Ranking Every Projected Starting College Football Quarterback for 2025
TJ Inman
Host · Writer
136. Jack Layne - New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico Lobos are going with former Idaho Vandals quarterback Jack Layne as the starter. Head coach Jason Eck chose him after Layne led his Vandals to a 10-4 record in the FCS last season, before New Mexico hired Eck to lead the program. Layne followed Eck to Albuquerque, and they’ll take on the Michigan Wolverines in Week 1.
1. Garrett Nussmeier - LSU Tigers
Breakout College Football Stars to Know for the 2025 Season
Garrett Nussmeier waited multiple years to become the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers. The redshirt junior did not have the season many anticipated, but he was pretty good despite an offensive line that did not live up to the hype and a receiver corps that was far from what LSU ran out in 2023. Nussmeier had 29 touchdowns and threw for an impressive 4,052 yards with a completion percentage of better than 64 percent. The Tigers loaded up in the transfer portal and expect a playoff push in 2025.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 4
The Athletic: 2
Joel Klatt: 6
Greg McElroy: 5
EA Sports: 2
Andy Staples SEC: 2Week 1: LSU (+2.5) at Clemson
2. Cade Klubnik - Clemson Tigers
Ranking the Top College Football Running Backs for 2025
Few players made a more significant jump during the season than Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. After a disappointing opener against Georgia, Klubnik and the Clemson offense took off and showed a lot of progress in Garrett Riley’s second season. Klubnik threw for 36 touchdowns to only six interceptions and added seven scores on the ground and nearly 500 rushing yards. Klubnik will enter the 2025 season with more experience and a blossoming group of stars on offense. The opening-week matchup at Clemson against LSU has the makings of a classic!
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 1
The Athletic: 1
Joel Klatt: 1
Greg McElroy: 1
EA Sports: 1
Andy Staples ACC: 1Week 1: LSU at Clemson (-2.5)
3. DJ Lagway - Florida Gators
Ranking the Top College Football Offensive Linemen for 2025
I'm high on Florida’s DJ Lagway. His numbers from this past season do not stand out, as he was in and out of the lineup, alternating with Graham Mertz. Still, Lagway's promise persuaded Florida to keep Billy Napier for the 2025 season, and the fate of the Gators rests on the development and star turn of the talented young quarterback. Lagway has elite throwing ability, and if he can make consistently good decisions with the ball, Florida could make the College Football Playoff in 2025. He is one of two dual-threat dynamos in the SEC on this list.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 7
The Athletic: 5
Joel Klatt: 7
Greg McElroy: 9
EA Sports: 10
Andy Staples SEC: 12025 Heisman Odds: DJ Lagway (+2500)
4. Arch Manning - Texas Longhorns
Ranking the Top College Football Wide Receivers for 2025
Arch Manning was a part-time player in 2024 as the Texas Longhorns leaned on veteran Quinn Ewers to carry the offense. Steve Sarkisian trusted Ewers, but he was banged up, and the offense definitely could have used Manning's running ability. In 2025, the show will belong to Manning, and it will be fascinating to watch. He has all the physical tools, and his teammates reportedly have complete faith in his ability. This is a critical offseason for Manning's development as he takes center stage with a Week 1 game at Ohio State.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 3
The Athletic: 10
Joel Klatt: 2
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 9
Andy Staples SEC: 4Week 1: Texas (+4.5) at Ohio State
5. Drew Allar - Penn State Nittany Lions
Top 10 Penn State Nittany Lions Returning For Another College Football Playoff Run
Have we seen the ceiling for Drew Allar? Or is there more to be unlocked for the veteran Penn State quarterback? The Nittany Lions reached the semifinal of the College Football Playoff. Still, it's fair to point out they lost each time they went up against a team with equivalent talent (Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame). Also, Penn State has not figured out the wide receiver position. Allar is a good collegiate quarterback who enters his second season under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 2
The Athletic: 6
Joel Klatt: 5
Greg McElroy: 4
EA Sports: 3
Andy Staples B1G: 12025 Heisman Trophy Odds: Drew Allar (+1200)
6. LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina Gamecocks
Ranking the Top College Football Safeties for 2025
LaNorris Sellers is just scratching the surface of what he can be. As a redshirt freshman, Sellers threw for only 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he managed to complete 65.6 percent of his passes, a figure that is higher than expected. His danger to defenses comes in the other part of his game, as he is a nightmare to tackle when he starts to get outside of the pocket. Sellers ran for 674 yards and seven touchdowns, and there were a few games this season when he looked like the most dynamic player in college football. South Carolina won some big-time portal battles and will be a top-25 team to begin the 2025 season.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 8
The Athletic: 3
Joel Klatt: 8
Greg McElroy: 7
EA Sports: 5
Andy Staples SEC: 3Week 1: South Carolina (-9.5) at Virginia Tech
7. Sam Leavitt - Arizona State Sun Devils
Placing Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt on this top ten list is as much a bet on head coach Kenny Dillingham and his offensive system as it is on Leavitt. As a redshirt freshman, Leavitt threw for 24 touchdowns to only six interceptions as he paired with Cam Skattebo and led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 Championship. He surprised defenses with his ability to evade tackles and pick up yards with his legs, running for 443 yards and five touchdowns. Leavitt gets back his best-receiving target and a good offensive line, and the offense will run through him more than it did in 2024.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 5
The Athletic: 7
Joel Klatt: 4
Greg McElroy: 3
EA Sports: 4
Andy Staples Big 12: 18. John Mateer - Oklahoma Sooners
John Mateer had a remarkably good 2024 for the Washington State Cougars, throwing for more than 3,100 yards with 29 touchdowns and adding a team-high 826 yards on the ground with 15 more scores. In total, he nearly eclipsed 4,000 yards and had 44 touchdowns for the Cougars! He follows his offensive coordinator to Norman, and the pair will try to revitalize the offense of the Oklahoma Sooners. How will Mateer make the leap from the shell of the PAC-12 to a loaded SEC schedule?
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 6
The Athletic: 4
Joel Klatt: 3
Greg McElroy: 2
EA Sports: 6
Andy Staples SEC: 52025 Heisman Trophy Odds: John Mateer +2500
9. Carson Beck - Miami Hurricanes
The most expensive transfer quarterback was reportedly Carson Beck. If reports are to be believed, the former Georgia Bulldog is getting $4 million to play the 2025 season for the Miami Hurricanes. Beck was wildly inconsistent in 2024 but ended with nearly 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also had 12 interceptions and was below 65 for completion percentage on just 7.8 yards per attempt. Miami will hope to get a season like Cam Ward’s from Beck as they try to make the College Football Playoff.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 9
The Athletic: 12
Joel Klatt: 10
Greg McElroy: 6
EA Sports: 7
Andy Staples ACC: 310. Nico Iamaleava - UCLA Bruins
9. Carson Beck - Miami Hurricanes
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 16
The Athletic: 19
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy:NR
EA Sports: 16
Andy Staples B1G: 42025 Heisman Trophy Odds: Nico Iamaleava +1200
11. Luke Altmyer - Illinois Fighting Illini
According to some early polls, Bret Bielema's Illinois Fighting Illini are a preseason top-ten team, and they return a veteran group that was on the verge of playoff contention in 2024. The offensive leader is veteran quarterback Luke Altmyer. If the Illini have a strong 2025 season and make the College Football Playoff, Altmyer will get the attention he has thus far been denied. Altmyer had 2,717 yards with 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2024 and should have another strong supporting cast in 2025.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 13
The Athletic: 13
Joel Klatt: 9
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 14
Andy Staples B1G: 212. Kevin Jennings - SMU Mustangs
Kevin Jennings had a rotten end to the season as he imploded at Penn State and looked overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the cold weather. Before that game, he was fantastic and helped lead the Mustangs to a shocking College Football Playoff berth. Jennings had 3,245 yards with 23 touchdowns and ran for another 354 yards and five scores in Rhett Lashlee’s wide-open attack. SMU was much more of a force in the ACC than many expected, and they have the investment and the quarterback to remain a contender moving forward.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 10
The Athletic: 8
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 12
Andy Staples ACC: 413. Fernando Mendoza - Indiana Hoosiers
Top 10 Indiana Hoosiers Returning For Another College Football Playoff Run
It was not a great transfer portal class for the quarterback position, but a few gems have switched schools. One of those is former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza completed 68.7 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and added two touchdowns on the ground. This success came despite playing behind a truly awful offensive line. Mendoza will now be playing for Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers in a system that just helped Kurtis Rourke receive votes for the Heisman Trophy and a cast of weapons much better than what he had in 2024.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 20
The Athletic: 17
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 314. Sawyer Robertson - Baylor Bears
With Shedeur Sanders exiting Colorado for the NFL Draft, there is a hole at the top of the Big 12 quarterback rankings. There are several strong candidates, but we are calling for Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson to step up and become the best of the bunch. Robertson was impressive in 2024, throwing for 3,071 yards and beating out transfer Dequan Finn. He averaged more than eight yards per attempt and had 28 touchdowns to only eight interceptions while chipping in 230 yards rushing and four more touchdowns for a Baylor Bears squad that got hot late and won their final six regular season games to save Dave Aranda’s job.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 11
The Athletic: 11
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: 8
EA Sports: 20
Andy Staples Big 12: 415. Darian Mensah - Duke Blue Devils
It was a bit of a surprise when freshman Darian Mensah beat out Kai Horton and Ty Thompson for the starting quarterback position at Tulane. Despite his youth, Mensah completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and only turned the ball over six times. The Green Wave ran the ball quite a bit, but Mensah did everything asked of him. Mensah entered the transfer portal and surprisingly bolted to Duke to play for Manny Diaz. I do think a bit of skepticism is warranted here. He was poor against Oklahoma in a 34-19 defeat, struggled against Army in the AAC title game, and did not play in the bowl game. How is his game going to translate to a tougher league?
