The NFL season kicks off tonight, and there’s no better time to reminisce about the journey of each Week 1 starting quarterback, from their high school days to the grand stage of the NFL. Interestingly, nearly half (15 of 32) of this year’s NFL Week 1 starting quarterbacks participated in the Rivals Camp Series as high school prospects.
ARIZONA CARDINALS – Kyler Murray
The Texas dynamo from Allen, four-star recruit Kyler Murray, stood proud at No. 71 nationally and fifth as a dual-threat QB. Despite his conservative ranking due to his frame, in an era before undersized quarterbacks became the rage, Murray showed they couldn’t measure heart with a tape. Against all odds, he’s now lighting up the NFL like a firecracker on New Year’s Eve.
ATLANTA FALCONS – Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins bypassed the Rivals Camp Series, making evaluations tricky for the low three-star recruit. With only minor offers on his plate—UConn, Western Michigan, and Toledo—it wasn’t until Mark Dantonio extended a late invite to Michigan State that Cousins found his collegiate home. Talk about an underdog story written in the stars!
BALTIMORE RAVENS – Lamar Jackson (Rivals camp alum)
Reflecting on Lamar Jackson‘s stellar run at Louisville and now setting the NFL ablaze, it’s almost comedic we once ranked him No. 17 among dual-threat QBs in 2015. Even after a decent performance at the Rivals Camp Series in Miami, his raw talent led some to underestimate him. But Jackson rewrote the playbook with his unique pocket presence and unmatched athleticism.
BUFFALO BILLS – Josh Allen
Josh Allen faced a rocky road; after failing to secure a scholarship at Fresno State and rejecting a walk-on spot at San Diego State, Allen attended junior college before transferring to Wyoming. He never graced a Rivals Camp Series event and likely wasn’t invited due to his lack of offers. But he always packed a wallop in that cannon of an arm, eventually piecing it all together like a master chef crafting the perfect dish.
CAROLINA PANTHERS – Bryce Young (Rivals camp alum)
The prodigy from Santa Ana (Calif.), Mater Dei’s Bryce Young, was second in the 2020 Rivals250, trailing only Bryan Bresee. Some argued Young deserved the top spot. Brilliant in high school, his instincts were so sharp, it was like he could read the game a second ahead of everyone else.
CHICAGO BEARS – Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams, the top-ranked dual-threat QB and No. 6 overall, often got overshadowed by Quinn Ewers in the 2021 Rivals250. The Gonzaga standout soared in high school and truly flourished under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma and USC. We cherished Ewers’ arm, but Williams’ freakish playmaking abilities were a gem undervalued.
CINCINNATI BENGALS – Joe Burrow (Rivals camp alum)
A mid-three-star out of Ohio, Joe Burrow hurled passes that didn’t always zing but flickered with potential. Overlooked at Ohio State, his talent erupted at LSU. Urban Meyer once quipped Burrow “throws like a girl”—a statement now proven as irony in its finest form.
CLEVELAND BROWNS – Deshaun Watson (Rivals camp alum)
A regal presence from Gainesville, Ga., Deshaun Watson epitomized the five-star mold: always smooth, composed, and with a football that seemed to float on air. Committing early to Clemson over Florida, even a clandestine Auburn trip couldn’t sway him. Watson remained as steadfast as a lighthouse in a storm.
DALLAS COWBOYS – Dak Prescott
Hailing from Haughton, La., mid-three-star Dak Prescott wasn’t exactly a camp circuit celebrity. He only drew major attention after dazzling at a Mississippi State summer camp. LSU’s late interest was too little, too late—Prescott had slipped under the recruiting radar, only to emerge as a shining NFL star.
DENVER BRONCOS – Bo Nix (Rivals camp alum)
Bo Nix was a five-star prospect because of his fiery passion for the game—a coach’s son, always pushing the envelope. After a rocky start at Auburn, he found his rhythm at Oregon, earning a well-deserved first-round NFL ticket.
