
<p>ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/43336264/predicting-starting-quarterbacks-college-football-power-4-teams-2025">predicted the 2025 starting</a> quarterback for every Big Ten team while diving into the competition for the spot at each school.</p>



<p>Some schools have good situations whether it’s with a returning QB or a transfer. Some schools have little options and others have myriad quarterbacks.</p>



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<p>Let’s dive into ESPN’s predictions of every starting quarterback in the Big Ten for the 2025 season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illinois"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/illinois-fighting-illini/">Illinois </a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/luke-altmyer-80529/">Luke Altmeyer</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ethan-hampton-42952/">Ethan Hampton</a></strong></p>



<p>Altmeyer is coming off his second season as a starter for the Fighting Illini, throwing for 2,712 yards and 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions. They’ll need the experience next year. Hampton transferred in from Northern Illinois and also helped NIU upset Notre Dame.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indiana"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/indiana-hoosiers/">Indiana</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568-1024x538.png" alt="Fernando Mendoza" class="wp-image-2993973" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568-50x26.png 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/23061906/Ewers-2024-12-23T071841.568.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">USA Today Sports</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/fernando-mendoza-43783/">Fernando Mendoza</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/grant-wilson-46629/">Grant Wilson</a></strong></p>



<p>Mendoza was solid at Cal this past season, but surprisingly entered the transfer portal. It’ll be the second straight year IU has a new QB coming from elsewhere. Wilson started 14 games for Old Dominion in total, but was injured for most of 2024. Mendoza threw for over 3,000 yards this fall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iowa"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/iowa-hawkeyes/">Iowa</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mark-gronowski-83415/">Mark Gronowski</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/brendan-sullivan-13765/">Brendan Sullivan</a></strong></p>



<p>Gronowski was a much hyped transfer in from South Dakota State. He was a four-year starter who went 49-6 and was the top FCS player in 2023. Sullivan started three games last season for the Hawkeyes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maryland"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/maryland-terrapins/">Maryland</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/justyn-martin-70070/">Justyn Martin </a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/malik-washington-153853/">Malik Washington</a></strong></p>



<p>Billy Edwards Jr. transferred to Wisconsin so the Terps brought in Martin from UCLA. He appeared in just five games in three seasons. Washington is a four-star freshman QB going into next year, so he could be a distinct possibility.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michigan-state"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-state-spartans/">Michigan State</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5-1024x538.png" alt="Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) looks before making a pass against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 - Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports" class="wp-image-2834820" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5-50x26.png 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/29201751/Untitled-design-21-5.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/aidan-chiles-147985/">Aidan Chiles</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tommy-schuster-113671/">Tommy Schuster</a></strong></p>



<p>Chiles was all over the place in 2024 for the Spartans. But he followed Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to MSU last year. He’ll get the first crack. But Schuster spent the ‘24 season behind him, so he’ll certainly be gunning for the position.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michigan"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/">Michigan</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mikey-keene-89563/">Mikey Keene</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bryce-underwood-15949/">Bryce Underwood</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/davis-warren-32409/">Davis Warren</a></strong></p>



<p>Keene comes in from Fresno State and also spent time at UCF. He’s a veteran, but he’ll have stiff competition with Underwood, Michigan’s highest rated QB recruit ever. Warren started most of 2024, but Underwood seems like the guy who could win the competition in the end if Keene has challengers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minnesota"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/minnesota-golden-gophers/">Minnesota</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/drake-lindsey-174519/">Drake Lindsey</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zach-pyron-122978/">Zach Pyron</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dylan-wittke-145824/">Dylan Wittke</a></strong></p>



<p>Lindsey is a Minnesota recruit who sat last season. It could be his time as he has impressive traits. Georgia Tech transfer Pyron will challenge for the spot and Wittke could provide good depth and another voice in the room for the Gophers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nebraska"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers/">Nebraska</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3-1024x538.png" alt="Nebraska Raiola" class="wp-image-2912957" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3-50x26.png 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/11/25120851/Untitled-design-50-3.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Dylan Widger, Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dylan-raiola-147035/">Dylan Raiola</a></strong><br>Competition: None</p>



<p>Raiola has depth behind him, but he started as a true freshman for a reason. The funny Patrick Mahomes comparisons aside, Raiola should be better as a sophomore. He could very well emerge as one of the better QBs in college football as long as he continues to develop properly. He helped the Huskers to their first bowl since 2016.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northwestern"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/northwestern-wildcats/">Northwestern</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/preston-stone-96881/">Preston Stone</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mike-wright-89517/">Mike Wright</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jack-lausch-51175/">Jack Lausch</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ryan-boe-177646/">Ryan Boe</a></strong></p>



