Fresno State Embraces Wide-Open QB Competition Ahead of Spring Practice

Bulldogs coach Matt Entz says the quarterback room is deeper than last season, with several players vying for the starting job.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Fresno State football coach Matt Entz is not in a rush to name a starting quarterback for the 2026 season, as the Bulldogs have a wide-open competition with several players in the mix. The quarterback room includes returning players Jayden Mandal and Jonathan Craft, as well as transfers Khristian Martin from Maryland and Deagan Rose and Jacob Chambers. Entz says the team will use spring practice starting March 20 to evaluate the candidates and determine the best fit to lead the offense.

Why it matters

Fresno State is looking to build on a 9-4 season in 2025 that saw the Bulldogs win the Arizona Bowl. With the departure of last year's primary starters E.J. Warner and Carson Conklin, the team has an opportunity to find a new leader at the most important position on the field.

The details

Entz says the quarterback competition is "wide-open" and the team will use spring practice to evaluate the candidates. Returning players Mandal and Craft have experience in the system, while transfers Martin, Rose, and Chambers bring new talent to the room. Martin in particular has impressed Entz with his ability to quickly pick up the offense after joining from Maryland.

  • Spring practice for Fresno State begins on March 20, 2026.

The players

Matt Entz

The head football coach at Fresno State University.

Jayden Mandal

A returning quarterback for Fresno State who is coming back from a torn labrum injury.

Jonathan Craft

A returning quarterback for Fresno State who redshirted last season.

Khristian Martin

A transfer quarterback from the University of Maryland who appeared in five games for the Terrapins last season.

Deagan Rose

A new quarterback for Fresno State who set records at Clovis High School.

Jacob Chambers

A new quarterback for Fresno State who had strong production at Rancho Cucamonga High School.

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What they’re saying

“I think it has to be right now. Again, all we can go off is film of Khristian, who's come in, but I think we have to see it with our own eyes. We do have two players that have experience being in the system (Mandal and Craft). I think there's going to be a lot of learning, a lot of growth for all of our players during spring ball, especially at the quarterback position.”

— Matt Entz, Head Football Coach (fresnobee.com)

“Having seen firsthand his ability to throw, his ability to process the game, probably gave him a huge advantage. Khristian is a great leader already. He has grabbed the bull by the horns the minute he got on campus.”

— Matt Entz, Head Football Coach (fresnobee.com)

What’s next

The Fresno State coaching staff will evaluate the quarterbacks throughout spring practice to determine the best fit to lead the offense in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Fresno State's wide-open quarterback competition highlights the team's depth and potential at the position, as they look to build on a successful 2025 campaign and find a new leader to guide the offense.