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Position Battles
Position battles

Jobs still in play

The most compelling open starting jobs across the NFL and college football.

60 contested jobs tracked · 50 projected starting roles · Updated Sep 17
36matching battles · College · All positions

Best college battles

The most open, consequential, and active starting-job competitions.
Memphis TigersMemphis
College · American Athletic · starter
Crowded room
Job at stake
Starting quarterbackStarting QB
Why this battle matters

The winner projects to open the season as Memphis’s starting quarterback, a full-time role in an FBS offense.

Current read

Stokes holds the top listing on the current chart, but the room behind him is close enough — the job stays live. 3 portal additions press the room.

New contenders3 portal additions in the room · Sep 16
Crowded room
UConn
Starting QB
KOKalieb Osborne
JMJake Merklinger
Slight edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Crowded room
Navy
Starting RB
VLVic Listorti
JGJackson Gutierrez
Slight edge

Returning usage is nearly even at 5.4% and 6.4% of team plays.

Crowded room
Oklahoma
Starting RB
LALloyd Avant
XRXavier Robinson
Slight edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Crowded room
Clemson
Starting TE
OPOlsen Patt-Henry
CBChristian Bentancur
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 3.6% and 3.8% of team plays.

Browse all battles

8 of 36 shown · grouped by stakes and openness
Must-watch starting jobsThe most open and consequential competitions.
4 battles
Memphis
Starting QB
College · American Athletic
MSMarcus StokesPortal addition4-JR
Slight Stokes edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

High confidence
Air NolandPortal addition2/3 · 13 yds · 0 TD · 3-SOAN
New contenders
3 portal additions in the room · Sep 16
5 contenders
UConn
Starting QB
College · FBS Independents
KOKalieb OsbornePortal addition32/52 · 427 yds · 3 TD · 3-SO
Slight Osborne edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Medium confidence
Jake MerklingerPortal addition13/24 · 173 yds · 2 TD · 3-SOJM
New contenders
2 portal additions in the room · Sep 16
5 contenders
Navy
Starting RB
College · American Athletic
VLVic ListortiReturning player5% usage ’25 · 3 car · 17 yds
Slight Listorti edge

Returning usage is nearly even at 5.4% and 6.4% of team plays.

High confidence
Jackson GutierrezReturning player6% usage ’25 · 28 car · 172 ydsJG
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
8 contenders
Oklahoma
Starting RB
College · SEC
LALloyd AvantPortal addition90 car · 417 yds · 5 TD · 3-JR
Slight Avant edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Medium confidence
Xavier RobinsonReturning player15% usage ’25 · 83 car · 421 yds · 4 TDXR
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
8 contenders
Leaders emergingA favourite exists, but the job remains live.
4 battles
Clemson
Starting TE
College · ACC
OPOlsen Patt-HenryReturning player4% usage ’25 · 16 rec · 126 yds
Patt-Henry leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 3.6% and 3.8% of team plays.

High confidence
Christian BentancurReturning player4% usage ’25 · 20 rec · 215 yds · 3 TDCB
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
6 contenders
Arizona
Starting Z WR
College · Big 12
CHChris HunterReturning player7% usage ’25 · 27 rec · 372 yds · 2 TD
Hunter leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 7.1% and 3.7% of team plays.

High confidence
Isaiah MizellReturning player4% usage ’25 · 4 rec · 39 ydsIM
New contenders
4 portal additions in the room · Sep 16
4 contenders
Boston College
Starting WR
College · ACC
DPDawson PoughReturning player4% usage ’25 · 13 rec · 197 yds · 1 TD
Pough leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 4.0% and 5.6% of team plays.

High confidence
Jaedn SkeeteReturning player6% usage ’25 · 13 rec · 140 yds · 3 TDJS
New contenders
6 portal additions in the room · Sep 16
5 contenders
Louisville
Starting RB
College · ACC
IBIsaac BrownReturning contributor18% usage ’25 · 101 car · 884 yds · 7 TD
Brown leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 18.3% and 16.4% of team plays.

High confidence
Keyjuan BrownReturning contributor16% usage ’25 · 96 car · 704 yds · 6 TDKB
New contenders
1 portal addition in the room · Sep 17
5 contenders