The Nebraska football program is betting big on freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was recently announced as the team’s starter for the 2024 season opener against UTEP on Saturday. Raiola was the third-ranked quarterback and No. 11 player on the 2024 ESPN 300. Raiola’s start to his college career as a starting freshman is significant, as it’s typically a move reserved for a school’s most prominent players.
Below are some key facts about “true freshmen” in college sports.
What is a “true freshman”?
A freshman is a student who plays for a varsity team and is in his or her first year at any school. If a student does not play in a game of his or her sport until his or her sophomore year, he or she is considered a redshirt freshman who still has four years of NCAA eligibility.
Who are some of the last true freshman starting QBs in the NFL?
Many first-year starting quarterbacks have had college success that led to an NFL career.
Caleb Williams (2021, Oklahoma)
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The 17th pick on the 2021 ESPN 300
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He started the last seven games of the season and played in 11.
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1,912 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions that season
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Transferred to USC for the 2022 and 2023 seasons
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He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022
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2024 NFL Draft No. 1 pick
Bo Nix (2019, Auburn)
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23rd overall pick on ESPN 300 2019
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He started all 13 games for Auburn
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He led No. 16 Auburn to a season-opening victory over No. 11 Oregon with a go-ahead 26-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds left in the game (they trailed 21-20 entering the game).
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2,542 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions in 2019
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34 career starts at Auburn before transferring to Oregon for the 2022 and 2023 seasons
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He made 61 career starts, the most for a QB in FBS history
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First player in FBS history to account for 55 touchdowns at multiple schools
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12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
Trevor Lawrence (2018, Clemson)
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The No. 2 pick on the 2018 ESPN 300
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He started the last 11 games of the season and played in all 15
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Won the national championship (Clemson beat Alabama 44-16)
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3,280 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions in 2018
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2018 ACC Rookie of the Year
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2020 ACC Player of the Year
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1 of 6 QBs in ACC history with 90 touchdown passes
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First pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
Jalen Hurts (2016, Alabama)
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He started 14 of 15 games for Alabama in 2016.
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2,780 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 9 interceptions, 13 rushing TDs
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Lost the National Championship game in the 2016 season (Clemson won 35-31)
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28 career starts at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma for the 2019 season
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3,851 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 20 rushing touchdowns in 2019 at Oklahoma
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He finished second in the Heisman voting in 2019 at Oklahoma
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53rd overall pick (2nd round) of the 2020 NFL Draft
Lamar Jackson (2015, Louisville)
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School record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season and a career.
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He won the Heisman Trophy in 2016
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ACC Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017
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ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017
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3,660 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 1,601 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns in 2017
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32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft
Josh Rosen (2015, UCLA)
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First Bruins freshman to start a season at quarterback in 2015
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Starter in all 13 matches in 2015
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Most passing yards in a season by a UCLA freshman
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Named second team All-Pac-12 in 2017
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The biggest comeback in UCLA history in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M in 2017
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Tenth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft
Jared Goff (2013, California)
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He started all 37 games during his three seasons at Cal.
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Honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2013, 2014
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First Team All-Pac-12 in 2015
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Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Most Outstanding Player in 2015
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Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Semifinalist in 2015
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He led Cal to its first bowl game since 2011 and its first postseason win since 2008 in 2015
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1st in Cal career passing yards
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2016 NFL Draft No. 1 pick
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