Top five QB2s who are sureshot starting QB contenders in 2024 ft. Arch Manning
The QB2, or as it is more commonly known, the backup quarterback is an interesting position. These players are one sack away from entering the game and potentially making a massive difference to their program.
On the other hand, there are some who will never have an opportunity to enter the field at their current program.
In the 2024 college football season, there are a few backup quarterbacks who are talented enough to be a starter at another program. Here are five of these players.
5 QB2s who could be a starting QB
Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns)
Arch Manning is one of the most talked about players in college football and could easily be the starter on a large number of programs.
He spent his freshman season at Texas as a backup to both Quinn Ewers and Malik Murphy, but was able to play only a few snaps. This was during games where the Longhorns had a large enough lead to not need any of their regular starters on the field.
Many expected Manning to leave the Longhorns after Ewers announced he would be back for one last season. But Manning decided to stay and will spend another season as a backup quarterback.
However, Manning's decision to stay benefits both the player and the team. It allows Manning to develop and become a better player behind one of the best quarterbacks in college football at the moment. It also gives Texas a quarterback room that is very strong.
If Ewers gets injured, even for half a game, Manning will be able to play and be just as successful. This will all be in preparation for when he is set to become the Longhorns starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Dante Moore (Oregon Ducks)
Dante Moore spent his freshman season with the UCLA Bruins, where he was able to be the starting quarterback for the program in five games.
Moore showed some potential in those games, throwing for 1,610 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. However, he also threw nine interceptions.
He never intended to play for UCLA, being committed to the Oregon Ducks for most of his senior year at high school. Moore is now at the school he intended to play for, but as the backup to former Oklahoma Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel.
Dante Moore will be a good backup to Gabriel and will be able to play if necessary, allowing him to develop into a quarterback who will be seen as a definite starter in 2025.
Jayden Maiava (USC Trojans)
Jayden Maiava was the starting quarterback for the UNLV Rebels in 2023. He was never intended to be in this role, but after a injury to quarterback Doug Brumfield early in the Rebels season, Maiava stepped into this role.
He had a fairly successful season, throwing for 3,085 yards with 17 touchdowns. Maiava led the Rebels to the Mountain West Championship game, where they would lose to Boise State.
Despite initially deciding to remain with UNLV, Maiava entered the transfer portal and ended up with Lincoln Riley at USC. Maiava will be strong competition for current starter Miller Moss.
If Moss were to underperform, he could easily step in, using the experience he gained from playing with the Rebels. Additionally, with three more years of eligibility, the Trojans may have the next long-term quarterback in Jayden Maiava.
Walker Howard (Ole Miss Rebels)
Walker Howard began his college football career with the LSU Tigers and did play a few snaps for the program in late 2022. However, he soon left the program and found his way to Ole Miss.
Howard spent the last season as the backup to Jaxson Dart and will continue to be in this role for the 2024 season. However, as with Arch Manning, this will benefit him, as he knows how Lane Kiffin's offense works and if anything were to happen to Dart, Howard could be able to fill in.
Like many on this list, expect Walker Howard to be a starter in 2025.
Julian Sayin (Ohio State Buckeyes)
Julian Sayin was one of the highest-rated prospects coming out of high school, and all of the major programs wanted him on their team. Sayin eventually settled for the Alabama Crimson Tide and enrolled in January of 2024.
A couple of weeks later, Nick Saban retired, and Julian Sayin left for Ohio State. Sayin is likely to spend this season on the sidelines, with former Kansas State QB Will Howard as the starter.
However, if Howard struggles to live up to the pressure that playing for Ohio State brings, Julian Sayin has a strong possibility of playing snaps this year.