The 2025 season has barely began, and lots of sports activities info departments with large logos are seemingly feeling some remorse in regards to the summer time hype they generated for sure gamers.
Expectations are at all times excessive — and difficult to satisfy — at among the nation’s prime packages. With the sum of money these gamers are making, it is onerous to cover after they fall brief. Many will seemingly settle in and rebound, however for now, let’s check out among the stars — significantly quarterbacks — who’re underperforming early.
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Lagway’s numbers are usually not as dangerous as you would possibly anticipate, however 5 interceptions — together with just a few ugly ones — towards an excellent LSU protection increase questions on his progress in two seasons.
On movie, his fundamentals look common at greatest, and he struggles to learn coverages past man-to-man. Defenses are usually not permitting Lagway to throw deep, which he did with some success final 12 months, as an alternative clouding the image post-snap to confuse him.
Florida has leaned on brief throws to tight ends and crossing routes to receivers, however offensive line penalties have eradicated quite a few large performs and touchdowns. Lagway has thrown for 629 yards and 5 touchdowns, and the Gators — together with Billy Napier — are hoping he can settle in and anticipate higher as their brutal schedule presents little margin for error.
Expectations for Manning had been sky-high coming into the season, although to be honest, he didn’t gas the hype himself. Nonetheless, even modest expectations have felt disappointing.
Manning has struggled via three video games and was even booed throughout a subpar displaying towards UTEP. He’s finishing simply 55% of his passes with six interceptions and three touchdowns, whereas receiving little assist from an inconsistent offensive line and a receiver corps outdoors of Parker Livingstone and Jack Endries.
Manning does lead the group in speeding with 121 yards and three touchdowns, which isn’t how Steve Sarkisian needs to make use of him. After shaky video games towards San Jose State and UTEP, Manning might want to elevate his play as SEC competitors looms.
Klubnik has not picked up the place he left off final season and appears to be urgent for a Clemson group that, regardless of its stockpile of expertise, has been among the many nation’s most disappointing.
He’s finishing underneath 60% of his passes with three touchdowns, three interceptions and 633 yards. To his credit score, eight drops and frequent strain have harm his manufacturing. Usually a dual-threat, Klubnik has managed simply 59 yards speeding and a fumble. Clemson’s schedule softens a bit, and the Tigers want him to return to 2024 type shortly to remain within the ACC title race.
Sellers entered the 12 months as one of many nation’s prime gamers and a dark-horse Heisman candidate if he may take the subsequent step as a passer. As an alternative, he has been underwhelming, rating close to the underside of most SEC classes via three weeks.
He has simply two landing passes and one interception whereas finishing 64% of his throws for 431 yards. After operating wild in 2024, Sellers has solely 45 yards speeding this season.
He has linked on just a few explosive passes when given time, however the offensive line has surrendered a league-high eight sacks. Sellers additionally left the Vanderbilt recreation with a concussion, including one other impediment to his growth.
Proctor entered the season as a consensus All-America decide, however the struggles that plagued him as a freshman have resurfaced. He has already allowed a sack and 9 pressures.
His cross safety method stays flawed, and he could finally challenge higher at guard. Proctor has improved for the reason that opener towards Florida State, however his draft inventory has dipped as he has did not dominate regardless of his dimension and expertise. His run blocking has been satisfactory, although not at an All-America degree.
Love’s sluggish begin could also be tied as a lot to his offensive line and training employees as to his personal efficiency. However both method, he has not been the sport changer Notre Dame anticipated. Extensively thought-about the nation’s greatest operating again, Love has solely 33 carries for 127 yards as his common yards per carry has fallen by greater than three yards since 2024.
Backup Jadarian Value has outperformed him early. The Irish have leaned on Love extra within the passing recreation as they break in first-year starter C.J. Carr, however to regular the offense, they could have to recommit to feeding him on the bottom.
Iamaleava appeared to be discovering rhythm late final season at Tennessee, however has taken a step backward at UCLA — a lot to the delight of Vols followers. He has three landing passes to 3 interceptions with simply over 600 passing yards.
His physique language after errors has raised considerations, as he exhibits little urgency to chase down tacklers after interceptions. On the bottom, he has 139 yards, one landing and a fumble.
His lone big-time throw of the season was dropped, and he lacks the supporting forged to raise the Bruins’ struggling offense. One other switch after the season wouldn’t be stunning.
As soon as thought-about an early-round draft prospect, Greene’s inventory has slipped attributable to inconsistent play. Now shifted from left deal with to proper, he seems to be banged up and off form, struggling to anchor or change course.
His lack of method has harm Georgia’s offensive rhythm, and his efficiency suggests he may use relaxation and restoration time to get again to type.
Leavitt was anticipated to construct on his breakout 2024 season, however to date he has struggled to seek out that very same spark. He’s finishing 58% of his passes for a mean of 176 yards per recreation, with 5 touchdowns and three poor interceptions. He has constantly focused Jordyn Tyson and used his legs successfully, speeding for 157 yards and three scores. However the Solar Devils’ schedule toughens considerably, and Leavitt must rediscover his 2024 type shortly to maintain Arizona State within the Huge 12 title image.
Lopez transferred from South Alabama after spring observe, however he could also be questioning the transfer regardless of the fast NIL payoff.
After excelling as a dual-threat in 2024, he’s final within the ACC in passing, averaging simply 114 yards per recreation. He has additionally added 74 yards and one landing on the bottom. The season already seems to be lengthy for Lopez, as UNC stays years away from competing significantly within the convention.
Iowa was anticipated to modernize its offense barely with Gronowski, who entered the season with greater than 10,000 profession passing yards. As an alternative, he’s averaging a Huge Ten-worst 102 yards per recreation.
His three landing passes have all come within the crimson zone, two contained in the 5-yard line. With no big-time throws, Gronowski has been restricted to brief passes and checkdowns in Iowa’s old-school offense. The Hawkeyes present no indicators of fixing their DNA, relying as an alternative on the run recreation and protection.
Ott’s profession has trended downward since speeding for greater than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Accidents restricted him to 385 yards and 4 scores final season at Cal, and his switch to Oklahoma has but to repay. He has solely 9 carries for 17 yards with no receptions via three video games, regardless of being a confirmed receiving menace. It’s a baffling and disappointing begin for a participant some analysts tabbed as one of many prime backs within the nation.
