Breakout P5 QBs to watch for in 2021

(photo: Alabama Athletics)

College football is right around the corner. We’ve already previewed FCS QBs to be on the lookout for this year, as well as G5 QBs that you should know. Now we’ll take a look at the breakout P5 QBs that are poised to have big years.

DJ Uiagalelei – Clemson

Uiagalelei has all the tools to be a Heisman winning QB. He has the size, arm strength, awareness, and he’s also a threat with his legs. Last season, he threw for 914 yards and 5 TDs with 0 INTs, completing 66.7% of passes.


Bryce Young – Alabama

Young has a chance to be the biggest breakout player in CFB this season. The former 5⭐ has all the tools to be successful, and he’s surrounded by some of the best talent in football.


Max Johnson – LSU

Johnson, the son of Brad Johnson, showed some great potential last season as a Freshman. Last season, he threw for 1,069 yards, 8 TDs, and rushed for 2 TDs while only throwing 1 INT. There is a bright future ahead for this young man.


CJ Stroud – Ohio State

Stroud, a former 5⭐, could also be one of the biggest breakout player in CFB this season. He’s surrounded by the best WR corps in football and has some elite Offensive Linemen blocking for him.


Florida quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Emory Jones – Florida

Jones finally gets his opportunity in 2021 to prove himself. He could be in line for a huge season this year. In his career, he’s thrown for 613 yards and 7 TDs, while rushing for 514 yards and 6 TDs.


Harrison Bailey – Tennessee

Bailey was a highly regarded recruit and last season as a Freshman he threw for 578 yards and 4 TDs, completing 70.6% of his passes. Bailey will compete for the starting QB job. If he wins the job, he has a high ceiling.


Braxton Burmeister – Virginia Tech

Burmeister has potential, if he can stay healthy. He’s a playmaker who can also do damage on the ground. In his career, he’s thrown for 1,060 yards and 4 TDs and he’s rushed for 324 yards and 5 TDs.


Luke Doty – South Carolina

Doty, the former 4⭐ in-state recruit, has an opportunity for a big breakout campaign in 2021. Last season, he threw for 405 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 91 yards. He’s a dual threat with a lot of potential.


Gunnar Holmberg – Duke

Holmberg was 18-25 in 2020 throwing for 161 yards 0 TDs and 2 INTs. He also rushed for 1 TD. He’s a Junior, but he’s green when it comes to experience.


Gerry Bohanon – Baylor

Bohanon has thrown for 296 yards 3 TDs and rushed for 194 yards 2 TDs in his career. He’s a Junior but has limited experience.


Casey Thompson – Texas

Thompson doesn’t have much experience, but he’s been spectacular in limited time. In his career, he’s thrown for 309 yards 6 TDs with 0 INTs and he’s rushed for 1 TD. Expect a BIG 2021 season from him, if he wins the Longhorn job.


Hudson Card – Texas

Card is just a Freshman and he’s only 1-3 for 5 yards in his career, so he’s extremely green. His upside and potential, however, have many people intrigued. Card is a Dual Threat who also has a viable arm.


Sam Huard – Washington

Huard is a 5⭐ True Freshman who’s the son of Damon and nephew of Brock and Luke. Huard has the opportunity to be a starter immediately because his talent and upside is greater than any QB on the Huskies roster.


Dylan Morris – Washington

In 2020 as a Freshman, Morris threw for 897 yards and 4 TDs, completing 60.9% of his passes. He also rushed for 2 TDs. Morris can be a solid starting QB. However, he will have 5⭐ Sam Huard breathing down his neck.


May 1, 2021; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) leaves the field after the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Photo Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Buchner – Notre Dame

Buchner is a True Freshman who has more upside than any QB on the Notre Dame roster. If Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan slips up, Buchner could get some PT this season.


Will Levis – Kentucky

Levis transfers in from Penn State and he has a good chance to be the Week 1 starter. In his career, he’s totaled 644 passing yards and 3 TDs and rushed for 473 yards with 6 TDs.


J.J. McCarthy – Michigan

McCarthy is a 5⭐ True Freshman who the Wolverines have big expectations for. He will have to compete for the starting job with Cade McNamara. If he wins the job, expect a big breakout season.


Cade McNamara – Michigan

McNamara was impressive in 2020 when he got an opportunity. He threw for 425 yards and 5 TDs with 0 INTs and rushed for 1 TD.


Brendon Lewis – Colorado

Lewis threw for 95 yards and rushed for 1 TD in 2020. Now that Sam Noyer has entered the Transfer Portal, Lewis has to be considered the favorite to win the job. He’s only a Freshman, but the Buffaloes have big expectations for him.


Jayden de Laura – WSU

de Laura threw for 886 yards and 5 TDs in 2020, completing 60.5% of his passes. He also added 2 rushing TDs. There is no doubt, de Laura has a bright future, as long as he can stay on the field.


Gunner Cruz – Arizona

Cruz is a Transfer from Washington State who the Wildcats hope to get a big season from. Cruz is just a Freshman with 1 career TD.


KJ Jefferson – Arkansas

Jefferson is the projected starter at QB for the Razorbacks. He’s only a sophomore and in his career he’s thrown for 492 yards and 3 TDs and rushed for 4 TDs. He needs to work on his accuracy. If he does that, he should do well.


Oct 3, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King (13) warms up before the game with Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports

Haynes King – Texas A&M

King is a quick Dual Threat QB with a ton of upside and speed. QB is the biggest question mark for the Aggies and King definitely has potential but minimal experience. In his career, he’s thrown for 59 yards 1 TD.