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 18
The Athletic: 18
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 13
Andy Staples ACC: 216. Josh Hoover - TCU Horned Frogs
Ten quarterbacks threw for over 3,600 yards during the 2024-2025 season. The three returning to play in 2025-2026 are Cade Klubnik of Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, and Josh Hoover of TCU. Hoover completed 66.5 percent of his passes en route to a season with 3,949 yards through the air and 27 passing touchdowns. The Horned Frogs lost four games, including three defeats in games in which Hoover went off for more than 330 yards. He’s not a running threat (-19 yards on the season), but he’ll be one of the more prolific passers in the sport next season.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 12
The Athletic: 9
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples Big 12: 617. Haynes King - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but you cannot quantify leadership, toughness, and how much a player means to a team. The intangibles are off the charts for Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King. He was hampered by injuries in 2024 and was limited to more than 2600 yards and 25 touchdowns as he rotated and the Yellow Jackets altered the offense. He should enter the 2025 campaign healthy and as the leader of Georgia Tech’s offense. The schedule sets up nicely for Georgia Tech to be a real sleeper in the ACC.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 14
The Athletic: 16
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: 10
Andy Staples ACC: 518. Behren Morton - Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders were a bit of a disappointment in 2024, limping to an 8-5 record with a loss to Arkansas in their bowl game. The mediocre result was not the fault of quarterback Behren Morton. Morton stayed healthy and started 12 games, throwing for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns while attempting 466 passes. The running game was not what they anticipated, and Morton is a negative in that department (-22 yards on the season). Improving his accuracy and upping the completion percentage by a few points will be key after the Red Raiders invested heavily in the transfer portal and have geared up for a run at the Big 12 Championship in Morton’s senior season.
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USA TODAY: 25
The Athletic: 27
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples Big 12: 919. Avery Johnson - Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson and the Kansas State Wildcats did not have the season they hoped for in 2024. The sky is still the limit for this talented athlete. If he can stay healthy in 2025, I believe in his ability to elevate the Wildcats to a playoff spot. Johnson needs to improve his accuracy and consistency, and Kansas State needs to do a better job of putting him in a position where he can utilize his legs. He can hurt defenses if he can get outside of the tackles.
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USA TODAY: 22
The Athletic: 22
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 11
Andy Staples Big 12: 220. Rocco Becht - Iowa State Cyclones
Matt Campbell seemed to have all of the pieces in place for Iowa State to finally get over the hump and push for the Big 12 Championship, but they needed a strong season of growth for young quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht threw for 3,504 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he still has another level to grow. He only completed 59.4 percent of his passes and needs to jump by at least a few percentage points, which will be difficult after losing both of his top receivers.
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USA TODAY: 15
The Athletic: 14
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 18
Andy Staples Big 12: 521. Diego Pavia - Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores got a massive boost as Diego Pavia was granted another year of eligibility, and he will return to Nashville for the 2025 campaign. Pavia was excellent this past year, totaling more than 3,200 yards with 28 touchdowns as he operated Clark Lea’s offense with expert efficiency and led his team to a bowl win. Vanderbilt will have difficulty replicating their success from 2024, but Pavia will be one of the toughest quarterbacks in the SEC to stop.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 15
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 17
Andy Staples SEC: 722. Demond Williams Jr. - Washington Huskies
Potential. Demond Williams Jr. oozes potential, and the Washington Huskies are counting on 2025 as a significant step towards realizing it and turning potential into production. Demond Williams played as the backup to Will Rogers for much of the 2024 season, but he offered a spark every time he was on the field. Williams is a good athlete who can hurt opponents with his legs but appears to be quite capable of developing as an accurate passer. Jedd Fisch needs Williams to be the answer at quarterback for the Huskies to challenge in the top half of the Big Ten.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 33
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 923. Eli Holstein - Pitt Panthers
Eli Holstein was a well-regarded high school recruit who enrolled at Alabama. There were, reportedly, immediate concerns from the Alabama coaching staff that they had missed their evaluation of Holstein and that he would not be able to contribute to the Crimson Tide. Holstein was an afterthought when he transferred to Pitt, but he surprised everyone by winning the starting job and helping the Panthers to a shocking 7-0 start. Injuries and increased competition spoiled that as Pitt fell apart down the stretch, but Holstein showed a lot as a redshirt freshman. He’s relatively accurate, big-bodied, and a physical runner and offers a lot of promise for the Pitt offense moving forward.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 29
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples ACC: 824. Julian Sayin - Ohio State Buckeyes
Top 10 Ohio State Buckeyes Returning For Another Championship Run
Julian Sayin is the heir apparent at quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Will Howard went to Columbus for one season and accomplished the mission before him, winning a national title and coming up huge during the College Football Playoff run. His eligibility is exhausted, and it was telling that Ohio State did not pursue any transfer portal quarterbacks to take over for him. Then he let former five-star Air Noland leave for South Carolina without a fight. Sayin has a fantastic arm and received rave reviews for his play in practice all season. Of course, he’ll have a fantastic group of weapons to throw to, including all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 24
The Athletic: 32
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 725. Maddux Madsen - Boise State Broncos
Can Maddux Madsen get the job done without star running back Ashton Jeanty taking all of the defensive attention off the passing game? Madsen played second fiddle, understandably, but he had a terrific season and deserves a lot of credit for getting Boise State to the College Football Playoff. Madsen threw for over 3,000 yards and had 23 touchdowns with only six interceptions. The offense will need much more from him in 2025, but Madsen showed the ability to do what was asked of him.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 23
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR26. Jake Retzlaff - Tulane Green Wave
Jake Retzlaff has all the tools needed to be a top-20 quarterback, but he needs to be more consistent. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 20 touchdowns while adding 417 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground during a surprising campaign for the Cougars in which they almost reached the College Football Playoff but settled for a romp over Colorado in a bowl game. His biggest issue to correct is the completion percentage of only 57.9 percent. That needs to come up to around 63-65 percent if the Cougars are to live up to their likely top-ten preseason ranking.
Update: He's since transferred to Tulane and has been named the starter for the Green WaveMORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 1527. Taylen Green - Arkansas Razorbacks
Is Taylen Green ready to make a leap? He beat out Malachi Singleton for the starting role under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. He was inconsistent but flashed terrific potential. Green threw for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns, but he turned it over nine times and was well below 55% completions in multiple games. The excitement comes in the running game as Green’s long strides can quickly eat up yards. If he can harness his potential, he can become a top-ten quarterback. The biggest impediment might be the hits the Razorbacks have taken in the transfer portal and whether they have a roster good enough to help him excel.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 21
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR28. Noah Fifita - Arizona Wildcats
It would be fair to call Noah Fifita’s sophomore season a disappointment. A season after lighting it up as a freshman for Jedd Fisch in Tuscon, Fifita returned to Arizona and played for a new head coach in a new offensive system. Unfortunately, it did not go as planned, but Fifita was not terrible. He threw for 2,958 yards with 18 passing touchdowns despite playing behind a sieve of an offensive line. The biggest issue is Fifita’s accuracy, as he completed only 60.5 percent of his passes, and he’s now without his best receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 36
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR29. Dylan Raiola - Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dylan Raiola arrived in Lincoln with nigh impossible expectations. He was a five-star recruit who initially committed to Georgia before choosing to play for Nebraska. The Husker legacy represented a great hope for Nebraska to return to relevance under Matt Rhule, and he was immediately thrown into the fire as the starting quarterback. His first season was not a smashing success, but it is fair to say it represented a significant step forward for Nebraska as the Huskers reached and won a bowl game. Raiola threw for 2,819 yards, completed 67 percent of his passes, and threw for 13 touchdowns. He needs to do a better job taking care of the ball, but Nebraska added some good pass catchers to help him take the next step.
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USA TODAY: 17
The Athletic: 40
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 630. Brendan Sorsby - Cincinnati Bearcats
Brendan Sorsby transferred from Indiana and started for the Cincinnati Bearcats as a sophomore, completing 64% of his passes and throwing 18 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. It was a relatively successful season for Sorsby but the Bearcats struggled mightily and missed a bowl game, losing the final five contests of the season including bad home losses to West Virginia and TCU. Can Sorsby positively impact winning in 2025?
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 20
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples Big 12: 1031. Austin Simmons - Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss went “all-in” for the 2024 season, investing a ton of money in defensive reinforcements in the transfer portal, believing they could challenge for the SEC Championship. Things did not go as planned, and the Rebels missed the College Football Playoff. Jaxson Dart is now in the NFL Draft but Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have a firm belief they have a rising star at quarterback ready to step into the void.
As a freshman, Austin Simmons completed 19 of 32 passes with two touchdowns, and he clearly has Kiffin's trust. The “Portal King” did not opt to pursue anyone at the position in this year’s transfer portal. Simmons is still only 19 years old, and he will be entering his third season in Kiffin’s system in Oxford. He’s a good athlete, and coaches believe his ceiling is incredibly high.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 37
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples SEC: 632. Marcel Reed - Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies entered the 2024 season, Mike Elko’s first season in charge in College Station, relying on Conner Weigman to begin playing like the highly-touted prospect he was. Weigman never really took off and then was injured, and the Aggies turned to freshman Marcel Reed to spark the offense. He ended up playing in 11 games and took over the starting role, offering glimpses of really good play mixed with inconsistency. Reed is a good athlete who definitely looks like a player who could develop into a difference-maker at the position. Texas A&M should have a great rushing attack in 2025, but they need Reed to offer a consistent threat at quarterback to exceed expectations.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 26
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples SEC: 1033. Dante Moore - Oregon Ducks
Top 10 Oregon Ducks Returning For Another College Football Playoff Run
The quarterback for the Oregon Ducks is almost sure to put up big numbers. Bo Nix did it, and then Dillon Gabriel stepped in, and the offense actually made a bit of a further jump. Offensive coordinator Will Stein is remarkably adept at putting his players in position to succeed, and Oregon has a dynamic group of skilled players to distribute the ball to.
