Early Signing Day – Quarterback Edition

As mentioned in the previous article, we are going to dive into some of the top players that could potentially early enroll. Let’s jump right in! * Disclaimer, kids these days can’t commit to nothin’! The projected colleges could change between now and then and drastically change my predictions – these are my predictions as of the publishing of this article.

 

1. Arch Manning

a. Projected College – Texas

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Arch Manning has been the talk of recruiting and high school football for the past couple of years and his commitment to Texas put a jolt of excitement into their fanbase with a, somewhat, shocking decision. Look for Arch to enroll early and get into Steve Sarkisian’s playbook, push Quinn Ewers into the summer, but end up playing a back-up role.

2. Malachi Nelson

a. Projected College – USC

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Add Malachi Nelson to the long list of highly touted QB’s that have been nabbed by Lincoln Riley. I think he joins Arch Manning as an early enrollee, but, unlike Manning, there will be no “competition” with potential 2024 first round draft pick and current QB, Caleb Williams (I use quotations because there won’t be a real competition with Ewers in Texas).

3. Nicholaus Iamaleava

a. Projected College – Tennessee

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – Yes

Here’s the first starter from the 2023 class. NicholausIamaleava is the highest rated QB to ever commit to the Volunteers out of high school (since ratings have been applied…Peyton Manning did not have a rating). Look for him to step into Josh Heupel’s team and be the talk of Knoxville all summer long.

4. Dante Moore

a. Projected College – Oregon

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Dante Moore is a stud, but I don’t think he wins the job from Ty Thompson out of summer camp, but I think he puts a lot of pressure on that Ducks coaching staff to, if Thompson is to struggle next year. 

5. Jackson Arnold

a. Projected College – Oklahoma

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Jackson Arnold will make things interesting in Sooner country but enrolling early won’t be enough. This competition will come down to Dillon Gabriel and General Booty (the greatest name in college football today).

6. Christopher Vizzina

a. Projected College – Clemson

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Here’s the first QB that I think stays to finish out high school with their compatriots. Vizzina is a very talented QB, but there will be very little need to have him enroll early with DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik already in the QB room in Tiger Town.

7. Jaden Rashada

a. Projected College – Florida

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

This is one of the hardest predictions as Rashada will be Billy Napier’s first QB recruit at Florida. However, Anthony Richardson, despite his struggles this year, is still a very talented QB. This competition will be tight, but Richardson wins out with a short leash.

8. Eli Holstein

a. Projected College – Alabama

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Eli Holstein is a very talented QB, but so are the others in that Crimson Tide QB room. Look for Holstein to sign in the summer.

9. Dylan Lonergan

a. Projected College – Alabama

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

This one is surprising for multiple reasons; A, why do you choose Alabama along with the 8th ranked QB in your class? B, why do I think Lonergan enrolls early, but Holstein to finish High School? Well, I’ve got answers: A, Lonergan stated that Alabama coaches said they “needed” him during his recruitment, and they are allowing him to pursue a collegiate baseball career as well. Which leads me to B, Lonergan enrolls early for baseball.

10. JJ Kohl

a. Projected College – Iowa St.

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

JJ Kohl is a big pickup for the Cyclones, but with young talent like Hunter Dekkers still in the mix, there’s no reason to thrust Kohl into the fire. Look for Kohl to take his time, and sign in the summer.

11. Avery Johnson

a. Projected College – Kansas St.

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Avery Johnson may enroll early, but it would simply just be for depth. I’m predicting Johnson to stay in high school until the summer.

12. Austin Novosad

This Baylor QB room is littered with young talent, included incumbent starter, and rising RS Jr. Blake Shapen. Novosadcould come in early, but I think it would be a waste of time.

a. Projected College – Baylor

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

13. Pierce Clarkson

a. Projected College – Louisville

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Louisville is THIN at QB, with Malik Cunningham leaving after this year, so I would be shocked if Clarkson doesn’t sign in the December singing period. He would also have a solid opportunity to start with his biggest competition being Brock Domann. I give Domann the edge but wouldn’t be surprised to see Clarkson win the job or at least play early and often.

