an intimidating physical presence. When he moves the pocket to alter the launch point, he produces a lot. Off-platform throws appear to be his specialty, particularly to his left.
One area that needs work is accuracy. Though he doesn’t always touch the strike zone consistently, he does throw a catchable ball. By carrying the ball a little bit higher, he may correct the minor dip and loop in his release mechanics. It would enable him to release the ball with greater fluidity.
How he fits at Ohio State: There’s no reason why Chip Kelly, the new offensive coordinator, can’t use St. Clair’s abilities in the same way that he did with his Oregon quarterbacks. St. Clair would benefit from a lot more zone read, RPO, and passes on the move.
George MacIntyre
ESPN 300 standing: 56
Dedicated to: Tennessee
Strengths: Standing at a remarkable height of 6 feet 6 inches, MacIntyre is a pure pocket player with excellent footwork and cunning pocket agility. Physically, he is a late bloomer, but that is a plus. He is fundamentally sound and reliable, and he has good ball handling skills. MacIntyre’s arm is powerful, but not particularly good. His arm will get stronger with time spent in the weight room and with physical development. He has a clear understanding of the field and regularly makes timely, wise decisions.
Improvement areas include physical strength and growth. He’s extremely tall, extremely slender, and undeveloped. It will help his growth and maturity that he won’t have to start playing at Tennessee straight immediately.
Josh Heupel uses the best plug-and-play quarterback scheme in college football today, which is how he fits in at Tennessee. MacIntyre gives us a little glimpse of Drew Lock’s appearance in this offense during Heupel’s tenure at Missouri. For the Vols, this is a nice in-state pickup.
Dual threats
Keelon Russell
ESPN 300 standing: 81
Dedicated to: Alabama
Strengths: Regardless of category, Russell may have the best upside of any of the top 25 quarterbacks in the 2025 class. He accomplishes everything with ease, consistency, and grace. He flicks the ball off his hand. At one of the top levels of high school football in the nation, he has demonstrated his versatility by playing both out of the shotgun and under center. He satisfies the quantifiable requirements and yet has room to grow and progress physically.
One area that needs work is consistency. He occasionally has “wow” moments before vanishing for a little while. He clearly possesses the talents, but he needs to demonstrate them with each and every snap.
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How he fits at Alabama: Michael Penix Jr.’s success with Kalen DeBoer’s scheme bears many similarities to his own. Russell, who enters one of the most alluring offensive schemes in college football, has the ability to push the ball downfield. Tuscaloosa has enough stability for Russell to visit and pick some knowledge. DeBoer has a history of developing quarterbacks at Fresno State with Penix and Jake Haener, and convincing Russell to renounce his commitment to SMU demonstrates the value Russell can add to Bama’s future.
Deuce Knight
ESPN 300 standing: position 133
Adherent to: Notre Dame
Strengths: Knight is a physically strong, left-handed passer with the potential to develop into a player on a higher level. With his incredible arm power, he can really unleash the football and make a wide range of throws both inside and outside the pocket. He passes left-handed and uses a tight delivery style. He can connect at the midrange and deep levels, and the ball carries with power. He is also fast; in a laser-timed 40-yard dash, he finished in 4.7 seconds.
Improvement areas: Knight is still quite undeveloped. There are some basic release mechanics and footwork that need to be refined. His accuracy can also be inconsistent at times.
Mike Denbrock, the new offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, will be free to accomplish everything he did when coaching Jayden Daniels at LSU and Desmond Ritter at Cincinnati. Knight is capable of running the zone read game, serving as a designated runner, and participating in the RPO game.
Ty Hawkins
ESPN 300 standing: 253
Dedicated to: TCU
Strengths: Although Hawkins is only average in size at 6-1, 205, he boasts 10-inch hands and a 4.7 40-yard dash time. The ball truly launches itself from his hand with force and speed. The nicest thing about Hawkins is his quick release. He is essentially consistent in his footwork and platform, and he can play both out of the shotgun and from beneath center. When things go wrong, he can also flee and create. Hawkins is a dangerous runner in the open field when he breaks the pocket.
Requires work: He strikes us as being similar to Kyler Murray. Although their physical characteristics are comparable, Hawkins may grow larger or more muscular like Murray did. Hawkins is a really talented player who has not received much attention. Given his stature, he must be in the spread in order to regularly see the field well.
How he fits in at TCU: The Horned Frogs are thrilled about this intriguing commitment. Hawkins is a far superior runner than Josh Hoover, the starting quarterback right now, and he can do everything offensive coach Kendal Briles desires in this scheme. The quarterback zone run strategy and RPO will improve Hawkins’ skill set.
Bryce Baker
Four stars is the ranking.
Dedicated to: North Carolina
Strengths: Baker’s size and strength have increased significantly as he has matured. He is a quick, agile runner and passer who is physically intimidating. In the RPO game, he is decisive and releases the ball quickly. He is a gifted runner who may be employed in the quarterback run game because of his elusiveness and lateral agility.
Improvement opportunities: Still a little raw. He uses a low elbow and somewhat of a side arm delivery in addition to his rapid ball delivery. When he’s moving, he frequently lets the ball fall and removes his guard hand off it. every coachable quality.
How Baker fits in at UNC: He has the potential to grow and improve his skills and can do a little bit of everything. Here is where offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey can develop some raw potential. The Tar Heels should hopefully avoid having to play him straight away.
Blake Hebert
Four stars is the ranking.
Aligned with: Clemson
Strengths: Despite not looking like a dual threat due to his build, he is one. Hebert is extremely mobile, quick out of the pocket, and deadly when he ventures outside of it. With his powerful arm, he can attack any part of the field and drive the ball vertically.
Improvement opportunities: Unlike his colleagues, Hebert plays in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he is not up against the best competition. He cannot assist with it. Although his approach is highly constant, he needs to be more relaxed and make more spontaneous passes in the passing game.
Hebert’s fit at Clemson can be described as that of a larger, more powerful Max Duggan from TCU. Garrett Riley, the offensive coordinator for Clemson, coached Duggan at TCU and will be well-versed in handling Hebert. For a spread design that expects the quarterback to be a running threat all the time, his physical qualities are quite appealing.
