Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

5 Most Interesting QB Battles (G5 Schools)

Originally posted on The Forkball | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 9:21 PM ET

Here are the five most interesting QB battles among top Group of 5 schools. We’ve got some generational recruits, some controversial transfer portal gains and some run of the mill “It’s my turn” QB upgrades. But for G5 schools everyone knows Job #1 is to protect your greatest asset, your QB – but always have a plan B.

The Tulane quarterback battle is between redshirt senior Jake Retzlaff and redshirt senior Brendan Sullivan. Retzlaff left a productive resume of work at BYU and will get used to a new culture at Tulane. (Excellent article at Times of Israel). Sullivan and Retzlaff took the majority of the first and second team reps, according to the New Orleans Advocate.

For the first time in 3 years, there’s a true quarterback battle for the University of Memphis Tigers. With senior Seth Henigan leaving, Memphis recruited four-star QB prospect AJ Hill. He’s the highest-rated quarterback prospect ever for the U of M, #5 QB recruit in the country, per ESPN. According to the Memphis Tiger’s official website, Hill turned down scholarship offers from Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. QB Brandon Lewis came through the transfer portal, he’s a sixth-year QB formerly with UNLV. It’s a classic veteran versus freshman upstart battle. Though Memphis lost their QB and top receiver, they had 40 incoming players, among the top 10 in Division 1.

Rockets Man

For Toledo, QB Tucker Gleason Senior Last year had 24 T.D and 8 interceptions with a 137.9 passer rating (ESPN) Toledo’s other quarterback is John Allen Riechter, Junior QB. He’s the only other quarterback with game experience with a start against Northern Illinois, a win. Toledo ranks 34th nationally in returning production, per ESPN’s SP+ ratings. The University of T is the only FBS program that has kept its head coach, both coordinators, and strength coach together for at least six seasons. (Per Phil Steele )

James Madison has one of more notorious quarterback battles. They brought in through the transfer portal, Matthew Sluka, who played 3 games at UNLV and “held out” as he said NIL obligations were not being met. The JMU incumbent is Camden Coleman. Last year he threw for 2,031 yards, 14 TDs and 5 interceptions.

Western Ky QB battle is led by RS Sophomore TJ Finley, a transfer from Texas State, second on the depth charts is Caleb McMickle, a transfer from Houston. T.J. Finley departed amid some controversy from Tulane and is a strong favorite to start. McMickle saw no significant playing time at Houston, though led his HS team to a Division A state championship. .

Hopefully this has opened your mind to which QB battles matter for G5 supremacy. These teams chase a championship invite this year and QBs steer the ship. My last G5 article about incoming shocking recruiting signings, you can find here. If you feel you watch your team more closely than I watch 60 teams, (very possible) then email your thoughts G5@theforkball.com or follow/tweet me @ajayxemem on X (aka Twitter).

This article first appeared on The Forkball and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: