A backup quarterback can make or break a season. One injury to the starter and suddenly that second player on the depth chart becomes the most important player on the roster.

CBS Sports put out their top ten backup quarterbacks heading into 2026. Here are the five that stand out the most based on experience.

1. Mikey Keene, Arizona State

Mikey Keene is heading into his sixth season across four different programs. He has appeared in 39 career games and thrown for 8,245 yards and 65 touchdowns at UCF Knights, Fresno State Bulldogs, and Michigan Wolverines. He backs up Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley at Arizona State Sun Devils this season.

According to CBS Sports analyst Daniel Hager, Keene is the most experienced backup in college football right now.

If Boley goes down, Arizona State has one of the most seasoned backups in the country ready to step in.

2. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Michigan

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi arrives at Michigan after four seasons at Colorado State Rams, where he threw for nearly 7,000 yards and 38 touchdowns across 31 career games.

He is one of only two quarterbacks on this list who have played in 30 or more college games. He backs up Bryce Underwood in Kyle Whittingham's first season running the Wolverines.

"There are real questions surrounding Bryce Underwood after a dismal spring, and true freshman Tommy Carr turned heads early, but if Fowler-Nicolosi can pick up the system quickly once he arrives, he could be capable of keeping Michigan's season from crumbling if Underwood gets pulled," CBS Sports wrote.

Michigan fans should feel comfortable knowing who is behind Underwood if something goes wrong.

3. Eli Holstein, Virginia

Back at the Pittsburgh Panthers, Eli Holstein lost his starting job to freshman Mason Heintschel and transferred to the Virginia Cavaliers. Under Tony Elliott, he backs up Missouri Tigers transfer Beau Pribula.

Over two seasons at Pitt, he threw for 3,309 yards and 29 touchdowns across 18 games. Holstein has started games at the FBS level and done it well. Virginia knows what they have if Pribula misses time.

4. Dylan Raiola, Oregon

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is the name everyone knows on this list. He put up 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns at Nebraska before a broken fibula cut his 2025 season short after nine games.

He now sits behind Dante Moore at the Oregon Ducks and is already pencilled in as the Ducks' starter for 2027. Joining a program like Oregon to develop further is a smart play for his long-term future.

5. Amari Odom, Syracuse

Odom brings real experience after stops at Wofford Terriers and Kennesaw State Owls. He has appeared in 21 career games and thrown for 4,251 yards and 26 touchdowns.

He backs up Steve Angeli at Syracuse Orange. Angeli led the Orange to a 3-1 record last season before a season-ending injury. Having someone with Odom's experience behind him gives Syracuse real depth at the position.

Do you think any of these backup quarterbacks could end up starting by the end of the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar