BYU's Future at the Quarterback Position is Coming Into Focus

We have a good feel for the scholarship quarterbacks that will compete for the starting job over the next three to four years

On Sunday, BYU picked up a commitment from Texas quarterback prospect Noah Lugo. Lugo is a three-star quarterback that BYU flipped from UTSA. With Lugo on board, BYU's future at quarterback is coming in to focus. Today, we'll break down where BYU's future at quarterback stands as of today.

We already know where BYU's quarterback situation stands for 2023: Kedon Slovis will be the starter. If Slovis is healthy, he will start. After 2023, the starting job will be up for grabs. 

2024 BYU Quarterbacks

For the purposes of this article, we'll only list the scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. While BYU has some preferred walk-ons that could eventually factor in, history suggests the scholarship quarterbacks will likely start for the Cougars. Here is a list of the scholarship quarterbacks that are currently slated to be on the roster in 2024:

1. Jake Retzlaff
2. Ryder Burton
3. Noah Lugo
4. Cade Fennegan

Mission plans are personal and can always change, but as of today, it is anticipated that Enoch Watson will serve a mission and join the program for the 2026 season. Therefore, even with Watson committed in the 2024 class, Noah Lugo is the only quarterback that will join the program in time for the 2024 season. 

Depending on the development of Jake Retzlaff and Ryder Burton this season, BYU could go into the 2024 season with those four at quarterback. In that scenario, Retzlaff would likely be the favorite to start and Burton would have every opportunity to beat him out. If BYU doesn't feel ready to hand the keys of the offense to one of those two, the Cougars could look to the transfer portal again. Retzlaff was brought in with the expectation that he could be the guy in 2024, but he will have to prove this year that he can be the guy next year. Don't count out Ryder Burton. Burton has all the physical tools to be BYU's starter if he can master the playbook.

2025 BYU Quarterbacks

Jake Retzlaff has three years to play two, meaning he has two seasons of eligibility and a redshirt available. If Retzlaff uses his redshirt in 2023, he will be on the roster in 2025. If Slovis goes down with an injury and Retzlaff is forced into action in 2023, Retzlaff will be a senior come 2024. Here is what the quarterback situation is looking like for 2025:

1. Jake Retzlaff (Barring 2023 redshirt)
   
2. Ryder Burton
3. Noah Lugo
4. Cade Fennegan

BYU will need another quarterback or two on the roster by 2025.

2026 BYU Quarterbacks

By 2026, Cade Fennegan and Jake Retzlaff will be graduated. BYU has three quarterbacks in the pipeline that will be on the roster in 2026:

1. Ryder Burton
2. Noah Lugo
3. Enoch Watson

Enoch Watson will be a freshman in 2026 and working his way back after serving a mission.

In the transfer portal era, quarterback rooms across college football will look very different every season. Finding some continuity through the high school ranks and developing players in the program will still be a vital ingredient to long-term success. That's why BYU's 2024 quarterback class is so important. BYU needs to find a starting-caliber quarterback in either Noah Lugo or Enoch Watson.

If recent history is any indication, BYU will find playmakers at quarterback as long as Aaron Roderick is leading the offense. After all, the last two quarterbacks have been drafted and Kedon Slovis is a candidate to be drafted in 2024. If Roderick can develop these quarterbacks he has recruited, there's no reason why BYU can't continue its recent quarterback success.

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