Arizona State Reportedly Names True Freshman Jaden Rashada as Starting Quarterback

It isn’t yet known which quarterback will start the season for the Cowboys, but the Pokes’ Week 2 opponent is going with a freshman.

Arizona State has named true freshman Jaden Rashada as the team’s starting quarterback, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro. Rashada beat out Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne and ASU returner Trenton Bourguet to win the job. Pyne threw for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns last season at Notre Dame, while Bourguet threw for 1,490 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Sun Devils.

Rashada was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, listed as the No. 81 overall player in the 247Sports Composite rankings. ESPN listed Rashada as the No. 31 player in the class. In his final three years of high school, Rashada threw for 5,687 yards and 67 touchdowns.

He was committed to Florida before eventually landing at Arizona State. He also had offers to Oklahoma, LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, Arkansas and others. Rashada initially signed with Florida but promptly asked to get out of his letter of intent when a reported $13 million NIL deal fell through.

With all the Tempe turnover, Arizona State is an intriguing team entering 2023 under new coach Kenny Dillingham. The Sun Devils were picked 10th in the Pac-12 Preseason Poll, but — similar to OSU — Arizona State is a tough team to judge given the Sun Devils brought in 30 transfers this offseason.

OSU still has to make it through Central Arkansas, and ASU has to make it through Southern Utah. But when these future Big 12 foes meet Sept. 9 in Tempe, it looks as if the Cowboys will need to prep for a talented freshman running the show.