What is a true freshman starting QB in college football?

August 30, 2024, 12:52 PM ET

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)

The 17th pick on the 2021 ESPN 300
He started the last seven games of the season and played in 11.
1,912 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions that season
Transferred to USC for the 2022 and 2023 seasons
He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022
2024 NFL Draft No. 1 pick

Bo Nix (2019, Auburn)

23rd overall pick on ESPN 300 2019
He started all 13 games for Auburn
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).
2,542 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions in 2019
34 career starts at Auburn before transferring to Oregon for the 2022 and 2023 seasons
He made 61 career starts, the most for a QB in FBS history
First player in FBS history to account for 55 touchdowns at multiple schools
12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

Trevor Lawrence (2018, Clemson)

The No. 2 pick on the 2018 ESPN 300
He started the last 11 games of the season and played in all 15
Won the national championship (Clemson beat Alabama 44-16)
3,280 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions in 2018
2018 ACC Rookie of the Year
2020 ACC Player of the Year
1 of 6 QBs in ACC history with 90 touchdown passes
First pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

Jalen Hurts (2016, Alabama)

He started 14 of 15 games for Alabama in 2016.
2,780 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 9 interceptions, 13 rushing TDs
Lost the National Championship game in the 2016 season (Clemson won 35-31)
28 career starts at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma for the 2019 season
3,851 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 20 rushing touchdowns in 2019 at Oklahoma
He finished second in the Heisman voting in 2019 at Oklahoma
53rd overall pick (2nd round) of the 2020 NFL Draft

Lamar Jackson (2015, Louisville)

School record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season and a career.
He won the Heisman Trophy in 2016
ACC Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017
ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017
3,660 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 1,601 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns in 2017
32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

Josh Rosen (2015, UCLA)

First Bruins freshman to start a season at quarterback in 2015
Starter in all 13 matches in 2015
Most passing yards in a season by a UCLA freshman
Named second team All-Pac-12 in 2017
The biggest comeback in UCLA history in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M in 2017
Tenth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

Jared Goff (2013, California)

He started all 37 games during his three seasons at Cal.
Honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2013, 2014
First Team All-Pac-12 in 2015
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Most Outstanding Player in 2015
Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Semifinalist in 2015
He led Cal to its first bowl game since 2011 and its first postseason win since 2008 in 2015
1st in Cal career passing yards
2016 NFL Draft No. 1 pick