By Mike Sidhly
NEFJ Correspondent

Quarterback battles are some of the most polarizing situations in sports and that’s exactly what’s brewing over in Cambridge.

Harvard – a year after making the FCS playoffs for the first time in history – is looking to return to glory after star QB Jaden Craig led them to a 10-2 record last season. Now, Craig is off to TCU to play Power Four football and the Crimson staff needs to make a tough decision with the start of the 2026 campaign only two months away.

Let’s take a look at each potential candidate, with reasons why each could take the job for the maroon and white this season:

THE FRONTRUNNERS

Dante Torres – Senior

Torres comes in as the oldest QB on the roster, and one with the most collegiate experience out of the group. He’s completed 9-14 passes for 168 yards, with one touchdown and one interception while playing sparingly in his three seasons at Harvard. He had an illustrious high school career at St. Anthony’s in New York, where he won the state’s Gatorade Player Of The Year award in his senior season. He’s a dual-threat QB who can roll out and throw on the run, and take off when needed. Standing at 6-3, 205 pounds, he’s a great size for the position and possesses all the traits necessary to be successful. He was noted as a very smart and cerebral player, and would solve rubik’s cubes before games in high school in order to get his mind ready. PrepRedzone also said that Torres has great touch and ball-placement on his throws, especially in the intermediate passing game. During 7 v 7 drills in late March, NEFJ correspondent Kevin Stone noted that Torres looked great overall, and had the best throw of the day, a perfect pass to tight end Logan Reaska down the left seam. He also had a big play during Harvard’s Spring Game, another deep hookup to Reaska, this time a 90-yard catch and run off a 25-yard throw that went for a touchdown. If this continues during summer sessions, there’s a good chance that Torres is the guy to start the season.

Sam Kaiser – Junior

If you were building a QB in a laboratory, you’d want him to have Kaiser’s measurables. He stands at 6-5, weighing 210 pounds, and has a rocket for an arm. Sam hails from Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri where he started for three seasons while picking up All-Conference and All-District honors along the way. He was given a 3-Star Rating by 247 Sports, and received offers from all levels of division one, like Pitt, Vanderbilt, Central Michigan, and Miami (OH). He was noted as a pro-style quarterback coming out of high school, which makes sense due to his big frame. His rocket of an arm was the big selling point, and he doesn’t only have power in his throws, but accuracy as well. He has great touch, and throws a very catchable ball despite his big throwing power. Stone also mentioned that Kaiser had some moments in the Spring game, but summer sessions will truly show if the 6-5 gunslinger has what it takes. If Torres starts to slip as the guy, Kaiser has all the tools necessary to rise up.

IN THE MIX

Ty Fein – Junior

Fein is a local recruit who played his high school ball at the Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts. He earned All-NEPSAC Honors as a junior and senior, while starting two seasons at quarterback. Standing at 6-1 205 pounds, he’s a little on the smaller side in this QB room. A Boston Globe article published in 2023 talks about Fein’s abilities at the position, and said he excels at decision making, reading coverages, and keeping the locker room engaged. He’s not necessarily a duel-threat guy, but possesses solid pocket mobility and can scramble when needed. He could truly be a dark horse candidate if things fall his way during the summer.

Charlie Smith – Sophomore 

In the long run, Smith may be in the best position of any QB on the list. He’s still young, and able to learn under three solid upperclassmen. Smith originally played at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, earning All-Conference honors while leading his team to their first Southwestern 4A conference title in program history. He was also given a 3-Star Rating by 247 Sports. As the youngest and most inexperienced QB, it’s unlikely that Smith will start this year. But with no chosen guy yet, anything can happen. Based on some analysis from QBHitList.com, Smith has a consistent throwing motion with great accuracy, and holds good pocket presence, displaying good patience while allowing receivers to get open. While he has great velocity on short and intermediate throws, deep balls are something he still needs to work on. At 6-2, 190 pounds he has a solid frame that he can build on going forward.

Crimson head coach Andrew Aurich has a tough decision to make, but with so many quality options, it’s a good problem to have. Will the frontrunners lead the charge this summer, or will a dark horse candidate rise and surprise?