The next quarterback to take a turn in the spotlight is Dante Moore. Moore transferred into the program from UCLA before the 2024 season and spent a year learning in Eugene. The show is now his. There are significant questions about whether or not he can live up to his five-star billing as a high school prospect. Still, the Ducks had enough belief in him not to seriously pursue anyone at the position in the transfer portal. We’ll see if Stein can work his magic.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 19
The Athletic: 24
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 534. Mark Gronowski - Iowa Hawkeyes
Do the Iowa Hawkeyes have a good quarterback? There’s not much to like about the wide receivers but South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski might be the answer at the position that has vexed the black and gold for years. The veteran has played in 55 games, thrown for 10,309 yards, rushed for 1,767 yards, and racked up a remarkable 110 touchdowns. Will Iowa open up the playbook some and let Gronowski take some chances? Unfortunately, he had to undergo offseason shoulder surgery and will not be available in the spring. That could limit his ability to hit the ground running in Iowa City.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 39
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 1035. Jackson Arnold - Auburn Tigers
Auburn was a mess for much of the 2024 season, but it must be pointed out that they lost many close games and suffered from abysmal turnover luck. If you squint, there is a path for the Tigers to be genuine playoff contenders in 2025, but it will require a major step forward from transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold. Arnold was benched at Oklahoma but stuck with the team and played a big part in a stunning upset of Alabama. He has talent but has not played like the five-star prospect he was in high school. Auburn reaching a level deemed acceptable by their hungry fanbase will require him to begin to play like a top-level quarterback. They have surrounded him with a good group of weapons.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 35
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR36. CJ Bailey - North Carolina State Wolfpack
Grayson McCall was brought in from Coastal Carolina, and Dave Doeren was counting on him to improve the NC State offense after a disappointing 2023 season. After a few terrible starts and an injury to McCall, North Carolina State turned to freshman CJ Bailey and gave the Wolfpack a glance at the future. Bailey impressed, completing 65 percent of his passes and accumulating 2,413 yards with 17 touchdowns. He adds a good running element and had five rushing touchdowns and almost 280 yards on the ground. As they try to compete in the ACC, Bailey is a good foundation piece for North Carolina State.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 31
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples ACC: 637. Aidan Chiles - Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans had a rougher-than-expected first year under head coach Jonathan Smith. He came from Oregon State and brought Aidan Chiles to East Lansing. The talented quarterback has definite growing pains, but the ability is undeniable. Chiles must increase his accuracy (59.4% completion percentage) and improve his decision-making. When under pressure, which was often, Chiles had a tendency to try and make a play, resulting in many turnovers (11 interceptions), but if Michigan State can improve their offensive line play a bit, Chiles should have a good junior season.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 44
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR38. Miller Moss - Louisville Cardinals
Jeff Brohm continues to cycle through transfer portal quarterbacks and has a type. Miller Moss fits the mold on paper and joins the Cardinals for the 2025 campaign after a wild ride at USC. Moss was outstanding in a bowl game to end the 2023 season but sputtered in an up-and-down 2024 before losing his job to Jayden Maiava and then transferring to Louisville. Brohm’s offensive system requires accuracy and quick decision-making from his quarterback, and Moss inherits a good running back group to lean on.
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USA TODAY: 23
The Athletic: 43
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR39. Bryce Underwood - Michigan Wolverines
It is difficult for a true freshman to be highly successful at the quarterback position. Still, Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the incoming freshman class, is a special talent that could buck tradition. Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene might begin the season at No. 1 as a veteran presence, but I’m betting Underwood won’t be on the bench for long. Underwood has been described by recruiting analysts as “Cam Newton with better accuracy.” If he can scratch the surface of his potential, the Wolverines will have solved their quarterback issue.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 50
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
Andy Staples B1G: 840. Jayden Maiava - USC Trojans
The USC Trojans turned to Jayden Maiava for their final four games, and the UNLV transfer seemed to stabilize the offense in a way that Miller Moss could not. He threw for 11 touchdowns and 1,135 yards and could hardly be called a star, with “solid” being a more apt description. Is Lincoln Riley capable of reproducing his successes of the recent past and developing Maiava into a star now that he is the full-time starter? Placing him at this spot on the list leans towards a modest improvement but no star-turn in 2025.
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USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 54
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR41. Gunner Stockton - Georgia Bulldogs
What to do with Gunner Stockton? He’ll need to hold off four-star Ryan Puglisi, a player the UGA staff thinks highly of. Stockton is a wildcard, assuming he is the starter for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2025. The former high school star does not have the physical profile of a stud quarterback, but Stetson Bennett did not either, and that turned out just fine for the Bulldogs. He looked overwhelmed against Notre Dame but still ended up with 234 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He made a few critical runs to help Georgia beat Texas while Carson Beck was injured. How much has he progressed with some experience under his belt? The answer will be a key to determining Georgia’s potential to return to the top of the sport.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 48
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR
Andy Staples SEC: 842. Byrum Brown - South Florida Bulls
Byrum Brown was a breakout star in 2023. As a true dual-threat quarterback, he accumulated more than 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns, propelling the South Florida Bulls. USF took a step back in year two under Alex Golesh, as Brown suffered a leg injury and only played in six games. South Florida has a good group of skill players, but a questionable offensive line gives me pause about ranking Brown higher than this.
43. Gio Lopez - North Carolina Tar Heels
There are some players that you end up just believing in. Gio Lopez is one of those players for me. The South Alabama quarterback lost running back Fluff Bothwell, which likely hurts the team but will increase Lopez’s production in 2025. As a redshirt freshman, the undersized Lopez had more than 3,000 yards with 25 touchdowns, and he now has a full year of experience under his belt and will be entering year two in a solid offensive system. The Jaguars might struggle in the Sun Belt after personnel losses, but Lopez is a significant reason for optimism, and I think he’ll keep them competitive.
UPDATE: Transfer to North Carolina Tar Heels
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 28
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR
Andy Staples ACC: 744. Kyron Drones - Virginia Tech Hokies
There were high expectations in Blacksburg entering the 2024 season as Virginia Tech got a lot of buzz, and Kyron Drones was expected to compete for All-ACC honors at quarterback. Things did not go as planned, and head coach Brent Pry enters the 2025 campaign on a hot seat. Drones played in nine games in 2024 and completed only 60.7% of his passes for 1562 yards with ten touchdowns and six interceptions. He also only ran the ball for 3.43 yards per rush and was generally ineffective as the Hokies sputtered to a 6-7 record. He’ll have to be much better in 2025 to stay on the field.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 46
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR
Andy Staples ACC: 945. Caden Veltkamp - FAU Owls
Caden Veltkamp left Western Kentucky, which is generally not an advisable move for a quarterback. However, he’s going to Boca Raton with new head coach and former offensive coordinator at WKU Zach Kittley. That likely means a very prolific offense and huge numbers for Veltkamp. The former tight end had over 3,100 yards with 32 total touchdowns and 66.3 percent completions. After entertaining some interest from power conference schools, Veltkamp decided to play for Kittley. This pairing could form one of the more explosive offenses in the Group of Five.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 59
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR46. Blake Horvath - Navy Midshipmen
The Navy Midshipmen have to replace a ton of production and experience after a memorable 2024. However, they do return quarterback and leader Blake Horvath. Horvath is a fantastic player, and he would have been ranked way earlier on this list if the ranking had been based on overall production. In terms of actually throwing the ball, Horvath is below-average. He completed only 57.6 percent of his 139 attempts and threw for just 13 touchdowns. His special ability was seen every time he took off with the ball in his hands, as he ran for 1,246 yards on 175 carries with 17 additional touchdowns. Does Navy have enough around him to replicate that magic in 2025?
