Ranking the top freshmen so far in the 2025 college football season

While the aboriginal returns from the transportation portal person captured overmuch attraction astatine the backmost presumption with John Mateer, Jackson Arnold, Tommy Castellanos and Carson Beck grabbing headlines, plentifulness of existent freshmen QBs person made contiguous impacts successful 2025 arsenic well.

We person seen highly touted prospects crook into nationally recognized names and statistical leaders successful a substance of weeks. But determination are besides less-heralded freshmen stepping up astatine cardinal positions for top-ranked programs.

While it's inactive early, here's a look astatine the apical 10 done the archetypal 5 weeks of the season.

1. Malik Washington, QB, Maryland Terrapins

Living up to expectations arsenic a imaginable hometown savior is hard. But truthful far, the Maryland native, who ranked No. 134 successful the SC Next ESPN 300 coming retired of precocious school, has been up to the task. The 6-foot-5, 231-pounder delivered Maryland's archetypal Big Ten roadworthy triumph since 2023 by beating Wisconsin. It was not his champion show successful presumption of completion percentage, but helium inactive threw for 265 yards and accounted for 3 scores successful a poised performance.

Washington ranks among the nation's apical 25 successful some passing yards (1,038) and touchdowns (eight) done 4 games. Perhaps astir importantly, Washington has avoided turnovers. Last twelvemonth Nebraska's Dylan Raiola showed however pugnacious the Big Ten tin beryllium for a freshman, but Washington's ratio and composure suggest he's built to grip the grind.

2. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, California Golden Bears

Cal's winding pursuit of the No. 204 imaginable successful the 2025 people -- helium decommitted, concisely signed with Oregon, past returned -- has paid contiguous dividends. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound lefty won the starting occupation and has flashed brilliance starring the Bears to a 4-1 start. He had 279 yards and 3 touchdowns successful a triumph implicit Minnesota and, connected Saturday night, turned a breached play into 51-yard scramble TD with 1:30 to play to enactment distant Boston College. He did, however, besides look each spot the freshman successful a 34-0 nonaccomplishment to San Diego State, throwing 2 interceptions, including a pick-six. Some increasing pains are expected, but Sagapolutele's bid of the offense, exceptional poise and quality to make off-platform springiness Cal a cornerstone astatine the game's astir important position.

3. Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan Wolverines

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