Every college football season brings its share of drama, and 2025 is shaping to be no different. Some powerhouse programs opt out of spring games due to key injuries, while eight teams are preparing to introduce brand-new starting quarterbacks.
College football giants like Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, Louisville, Colorado, and Ohio State are among the teams ushering in a new era under center. With so many fresh faces stepping into the spotlight, legendary announcer Todd Blackledge has singled out three quarterbacks he believes could make the most significant impact in 2025.
Former NFL QB Excited About the Future of Dylan Raiola, Drew Allar, and Luke Altmyer
Dylan Raiola took the reins as Nebraska’s starting quarterback as a true freshman, showing flashes of promise and facing the expected growing pains. While his debut season had its moments, his overall numbers—2,819 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—left room for improvement.
During his appearance on the “Y-Option” podcast, Blackledge shared his excitement about Raiola’s potential, emphasizing how the young quarterback’s development in 2025 will be a storyline to watch.
“I look at, you know, like Dylan Raiola. So he played right away, right? He showed flashes of being great, but he also took some serious lumps and showed himself as a freshman and didn’t play on a great team. And so, how will he be in year two?” Blackledge said.
Blackledge then shifted his focus to Drew Allar, highlighting his steady progression over two seasons as Penn State’s starting quarterback. Allar has refined his game each year, improving his numbers and command of the offense.
Dylan Raiola
Drew Allar
Luke Altmyer@NBCSports analyst @Todd_Blackledge shares with @YogiRoth a few of the @B1Gfootball QB storylines he can’t wait to follow in 2025@HuskerFootball @PennStateFball @IlliniFootball @76 | https://t.co/9jXhWB5Kl7 pic.twitter.com/QlFnB132n1— Y-Option (@yoptionfb) March 14, 2025
Allar took a significant leap in 2024, posting career-high numbers with 3,327 passing yards, a 66.5% completion rate, 302 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and a 153.5 passer rating. Blackledge sees this as just the beginning, believing Allar has the potential to take his game to an even higher level in the 2025 season.
“Drew Allar is probably the most seasoned guy everybody’s pointing to and says he’s the best in the league. But he needs to take a step up. He took a step from his first year last year, but now he has to find a way, number one, to beat Ohio State. And they’ve got to win the games they’re maybe not supposed to win,” he stated.
“You know, they lose to Ohio State at home, Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, and Notre Dame in the playoff. So, you, they got to find a way, and he’s got to find a way to get them over that hump. But he’s certainly incredibly talented,” he added.
Blackledge then turned his attention to Luke Altmyer, who is heading into his final year of eligibility and third season with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Altmyer made a name for himself in 2024, throwing 2,717 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He also showcased his mobility with 217 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
“But I mean, you know, I think, you know, Luke Altmyer is a great story. I mean, he’s a guy that transferred from Ole Miss, maybe because of Jaxson Dart, you know, whatever. But he’s gotten better and better each year,” he explained. “You know, he was much better last year than he was a year before. Now, he has a chance to be a third-year starter. Illinois has a chance to be sneaky good in the league.”
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Blackledge is eager to see how these three quarterbacks shape their careers and elevate their respective programs. Each has a chance to impact the 2025 season significantly with their talent and potential. Blackledge will watch closely as the season unfolds to see if Raiola, Allar, and Altmyer can rise to the challenge.
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