The depth of college football rosters is often measured by the quality of the players who sit behind the starter, and few positions illustrate that principle more clearly than the backup quarterback.
The Backup Landscape
When Austin Simmons went down with an ankle injury, Trinidad Chambliss stepped into the Ole Miss lineup, proving that a well‑prepared reserve can keep a team competitive.
Dylan Raiola, who previously started at Nebraska, brings 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions to the field, while Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are being groomed as the next options for Alabama.
Mikey Keene, with a career completion percentage of 67.8, adds another layer of experience, and Deuce Knight, after transferring from Auburn to Ole Miss, has shown flashes of potential that could translate into meaningful snaps.
Other notable reserves include Tavien St. Clair, a former five‑star recruit at Ohio State, Eli Holstein, who started at Pittsburgh with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and Keisean Henderson, a talented youngster at Houston.
Programs such as LSU, where Husan Longstreet could become a key backup, and Kennesaw State, led by Amari Odom, illustrate the breadth of talent spread across the nation. Even at Colorado State, Brayden Fowler‑Nicolosi’s 38 touchdowns and 29 interceptions make him a candidate to watch.
Coaches from Kalen DeBoer at Washington to Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State rely on these players to stabilize the offense when injuries strike, and the upcoming season will test how many of them can translate practice reps into game‑changing performances.