What to know about the top QBs and classes in the 2028 recruiting class

While the early signing period for the 2027 class is fast approaching, teams are also working hard to add more clarity to their 2028 classes. Several of the nation's top quarterbacks in the newly updated 2028 ESPN Junior 300 have already made their college decisions. It's a dynamic group featuring a strong mix of dual-threats and talented pocket passers who could all bring something a little different to college football.

The top recruiters for the 2028 cycle are setting themselves up for strong incoming classes. Many of those teams are College Football Playoff contenders who will need to keep adding depth.

Here's a closer look at 10 notable quarterback commitments in 2028 and how they could fit at their future schools as well as the five teams off to the hottest start.

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Top classes so far

Dual-threat quarterbacks

Jayden Wade, Georgia commit

SC Next rank: 1

What Wade could bring to Georgia's pro-style, run-heavy scheme could make the Bulldogs more difficult to defend. Wade's athleticism would give offensive coordinator Mike Bobo the flexibility to incorporate more designed quarterback runs, RPOs and option concepts, similar to what Keelon Russell has brought to Alabama.

Kaden Craft, Tennessee commit

SC Next rank: 67

Craft is a more polished version of current Tennessee freshman Faizon Brandon, bringing speed and the ability to extend plays with quicker initial movement in the pocket to evade pressure and create outside of structure. He excels in the RPO game, a staple of Tennessee's offense, and could give the Vols more opportunities to incorporate more quarterback-run packages.

Neimann Lawrence, Texas commit

SC Next rank: 69

Texas has a type at quarterback, and Lawrence fits the mold. He shares similarities with 2026 recruit Dia Bell and brings athleticism comparable to current starter Arch Manning. Lawrence has shown the ability to make intermediate and downfield throws while working through progressions, an important skill set for operating Texas' offense.

James Armstrong, Penn State commit

SC Next rank: 173

Armstrong might be the best runner in the class. The left-hander is big, fast and powerful, with a running style reminiscent of Auburn's Byrum Brown. He would bring a different dimension to Penn State's offense that neither the Nittany Lions nor Matt Campbell have had in quite some time. In an RPO-based passing attack, Armstrong's ability to run would force defenses to account for all 11 offensive players.

Trey Wright, USC commit

SC Next rank: 252

Lincoln Riley is getting another diminutive, dynamic quarterback in Wright, whose athleticism draws comparisons to Kyler Murray. At 5-10, Wright is built more like a slot receiver -- and moves like one, too -- but he's also a sneaky-good passer in the mold of SMU's Kevin Jennings. He's an ideal fit for Riley's offense and could bring back the designed quarterback run game Riley featured with Murray and Jalen Hurts.

Pocket passers

Christopher Vargas, Ohio State commit

SC Next rank: 16

Coming from the Massachusetts high school ranks, Vargas' biggest adjustment will be a significant jump in competition. However, few quarterbacks can match his supreme talent and arm strength. His passing prowess is reminiscent of former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Given the current quarterback situation in Columbus, Vargas could have an opportunity to compete early.

Donald Tabron II, Texas A&M commit

SC Next rank: 18

Tabron brings a wealth of talent to the position as a powerful passer with enough skills to compete for the starting job early in his college career. The Aggies' offense is in need of an overhaul this offseason. If the position is unsettled when Tabron arrives on campus, he has the tools to enter the competition right away.

Kingston Preyear, Alabama commit

SC Next rank: 46

Preyear shares some of the poise and arm talent of current Alabama starter Keelon Russell. He isn't quite as twitchy or dynamic as a runner, but he has enough mobility to escape pressure and extend plays. Alabama loves to push the ball downfield, and Preyear's arm strength and high school experience should translate well to that approach.

Lukas Prock, Indiana commit

SC Next rank: 60

Prock is a high-ceiling prospect who is still developing physically and likely won't need to play immediately. He would bring some of the athleticism Indiana had with Fernando Mendoza but doesn't have to the same degree with Josh Hoover. Prock navigates the pocket well and can make off-schedule throws while remaining comfortable operating within a traditional dropback passing game.

Josiah Boyd, UCLA commit

SC Next rank: 116

Boyd has a skill set reminiscent of NC State's CJ Bailey. He's a long, lanky athlete with the ability to make plays as both a runner and passer, and he has considerable room to develop. UCLA's passing game remains a work in progress, but Boyd's mobility and ability to create outside the pocket could give the Bruins' offense another dimension as he develops.

Five teams off to a fast start

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are dealing with injuries and disappointment on the field, but they're off to one of the strongest starts of the 2028 cycle and presently have a top-five recruiting class.

Ohio State has already landed one of the top passers in the junior class in Christopher Vargas. With ideal height and length at 6-4, Vargas has a smooth release and one of the strongest arms in the class, giving him the ability to generate big plays through the air.

He could eventually have a familiar name to target in Jett Harrison, the younger brother of former Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. Jett Harrison has excellent ball skills and can be elusive after the catch.

That's not all the offensive firepower, either. The Buckeyes have also added running back Elijah Newman-Hall from talent-rich IMG Academy in Florida. A powerful, downhill runner with good vision, Newman-Hall seems like a perfect fit in the Big Ten.

See Ohio State's full class

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish are riding a wave of momentum. They've climbed in the College Football Playoff rankings, currently have the No. 2 recruiting class for 2027 and are off to one of the hottest starts of the 2028 cycle.

Notre Dame already has three commitments ranked in the SC Next Junior 300, including a pair of front-seven defenders in Darieon Prescott and Asa Burch.

Prescott impressed on the camp circuit last spring with strong testing numbers. He has long arms, big hands and a high motor, with the tools to develop into a versatile defender capable of lining up in multiple alignments.

Notre Dame has also made a rare recruiting splash in Mississippi, a state where it has signed just one prospect during the ESPN SC Next recruiting database era, spanning 20 years. Running back Zaiden Jernigan is one of the top players at his position in the 2028 class and has rushed for more than 1,400 yards this season.

See Notre Dame's full class

Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are building for the future with a commitment from the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2028 class.

Quarterback Jayden Wade is an elite athlete who can escape pressure, keep plays alive and threaten defenses as a runner. While Gunner Stockton is a mobile passer, the Bulldogs arguably haven't had a quarterback with Wade's dynamic running ability since Justin Fields' short-lived Athens stint in 2018. Wade has also developed as a passer, showing a quick release and good arm strength. He has all the tools to become a true dual-threat.

Nick Carroll, one of the top safeties, is an aggressive, physical defender with good agility and range. Carroll fits the mold of the versatile defensive playmakers Georgia has produced in recent years.

See Georgia's full class

Ole Miss Rebels

Pete Golding is building a strong early 2028 class that could help Ole Miss address future defensive needs, especially in the secondary.

With a defensive backfield anchored largely by juniors and seniors, the Rebels have already landed two SC Next Junior 300 defensive backs, Giovanni Tuggle and Braylen Bedford, who can help them reload.

Bedford, an in-state prospect, has the quickness and instincts to develop into a versatile defender in the secondary. Tuggle, a Georgia native, brings an aggressive, high-energy approach and the ability to make plays at safety.

Ole Miss has also added defensive lineman Antavion Allen, a big-bodied prospect with an intriguing blend of quickness and power. He has the frame to continue developing physically and the upside to become a disruptive presence in the trenches.

See Ole Miss' full class

Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide already have one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Keelon Russell, but he could potentially emerge as a high NFL draft pick after next season. With thin depth behind Russell, DeBoer made big strides toward rebuilding his quarterback room.

The Crimson Tide have two SC Next 300 quarterbacks committed in their 2027 class and have already landed two more for 2028. Among them is Kingston Preyear, an in-state prospect with good arm strength and accuracy.

Delaware native Tysir Young is a thick linebacker with good agility, allowing him to remain a productive force downhill while also moving well enough to play effectively in space. He has a high ceiling.