DETROIT LIONS – Jared Goff
While Jared Goff never made it to a Rivals Camp Series, his talent was undeniable when given the platform. Lightly recruited out of Marin Catholic, he aired grievances about limited opportunities at Elite 11. But Goff’s rise to prominence with Cal validated that work ethic and drive, proving stars are often born under pressure.
GREEN BAY PACKERS – Jordan Love (Rivals camp alum)
A two-star underdog out of Bakersfield, Calif., Jordan Love wasn’t expected to blossom into an NFL star. Lean and lacking physicality early on, no Power Five offers came his way. But Love’s determination saw him transform like a caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly.
HOUSTON TEXANS – CJ Stroud (Rivals camp alum)
In the California skirmish between Bryce Young and D.J. Uiagalelei, CJ Stroud initially flew under the radar. Yet, late recognition revealed his fluid, dynamic arm, capturing Ohio State’s last-minute offer. Stroud now stands tall, proving the late bloomers often shine the brightest.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – Anthony Richardson (Rivals camp alum)
Anthony Richardson was a high school enigma—a whiz athlete with questions around his deep-ball accuracy. Over the years, he’s dialed in on those concerns, evolving into one of the league’s most electrifying young quarterbacks, with a dual-threat capability that keeps defenses guessing.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – Trevor Lawrence (Rivals camp alum)
Trevor Lawrence was the paragon of a No. 1 player—competing at every opportunity, excelling consistently, translating his potential into a remarkable college career, and sealing it with the top pick in the draft. Rumors of him being a silent Georgia commit only added to the allure that unfolded perfectly at Clemson.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Patrick Mahomes (Rivals camp alum)
In 2013, few at the Dallas Rivals Camp Series envisioned Patrick Mahomes ascending to NFL greatness. Lean and raw, he lingered in Texas Tech’s sights only after another QB decommitted. Yet, like Aladdin discovering the lamp, Mahomes’ talent emerged, dazzling the NFL under the brightest lights.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert was almost reclusive in high school, injured through his junior year which limited exposure. Few events and FCS offers marked his early path until Oregon stepped in. Herbert’s dream to play for his hometown Ducks became a reality, blossoming into a draft-worthy star.
LOS ANGELES RAMS – Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford‘s five-star ranking was a slam-dunk hit. No. 6 nationally, Stafford fit the quarterback mold perfectly—and his career has consistently reflected that promise, from the college ranks through to NFL stardom.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – Gardner Minshew (Rivals camp alum)
Gardner Minshew attended numerous Rivals Camp Series events, yet didn’t leave a lasting impression. However, his wild collegiate journey—from Troy to Northwest Mississippi CC, East Carolina, and finally Washington State under Mike Leach—is the stuff of football legend.
MIAMI DOLPHINS – Tua Tagovailoa (Rivals camp alum)
From Honolulu’s St. Louis, four-star Tua Tagovailoa possessed pinpoint accuracy, though his physicality didn’t scream NFL. Underestimating the lefty led to his ranking just below Kellen Mond and Tate Martell. Hindsight shows we missed the mark, as his prowess has lit the path in Miami.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Sam Darnold
Measured conservatively, Sam Darnold should’ve been a five-star. The third overall pick in 2018 came in at No. 179 in the Rivals250. The San Clemente standout did almost no high school events and was even eyed as a future tight end by some schools. Underestimation? You bet.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett was tagged a dual-threat, though his true persona was more pocket passer who could scramble when needed. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds in high school, Florida seized the opportunity after Meyer’s grayshirt offer faded.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Derek Carr
A mid-three-star from Bakersfield, Calif., Derek Carr preceded the Rivals Camp Series. His star shone through film, and Fresno State won the battle, outpacing Utah and SMU.
That’s your deep dive into the inspiring journeys and hidden stories of each starting quarterback. Tonight, as the NFL season kicks off, we celebrate not just the accomplished stars but the unheralded paths they’ve taken. Buckle up, folks—this season promises fiery action and heart-stopping moments you won’t want to miss!
