We’ve reached an important landmark for the quarterbacks of the 2024 recruiting cycle. As has been documented, Year 2 is a critical fork in the road moment for the position. The players have a good idea of where things stand by that point, and if they’re not on track to see the field by the end of their second year on campus, then it might be time to look elsewhere.

So, with the Class of 2024 quarterbacks essentially done with their second season in college, let’s check in on the blue-chippers from that class and see where they stand at this point in their careers.

Note: All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State (via Alabama)

Recruiting ranking: No. 1 QB, No. 6 overall

Sayin signed with Alabama, but Nick Saban retired during his first week of classes in Tuscaloosa. He transferred to Ohio State shortly after and sat the bench last season while the Buckeyes won the national title. He earned the starting role in 2025 and threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff appearance and will be one of the top quarterbacks in the sport next season.

DJ Lagway, Baylor (via Florida)

Recruiting ranking: No. 2 QB, No. 7 overall

Lagway might have the highest ceiling of any player in this group, but he didn’t reach it during his two seasons at Florida. He passed for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this past season and didn’t make the leap most expected from him. He entered the transfer portal after the Gators hired Jon Sumrall and is committed to Baylor, though he visited Ole Miss and has yet to sign with the Bears.

Dylan Raiola, Oregon (via Nebraska)

Recruiting ranking: No. 3 QB, No. 21 overall

Raiola wasn’t bad during his two seasons with the Cornhuskers. He just wasn’t the transcendent player the Nebraska fan base was hoping he’d be. He threw for 4,819 yards, 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions but provided no real signature moments. He entered the portal after the regular season and just announced his commitment to Oregon. Whether he’s the Ducks starter in 2026 depends on whether Dante Moore returns to school.

Dylan Raiola is headed to Oregon after two seasons at Nebraska. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

Air Noland, Memphis (via South Carolina, via Ohio State)

Recruiting ranking: No. 4 QB, No. 56 overall

He signed with Ohio State, but the coaching staff brought in Sayin shortly after Noland arrived on campus. He was buried on the depth chart and transferred to South Carolina for the 2025 season, but couldn’t crack the two-deep with the Gamecocks. He entered the transfer portal again this offseason and committed to Memphis on Tuesday afternoon.

Luke Kromenhoek, USF (via Mississippi State, via Florida State)

Recruiting ranking: No. 5 QB, No. 59 overall

Kromenhoek signed with Florida State and gained valuable playing time as a true freshman during the Seminoles’ disastrous 2024 season, but he transferred after Gus Malzahn was hired as the offensive coordinator and brought in Tommy Castellanos. He landed at Mississippi State but was behind starter Blake Shapen, and the Bulldogs also had a promising freshman in Kamario Taylor. So Kromenhoek entered the portal once again and transferred to USF, which also brought in another quarterback — who we’ll get to in a bit.

CJ Carr, Notre Dame

Recruiting ranking: No. 6 QB, No. 68 overall

Carr is one of the few quarterbacks at the top of this list who hasn’t transferred. He redshirted his first season with the Fighting Irish and won the starting role in training camp in August. He had a strong first season, throwing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he’ll be one of the better quarterbacks in the sport next season.

Ethan Grunkemeyer, TBD (via Penn State)

Recruiting ranking: No. 7 QB, No. 105 overall

Grunkemeyer redshirted in 2024 and was thrust into the starting lineup this past October after Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury. He displayed some promise during the second half of the season, but new coach Matt Campbell signed his former starter at Iowa State, Rocco Becht, eliminating any chance that Grunkemeyer would get the nod next season. So he hit the portal, and even though he hasn’t announced his intention yet, there’s an expectation he’ll reunite with his former coach, James Franklin, at Virginia Tech.

23 for 34 for 262 and 2 touchdown passes.

Ethan Grunkemeyer YOU are QB1 pic.twitter.com/bCmQsMRIxp

— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) December 28, 2025

Walker White, Central Arkansas (via Baylor, via Auburn)

Recruiting ranking: No. 8 QB, No. 107 overall

White attempted just five passes during the 2024 season at Auburn and then hit the portal after new coach Hugh Freeze took over. He didn’t throw a pass at Baylor this season and is now at the FCS level at Central Arkansas.

Jadyn Davis, TBD (via Michigan)

Recruiting ranking:  No. 9 QB, No. 112 overall

It was concerning that Davis didn’t play in 2024 considering how bad the Wolverines’ quarterback situation was at the time. Michigan brought in five-star prospect Bryce Underwood following that season and there was no real path toward playing time for Davis, who attempted two passes during his time with the Wolverines. He entered the portal but has not made a commitment yet.

Ryan Puglisi, Georgia

Recruiting ranking: No. 10 QB, No. 114 overall

Puglisi redshirted as a true freshman in 2024 and served as Gunner Stockton’s backup this fall. The Bulldogs have had a string of starting quarterbacks who have patiently waited their turn, like Stetson Bennett, Carson Beck and Stockton. We’ll see if Puglisi goes down a similar path.

Jake Merklinger, TBD (via Tennessee)

Recruiting ranking: No. 11 QB,  No. 160 overall player

Merklinger attempted the second-most passes of any Tennessee QB this season. But the Vols are waiting to hear word on starter Joey Aguilar, who is fighting for another year of eligibility, and are also flirting with quarterbacks in the portal. So Merklinger is looking for a new home.

Demond Williams Jr., Washington (via Arizona)

Recruiting ranking: No. 12 QB, No. 205 overall

Well, Williams emerged as quite the controversial figure last week when he announced he was going to enter the portal despite signing a rev-share contract with Washington, only to walk it back a few days later and announce his return. He signed with Arizona out of high school, then followed coach Jedd Fisch to Washington shortly after Fisch took the job in Seattle. This past season was Williams’ first as the Huskies’ full-time starter, and he threw for 3,065 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 611 yards and six scores. He’s entrenched as Washington’s starter barring any additional drama.

Will Hammond, Texas Tech

Recruiting ranking: No. 13 QB, No. 226 overall

Hammond was a well-regarded recruit for the Red Raiders and flashed this season when he received playing time, but he suffered a torn ACL in October. If it weren’t for the injury, Hammond would have been in line to start next season. With his status uncertain, Texas Tech signed coveted Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby.

Tyler Cherry, Indiana

Recruiting ranking: No. 14 QB, No. 234 overall

The Indy Star reported that Cherry is serving as a student assistant this season while he recovers from a knee injury he suffered late last season. The Hoosiers signed TCU transfer Josh Hoover to start at quarterback, so there’s no path toward playing time for Cherry next season.

Michael Van Buren Jr., USF (via LSU, via Mississippi State)

Recruiting ranking: No. 15 QB, No. 239 overall

Van Buren played as a true freshman at Mississippi State and then transferred to LSU to serve as Garrett Nussmeier’s backup. He started games late in the season for a banged-up Nussmeier, but a coaching change to Lane Kiffin put his future at LSU in doubt. He transferred to USF, where he’ll compete with Kromenhoek, a fellow 2024 blue-chip transfer.

The rest of the blue-chippers
Elijah Brown, No. 16 QB, No. 247 overall, TBD (via Stanford)
Dermaricus Davis, No. 17/279, TBD (via Hawaii via UCLA, via Washington)
Isaac Wilson, No. 18/280, Colorado (via Utah)
Hauss Hejny, No. 19/295, Colorado State (via Oklahoma State, via TCU)
Michael Hawkins Jr., No. 20/297, West Virginia (via Oklahoma)
Trey Owens, No. 21/299, Arkansas State (via Texas)
Miles O’Neill, No. 22/308, North Carolina (via Texas A&M)
AJ Maddox, No. 23/337, Ole Miss
Cutter Boley, No. 24/344, Arizona State (via Kentucky)
Colin Hurley, No. 25/357, Michigan (via LSU)
Trever Jackson, No. 26/293, TBD (via Arkansas, via Florida State)
Marcos Davila, No. 27/402, TBD (via Nebraska, via Purdue)
AJ Surace, No. 28/421, Rutgers
CJ Bailey, No. 29/434, NC State
KJ Jackson, No. 30/459, Arkansas
Mabrey Mettauer, No. 31/464, TBD (via Sam Houston State, via Wisconsin)
Samaj Jones, No. 32/474, Cincinnati

There’s a lot to sort through with this group. Bailey, who signed with NC State over some late interest from Miami, has turned out to be one of the best quarterbacks in the class. Maddox, Surace, KJ Jackson and Jones are still at their original schools, but none is guaranteed to start in 2026.

Davis is already looking for his fourth school in three seasons. He signed with Washington when Kalen DeBoer was head coach, transferred to UCLA in the spring of 2024, spent a season there, then transferred to Hawaii but attempted just three passes this season. So he’s on the hunt for a new home.

Colorado State is Hejny’s third school. Trever Jackson, Davila and Mettauer are all currently looking for their third program in as many years.

Wilson, Hawkins, Owens, O’Neill, Boley and Hurley all found new homes this offseason.

In total, 23 of the 32 blue-chip quarterbacks from this cycle have already transferred. Bailey (NC State) and Carr (Notre Dame) are the only ones who will definitely start in 2026 at the school they signed with out of high school.