Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be the No. 1 QB in the 2025 Rivals250?
The 2025 class rankings will be updated for the final time this week. The debate over which quarterback should be ranked highest is tighter than at any point in this rankings cycle.
Ahead of this week’s final 2025 rankings release, the national recruiting analysts – Adam Friedman, John Garcia Jr., Adam Gorney, Greg Smith and Sam Spiegelman – give their takes on who they think should be ranked as the top quarterback in the nation.
RIVALS RANKING WEEK:
Monday: Who should be the No. 1 QB in the 2025 Rivals250?
Tuesday: Final Five-Star Countdown for the 2025 class
Wednesday: Final Rivals250 released
Thursday: Final offensive position rankings revealed
Friday: Final defensive position rankings revealed
Saturday: Final state rankings revealed
FRIEDMAN’S VIEW: Keelon Russell
This is one of the toughest quarterback debates we’ve had in recent years. The trio of Tavien St. Clair, Bryce Underwood and Keelon Russell are a cut above the rest but, while each of them have elite traits that set them apart, I’m going with Russell as my choice for No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 Rivals250.
The Alabama commit has the throwing abilities and athleticism to excel in a variety of schemes and situations. I could point out his throwing mechanics or ability to throw accurately from the pocket and while on the move but what really stands out to me is the way he’s able to put the ball where only his receiver can reach it while also giving them a chance to make a play after the catch.
Russell does have some Jayden Daniels in his game but that’s only part of why I’d choose him over St. Clair and Underwood. All three of them have been improving by leaps and bounds with each year but Russell has been doing it against elite competition. Russell’s adjustment to the speed and type of talent he’ll see at the next level should be shorter than the other two as long as he can quickly pick up the playbook.
GARCIA’S VIEW: Keelon Russell
The 2025 cycle has featured plenty of back-and-forth at the quarterback position among Julian Lewis, Bryce Underwood, Tavien St. Clair, Keelon Russell and even Deuce Knight. Among the best passers in the country, locking down which should be at the top should again attempt to mirror the NFL Draft.
In sporting the GM hat, Russell is the guy. He has plenty to like atop his resume, including a pure throwing motion, loose arm, dynamic athleticism and a projectable build. There are state championships to his name and he has saved his best for the biggest stages both locally and nationally, taking home the Elite 11 MVP before a dominant senior season and postseason.
The pick for Russell, who many have linked to the modern game so fittingly that Jayden Daniels has become a popular comparison, is also about the field against him. There is some safety in the pick, banking on a big-time thrower with a serious athletic profile compared to others who are not as mobile and/or those who haven’t faced such a high level of competition. Russell checks the boxes both small and big, and he is also the hottest of the group when you combine the last year of each’s resume.
GORNEY’S VIEW: Tavien St. Clair
This is a very difficult question and the answer might not be clear for years as these quarterbacks go through their college careers but I’m sticking with Tavien St. Clair.
Bryce Underwood is a very sensible answer. He’s the most freakish physically and athletically but I don’t love the throwing motion and I wonder if Michigan‘s run-happy offense will open things up to use Underwood’s abilities most.
Keelon Russell makes a ton of sense. If we think he’s the second coming of Jayden Daniels but a little more advanced physically at the same stage then absolutely he should be considered for No. 1 overall especially after the season he had at Duncanville, Texas.
But we saw St. Clair and Russell on the same field at the Rivals Five-Star over the summer and St. Clair was just “wow” good. I felt the same way after seeing them at the Elite 11 later this summer. The concern with St. Clair is that he might have to wait his turn behind Julian Sayin at Ohio State so there won’t be an immediate pop there.
Still, over the long haul, if we can have patience, St. Clair might have the most special ability and should stay No. 1.
SMITH’S VIEW: Tavien St. Clair
The Ohio State commit did not have the same eye-catching stats that Keelon Russell or Bryce Underwood had as a senior. But we know that stats don’t tell the whole story. St. Clair played with the least amount of Power Four talent of the group by far but it’s easy to see the traits. He throws the ball with power and touch.
St. Clair has a college-ready frame and is a better athlete than he’s given credit for. It’ll be a slower burn for him in college because he’s not being handed the starting job right away but he’s still the best quarterback in the country this cycle.
SPIEGELMAN’S VIEW: Keelon Russell
Keelon Russell has been on an upward trajectory since his sophomore season at Duncanville (Texas) High, which culminated in a breakout game in a state championship win. As a junior and again as a senior, Russell made massive strides in his game – continuing to take big steps as a passer and as a decision-maker – leading to a truly remarkable season, including 3,652 yards passing, 52 touchdowns compared with two interceptions, and a 71.5-percent completion percentage.
Upon multiple in-person evals as a sophomore, junior and again as a senior, Russell has continued to stand out with his ability to evade pressure, extend plays, make off-platform throws and deliver big-time strikes to multiple levels of the field. Russell has the skill set to amplify any offense he’s directing, and his body of work and continual growth give us even more confidence about his future at Alabama and beyond.
