College football analyst Josh Pate named his top four quarterbacks heading into the 2025 football season, a quality list.
Folks around the country are putting in their bets on the Heisman Trophy winner and most will select a quarterback. College football analyst Josh Pate fielded a slightly different question on a recent episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, but it might as well have been about the Heisman.
Pate was asked which quarterback in the country he would take if he were building a team from scratch. He provided four answers to the question, listing his top quarterbacks going into the year.
Three of the picks hailed from the SEC, while another was also on a team in the deep south. Let’s dive into his picks below, in order of his selections.
1. DJ Lagway, Florida Gators
The first pick for Pate was an interesting one, as he went with a player who wasn’t a full-time starter a year ago. Still, he’s a player with immense talent and the tools around him to have a huge year. Pate explained his pick at quarterback.
“I went with DJ Lagway,” he said. “I think DJ Lagway at his best can be the best quarterback in the country. Now, I have, just like you, heard the injury concerns. I’ve seen the injury concerns. But I think when you blend raw talent and explosiveness and deep ball accuracy, when he’s at his best he can be better than anyone in the country.
“DJ Lagway led the SEC last year in completion percentage on balls thrown 20 or more yards downfield. And I still think there’s a way for him to level up his passing game. 2025 should be his pop year. And I’m not just talking about at Florida. DJ Lagway would be my No. 1.”
2. John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners
The next pick was a transfer quarterback. And given Cam Ward‘s success a year ago in turning into the No. 1 overall pick — also out of Washington State — you can understand the thought process.
“I’m going to tell you who’s close behind (Lagway), though, that many, many more people are sleeping on, is John Mateer at Oklahoma,” Pate said. “I’ve bought all the John Mateer stock. I’ve got a John Mateer Heisman Trophy ticket in my back pocket. I couldn’t be higher on him.
“And there are people out there who question his mechanics who have not the slightest clue about quarterback mechanics or throwing mechanics. I’ll tell you what, you want to see a sidearm throw? You want to see different arm angles? Watch him on the run. Watch him throw the ball on the run. Watch the accuracy. Mid-range, downfield, watch the accuracy.
“I think that his improv ability is elite. He ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. And I’m talking about his throwing ability, but he can also run the ball. He, as much as people think he’s got to adjust to the SEC, and as much as people think, ‘Oh, John Mateer going to really level up the quality of competition this year.’ He is. I’m telling you I don’t have an issue with it. Quite the opposite: I think the league’s going to have an issue with him this year. John Mateer is going to be good.”
3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers
The third pick was the first non-SEC pick from Pate. The quarterback he selected? None other than the veteran out of Clemson.
“I’d have no problem taking Cade Klubnik if I had to wait for No. 3,” Pate said. “That growth was impressive last year. I think he may have played his best game against Texas. He was 26-of-43, 336, three touchdowns. It was Texas. They lost. But he’s good.
“He’s a weapon with his legs. But moreso than anything else, in an ocean of unproven [quarterbacks] this year, I get proven production if I go with Cade Klubnik. Last year was incredible. If he just gave me his performance last year I’d be OK with that. I can win with that. He can improve this year, but I mean even if he doesn’t I’m OK with that.”
4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks
Finally, Pate closed out his list with a third selection from the SEC. It was not Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, but another SEC quarterback.
“Lastly, the one I cannot leave off this list. I cannot leave the sixth name in the Heisman odds right now: LaNorris Sellers,” Pate said. “LaNorris Sellers could end up being the best quarterback in the country this year. His wide receiver stable maybe does not match up with some of these other guys, but LaNorris Sellers could just be a monster this year.
“I don’t do the whole comparison to Cam Newton thing. I’m saying if there’s a guy out there who’s capable of collectively raising the level of play around him up just by his presence, ala Cam Newton on Auburn 2010, it’s LaNorris Sellers at South Carolina this year. You don’t know the names of his wide receivers, he can make you know the names of his wide receivers. He’s built like a linebacker. He’s incredibly astute.
“I keep hearing a lot about the impact Mike Shula‘s having on him on his pocket awareness and his throwing ability. Because that’s not what people think of when they think about him right now, but I think maybe by the season this year, by the time that’s over, I think they will think that. He just, he extends plays as good as anyone in the country.”
Category: General Sports
