By Ty Scheiner
As we head into the 2025 season, the G5 features a mix of familiar faces and rising stars at quarterback. This list highlights a few of my top players who are worth keeping an eye on as we get ready for 2025.
Byrum Brown, QB, USF
Brown had a breakout year in 2023, rushing for 809 yards, 11 TDs, and added 3,292 yards through the air and 26 TDs thrown. I had high expectations for him last year, but unfortunately, he only appeared in six games after suffering a leg injury. I’m hoping Brown enters 2025 fully healthy, and although he will be losing a key weapon in Sean Atkins, I think between Brown’s dual-threat ability and weapons on the outside, including veteran Keshaun Singleton, Joshua Porter, and two more inexperienced but talented players in Brandon Winton and Jeremiah Koger, he’ll be in good shape.
Brown set a bunch of school records in 2023 and owns 12 USF program records entering 2024. If he can stay healthy, we could see the success that Brown is capable of and help elevate Alex Golesh and the Bulls in the AAC. Brown joined 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) as the only players to post at least 3,000 yards passing and 800 rushing in 2023.
Caden Veltkamp, QB, FAU
Most of us remember the show that redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp put on in 2023 while at Western Kentucky in the Famous Toastery Bowl win against Old Dominion, where he led the Hilltoppers off the bench to the fourth-largest comeback in bowl history, while being named MVP of the game. That was just a preview of what we saw during his first full season as a redshirt sophomore with the Hilltoppers, where he threw for 3,108 yards, 25 TDs, a 66.3% completion rate, and added another 7 TDs with his legs.
Entering his redshirt junior season with the Owls, I think the combination of Veltkamp and new head coach Zach Kittley should provide some explosiveness in Boca Raton. Kittley, one of the bright offensive minds in the game, is entering his first season as head coach after coming from Texas Tech and has a history of developing future NFL signal-callers like Patrick Mahomes II, Bailey Zappe, and Davis Webb. This tandem should be exciting to watch in 2025.
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Gio Lopez, QB, South Alabama
Another QB who made a name for himself in a bowl game, Lopez was named 68 Ventures Bowl MVP after leading the Jaguars to their first bowl victory in program history with 192 yards through the air, 88 on the ground, and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). He followed that up last year with a breakout season as a redshirt freshman, leading the Jaguars to a 7-6 record. He threw for 2,557 yards, 18 TDs, and ran for 465 yards with seven rushing TDs.
Lopez has dealt with a few different injuries, but again, if he can stay healthy, I think he’s one of the more dynamic dual-threat players in the G5. He may have a bit more on his shoulders this year, as a few key players have transferred, including star running back Fluff Bothwell. The Jags were in the Sun Belt Conference West Division hunt for most of the season, and that will be a chip on Lopez’s shoulder as he looks to return and help the team win a division championship.
Colton Joseph, ODU, QB
Not many people may have known about Colton Joseph heading into last season, but he’s a player you should keep your eyes on heading into 2025 for Old Dominion. As a redshirt sophomore, Joseph played in nine games last season, throwing for 1,627 yards and 11 TDs, while adding another 647 yards rushing with 11 TDs. He definitely showcased the potential that Monarchs fans have to look forward to in 2025 as a dual-threat QB. He’ll be a major piece for the Monarchs and coach Ricky Rahne next season, as they search for their first winning season and bowl victory under Rahne.
Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State, QB
After a great freshman year, including the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year award and a few other accolades, I had high expectations for Raynor heading into 2024. Although Raynor did lead the Red Wolves to an 8-5 record and a bowl win in the 68 Ventures Bowl, it just didn’t feel like he took that next step. Butch Davis has been steadily improving each year at Arkansas State, bringing in some of the best recruiting classes the program has seen. Raynor finished last season with a 61.7% completion rate, 2,783 passing yards, and 16 passing TDs. I think we’ll see Raynor take that next step and help the Red Wolves compete for the Sun Belt West Division title.
