What is a true freshman starting QB in college football?

Nebraska's football program is betting big on its 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 kicking off his collegiate career as a starting true freshman is significant, as it's generally a move reserved for a school's most highly touted players.

Here are some key facts about "true freshmen" in college sports.

What is a "true freshman"?

A true freshman is a student playing games for a college team who is in their first year at any school. If a student doesn't play in a game in their sport until their sophomore year, they are considered a redshirt freshman who still has four years of NCAA eligibility.

Who are some recent true freshman starting QBs in the NFL?

Many true freshman starting quarterbacks have had collegiate success that led to an NFL career.

Caleb Williams (2021, Oklahoma)

• No. 17 recruit in 2021 ESPN 300


• Started final seven games of season, played in 11


• 1,912 pass yards, 21 pass TDs, 4 interceptions that season


• Transferred to USC for 2022 and 2023 seasons


• Won Heisman Trophy in 2022


• No. 1 draft pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Bo Nix (2019, Auburn)

• No. 23 recruit in 2019 ESPN 300


• Started all 13 games for Auburn


• Led No. 16 Auburn to season-opening win over No. 11 Oregon with go-ahead 26-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds remaining in game (trailed 21-20 prior to play)


• 2,542 pass yards, 16 pass TDs, 6 interceptions in 2019


• 34 career starts at Auburn before transferring to Oregon for 2022 and 2023 seasons


• Made 61 starts in his career, most by QB in FBS history


• 1st player in FBS history to be responsible for 55 touchdowns at multiple schools


• 12th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Trevor Lawrence (2018, Clemson)

• No. 2 recruit in 2018 ESPN 300


• Started final 11 games of season, played in all 15


• Won National Championship (Clemson def. Alabama 44-16)


• 3,280 pass yards, 30 pass TDs, 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 passing touchdowns


• 1st pick in 2021 NFL Draft

Jalen Hurts (2016, Alabama)

• Started 14 of 15 games for Alabama in 2016


• 2,780 pass yards, 23 pass TDs, 9 interceptions, 13 rush TDs


• Lost National Championship game in 2016 season (Clemson won 35-31)


• 28 career starts at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma for 2019 season


• 3,851 pass yards, 32 pass TDs, 8 interceptions, 20 rush TDs in 2019 at Oklahoma


• Finished 2nd in Heisman voting in 2019 at Oklahoma


• 53rd pick (2nd round) in 2020 NFL Draft

Lamar Jackson (2015, Louisville)

• School record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season and a career


• Won Heisman Trophy in 2016


• ACC Player of the Year in 2016, 2017


• ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, 2017


• 3,660 pass yards, 27 pass TDs, 10 interceptions, 1,601 rush yards, 18 rush TDs in 2017


• 32nd pick in 2018 NFL draft

Josh Rosen (2015, UCLA)

• First Bruin true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback in 2015


• Starter in all 13 games in 2015


• Most passing yards in a season by a true freshman for UCLA


• Named second-team All-Pac-12 in 2017


• Largest comeback in UCLA history in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M in 2017


• 10th pick in 2018 NFL Draft

Jared Goff (2013, California)

• Started all 37 games possible during his three seasons at Cal


• Honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2013, 2014


• First-team All-Pac-12 in 2015


• Most Outstanding Player in Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in 2015


• Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist in 2015


• Led Cal to its first bowl game since 2011 and first postseason win since 2008 in 2015


• 1st in Cal career in passing yards


• No. 1 pick in 2016 NFL Draft

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