Every spring, as devy managers gear up for their supplemental drafts, freshman fever hits hard. The allure of landing the next Caleb Williams or Arch Manning before they blow up is too tempting to ignore.
While the incoming 2025 quarterback class offers plenty of enticing upside, it’s important to remember that these players are at least three years away from sniffing your dynasty lineup.
The quarterback position, in particular, is notoriously difficult to project at the devy level; development paths vary wildly, and depth charts can shift in an instant.
That’s why I dove into the tape on this year’s top incoming freshman signal-callers. This breakdown will help you separate the future studs from the longshots so you can make smarter and more strategic swings when you’re on the clock.
Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman QB Profiles (2025)
Tier No. 1 – Elite Devy Freshman QB Cornerstones
1. Bryce Underwood (Michigan)
High School Career & Stats:
Bryce Underwood was a four-year starter at Belleville High School, where he established himself as one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the country. He led his team to two Michigan state championships while compiling over 10,000 passing yards and 130+ total touchdowns. In his junior season, he completed over 70% of his passes, throwing for 2,500+ yards, 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while adding 600+ rushing yards and six more scores on the ground.
Play Style:
Underwood is the prototype of a modern dual-threat quarterback. He has a strong arm, a quick release, and the ability to deliver accurate throws at all levels of the field. He’s comfortable navigating the pocket, but when things break down, he can extend plays with his legs and pick up chunk yardage. His ability to throw from multiple arm angles makes him a nightmare for defenses.
Pros:
- Elite arm strength: Can push the ball deep with velocity and touch.
- Pocket poise: Stays calm under pressure and makes good decisions.
- Mobility: Not a pure running QB, but can escape and make plays.
- Winning pedigree: Four-year starter, multiple championships.
Cons:
- Consistency: Occasionally relies too much on his arm talent instead of mechanics.
- Mechanics under pressure: Needs to refine his footwork when the pocket collapses.
Devy Outlook:
Underwood is the top devy quarterback prospect in this group. He combines size, athleticism and elite arm talent with an advanced feel for the position. He’s a potential early starter at Michigan and projects as a franchise-level NFL talent. He should immediately be considered amongst the elite devy quarterbacks.
2. Keelon Russell (Alabama)
High School Career & Stats:
Keelon Russell was a highly efficient quarterback at Duncanville High School, one of the top programs in Texas. In his junior year, he posted a 74% completion rate, throwing for 3,267 yards, 35 touchdowns and only three interceptions while adding 300+ rushing yards. As a senior, he continued to dominate, surpassing 3,800 yards passing and 50 total touchdowns.
Play Style:
Russell is a high-IQ pocket passer who processes defenses quickly and consistently to deliver the ball on time. He thrives in rhythm-based offenses, showing elite accuracy and ball placement. Though he’s not a run-first QB, he has the mobility to extend plays when needed.
Pros:
- Elite accuracy: One of the most efficient high school QBs in the country.
- Smart decision-maker: Rarely forces throws, keeps turnovers low.
- Smooth mechanics: Quick, repeatable release with sound footwork.
- Can operate in an up-tempo system: Processes the game at a high level.
Cons:
- Size & frame: Needs to add weight to handle SEC defenders.
- Arm strength: Not elite; relies more on timing than velocity.
Devy Outlook:
Keelon Russell is the most polished passer not named Bryce Underwood. He plays with control and precision, and he has just enough mobility to extend plays. He’s tailor-made for a modern, timing-based passing game.
Tier No. 2 – High Upside, Boom or Bust Devy Freshman
3. Deuce Knight (Auburn)
High School Career & Stats:
Deuce Knight played at multiple high schools during his prep career, but he solidified himself as an elite dual-threat prospect. He has rare athletic traits for a quarterback, standing at 6’ 4.5” with a verified 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range. He also boasts a 40-inch vertical, making him one of the most physically gifted QBs in the 2025 class.
Play Style:
Knight is a big-bodied, left-handed dual-threat QB with high-end rushing ability and a strong arm. His size and speed make him dangerous both inside and outside the pocket. However, he is still developing as a pure passer and needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making.
Pros:
- Elite athleticism: Uncommon blend of size, speed and agility for a QB.
- Strong arm: Can push the ball downfield with ease.
- Dangerous runner: Capable of turning broken plays into big gains.
- Huge upside: If he develops as a passer, he could be special.
Cons:
- Raw passing mechanics: Footwork and accuracy need refinement.
- Decision-making: Tends to lock onto his first read.
- Boom-or-bust: Could be a star or struggle if he doesn’t develop properly.
Devy Outlook:
One of the most physically talented quarterbacks in his class, Knight is raw but has massive tools. He’s a long-stride runner, he has deep ball velocity and solid improvisational ability. If he can refine his mechanics and decision-making, Knight could be a fantasy difference-maker.
4. Tavien St. Clair (Ohio State)
High School Career & Stats:
Tavien St. Clair rose quickly through the recruiting ranks after an explosive junior season at Bellefontaine High School in Ohio, during which he threw for over 3,300 yards and 35 touchdowns while completing more than 70% of his passes. He showcased the arm talent and maturity to command a high-level offense against solid competition.
Play Style:
St. Clair is a prototypical pocket passer with excellent mechanics, vision and poise. He’s not a dual-threat QB by design, but he moves well enough to avoid pressure and extend plays when needed. His footwork and release are clean, and his deep ball accuracy is already a calling card.
Pros:
- NFL-caliber frame: 6’ 4”, 215 lbs, ideal size for a pocket QB.
- Clean, compact throwing motion: Quick release with good mechanics.
- Deep ball touch: Drops it in the bucket on vertical routes.
- Smart processor: Doesn’t panic under pressure, stays on script.
Cons:
- Limited rushing upside: He’s mobile but not a running threat.
- Raw experience at elite level: Only recently started facing top-tier competition.
Devy Outlook:
St. Clair feels like Kyle McCord with more upside. While less flashy than others in this class, he offers NFL size, clean mechanics and a mature passing approach. With Brian Hartline likely to stay involved in the offense, there’s reason to believe he could be developed into a future NFL pocket passer. He may need time behind other QBs at OSU, but as a long-term outlook, St. Clair has high Day 2 draft potential.
Tier No. 3 – Scheme-Driven Projects With Upside
5. Husan Longstreet (USC)
High School Career & Stats:
Coming out of Corona Centennial in California, Husan Longstreet is one of the more physically gifted QBs in the class. He’s a multi-year starter who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 30+ TDs as a junior, facing strong competition in SoCal. His raw tools stood out at Elite 11 and national showcases.
Play Style:
Longstreet is a true dual-threat quarterback with a live arm and aggressive play style. He loves to push the ball downfield and is dangerous when on the move. While still developing his consistency as a passer, his natural tools give him a high ceiling if he can put it all together.
Pros:
- Athletic upside: Can make off-platform throws and extend plays.
- Big arm: Ball jumps off his hand, especially on deep shots.
- Plays with confidence: Willing to take risks, attack defenses.
- High-ceiling talent: Rare physical profile for a QB.
Cons:
- Decision-making: Prone to trying to do too much.
- Inconsistent mechanics: Leads to errant throws under pressure.
- Development curve: Will need time to polish his game at the college level.
Devy Outlook:
Longstreet brings arm strength and mobility to the table, but he’s still raw in terms of decision-making and consistency. The game-changer here is his commitment to USC and Lincoln Riley, who has a track record of turning tools into trophies, ideal for devy freshman QBs. If Longstreet earns trust and time, the payoff could be massive.
6. Julian Lewis (Colorado)
High School Career & Stats:
Julian Lewis is one of the youngest and most hyped quarterbacks in recent memory. Originally a 2026 prospect, he reclassified to the 2025 class and still enters as one of the most polished passers in the country. At Carrollton High School, Ga., Lewis burst onto the scene with over 4,000 yards and 48 TDs as a freshman, continuing to post elite production through his underclassman years.
Play Style:
Lewis is a highly refined, rhythm-based passer with good anticipation and mental processing. He’s a natural point guard at QB, distributing the ball quickly and accurately, especially in quick-game concepts. While he doesn’t possess elite size or top-tier arm strength, he consistently throws with timing, touch and awareness well beyond his years.
Pros:
- Advanced football IQ: Elite feel for timing, windows and defensive structure.
- Quick, compact release: One of the fastest triggers in the class.
- Perfect fit for a spread attack: Will thrive in tempo and space-based offenses.
Cons:
- Lean frame: Listed at 6’ 1”, 185 lbs; will need to add muscle to hold up in the Power 5.
- Arm strength is average: Relies on touch and timing, not velocity.
- Reclassification challenge: Will be younger and less physically mature than most peers.
Devy Outlook:
Lewis’s commitment to Colorado gives him a unique trajectory. With Shedeur Sanders gone, Julian could compete for the job as early as Year 1 and Deion Sanders’ offense offers an exciting platform for exposure and development. Lewis is one of the smartest QBs in the class, but his limited arm strength and slight frame raise concerns about his long-term ceiling. He’s a perfect schematic fit for Deion Sanders’ up-tempo attack, but feels more like a college star than future NFL QB unless his physical tools take a leap. Lewis may be more of a target for Campus to Canton (C2C) leagues than a devy prospect among the incoming freshman QBs.
How Does the 2025 Freshman QB Class Stack Up For Devy?
This incoming 2025 class is very strong at the top, but it’s not the deepest we’ve seen in recent years.
Bryce Underwood is the best QB recruit since Quinn Ewers or even Trevor Lawrence. He’s the rare combination of elite production, tools and polish, and he is better than most QB1s in recent classes. Keelon Russell and Deuce Knight also both have legitimate NFL upside, giving this class multiple potential future stars, which is not always the case year to year.
Beyond those players, this class isn’t as deep as those in 2022 or 2023. After the top three or four quarterbacks, there’s a noticeable drop-off in polish and projection. There are intriguing athletes, but not many surefire devy values beyond the top tier.
Bottom Line:
- Top-heavy class with elite potential at the top; Underwood could be a generational devy asset.
- Comparable or better than recent classes in terms of ceiling, but not as deep.
- Ideal for devy managers who can land one of the top two or three QBs in their drafts.
Check out all our Devy Freshman Fever Profiles:
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman QB Profiles (2025)
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman RB Profiles (2025)
- Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman WR Profiles (2025)
Thanks for reading my article on the Devy Freshman Quarterbacks of 2025! For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Junfu Han – USA TODAY Sports*
