In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, second-year starting quarterbacks have the opportunity to take a significant step forward and make a lasting impact on their respective programs. From a talented pool of young signal-callers, we have compiled a list of the top ten quarterbacks who are most likely to elevate their game to program-altering status in their sophomore seasons.

Starting off the list at number 10 is Luke Altmyer, the starting quarterback for Illinois. Although he had a rocky first year with the team, Altmyer still commands the helm of an offense in a marquee conference. He will need to work on his decision-making and strengthen his arm to improve his performance in the upcoming season.

Sliding in at number 9 is Rocco Becht of Iowa State. While he may not become a superstar, Becht is set to generate some buzz in his second year as a starter. With his growing competence and the guidance of the coaching staff, Becht has the potential to surprise many.

Taking the number 8 spot is USC's Miller Moss. Despite initial expectations of finding a replacement in the transfer portal for Caleb Williams, Moss impressed in his first start against Louisville, throwing six touchdowns. However, his position may be vulnerable due to tough competition from backup Jayden Maiava and a challenging Big Ten schedule.

Penn State's Drew Allar secures the number 10 spot. As a highly touted prospect, Allar faced criticism in his first season for struggling to connect on explosive plays. With key offensive losses, Allar's success will heavily rely on his strong arm and frame that could catch the attention of NFL scouts.

Brendan Sorsby of Cincinnati occupies the number 9 spot. After a decent first season as a starter for Indiana, Sorsby transferred to Cincinnati due to a coaching change. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Sorsby possesses the skills to make all the necessary throws but will need support from his Bearcat teammates to flourish.

Anthony Colandrea from Virginia holds the number 8 spot on the list. Nicknamed the "Monticello Manziel," Colandrea made a name for himself last season, showcasing impressive playmaking ability and natural arm talent. The success of the team as a whole, however, remains uncertain with the loss of top wideout Malik Washington to the NFL.

In seventh place is Maalik Murphy, who transferred to Duke after leaving Austin. Possessing elite physical tools and a powerful arm, Murphy has the potential to become a Day 2 NFL Draft prospect. The key for Murphy will be consistency, as he exhibited both remarkable throws and questionable decision-making during his two starts in 2023.

Josh Hoover of TCU claims the number 6 spot on the list. An underrated player, Hoover boasts impressive arm talent and the ability to make throws from various platforms. With a strong performance in the upcoming season, Hoover could have a breakout year in the revamped Big 12.

At number 5 is Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, known for his gunslinger mentality and moxie. Taking over from Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier will face the challenge of a revamped offensive playbook and new receivers. While he has the confidence and skills to excel, the pressure will be on Nussmeier to live up to expectations.

The fourth spot goes to Noah Fifita of Arizona, who had an impressive redshirt freshman season in the Pac-12. With precision accuracy and maturity beyond his years, Fifita became a standout performer. Despite the departure of head coach Jedd Fisch, Fifita's solid support system on offense allows room for continued growth and success.

As we reach the top three, Avery Johnson of Kansas State emerges as a dominant force. With undeniable star potential, Johnson possesses exceptional speed and talent that pushed out Will Howard, earning him the starting quarterback position. If Johnson continues to develop as a passer, he could become Kansas State's best Heisman hopeful since Collin Klein.

Taking the second spot is Jackson Arnold of Oklahoma. As a five-star recruit, Arnold displayed glimpses of brilliance in the bowl game against Arizona. With his outstanding footwork, escapability, and explosive arm, Arnold has a talented receiving corps at his disposal. Expectations will be high as he looks to lead the Sooners to success.

And finally, occupying the coveted number one spot is Nico Iamaleava of Tennessee. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds with impressive mobility, Iamaleava showcased his dynamic abilities in blowout wins and made a statement in the bowl game against Iowa. Coached by the innovative Josh Heupel, Iamaleava possesses the potential to become one of the SEC's top quarterbacks and even contend for the Heisman Trophy.

With their talents and potential, these ten second-year starting quarterbacks are primed for breakout seasons. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, these young stars have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on their programs and potentially even catch the attention of NFL scouts.