Deepest QB Rooms in College Football: Alabama, Notre Dame Among Teams Comfortable on Talent Entering Season

As college football continues to evolve, quarterback play has never been more critical. The modern game is defined by high-powered offenses and dynamic signal-callers who can stretch the field with their arms, make plays with their legs, and serve as the face of their programs. The quarterback position is a constant source of scrutiny, but it’s also the most pivotal position on the field. With that in mind, a team’s quarterback room — the group of quarterbacks who are on the roster — can either be the team’s greatest strength or its Achilles’ heel.

Heading into the 2025 college football season, some programs are well-positioned at quarterback, boasting deep and talented quarterback rooms that can weather injury and offer a dynamic mix of skill sets. These teams not only have one capable starter but a group of talented quarterbacks who can step in if needed. When evaluating the deepest quarterback rooms, programs like Alabama and Notre Dame emerge as programs that are comfortable with their talent levels heading into the new season.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the deepest quarterback rooms in college football, focusing on why these programs, including Alabama and Notre Dame, have set themselves up for success at the most important position on the field. We will examine how these teams have built their quarterback depth, their top options for the upcoming season, and how their quarterback rooms give them confidence heading into the new year.

Alabama’s Quarterback Room: Loaded with Potential

Alabama is no stranger to elite quarterback play, and the 2025 season is shaping up to be no different. The Crimson Tide have long been known for developing top-tier quarterbacks, and while the team is currently in a transition phase with some young talent, the depth of talent at the position remains a key asset for the program.

The Starter: Jalen Milroe

Heading into the 2025 season, Jalen Milroe is poised to be the starter for Alabama. The dual-threat quarterback has spent time in a backup role behind Bryce Young, one of the best quarterbacks in Alabama history. Milroe was thrust into action last season due to injuries to Young and quickly showcased his dynamic playmaking ability. His mobility, strong arm, and leadership on the field caught the attention of coaches, and many analysts are predicting that he could emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC this season.

Milroe is an excellent fit for head coach Nick Saban’s offensive system, which has evolved to incorporate more mobile quarterbacks who can stretch plays with their legs. With Milroe’s ability to throw deep and run when necessary, Alabama’s offense could return to its high-scoring ways in 2025. Milroe’s experience and physical tools put him in a position to succeed as the starting quarterback.

The Backup: Ty Simpson

However, it’s not just Milroe who gives Alabama confidence at quarterback. The Crimson Tide also have Ty Simpson, a talented young quarterback who was highly regarded coming out of high school. Simpson spent last season learning behind Milroe and Bryce Young and will be prepared to step in should Milroe struggle or face an injury. Simpson has all the physical tools to be a starter in the SEC, and his skill set complements Milroe’s well, giving Alabama a great deal of flexibility.

The Future: Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan

Looking even further ahead, Alabama also has incoming freshmen Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan. Holstein, a highly ranked quarterback recruit, brings a great deal of promise to the program with his arm strength, accuracy, and poise in the pocket. Lonergan, another 4-star recruit, also has the tools to compete for a starting role down the line. With the talent and depth already in place, Alabama’s quarterback room is set up for success well beyond the 2025 season.

Why This Room is Deep

Alabama’s quarterback room is one of the deepest in college football for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the team has a strong mix of experience and youth. Milroe has game experience and has shown he can produce in critical moments. Meanwhile, Ty Simpson provides a solid backup with immense potential, while Holstein and Lonergan represent future stars. The Crimson Tide are comfortable knowing that regardless of what happens, they have several talented quarterbacks at their disposal, and that level of depth is invaluable.

Notre Dame’s Quarterback Room: Proven Depth and Versatility

Notre Dame is another program with a deep quarterback room, and as the 2025 season approaches, the Fighting Irish are in an excellent position to compete for a playoff spot, in part due to the talent and depth they have at the most important position.

