Five-Star Rivals: Five QB storylines in Jacksonville

The A five-star rival returns subsequent week in Jacksonville, and a few of the nation’s prime quarterbacks within the 2025 and 2026 courses will likely be understanding.

Listed here are 5 storylines we’re watching forward of the summer season’s important occasion.

The battle for the highest spot at quarterback was heated between USC’s Julian Lewis and LSU’s Bryce Underwood, in addition to Ohio State quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who just lately earned five-star standing.

There’s competitors at QB as nicely for the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 Rivals250, which Lewis at the moment holds, and his efficiency in Jacksonville may additional show that time.

USC’s tight finish is greatest in sport conditions the place he can decide aside defenses from the pocket after which look equally snug throwing the run whereas avoiding stress.

Lewis, St. Clair and others will battle it out on A five-star rival and Lewis is aware of all about huge conditions.

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Within the first spherical of the 2026 rankings, five-star Brady Smigiel was named the No. 1 quarterback, however by spring, five-star Raider Lions had taken that prime spot. The 2 California quarterbacks may battle till the top, however Folsom’s Lyons bought the higher hand for the second.

Smigel will likely be on A five-star rival as the one underclassman quarterback, so he’ll actually have an opportunity to compete towards lots of the greatest in 2025. The Newbury Park, Calif., standout is past his years, the son of a coach and a gymnasium rat who put up large numbers final season with Florida State and others within the operating for him.

Maybe no quarterback has achieved extra for himself at regional occasions this offseason than Kylon Russell, who just lately transferred from SMU to Alabama. The four-star from Duncanville, Texas additionally moved as much as the No. 6 professional quarterback within the class, however he’ll have an opportunity to maneuver even greater within the coming weeks.

Russell, he reminds us a variety of Jaden Daniels, a first-round NFL draft decide on the similar stage — a lean body, however a snapping arm and the accuracy and instincts to be particular.

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There are at the moment three five-star quarterbacks within the 2025 class — Lewis, Underwood and St. Clair — and whereas we’re not going to drive one other one, it appears like there’s one other.

It may very well be Texas’ KJ Lacy who will likely be on A five-star rival, or possibly Notre Dame pledge Deuce Knight, who has been extremely popular in latest tournaments, or possibly a shock comes later within the recruiting cycle. Florida State commit Tremell Jones stays regular, and at instances that is engaging to NFL groups within the first spherical.

Not each signal-caller with an opportunity to ascend to five-star standing will likely be in Jacksonville subsequent week, however the stage is there for loads of huge names coming to marquee occasions.

Julian Lewis at USC. KJ Lacy to Texas. Deuce Knight to Notre Dame. Akili Smith Jr. to Oregon. Tramel Jones to Florida State. Keelon Russell to Alabama. Tavien St. Clair to Ohio State.

The one defender not dedicated in A five-star rival is Brady Smigiel, the one 2026 quarterback on the occasion. However many dedicated quarterbacks — excluding Smith, Russell, Lacy, St. Clair and Jones (relying on who you speak to) — look to others.

Lewis has been dedicated to USC since August, however is being closely pursued by Auburn and Colorado. Knight was a longtime Notre Dame pledge, however Ole Miss is struggling. And Florida continues to pursue Jones (and different QBs) to get one of their 2025 class. Will probably be attention-grabbing to learn from many of those gamers subsequent week in Jacksonville.