Nebraska’s football program is banking on freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was recently announced as the team’s starter for the 2024 season opener against UTEP on Saturday. Raiola was ranked the third-best quarterback and No. 11 player in the 2024 ESPN 300. Raiola’s move to begin his college career as a starting true freshman is significant, as it’s typically a move reserved for a school’s most highly touted players.

Here are some key facts about “true freshmen” in college sports.

What is a “true freshman”?

A true freshman is a student who plays competitively for a college team and is in his first year at a school. If a student does not play competitively in his sport until his sophomore year, he is considered a redshirt freshman who has four years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Who are some recent true freshman quarterbacks in the NFL?

Many true freshman quarterbacks have gone on to success at the college level, leading to careers in the NFL.

Caleb Williams (2021, Oklahoma)

• No. 17 recruit in 2021 ESPN 300

• Started the last seven games of the season, played in 11

• 1,912 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 4 interceptions that season

• Transferred to USC for the 2022 and 2023 seasons

• Won Heisman Trophy in 2022

• No. 1 draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

Bo Nix (2019, Auburn)

• No. 23 recruit in 2019 ESPN 300

• Played all 13 games for Auburn

• Led No. 16 Auburn to season-opening win over No. 11 Oregon with a go-ahead 26-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds left in the game (trailing 21-20 prior to game)

• 2,542 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 6 interceptions in 2019

• 34 career starts at Auburn before transferring to Oregon for the 2022 and 2023 seasons

• Made 61 starts in his career, most by a QB in FBS history

• First player in FBS history to throw for 55 touchdowns at multiple schools

• 12th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Trevor Lawrence (2018, Clemson)

• No. 2 recruit in 2018 ESPN 300

• Started the last 11 games of the season, played in all 15

• Won the National Championship (Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16)

• 3,280 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 4 interceptions in 2018

• 2018 ACC Rookie of the Year

• 2020 ACC Player of the Year

• 1 of 6 QBs in ACC history with 90 passing touchdowns

• 1st pick in 2021 NFL Draft

Jalen Hurts (2016, Alabama)

• Played 14 of 15 games for Alabama in 2016

• 2,780 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 9 interceptions, 13 rushing TDs

• Lost National Championship game in 2016 season (Clemson won 35-31)

• 28 career starts at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma for the 2019 season

• 3,851 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 8 interceptions, 20 rushing TDs in 2019 at Oklahoma

• Finished 2nd in the 2019 Heisman voting in Oklahoma

• 53rd pick (2nd round) in the 2020 NFL Draft

Lamar Jackson (2015, Louisville)

• School record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season and a career

• Won Heisman Trophy in 2016

• ACC Player of the Year in 2016, 2017

• ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, 2017

• 3,660 pass yards, 27 pass TDs, 10 interceptions, 1,601 rush yards, 18 rush TDs in 2017

• 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL draft

Josh Rosen (2015, UCLA)

• First true freshman Bruin to start a season opener at quarterback in 2015

• Starter in all 13 matches in 2015

• Most passing yards in a season by a true freshman for UCLA

• Named Second Team All-Pac-12 in 2017

• Biggest comeback in UCLA history in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M in 2017

• 10th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

Jared Goff (2013, California)

• Played all 37 possible games during his three seasons at Cal

• Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 in 2013, 2014

• First Team All-Pac-12 in 2015

• Most Outstanding Player in Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in 2015

• Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist in 2015

• Led Cal to its first bowl game since 2011 and its first postseason win since 2008 in 2015

• 1st in Cal career in passing yards

• No. 1 pick in 2016 NFL Draft

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