The Starter: Sam Hartman

In the 2024 season, Notre Dame secured a major transfer in Sam Hartman, the veteran quarterback who spent several years at Wake Forest. Hartman is not only a proven starter but also one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football. Over his career, he has thrown for over 12,000 yards, nearly 100 touchdowns, and has developed into one of the most polished and efficient signal-callers in the game.

Hartman brings an invaluable blend of experience, leadership, and skill to the Notre Dame offense. The Fighting Irish have needed consistency at the quarterback position for years, and Hartman has the tools to provide that. He can read defenses, make quick decisions, and is comfortable running an offense with a heavy emphasis on the passing game. Hartman’s presence in the quarterback room gives Notre Dame stability and a proven leader heading into the 2025 season.

The Backup: Steve Angeli

Behind Hartman is Steve Angeli, a rising sophomore who has already impressed the coaching staff with his poise and skill. Angeli was a highly rated recruit, and his development in the Notre Dame system has been positive thus far. Although he has not yet started a game for the Fighting Irish, Angeli has had the chance to learn from one of the best in the business in Hartman, and he is expected to be ready to step in if needed.

Angeli’s versatility and athleticism give Notre Dame another solid option at quarterback. Should something happen to Hartman, Angeli would be well-equipped to handle the responsibility, and the team would not see a dramatic drop in performance.

The Future: Kenny Minchey

Notre Dame also has a very talented quarterback prospect in Kenny Minchey. Minchey, a freshman, was one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class, and his upside is sky-high. Though he likely won’t see significant playing time in 2025, he represents the future of the position at Notre Dame. Minchey’s ability to read defenses and his arm strength make him a perfect fit for the Irish offense, and he could be in line to take over the starting job after Hartman’s eventual departure.

 

Why This Room is Deep

Notre Dame’s quarterback room is deep for several reasons, starting with the blend of experience and talent at the top. Sam Hartman is a proven commodity, and having him on the roster allows the team to maintain stability at the most critical position. Beyond Hartman, the Fighting Irish have a reliable backup in Steve Angeli, who has shown promise, and they also have a bright future in Kenny Minchey, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. Notre Dame’s quarterback room is diverse in terms of skill sets and experience, making it one of the deepest in college football heading into the 2025 season.

Other Notable Deep QB Rooms in College Football

While Alabama and Notre Dame’s quarterback rooms stand out for their talent and depth, several other programs are also well-positioned in the quarterback department heading into the 2025 season.

Georgia

The defending national champions have one of the most stacked quarterback rooms in the country. Carson Beck, a former 5-star recruit, is poised to take over as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs after Stetson Bennett’s departure. Behind Beck, Georgia has Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton, two highly touted quarterbacks who are ready to step in and contribute at a moment’s notice. With this much talent, Georgia is primed for continued success at the quarterback position.

Ohio State

Ohio State has a quarterback room that rivals any in college football. Kyle McCord, a rising junior, is expected to be the starter, but he has two very talented backups in Devin Brown and the recently committed 2024 recruit, Aaron Noland. With all three quarterbacks offering different skill sets, Ohio State can feel confident in its ability to manage the position moving forward.

Clemson

Clemson’s quarterback room is deep, too, with Cade Klubnik taking over the starting job after DJ Uiagalelei transferred. Behind him, the Tigers have several talented young quarterbacks like Christopher Vizzina, who should add depth and competition at the position for years to come.

The quarterback room is a critical area of focus for any successful college football program, and teams like Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson are in a strong position heading into the 2025 season. These programs boast depth, talent, and a combination of experience and youth that should make them contenders for the College Football Playoff. Whether it’s with proven veterans like Sam Hartman and Jalen Milroe or rising stars like Steve Angeli and Ty Simpson, these teams have the quarterback depth needed to compete at the highest level.

As the college football landscape continues to evolve, programs that prioritize depth at quarterback will continue to be at an advantage. The teams that are able to develop multiple quarterbacks and maintain a high level of talent across their rosters will be the ones to watch in the coming seasons. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that the deepest quarterback rooms will have a significant impact on the national championship race and beyond.