Biggest College Football Quarterback Battles

Even with the season right around the corner, some huge teams are still trying to settle their quarterback situation.

It’s the good and the bad of the transfer portal – there are too many good options to choose from. There’s still a chance to make a change during the season, but these five key teams are still trying to figure out the most important position.

26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP
25: ACC Key Questions
24: Big 12 Key Questions
23: Big Ten Key Questions
22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects
21: SEC Key Questions
20: What’s Next in Realignment?
19. Ranking all 30 New Head Coaches
18. Who Has the Easiest Schedules?
17. Who Has the Hardest Schedules?
16. Who Might Be the Next Indiana?
15. Group of Six Teams with Best CFP Shot
14. 5 Teams Due For a Letdown
13. 5 Programs Under the Most Pressure
12. 26 Bold Predictions
11. 5 Teams We’re Disrespecting
10. 5 Hottest Head Coaching Prospects
9. Biggest Games of the Season
8. Coaches On Hot Seat
7. Teams About to Surprise
6. 10 New Superstars

Quick note before we start: With the season almost here, these battles will all be settled soon after this is written. We’ll change this on the fly, but you might be seeing this after the call is made. Even so, in each situation, the backup option could still likely play a huge role.

Blaze Berlowitz, Jr.
Like Diego Pavia, he started his career at New Mexico State, and last year turned into a key backup who saw plenty of mop-up time. A senior, he’s got the experience and maturity.

Jared Curtis, Fr.
The shot for the stars, the 6-3, 230-pound Nashville native was among the highest-ranked recruits in school history. He’s big, has an NFL arm, and the mobility to be a problem every time he’s on the move.

Who Will Win the Battle? Curtis, but by a whisker. Neither option has grabbed the gig by the horns. Berlowitz is the safe call to get things up and moving, but Curtis is the franchise who’s worth developing, mistakes and all.
– Vanderbilt 2026 Team Preview

Hank Brown, Jr.
The former Auburn transfer saw just enough time to throw six touchdown passes in two years on The Plains, and last season the 6-4, 218-pounder got in a little mop-up work with the Hawkeyes.

Jeremy Hecklinski, Soph.
A baller’s baller, he’s not big, but he’s able to make things happen. He started at Wake Forest, was a backup in the Iowa system last year, and he has enough downfield passing pop to open things up a wee bit.

Who Will Win the Battle? Hecklinski. Brown is the much bigger option, but Hecklinski has been stronger in practices. The coaching staff won’t lock down the top spot yet, but … it’ll be Hecklinski.
– Iowa 2026 Team Preview

Tait Reynolds, Fr.
The 6-2, 215-pound true freshman did enough to push past Chris Denson – who’s moving to receiver – for the likely No. 2 spot. Reynolds – who’s also a top baseball player – is accurate, can move, and brings something different than …

Christopher Vizzina, Jr.
After working behind Cade Klubnik, he’s expected to be the Next Quarterback Up, but there’s not enough time logged in to immediately assume he’s the No. 1 – even though he threw for over 400 yards with four scores last season.

Who Will Win the Battle? Vizzina. He’s been around too long not to be the main man, but Reynolds will be used for his running ability in certain packages and situations.
– Clemson 2026 Team Preview

Faizon Brandon, Fr.
Out of central casting, the 6-4, 225-pound superstar recruit is next, if he’s not it – and that’s sort of the issue. He could go almost anywhere and be the instant No. 1, with all the dual-threat skills to be special right away.

George MacIntyre, RFr.
He’s Tennessee. He’s from Nashville, has the size and arm to push the ball all over the yard, and even though he’s more of a 6-6, 208-pound thrower, he can run a little bit.

Who Will Win the Battle? MacIntyre, but this is tricky. MacIntyre is only a redshirt freshman – Brandon is too good to sit around and wait his turn. The same goes the other way around, too, if Brandon is the call – the transfer portal vultures will be circling the second the depth chart is announced.
– Tennessee 2026 Team Preview

Austin Mack, Jr.
The 6-6, 237-pound veteran backup knows what Kalen DeBoer wants. Mack started out at Washington, followed DeBoer to Bama, and has the high-powered passing skills to start pushing the passing game down the field more.

Keelon Russell, RFr.
A superstar recruit who saw a little bit of time last year, the 6-3, 207-pound redshirt freshman is more dynamic than Mack, but he’s not really a runner. He’s an NFL-caliber passer who needs time and live reps, but once the experience is there, look out.

Who Will Win the Battle? Mack, at least to start the season, but … Russell will be in a rotation. Or vice versa – this really is a toss-up. There’s no wrong answer here. Russell is the shot for the stars, but Mack is a bit older with more time under DeBoer.
– Alabama 2026 Team Preview