True freshman Jaden Rashada will start at quarterback for Arizona State when the Sun Devils open their season Aug. 31 against Southern Utah, several reports said Tuesday.
Rashada beat out Notre Dame transfer QB Drew Pyne, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month, and Trenton Bourguet for the starting gig.
The 247Sports composite rankings rated Rashada the No. 81 overall prospect and the No. 7 quarterback in the Class of 2023, a group that included five-stars Arch Manning (Texas) and Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee).
The California native originally committed to Miami and switched his pledge to Florida, but he requested and was granted a release from his national letter of intent — reportedly after a Florida collective failed to come up with a $13 million name, image and likeness deal that Rashada was promised.
Rashada follows in the footsteps of Jayden Daniels, who also started at quarterback for Arizona State as a freshman in 2019. Daniels has since transferred to LSU and is considered a Heisman Trophy contender in 2023.
Arizona State is entering its first season under coach Kenny Dillingham. He is the full-time replacement for Herman Edwards, who was fired three games into the 2022 season.
Pyne transferred to Arizona State after three years at Notre Dame. He was the primary starter in South Bend, Ind., last season, throwing for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.
–Field Level Media