<p>Stone comes in from SMU who has plenty of experience, starting at quarterback in 2023 before suffering an injury and was eventually replaced by Kevin Jennings this past season. Wright might change positions, Lausch seems bound for the backup spot and Boe could emerge higher on the depth chart. But he might need to wait a bit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ohio-state"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/ohio-state-buckeyes/">Ohio State</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/julian-sayin-68682/">Julian Sayin</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tavien-st-clair-154703/">Tavien St. Clair</a></strong></p>



<p>Sayin impressed the Ohio State staff behind the scenes this year and is in line to start next year at quarterback. St. Clair is a five-star and could be a gem of a QB, but might have to wait. Sayin is the leader in the clubhouse since Air Noland transferred to South Carolina and Will Howard will go to the NFL after the national championship game.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oregon"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/oregon-ducks/">Oregon</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore-1024x538.jpg" alt="Dante Moore" class="wp-image-2959589" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/10124151/Dante-Moore.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> (Photo by: Eric Becker/ScoopDuckOn3)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dante-moore-29804/">Dante Moore</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/austin-novosad-8596/">Austin Novosad</a></strong></p>



<p>Moore transferred in from UCLA prior to the 2024 season. He is a former five-star and started for the Bruins. He learned behind Dillon Gabriel this year. He’s the frontrunner and could do wonders for Dan Lanning’s team. Novosad remained after the season and is likely the backup and could be used in the event of struggles or an injury. The staff is high on him.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-penn-state"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/">Penn State</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/drew-allar-38915/">Drew Allar</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ethan-grunkemeyer-152359/">Ethan Grunkemeyer</a></strong></p>



<p>Allar is back as the quarterback next year, barring anything unforeseen. His RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are back too. Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri and should start at QB there. Grunkemeyer looks like the 2026 starter once Allar goes to the pros.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purdue"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/purdue-boilermakers/">Purdue</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/malachi-singleton-81457/">Malachi Singleton</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ej-colson-152831/">EJ Colson</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/evans-chuba-176875/">Evans Chuba</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bennett-meredith-10204/">Bennett Meredith</a></strong></p>



<p>Barry Odom will have his pick of the little but SIngeleton is the most intriguing option. A dual threat quarterback, Singleton transferred in from Arkansas. Purdue needs some kind of spark and he could be the one to provide it for 2025.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rutgers"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/rutgers-scarlet-knights/">Rutgers</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1-1024x538.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3045101" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/01/14110714/USATSI_25064542-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/athan-kaliakmanis-143696/">Athan Kaliakmanis</a></strong><br>Competition: None</p>



<p>Kaliakmanis has one year left and actually threw for 2,696 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Rutgers hasn’t seen quarterback numbers like that in quite some time. There are some intriguing young QBs behind him, but they’ll have to wait until 2026 as Rutgers looks for a third straight bowl game next season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ucla"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/ucla-bruins/">UCLA</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/joey-aguilar-62716/">Joey Aguilar</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dermaricus-davis-34932/">Dermaricus Davis</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/karson-gordon-71371/">Karson Gordon</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/henry-hasselbeck-176166/">Henry Hasselbeck</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/robert-mcdaniel-236658/">Robert McDaniel</a></strong></p>



<p>There are a lot of quarterback options here but Aguilar got the extra year of eligibility for 2025. He comes in from Appalachian State. He threw for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns over the last two years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-usc"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/">USC</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jayden-maiava-58668/">Jayden Maiava</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/sam-huard-143482/">Sam Huard</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/husan-longstreet-152055/">Husan Longstreet</a></strong></p>



<p>Maiava got the nod late in the year and is the USC quarterback moving forward. Huard transferred in and would be an intriguing option for Lincoln Riley. Longstreet is also a nice recruit, who flipped from Texas A&M in this class.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-washington"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/washington-huskies/">Washington</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/12/29193700/125741-1024x538.jpeg" alt="Demond Williams Jr.-Washington" class="wp-image-1201856" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/12/29193700/125741-1024x538.jpeg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/12/29193700/125741-300x158.jpeg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/12/29193700/125741-768x403.jpeg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/12/29193700/125741.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Demond Williams, Jr (Photo credit: Chad Simmons/On3)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/demond-williams-jr-34094/">Demond Williams Jr.</a></strong><br>Competition: None</p>



<p>Jedd Fisch brought his former Arizona quarterback with him and Williams became the starter late in the 2024 season. He’s the guy for 2025 and there aren’t many options behind him as it stands. It seems like the coach believes in his signal caller.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wisconsin"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/wisconsin-badgers/">Wisconsin</a></h2>



<p>Projected starter: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/billy-edwards-jr-10463/">Billy Edwards Jr.</a></strong><br>Competition: <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/danny-oneil-29664/">Danny O’Neil</a></strong></p>



<p>Edwards was mentioned before as the quarterback left Maryland for Wisconsin. He’s the favorite to start after many QBs left via the transfer portal. Luke Fickell will likely go with Edwards but O’Neil is an intriguing player and could be the long term guy this coming year or next.</p>


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