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 21
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 21
The Athletic: 41
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 847. CJ Carr - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a deep quarterback room, but the group is light on experience, and the starter will be a player who has barely played. Steve Angeli was the odds-on favorite to win the battle , but he was beaten out by CJ Carr.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 49
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR48. Beau Pribula - Missouri Tigers
Eli Drinkwitz is an exceptional talent evaluator and usually hits on the quarterback position. After the graduation of Brady Cook, Drinkwitz turned to the transfer portal and snagged former Penn State backup Beau Pribula to be the next starter for the Missouri Tigers. Pribula only threw 35 passes but completed 74.3 percent of his attempts for five touchdowns with only one interception. He is way more mobile than Cook, and his legs add a new dimension to the Missouri offense after he ran for 242 yards with four scores. Pribula will now have the keys to an offense, and it’s unknown whether he is ready. Still, Drinkwitz is betting on him to lead Missouri to the College Football Playoff against a favorable schedule but he's yet to actually name a starter with Sam Horn giving Pribula all he can handle and both expected to play in week one.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 38
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR49. Ty Simpson - Alabama Crimson Tide
We have reached an interesting stage of the rankings. Powerhouse programs like Notre Dame and Alabama like the talent and potential depth they have at quarterback, but there is uncertainty and a significant lack of game experience. The Crimson Tide have Austin Mack, a redshirt freshman, and true freshman Keelon Russell, the incoming five-star recruit. The best bet to emerge as the starter appears to be Ty Simpson. Simpson was a decorated recruit who joined the program in 2022. Despite his familiarity with the college game, he has only thrown 50 total passes and has zero touchdown passes during his career. The Tennessee native undoubtedly has some talent, but it’s anyone’s guess as to how he’ll look as QB1 against competitive defenses.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 47
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR
Andy Staples SEC: 950. Billy Edwards Jr. - Wisconsin Badgers
Billy Edwards finally broke through at Maryland and got his chance to be the full-time starter for the Terrapins. The results were decidedly mixed. He threw for 2,881 yards, completed 65 percent of his passes, and scored five touchdowns on the ground. However, he also had nine interceptions, averaged only 6.9 yards per attempt, and Maryland stumbled to a 4-8 record and was just 1-8 in the Big Ten. Edwards is staying in the Big Ten but jumped to Madison and will be the starter for the Wisconsin Badgers. He’s a mid-level quarterback that Wisconsin is hoping can elevate, but there’s not much evidence to suggest that is likely.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 56
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR51. Preston Stone - Northwestern Wildcats
Preston Stone was expected to be the starter for the SMU Mustangs as they moved to the ACC in 2024 after he put together a fantastic campaign in 2023. He was injured at the end of that season and never looked like himself as he struggled to open the 2024 campaign. Stone began splitting time with Kevin Jennings and was outperformed, so Rhett Lashlee made the call to switch to Jennings full-time, and Stone rode the bench for the rest of SMU’s run to the College Football Playoff. Unsurprisingly, Stone hit the portal, but it was a bit of a surprise that he ended up at Northwestern. The Wildcats don’t have a quarterback-friendly system, but Stone offers a higher ceiling than they have recently had at the position.
52. Bear Bachmeier - BYU Cougars
The late dismissal and transfer of Jake Retzlaff threw the BYU Cougars into chaos, but they have settled on a new direction at quarterback, naming true freshman Bear Bachmeier the starter. He doesn't look like a freshman, checking in at 6'2" and nearly 230 pounds, and he was a four-star recruit that initially committed to Stanford before flipping to BYU.
53. Dylan Lonergan - Boston College Eagles
Former blue-chip recruit Dylan Lonergan won the starting quarterback job for the Boston College Eagles, beating out incumbent Grayson James. Bill O'Brien has a quarterback-friendly system, and Lonergan will be one of the more talented quarterbacks in the ACC. He is raw in terms of game experience, but this will be one to watch.
54. Joey Aguilar - Tennessee Volunteers
Appalachian State had a poor year, by their standards, in 2024, but Joey Aguilar was prolific and offers hope for the UCLA Bruins at the quarterback position. He only completed 55.9 percent of his passes but had 3,003 yards and 23 touchdowns in a reasonably tough league (Sun Belt) while playing behind a patchwork and porous offensive line. Aguilar returns to his home state of California after putting up 6,760 yards in 25 appearances for the Mountaineers. He has to improve his accuracy and take better care of the ball (24 interceptions) as he moves up to the Big Ten.
UPDATE: Committed to Tennessee Volunteers
55. Chandler Morris - Virginia Cavaliers
Chandler Morris has had quite a journey. The Virginia Cavaliers will be at his fourth school and third different conference. He began his career at Oklahoma, transferred to TCU, and started last season at North Texas. He threw for 3,774 yards with 31 touchdowns and is finishing his collegiate career in Charlottesville for the Cavaliers. Morris led the American Athletic Conference with an average of more than 308 yards per game, but it’s a big step up as he tries to elevate the Cavaliers.
56. Zach Calzada - Kentucky Wildcats
Was the 2024 season for Zach Calzada a product of the system at Incarnate Word, or has the former blue-chip prospect figured things out? Calzada threw for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns with the Cardinals, but those numbers constitute a significant increase over his previous accomplishments. Again, Kentucky is relying on a one-year fix through the transfer portal at quarterback, and Calzada has flopped at the high-major level. The Wildcats need him to work out, but have had serious losses at the wide receiver position, and optimism is not high.
57. Devon Dampier - Utah Utes
Devon Dampier is not a particularly good passer. As a sophomore for the New Mexico Lobos, he completed only 57.9 percent of his passes with just 7.1 yards per attempt and threw the same number of interceptions as touchdowns (12). However, I love the fit of Dampier with the Utah Utes, and his running ability will be a significant difference-maker as Kyle Whittingham tries to return the physicality and toughness to his program. When Utah is at its best, Dampier should do well in Salt Lake City, despite the step up in competition.
Andy Staples Big 12: 358. Maalik Murphy - Oregon State Beavers
The Duke Blue Devils went 9-4 in 2024 under new head coach Manny Diaz. Maalik Murphy started his career at Texas and then transferred to Duke as a hyped acquisition for the Blue Devils. His numbers were pretty good as he completed 60.3% of his passes for 2,933 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Still, Diaz and his staff clearly felt there were many things left on the field and missed opportunities as they let Murphy walk to the portal again and replaced him quickly with Tulane transfer Darian Mensah. Murphy did not get much traction or interest, but he did land in a good position, transferring to Oregon State to lead the Beavers. Murphy should be very productive against OSU’s schedule.
59. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele - Cal Golden Bears
The Cal Golden Bears lost terrific quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the Indiana Hoosiers and addressed the hole with additions through high school and the transfer portal. Justin Wilcox landed Devin Brown from Ohio State and flipped elite high school recruit Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The two have spent spring practice locked in a battle for the starting role, and Wilcox is unlikely to name a starter until much closer to the season. I bet that Sagapolutele wins out. The freshman is more talented, and Brown struggled in spring scrimmages. New offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin needs a difference-making talent after the Bears lost some significant pieces to the transfer portal.
60. Kaidon Salter - Colorado Buffaloes
Senior transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter was ranked much higher on this list ahead of the 2024 season, but he struggled mightily in 2024 after leading the Flames to the Fiesta Bowl the year before. Salter only completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 1,886 yards, and Liberty took a step back despite playing a very weak schedule. He decided to transfer to quarterback-friendly Colorado and will battle with true freshman Julian Lewis for the starting quarterback job. The Buffaloes lost a lot of talent at wide receiver, but I think the offensive line should be improved, and I trust Deion Sanders to put enough talent on the field to help the quarterback succeed. I think Salter gets the first shot at quarterback, and he’ll need to play well to keep Lewis on the bench for a year. Deion Sanders has yet to publicly name a starter.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: 15
Andy Staples Big 12: 861. Conner Weigman - Houston Cougars
Conner Weigman was a hyped high school prospect and was seen as a huge recruit for the Texas A&M Aggies. However, he rarely produced at the level expected, and Jimbo Fisher was canned. The Aggies turned to Mike Elko, and Weigman was given another chance to show his talent in a new system. That did not go particularly well, and the Aggies turned to Marcel Reed. Reed jumpstarted the attack and eventually took over the starting role from the oft-injured Weigman. Weigman entered the transfer portal and returned home to Houston to play for Willie Fritz and the Cougars. It seems like a good fit, but Houston is severely out-manned on the lines of scrimmage (even by Big 12 standards), and they’ll need a healthy Weigman in 2025 to have a shot at going bowling.
62. Micah Alejado - Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Hawaii may have stumbled upon a star. Starting quarterback Brayden Schager threw for 2,591 yards. Still, he was forced to sit out the regular-season finale against New Mexico with an injury, and they gave the nod to freshman Micah Alejado. Alejado led the Rainbow Warriors to a 38-30 victory as he lit up the Lobos for 469 passing yards with five touchdowns plus 54 rushing yards. In the Hawaii offensive system, Alejado is going to put up huge numbers. He played pretty well against a dreadful Stanford team in week zer
63. Drake Lindsey - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Drake Lindsey sat behind Max Brosmer last season. He’ll have to beat out Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron, but hopes are high in Minneapolis for Lindsey. The media and coaches have lauded the redshirt freshman during spring practice, and he has been getting most first-team reps. Lindsey is a big and physical quarterback with a huge arm. He’ll make mistakes as he gains experience, but the ceiling is high and worth taking a risk on despite the growing pains.
64. Athan Kaliakmanis - Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The bar has been pretty darn low for the quarterback position at Rutgers. It has been the one position that Greg Schiano has been unable to get consistent play from since his return to Piscataway. Still, Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis, aka “The Greek Rifle," provided a boost in 2024, and he returns for his senior season. Rutgers only averaged 207 passing yards per game last season, so listing him this low is justified. He must improve his 53.9 percent completion rate. Kaliakmanis has a good group of receivers to throw to and needs to capitalize with them as the running game will be in flux with the departure of Kyle Monangai.
65. Owen McCown - UTSA Road Runners
Football fans know the McCown name, and Owen McCown is now the unquestioned starter at UTSA. The Road Runners started slowly in 2024 before settling in, and McCown ended up ranking third in the American Athletic Conference with 3,424 yards and No. 1 in explosive passing rate. McCown should be one of the best quarterbacks in the AAC this season.
66. Colton Joseph - Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne was on the hot seat before a quarterback change from Grant Wilson to Colton Joseph helped spark the team to a strong finish and bowl eligibility. Joseph is an excellent dual-threat weapon for the Monarchs, and he’ll be one of the best quarterbacks in the Sun Belt Conference this season. He appeared in nine games in 2024 and totaled 22 touchdowns with more than 2,200 yards (1,627 passing and 647 rushing).
