College Football’s Quarterback Battles to Watch: Fall Camp Edition

Kevin looks at some of the most intriguing QB battles in college football for this upcoming season.

Quarterback battles always bring out the best and worst in programs. For some teams, the answer is clear but unspoken. For others, it's a wide-open competition that could define their entire season. With fall camps underway, the pressure is mounting; not just for coaches to name a starter, but for Devy, C2C, and CFF managers to get clarity on how these battles will shape their rosters heading into the year.

This article will break down several key QB battles happening across the country and analyze what each outcome could mean from a fantasy football perspective. Whether you're stashing a future NFL prospect, chasing early college production, or trying to gain an edge in your deep C2C league, understanding these competitions now can pay off big later.

Let’s dive into the most intriguing quarterback battles you need to be watching this fall and what they mean for your fantasy teams.

Maryland – Justyn Martin vs. Malik Washington

Maryland enters a transition year at quarterback following the departures of Taulia Tagovailoa and Billy Edwards Jr., with head coach Mike Locksley desperately needing stability under center after a disappointing 4-8 finish in 2024. That spotlight now falls on UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and true freshman Malik Washington.

Martin, a 6’4”, 220-pound redshirt sophomore, transferred from UCLA after a quiet stint with the Bruins. He made just one career start ironically, against Penn State, and flashed some promise with a touchdown and 73% completion rate. But realizing he was buried on the depth chart at UCLA, Martin made the move east to College Park, where the door was wide open.

Still, he’s not walking into a guaranteed role. That’s because Maryland brought in in-state blue-chip QB Malik Washington, and the staff is high on his long-term upside. Washington is a dual-threat playmaker with legit tools. He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and tested extremely well in agility drills for someone at 6’4”, 215 pounds. He’s not just an athlete either. Washington shows great poise, quick release mechanics, and the ability to work through progressions from the pocket. He turned heads at the Elite 11 Finals and brings a proven pedigree with a 21-3 record and multiple high school championships.

Fall camp will determine whether Maryland bets on experience with Martin or rolls the dice on Washington’s upside.

Devy Impact:
The only devy-relevant asset here is Malik Washington. He’s not being drafted in most leagues yet, but he should be on radars. His profile pops on tape, he’s got the tools to rise fast if he sees the field early. In deeper leagues, he’s one of my favorite stash-and-see candidates.

C2C/CFF Impact:
This is where the outcome of this battle really matters. If Washington wins the job, he becomes an instant value in C2C/CFF leagues. His rushing upside and arm talent give him 20+ PPG potential in the right system. Plus, if he takes control of this offense, WR Jalil Farooq could benefit too. He’s got the mobility and creativity to bring life to this unit and that’s huge for fantasy.

Ohio State – Julian Sayin vs. Lincoln Kienholz vs. Tavien St. Clair

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