Undrafted Rookie QB Turns Heads in Baltimore

Rookie QB Joe Fagnano Turns Heads in Baltimore

Joe Fagnanohad quite the impressive start to his young NFL career. The undrafted rookie out of UConn completed 22 of his 28 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' victory over the Eagles on Saturday.

Fagnano’s performance was certainly enough to make him one of the biggest surprises of the NFL preseason so far. Battling it out in camp with Tyler Huntley and Austin Reed, Fagnano has certainly given himself a chance to make Baltimore’s final roster.

College Background at University of Maine

Fagnano started his college career at the University of Maine, where he played from 2019-2022. He then transferred to UConn and served as the starting man for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His final year in college he threw for over 3400 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only one interception. It’s clear that Fagnano isn’t just a one game wonder, he’s shown he can play at a high level before entering the NFL.

Ravens QB Room

TheRavens have their franchise quarterback in Lamar Jackson, and Tyler Huntley has been a reliable backup for several years now, but there’s no reason Fagnano can’t become the third quarterback before the regular season begins. That makes every preseason opportunity even more important for him. 

Fagnano’s First Impression

Fagnano’s first NFL snaps were quite impressive. He completed 78% of his passes and threw a touchdown to fellow rookie Ja’Kobi Lane. He did throw an interception, but it didn’t overshadow the positives from his day. One preseason game won’t solidify him a roster spot, but it does give  the Ravens another reason to throw him out there for the second preseason game.

Fagnano will have to show he’s more than just a one game wonder. He’ll have two more opportunities to do so. The Ravens take on the Vikings and Commanders in their final two preseason games, where Fagnano will surely see plenty of snaps.

Joe Fagnano still has plenty to prove before the Ravens give him a roster spot, but his preseason debut was a sign he’s on the right track. Being an undrafted player gives him the chance to play with a real chip on his shoulder, and that he has done. If he can continue to build on Saturday’s performance, Fagnano could become one the more unlikely stories of this NFL season.