67. Thomas Castellanos - Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are essentially starting over after an unthinkably bad 2024 season. Gus Malzahn is the new offensive coordinator, and former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos is the new QB1. Castellanos essentially quit on his team last season, but it’s fair to say that he was never a good fit for Bill O’Brien’s system and makes a whole lot more sense in Tallahassee with Malzahn. Castellanos will not be a remarkably accurate or efficient quarterback, but he’s a significant threat as a runner and will be an upgrade on what the Noles had last season.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: NR
The Athletic: 64
Joel Klatt: NR
Greg McElroy: NR
EA Sports: NR68. Ryan Browne - Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers were one of the worst power conference teams in the country in 2024 and moved on from head coach Ryan Walters, hiring Barry Odom from UNLV. Odom’s first spring in West Lafayette is over, and the Boilermakers reportedly had subpar quarterback play as Arkansas transfer Malachi Singleton failed to impress. The Boilermakers hope they have an answer at the position, enticing Ryan Browne back from North Carolina. Browne played a bit in 2024 for the Boilers, relieving Hudson Card after his injury. Browne transferred to North Carolina for the spring but has returned to Purdue. He’s a tough competitor and was good in one appearance from Illinois, but the ceiling here is probably pretty low, and quarterback play will be a concern for Purdue this fall.
69. Malik Washington - Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins lost presumed starter Billy Edwards Jr. to Wisconsin and are starting over at the quarterback position as Mike Locksley’s seat warms in College Park. Justyn Martin, a transfer from UCLA, is one option, but incoming freshman Malik Washington has the higher ceiling and is the more exciting choice. The 6’4” and 215-pound player was the 54th-ranked prospect nationally and the fifth-ranked quarterback prospect. Washington is an above-average athlete but prefers to work from the pocket before scrambling if necessary. Mike Locksley is rolling with Washington as the st
70. Anthony Colandrea - UNLV Rebels
UNLV hired Dan Mullen to replace Barry Odom (Purdue), and the Rebels brought in a pair of transfer quarterbacks to compete for the starting job. Alex Orji from Michigan and Anthony Colandrea from Virginia have battled through the spring, and there won’t be a starter named until much closer to the season. Still, the bet is that Colandrea wins out due to his ability to throw the ball consistently. Orji was used as a runner at Michigan nearly every time he was on the field, while Colandrea has more extensive experience and can run and throw. Mullen told the media, “The thing I always look for in quarterbacks is the intangibles, and they both have it: their leadership and toughness.” Orji will probably have a role, but Colandrea is the better passing option.
71. Maverick McIvor - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
At this point, there should be blind faith in the Western Kentucky offensive system. The Hilltoppers routinely put up good numbers through the air and produce a lot of points. It doesn’t always translate to consistent winning at a high level, but the production is expected to continue until proven otherwise. This season, the Hilltoppers turn to Abilene Christian transfer Maverick McIvor. Tyson Helton is putting his system in the hands of McIvor after establishing himself as one of the top players in the FCS. McIvor threw for 3,828 yards in 2024 as Abilene Christian won the United Athletic Conference for the first time.
72. Parker Navarro - Ohio Bobcats
Parker Navarro is one of the country's better dual-threat Group of Five quarterbacks. He hopes to lead the Ohio Bobcats to another successful season in the MAC. The Bobcats lost some key pieces after head coach Tim Albin left for Charlotte, but Navarro chose to stay. He completed 66.1 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 2,423 yards with 13 touchdowns. He added more than 1,000 yards on the ground with 18 rushing touchdowns. Navarro needs to take better care of the ball, as he threw 11 interceptions in 2024.
73. Dequan Finn - Miami (OH) Redhawks
Look who is back in the MAC: former Toledo Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn. Finn won the MAC title in 2023, exited for Waco, competed for the starting job with Sawyer Robertson at Baylor, got beat out, and will finish his collegiate career back in the Midwest. This time, he’ll be the offensive leader for Chuck Martin’s Miami of Ohio RedHawks. Finn is a good dual-threat player who threw for 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 563 rushing yards and seven more scores. He did not excel in the small sample size he got at Baylor, but we know he can excel at Miami (OH)’s level, and the RedHawks have turned into one of the more consistent performers in that league.
74. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi - Colorado State Rams
Expectations were high entering the 2024 season for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, and it’s fair to call the results mixed during his sophomore season. Fowler-Nicolosi threw for 2,796 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and did not offer much on the ground. Those are pedestrian numbers, but he finished on a tear, throwing for 302 yards, 370 yards, and 321 yards in the final three games and adding a 14-17 (82.4%) performance against Wyoming right before that stretch.
75. Steve Angeli - Syracuse Orange
What can we expect from the Syracuse Orange this season? Fran Brown’s first season was a smashing success as the Orange averaged 34.1 points per game and went 10-3, including a 6-1 record at home. Kyle McCord had a fantastic season, throwing for 4,779 yards with 34 touchdowns. The schedule was easy, but it was still a great accomplishment. The receiver room is largely reset, and the Orange are turning to Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli. Angeli transferred to Syracuse after being beaten out by CJ Carr at Notre Dame. He played sparingly in South Bend but won the job ahead of Rickie Collins.
Note: After Fran Brown named Collins the starting QB in the spring, Steve Angeli won the starting job in camp.
76. Blake Shapen - Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are relying on Blake Shapen to get healthy and help them elevate an offense that struggled mightily without him. The roster needs to take a big jump forward in year two for head coach Jeff Lebby, and Shapen should perform better than his spot on this list if he can put in a full season. That uncertainty is the reason for his dip, but he completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 974 yards with eight touchdowns in just four games a season ago. The skill group has been completely changed since the season ended, and I like the running backs they have assembled in Starkville, but wide receiver is a significant question mark.
77. Cam Fancher - UCF Knights
Tayven Jackson was a four-star recruit who began his career at Tennessee before transferring back home to Indiana. He battled as a redshirt freshman but was beaten out by Brendan Sorsby in 2023. Jackson appeared in six games, completed 60.9 percent of his passes, and showed some promise. Jackson was kept in Bloomington by the new coaching staff when Curt Cignetti took over as head coach, but IU also brought in Kurtis Rourke, and the veteran beat out Jackson for the starting role. Rourke hurt his thumb midseason, and Jackson appeared in seven games. Cignetti never felt like Jackson would be his long-term starting quarterback, and IU grabbed Fernando Mendoza from the portal while Jackson landed at UCF with Scott Frost. He’s capable but needs to work on consistent accuracy if he is going to succeed in the Big 12, and Scott Frost did not like what he saw in fall camp, naming former Florida Atlantic player Cam Fancher as his starting quarterback for the season opener.
78. Dewayne Coleman - Army Black Knights
Dewayne Coleman has waited his turn. He played behind “Captain America” Bryson Daily, and the starting quarterback job at Army is now his. Coleman was 11-16 for 121 yards with a touchdown last season, but how successful he is as an offensive weapon for Army is likely going to depend on how he runs the ball. Coleman had 38 attempts for 136 yards, and he has had multiple years in the offensive system. The senior from Texas made his first career start in the Black Knights’ victory over Air Force.
79. Ben Gulbranson - Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal tried multiple options at quarterback in 2024. Ashton Daniels played in 11 games and threw for 1700 yards, Justin Lamson appeared in 12 games and threw for 300 yards with four touchdowns, and freshman Elijah Brown played in three games, with most of his action coming against SMU and Wake Forest. Frank Reich chose to go with former Oregon State quarterback Ben Gulbranson as his starter in Week Zero at Hawaii. The Cardinal look dreadful, and they'll need a miracle to be competitive in the ACC this season.
80. Hauss Hejny - Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Mike Gundy era churns on in Stillwater, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are hoping they have a budding star at quarterback with redshirt freshman Hauss Hejny (pronounced Hoss HAY-nee, that’s a cool name!). He played at Aledo High School in Texas, and both of his parents were athletes at Texas Christian University. He was ranked a four-star recruit and an Elite 11 finalist and then redshirted the 2024 season for the TCU Horned Frogs, appearing in four games. He was primarily used as a battering ram to churn the clock, and he registered eight carries for 48 yards against Cincinnati and finished the season with 15 carries for 65 yards. He'll be asked to run the ball quite a bit for the Cowboys, but will also need to throw, and his passing ability at this level is a significant unknown.
81. Brendon Lewis - Memphis Tigers
Seth Henigan did something nearly unheard of in today’s college football landscape: He was the starting quarterback for the same school for four straight seasons. Henigan was the prolific starter for the Memphis Tigers from 2021 to 2024 and helped lead one of the more productive attacks in the country. Head coach Ryan Silverfield turns to Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis to keep the attack humming. Lewis offers a different dimension with a running threat and has 25 career starts. He’s not only a rusher, as Lewis had nearly 2,300 yards through the air in Reno last season.
82. Zevi Eckhaus - Washington State Cougars
Washington State lost both its offensive coordinator and starting quarterback to Oklahoma. The departure of John Mateer means Zevi Eckhaus will be stepping up to QB1 after playing sparingly in 2024. He showed up with a big performance in the Holiday Bowl, going 31-of-43 for 363 yards with three touchdowns, plus adding 28 yards on the ground against the Syracuse Orange. In 2023, Eckhaus was voted the Big South Offensive Player of the Year for his play with the Bryant Bulldogs. Eckhaus is only 6’0” and will probably struggle in power conference play. Still, he should be able to excel against Washington State’s schedule.
83. Nicco Marchiol - West Virginia Mountaineers
Earlier in the offseason, I wrote that Nicco Marchiol might win this battle as the veteran of the group. Indeed, Rich Rodriguez has chosen the steady hand even though he does not appear to be the best fit for his system.
84. Katin Houser - East Carolina Pirates
The East Carolina Pirates were floundering before making a midseason change at quarterback and inserting Michigan State transfer Katin Houser into the starting lineup. Houser helped the Pirates finish the season with a 5-1 spurt, and he threw for 2,006 yards with 18 touchdowns in total. Houser is still young (two years left) and has room to grow. He needs to cut down on his interceptions, but the team responded to him. The win over North Carolina State in the bowl game was meaningful to that program. ECU can be an upper-tier team in the American Athletic Conference this season.
85. Joe Fagnano - UConn Huskies
The UConn Huskies were one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2024 college football season. Jim Mora Jr. has turned the once moribund program into a solid winner. They proved it with a 9-4 record and a victory over North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl to finish the year. They were very competitive against Duke and Syracuse in close losses, and the offense scored a program-record 415 points. The offensive line has to rebuild, but quarterback Joe Fagnano is back after throwing for 1,631 yards with 20 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He’ll continue to split time with former Oklahoma quarterback Nick Evers as UConn cobbles together a very effective attack.
86. Nicholas Vattiato - Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee started over last season as Rick Stockstill exited after 18 years, and the Blue Raiders turned to former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason to lead the program. The first season for Mason was a disaster, but a foundation is in place to begin an ascendance back to a bowl game. The offense put up yards but sputtered in the red zone all season. They’ll need veteran quarterback Nicholas Vattiato to take better care of the ball after throwing 23 interceptions in the past two seasons. He exceeded 3,000 yards in both campaigns and can lead a winning team if he can clean up the turnovers and take advantage of what should be a much-improved offensive line.
87. Jeremy Hecklinski - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Dave Clawson chose to hang it up after a disappointing 2024 season for Wake Forest. This is a brutally tough job in the transfer portal and NIL era, and the Demon Deacons turned to former Washington State head coach Jake Dickert to try and find some answers. He’ll lean on an undersized but talented redshirt freshman at quarterback to try and spark the offense as Jeremy Hecklinski figures to get the nod as QB1. Hecklinski was a productive player in Georgia as a high school prospect, but is only 6’0” and well below 200 pounds, so keeping him healthy and upright could be a significant issue as they get into ACC play.
88. Jalen Kitna - UAB Blazers
By all accounts, Trent Dilfer’s job is on the line in the 2025 season. There was a lot of talk when the former quarterback, analyst, and high school coach was hired, but the results on the field have been subpar. The Blazers went just 4-8 in 2023 and regressed to 3-9 in 2024. The pressure is building, and Dilfer has not done much to engender support amongst the locals. Quarterback Jacob Zeno is now a backup at Texas A&M, and they lost their top wide receiver to Houston and top running back to Indiana. Things are rough, and Dilfer is counting on Jalen Kitna to lead the attack. Kitna started the back-half of the 2024 campaign and finished 196 of 316 for more than 2,200 yards. The redshirt senior from Washington will need to take a big step forward in limiting turnovers if the Blazers are going to find any success.
89. Reese Poffenbarger - North Texas Mean Green
The North Texas Mean Green don’t have winning seasons (the last one was in 2018), but they will be entertaining. Head coach Eric Morris’s squad has been in the top ten offenses in each of the past two seasons, and they’ll continue to feature a high-flying attack with a ton of passing. Reese Poffenbarger did not play much at Miami, but he’s transferred down a level (or two) and is expected to lead the Mean Green offense. While the loss of leading receiver DT Sheffield hurts, there should be some blind faith in this offensive staff and system to produce big-time numbers through the air.
90. Jalon Daniels - Kansas Jayhawks
Jalon Daniels has the talent and ability to be much higher on this list, but has not played well since the 2022 season. In 2023, Daniels only appeared in three games as he struggled with a back injury that severely limited him. His offensive coordinator left before the 2024 campaign, and Daniels only completed 57 percent of his passes for just 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Jayhawks stumbled to a 5-7 record. His rushing numbers were also down last season, and now, star tailback Devin Neal is in the NFL. Can Daniels stay healthy and bounce back in 2025?
Andy Staples Big 12: 7
91. Braylon Braxton - Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Braylon Braxton has had a winding journey with stops at Tulsa, Marshall, and Southern Mississippi. He’ll close his collegiate career by playing for the Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg, and he was good for the Marshall Thundering Herd in 2024, throwing for 19 touchdowns with only two interceptions and adding 610 yards on the ground as Marshall surprised many by going 10-3. Braxton enjoyed his success with head coach Charles Huff, and he followed him to Southern Miss after Marshall failed to extend Huff’s contract. The Golden Eagles have struggled recently, but Braxton gives them one of the better quarterbacks in the Sun Belt and some hope for 2025.
92. Jaylen Raynor - Arkansas State Red Wolves
After an excellent freshman season, a leap forward was expected in Jaylen Raynor's sophomore campaign for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Unfortunately, that leap did not come as Raynor sputtered in 2025. He completed only 61.7 percent of his passes on 6.6 yards per attempt and had only 16 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Raynor is on the smaller side and, at times, that appears to present problems in the pocket as he struggles to find open space to get off a clean throw with a clear line of vision. The Red Wolves still managed to go 8-5, and they should be solid again, but the time is now for Raynor to become a top-end Sun Belt QB.
93. Keyone Jenkins - FIU Panthers
Florida International was a disappointment in 2024. They were blown out at IU to begin the season, lost by 18 to Florida Atlantic, fell to Monmouth, and finished just 4-8 with no wins in road games. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins is talented but needs to improve his completion percentage, become more of a consistent threat on the ground, and take his game to the next level if they are to elevate from the basement of Conference USA. Jenkins will need to improve despite losing his best weapons at wide receiver, which will be a tall order.
94. Ethan Vasko - Liberty Flames
Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim rotated at quarterback for Coastal Carolina, with Vasko taking the bulk of the action. He completed 54.6 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a Chanticleers team that struggled on offense. The situation is much better at his new spot as he is expected to start for Jamey Chadwell’s Liberty Flames. With improved weapons and more experience, the junior Vasko should be able to improve quite a bit.
95. Gavin Wimsatt - Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Rich Rodriguez was very successful at Jacksonville State, helping the program jump from the FCS, winning nine games in each of their first two seasons in Conference USA, winning the league crown last season, and then leaving to coach again at West Virginia. Charles Kelly now takes over as the head coach and has to replace nearly everyone who contributed to the CUSA championship team a season ago. Cade Cunningham could grab this job after transferring from Marshall, but Gavin Wimsatt has the higher ceiling. He started at Rutgers and spent last season at Kentucky.
96. Dexter Williams - Kennesaw State Owls
Kennesaw State had an awful offense a season ago. It cost the head coach his job, and the roster has turned over as the Owls try to find some momentum and answers at the FBS level. They turn to former Indiana University and Georgia Southern player Dexter Williams to try to jumpstart the attack. Williams began his career at Indiana and appeared ready to step in as the starter for Tom Allen before a knee injury against Purdue derailed things. He transferred home to Georgia and appeared in five games for the Georgia Southern Eagles in 2024. He completed 63.3 percent of his passes while averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and throwing for three touchdowns. He does bring a rushing element to the team as well. Kennesaw State will take Williams back to IU for a Week 2 game.
97. AJ Swann - Appalachian State Mountaineers
Appalachian State played a minor role in the Nico Iamaleava saga, as former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar went from App State to UCLA and then back to the region to play for Tennessee in 2025. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers will likely turn to former Vanderbilt starter and LSU backup AJ Swann. Swann was a four-star prospect who started 12 games for Vanderbilt and threw for 2,731 yards for the Commodores during the 2022-2023 season. He appeared for two games for LSU last season as well. Swann does have some competition to deal with, but has proven production in the SEC and a baseline of talent that should ultimately win out.
98. Ben Finley - Akron Zips
The Akron Zips have been one of the worst programs in the country in the past half-decade. They deserve some credit for sticking with head coach Joe Moorhead. He is progressing, but it is time to show it on the field. Ben Finley started his career at North Carolina State, transferred to Cal, and ended at Akron. Last season, he threw for 2,600 yards with 16 touchdowns. He’s not great, but those are not bad numbers when playing behind a suspect offensive line. The Zips have a decent crop of receivers, and the line will consist nearly entirely of incoming transfers, but Finley is a veteran who can get the job done adequately. Will it be enough to get Akron to a bowl game?
99. Ta'Quan Roberson - Kansas State Wildcats
Pete Lembo is one of the more underappreciated head coaches in the country. He did an excellent job at Ball State and helped Buffalo improve from 3-9 in 2023 to 9-4 in his first season (2024) in charge. The Bulls enter the 2025 campaign as one of the favorites to win the MAC. I don’t know what to do with Ta’Quan Roberson. He began his career as a four-star recruit at Penn State and is now on his fourth school as a senior. Roberson is a good athlete and played sparingly for the Kansas State Wildcats last season. The Bulls have a good group of weapons around him and should be good on the ground, but that four-star rating was a long time ago, and Roberson has not done much as a collegiate quarterback.
100. JC French - Georgia Southern Eagles
The Georgia Southern Eagles enter the 2025 season with legitimate hopes to win the Sun Belt Conference. The league is relatively wide open, and Clay Helton has a veteran squad with good weapons at wide receiver, tight end, and running back, plus a returning quarterback who threw for nearly 3,000 yards last season. JC French is a decent runner and knows this offense, but for the Eagles to soar this campaign, he needs to reduce his turnovers after throwing 11 interceptions in 2024. French is a rare returning starter in a league with nothing but change at the quarterback position.
101. Camden Coleman - James Madison Dukes
In 2024, James Madison was mainly mentioned nationally regarding what they lost when Curt Cignetti and many of the roster went to Indiana and had a remarkable run to the College Football Playoff. For those not paying attention, the Dukes had a pretty good season themselves. First-year head coach Bob Chesney led the team to a 9-4 record, and now they enter the 2025 season with hopes of winning the Sun Belt. They would probably be the clear favorite in the league if quarterback Alonza Barnett were not missing the season (likely at least) after a leg injury. Matthew Sluka and Richmond transfer Camden Coleman are the players battling for the starting job. Coleman is the presumed starter and was very productive at the FCS level. Plus, his top target, Landon Ellis, is joining him in Virginia.
102. Conner Harrell - Charlotte 49ers
The Biff Poggi era in Charlotte is over, and it is fair to call it a failed experiment. Poggi never gained traction with the 49ers, and Charlotte has now turned to proven head coach and program builder Tim Albin. Albin won at an excellent rate at Ohio, and it was a bit of a surprise that he made the jump to Charlotte, a demanding job without the resources of the top schools in the American Athletic Conference. He will begin with some good pieces in place, including former North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell, to lead the offense. Harrell appeared in six games for the Tar Heels last season and is still young in terms of experience. The tools are there for him to be a top-half AAC quarterback, but it will probably take a year or two for Albin to get the Charlotte roster competitive.
103. Evan Simon - Temple Owls
Former Rutgers quarterback Evan Simon was the starter for the Temple Owls in 2024, appearing in nine games as the Owls stumbled to another losing season. Simon only averaged 6.6 yards per attempt with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but he has game experience, and the Owls have a new head coach to get the program on solid footing. KC Keeler comes in from Sam Houston in a surprising move, and it seems like a great hire for the Owls. The new offensive coordinator is from Montana State, which can only help raise the numbers after he led one of the best passing attacks in the FCS. The most significant question mark is whether or not Temple has the weapons at receiver to be the least bit dangerous through the air.
104. Chase Jenkins - Rice Owls
Rice is taking a swing at head coach. Tired of mediocrity, the Owls hired former minor-league baseball player turned football coach Scott Abell. Abell was most recently at Davidson, and the Wildcats had a unique spread option rushing attack that put up huge numbers (No. 1 in rushing and No. 2 in time of possession). Theoretically, this could follow the military academies' formula: churning out rushing yards, chewing up the clock, and being difficult to prepare for. The issue this season could be that Rice does not have a quarterback who is ideal for that style of offense. The best fit is probably Chase Jenkins, a former wide receiver, who had brief experience playing quarterback in 2023 in relief of JT Daniels, and he is shifty and quick. Rice will be an exciting team at the Group of Five level.
105. Walker Eget - San Jose State Spartans
Walker Eget is expected to beat out redshirt freshman CJ Lee to win the starting quarterback job at San Jose State. The Spartans had a great season in 2024 under head coach Ken Niumatalolo and are hungry for more this campaign. Eget played 12 games last season and had 2,504 yards, but only completed 57.3 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Those are not exactly inspiring numbers, and while the receiver room did get an infusion of talent in the transfer portal, they will be without star target Nick Nash.
106. Bert Emanuel Jr. - San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State is just 14-23 since the opening of Snapdragon Stadium, and Sean Lewis must start turning things around in Year 2. Danny O’Neill left to be the backup at Wisconsin, which leaves Jayden Denegal and Bert Emanuel Jr. as the options at quarterback. Neither is anywhere near a slam dunk, but Emanuel Jr. offers a real rushing threat, and it would not be a surprise if Lewis chose to lean on that mobility after the offensive line struggled in 2024.
107. Drew Pyne - Bowling Green Falcons
Scot Loeffler was making some headway at Bowling Green, but he bolted to become the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2024 season, leaving the Falcons without a head coach. They hired former Ohio State Buckeyes legend Eddie George to lead the program, an interesting move with a potentially high ceiling. George had been the head coach at Tennessee State and brought both coordinators with him. His quarterback is going to be well-traveled veteran Drew Pyne. The former Notre Dame and Missouri signal-caller should be above-average in the MAC, but his receivers are a complete unknown, and they’ll need some players to step up if Pyne is to do better than this ranking.
108. Tucker Gleason - Toledo Rockets
The Toledo Rockets again have the most talent in the MAC, but it would be fair to question whether or not Jason Candle can get the most out of that advantage. They have had the most resources in the ten seasons he has been in charge, but only two league titles. His quarterback in 2025 is a rarity in this conference, a returning starter. Tucker Gleason saw action in 12 games and had 2,808 yards for 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Those are solid numbers, and he threw for 351 yards against Pittsburgh in a 48-46 win, but he was also poor against teams like Western Kentucky, Buffalo, and Ohio. With a pretty good skill corps and offensive line, it feels like Gleason is capable of more than he’s shown thus far.
109. Josh Holst - Northern Illinois Huskies
Thomas Hammock and the Northern Illinois Huskies will always lean on the defense. That won’t change this season, but Ethan Hampton is gone, and they’ll go with a new starter in sophomore Josh Holst. Holst appeared in seven games as a freshman and started the bowl game, putting up okay numbers against Fresno State in a good win. He was only 18-30 for 182 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but did enough to lead the Huskies to the victory.
110. Jacob Clark - Missouri State Bears
The newest FBS member will play the 2025 college football season in Conference USA as the Missouri State Bears begin playing at the sport’s highest level. The Bears are given a less than 20% chance of reaching six wins in their inaugural season. They are projected to finish ahead of only Florida International and Kennesaw State in the league. A big reason for even that modest success is the promise of quarterback Jacob Clark. The 6’5” senior from Texas was one of the better players in the FCS last season, and he stuck with Missouri State for his final season of collegiate eligibility. He threw for 3,604 yards with 26 touchdowns to only six interceptions and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, averaging 9.59 yards per attempt. Those are significant numbers, but the competition will ratchet up this season, and Clark does not offer anything on the ground as a rushing threat. His upside is a bit limited behind an offensive line that will be under attack.
111. Zach Pyron - South Alabama Jaguars
The transfer portal absolutely gutted South Alabama. They finished 18th in total offense nationally in 2024, but quarterback Gio Lopez is now at North Carolina, and running back Fluff Bothwell will be starring for Mississippi State. The quarterback competition is between Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron and Utah State transfer Bishop Davenport. I lean towards Pyron winning the job, and trust the coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, to generate a decent attack. Pyron played some in 2024 for the Yellow Jackets, and he has good size and is an Alabama native.
112. Gevani McCoy - Texas State Bobcats
Turnovers matter; if your quarterback consistently turns the ball over, that’s a huge problem. I’m a big believer in taking care of the ball (which is not a revelatory football philosophy, admittedly), and quarterbacks who throw too many interceptions or fumble too much get dropped in the rankings. Thus is the case for former Idaho and Oregon State quarterback and likely starter for the Texas State Bobcats, Gevani McCoy. McCoy threw too many interceptions at Idaho, transferred to Oregon State, and threw six interceptions on just 123 completions, with only 6.4 yards per attempt on his 202 passes. Texas State has some good weapons and a history of getting the best out of transfer portal quarterbacks, so maybe head coach GJ Kinne can elevate McCoy and lead the Bobcats to near the top of the Sun Belt again.
113. Christian Veilleux - Georgia State Panthers
Second-year head coach Dell McGee is counting on his Georgia State team taking a leap forward after a rough 2024. The best part of last season’s disappointing team was a passing game that allowed the Panthers to at least be mostly competitive, and they will lean on returning quarterback Christian Veilleux. The big key will be cutting down on the costly interceptions. He threw 11 of them to just 13 touchdowns, and that’s nowhere near a good enough ratio to make up for a poor defense. Georgia State brought in some good running backs and would be wise to take some of the load off Veilleux’s shoulders in 2025.
114. Walker Howard - Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns hope that redshirt junior Walker Howard can make good on the promise he showed in high school. Howard was a celebrated recruit from Lafayette, Louisiana, rated the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, and he was a prize for the LSU Tigers. Things did not go as planned, and he has spent three seasons (one at LSU, Ole Miss). Howard attempted only two passes last season (both were incomplete) and only four passes in 2023. He now transfers back to Louisiana, but with the Ragin’ Cajuns, and he’ll have an opportunity to get extended playing time and prove he has what it takes at the FBS level. The No. 1 High School ranking seems like a long time ago, and it’s a complete mystery what kind of player Louisiana is getting.
115. Hunter Watson - Sam Houston Bearkats
The Sam Houston Bearkats were an FCS stalwart that migrated up to the FBS under head coach KC Keeler and went 10-3 in 2024. Keeler left, and the Bearkats turned to former offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Longo is now the head coach in Huntsville after a frustrating and disappointing stint with the Wisconsin Badgers and will lean on veteran Hunter Watson. Watson is not very big, but he ran for 647 yards and added 1,811 yards with 21 total touchdowns. Sam Houston does have some decent options as weapons, and Watson has proven you can win with him at quarterback. He’ll need to cut down on the interceptions after throwing eight of them on only 281 attempts.
116. Carson Conklin - Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State has had a couple of legendary coaches (Jim Seeney and Pat Hill) and a couple of coaches who left a positive mark in shorter stints (Jeff Tedford and Kalen DeBoer). They hope they have hired another name to add to one of those lists after bringing in former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz to lead the program ahead of a move to the new PAC-12. Entz spent last season as an assistant for Lincoln Riley at USC. E.J. Warner is capable of racking up yards but has thrown 37 interceptions in the past three seasons, and Entz will not tolerate carelessness with the ball. My money is on Sacramento State transfer Carson Conklin getting the starting job. Conklin racked up 3,620 yards and 34 touchdowns at the FCS level last season and did so without the abundance of turnovers.