14. Ricky Collins

a. Projected College – LSU

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Stay in school Ricky! As long as Jayden Daniels resides in Baton Rouge, he’s the starter, and the two young guns in Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard behind him, there should be no rush to get in the mix. 

15. Kenny Minchey

a. Projected College – Notre Dame *Not committed; Decommited from Pitt 14 Nov 22

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – Yes

Notre Dame is HURTING for a QB. If Kenny Mincheyends up committing to the Irish, look for him to enroll early and be the starter next year. This one seems to be a no brainer, should Minchey be eligible.

16. Brayden Dorman

a. Projected College – Arizona

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Arizona is not a good program right now, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t good talent in this QB room. I suspect Dorman to take it easy and finish high school with his peers rather than throw his name in the hat with Jayden deLauraand company.

17. Marcel Reed

a. Projected College – Ole Miss (for now…)

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

This one depends COMPLETELY on Lane Kiffin, who many are speculating to jump ship after this season. I think Reed will opt to stay out of early enrollment both for low probability for a starting spot (Jaxson Dart is currently the starter) and with the possibility of Lane Kiffin taking the midnight train to…Auburn?

18. Chris Parson

a. Projected College – Mississippi St.

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Will Rogers is almost a lock to be the starter, but there’s only one other QB listed on the roster. I think the old Pirate Mike Leach will convince Parson to forgo his second semester of high school and head down to Starkville early. 

19. Gabarri Johnson

a. Projected College – Missouri

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

The Tigers have rising redshirt junior, Brady Cook and a couple of rising sophomores behind him. Although Gabarrimay have time to beat out the sophomores for the illustrious backup role, I think Johnson will ultimately opt to finish out his senior year of high school with his peers.

20. Malachi Singleton

a. Projected College – Arkansas

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

There is no real reason for Singleton to enroll early unless he really just wants to get a jumpstart on his collegiate career. Look for the rising freshman to come in the summer to learn from incumbent starter KJ Jefferson and experienced backup, Malik Hornsby.

21. Tad Hudson

a. Projected College – UNC

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

Although the Tarheels have a thin QB room, this is Drake Maye’s team. Hudson can come in early if he wants to be a serviceable backup, but that would be his ceiling for his freshman year. I think he’ll choose to wait until the summer.

22. Brock Glenn

a. Projected College – Florida St. *flipped from Ohio St. 21 Nov 2022

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

Florida St. may still have Jordan Travis for one more year and the QB room is pretty crowded with AJ Duffy and Tate Rodemaker. But, Glenn flipping to Florida St. may be a sign that the coaching staff doesn’t have faith in the talent of their other QBs. Either way, be prepared for Glenn to hold out on early signing day and wait until the summer.

23. Marcus Stokes

a. Projected College – NA *Florida pulled their offer due to disciplinary reasons

b. Early Enroll? – No

c. Start? – No

I won’t spend too much time on this one as Florida just recently cut ties with Stokes for some questionable social media posts. Stokes future is up in the air at this point.

24. Zane Flores

a. Projected College – Oklahoma St.

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – Yes

Spencer Sanders is on his way out and behind him is Gunnar Gundy and former four-star Garrett Rangel. This would be his best opportunity to earn the starting job, and I think he may pull this one out. Maybe not week one, but eventually Flores leads this team out on the gridiron.

25. Aiden Chiles

a. Projected College – Oregon St.

b. Early Enroll? – Yes

c. Start? – No

I don’t think Chiles has a shot to win the starting job from Chance Nolan, but this would be a great opportunity to get in early and gain some experience with the playbook and the college lifestyle when the QB competition happens next year.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article – I hope you enjoyed it. You should definitely use this guide to tell me and my colleagues how wrong I was after the early signing period of December 21 – 23!