117. Kirk Francis - Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tre Lamb is the new head coach at Tulsa, having revitalized the moribund East Tennessee State program. It figures to be a very rough season for the Golden Hurricane after a mass defection of talent (which there wasn't a whole lot to begin with). Kirk Francis completed only 58.9 percent of his passes with only 6.3 yards per attempt. He eventually beat out Cooper Legas, a freshman, so there is hope that he can improve with further development and a different system. Francis does not offer much mobility, but Tulsa did add some nice receivers via the transfer portal.
118. Goose Crowder - Troy Trojans
Troy is a proud program, and 2024 was a disappointing season. However, there were definite signs of hope in the latter part of the schedule. Leading passer Matthew Caldwell is gone, and it will be a battle between Goose Crowder and Tucker Kilcrease. Crowder was more efficient, and the offense worked better in his limited time, so I think he’ll get the job. Goose Crowder (beyond the cool name) had five touchdowns with no interceptions, while averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. He was strong early in the season against Louisiana-Monroe and Nevada.
119. Evan Bullock - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Sonny Cumbie is just 11-26 in the past three seasons at Louisiana Tech. He’s known as an excellent offensive coach, but the results don’t back that up anymore, and 2025 seems like a critical year for his survival on the job. There is hope with returning quarterback Evan Bullock. He threw for 2,100 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman. He doesn’t really turn the ball over, and there’s quite a bit to like about his potential. Still, the concern is that the offensive line will likely have more work than it did a season ago, and the pass catchers will be a step down. Bullock has his work cut out for him.
120. Zach Marker - Delaware Blue Hens
The Delaware Blue Hens enter the FBS ranks after a very successful 2024 season in which they finished 9-2 and were fifth in the FCS SP+. Three different quarterbacks played a lot last season, and both Zach Marker and Nick Minicucci are back. They have several good options to throw to, with six receivers that had double-digit receptions returning. Marker was the leading passer, having ten touchdowns with no interceptions. UCF transfer Riley Trujillo could challenge for the role thanks to his mobility, but Marker’s penchant for taking care of the ball is a real asset.
121. Malachi Nelson - UTEP Miners
Malachi Nelson began his collegiate career as a member of the USC Trojans after earning five-star status as a high school recruit. He failed to impress in LA and left for Boise State but was beaten out by Maddux Madsen, and there were rumblings about his work ethic and attitude. Nelson left again without making any impact, and he is now running down the “Mine Shaft” and playing for the UTEP Miners. Scotty Walden has the Miners moving in the right direction, and he is taking a gamble on the talent profile of Nelson to come good for UTEP to compete in Conference USA.
122. Broc Lowry - Western Michigan Broncos
The Western Michigan Broncos are entering a key third season under head coach Lance Taylor. Taylor is just 10-15 in his tenure, and he needs a successful campaign and continued upward trajectory to feel safe. The offense was balanced last season, but they are now without star quarterback Hayden Wolff. JUCO All-American Brady Jones is now in Kalamazoo, but I expect former IU quarterback Broc Lowry to win the job as starting quarterback. Lowry is back after playing some last season. He has a good relationship with offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Jalen Buckley is a good running back to lean on, and there is good depth at that position, but is there anything to threaten defenses in the passing game?
123. Logan Fife - New Mexico State Aggies
Logan Fife spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as a backup at Fresno State. He actually played quite a bit, appearing in 22 games and posting respectable numbers. Fife transferred to Montana and spent a year with the Griz; he’s now expected to be the starting quarterback in Las Cruces under head coach Tony Sanchez. They missed Diego Pavia and Jerry Kill desperately last season and sputtered to just 3-9. The offensive line is big and could be okay, and the receivers are alright, while new offensive coordinator David Yost is expected to give his quarterback a chance to spread the field and chuck it around.
124. Kiael Kelly - Ball State Cardinals
Ball State will really miss Kadin Semonza. The freshman threw for nearly 3,000 yards and had 25 touchdowns before transferring out and declining to play for new head coach Mike Uremovich. The offensive line is massive with starting tackles at 6’10” and 6’8”, but the expected quarterback is a very unproven passer and a former defensive back, as Kiael Kelly takes over as QB1. Kelly has a decent group of weapons around him, and some version of an option attack might make a lot of sense for BSU to be competitive on the offensive side of the ball.
125. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson - Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd is starting over after head coach Charles Huff left for Southern Mississippi and took a whole lot of the roster with him. All is not lost, though. The Thundering Herd hired Jacksonville State offensive coordinator Rod Smith to lead the program, and he landed interesting transfer Carlos Del Rio-Wilson from Syracuse.
Zion Turner was a backup for the Gamecocks last season, but Del Rio-Wilson is a dangerous option with his legs, and he was effective, at times, for the Orange. The offensive line should be solid, and the system will emphasize his running ability.
126. Bryson Barnes - Utah State Aggies
The Utah State Aggies made a terrific hire with head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The Aggies will be a formidable and challenging opponent for Mountain West teams to face sooner rather than later, with Mendenhall leading the program. Utah State was already pretty good on the offensive side of the ball, but leading passer Spencer Petras graduated, and Mendenhall is likely to turn to former Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes.
Barnes is a good running threat (348 yards in the final two games of last season), and the attack will probably lean into that skill. There are reasons to be concerned about the passing game, though, as they lost their top receiver to the NFL, Barnes is unproven as a passer, and the offensive line will have five new starters.
127. Chubba Purdy - Nevada Wolf Pack
Head coach Jeff Choate did not achieve the results he wanted in his first year with the Nevada Wolf Pack, but his team was highly competitive and has reasons to be optimistic about the future. Former Florida State and Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy sat at Nevada last season, but the job is now his.
Choate will lean into Purdy’s ability to run and structure the offense around that, but it’s the lack of confidence in the passing game that tanks the ranking in this list. The top receivers are gone, and star left tackle Isaiah World is now at Oregon. Is Purdy capable of elevating the new players around him?
128. Cameron Edge - Eastern Michigan Eagles
Cameron Edge appeared in a total of four games during the past two seasons for the Maryland Terrapins. The Terps passed on handing him the starting quarterback job ahead of the 2025 season, and he hit the transfer portal and landed with Chris Creighton at Eastern Michigan University.
Creighton tends to get the most out of what he has, but his roster is filled with question marks. The Eagles return only four starters. EMU typically runs a fast-paced offense, and they’ll probably give Edge a chance to stretch the field with guys like Terry Lockett Jr..
129. Grant Jordan - UMass Minutemen
UMass is now in the MAC. That is not a typo. Joe Harasymiak, a Massachusetts native, was hired away from Rutgers, where he served as the defensive coordinator under Greg Schiano. This is a complete rebuild, but he does have a veteran quarterback to rely on, if he so chooses.
Grant Jordan is a senior transfer from Yale, and he is expected to beat out redshirt freshman AJ Hairston and Utah transfer Brandon Rose. The 6’2” graduate transfer was All-Ivy League as a senior in 2024 with a completion percentage of 66.4. And he had 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Turnovers can be a killer for a team with no margin for error, so the ability to take care of the ball is a valuable skill for UMass to have at quarterback, even if the ceiling is relatively low with Jordan.
130. Josh Johnson - Air Force Falcons
The battle for quarterback/battering ram running option is going to be between Josh Johnson and Liam Szarka. Neither option is particularly promising. Johnson threw only 14 passes in 2024 and three of those ended as interceptions. The key for this attack is to be able to read the defense to run the option effectively and Johnson is alright at that. He averaged 6.71 yards per carry and was still only a sophomore.
131. MJ Morris - Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim led the 2024 attack. It was far from great, but they actually put up more points than the 2023 unit did. Both are now gone, and the Chanticleers turn to MJ Morris, a transfer from Maryland, to try to elevate the offense.
I actually like the weapons available to Morris but he has shown very little to offer much excitement thus far in his collegiate career. The former Terrapin played in seven games last season and completed only 59 percent of his passes on just 5.7 yards per attempt. That is really, really low and the completion percentage should be well north of 70 percent at that yardage. In addition, he threw five interceptions in just 61 attempts.
132. Aidan Armenta - UL Monroe Warhawks
Head coach Bryant Vincent also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator, and he hopes he has his man in sophomore Aidan Armenta. As a freshman, Armenta played in twelve games and completed nearly 55 percent of his passes with an average of 6.8 yards per attempt.
The negatives for Armenta are very clear: he threw ten interceptions on just 190 attempts, and he does not offer much as a rushing threat. The weapons he has at his disposal are below-average in the Sun Belt as well.
133. Joe Labas - Central Michigan Chippewas
Joe Labas is an average MAC quarterback, but he’s a poor fit for new head coach Matt Drinkall’s system. Drinkall tends to lean on the rushing attack, and he’d prefer his quarterback to be a real mobile threat. Labas does not offer that. The Chippewas have nearly as poor a quarterback situation as any team in the country.
134. Kaden Anderson - Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming is certainly used to struggling on offense, but the school that produced Josh Allen is far from even having a competent attack right now.
Kaden Anderson got some snaps as a freshman, and there is at least a hint of potential and promise that he could grow into a decent player at the Mountain West level. Anderson completed 58.3 percent of his passes last season while averaging eight yards per attempt, and he only threw three interceptions in 120 attempts.
135. Devin Kargman - Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State turns to Mark Carney to try to find a path forward. The Golden Flashes have been in the basement of the FBS for the past few seasons, and things don’t look much better for 2025. A solution will take some time.
CJ Montes from Fordham might end up starting, and they’ll probably try multiple players in search of a suitable option. However, Devin Kargman gets the nod as the returning player with some experience. Kargman is a big quarterback who completed 54.2 percent of his passes as a sophomore.
This year, there just aren't many positive aspects to feel good about within the program just yet.
136. Jack Layne - New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico Lobos are going with former Idaho Vandals quarterback Jack Layne as the starter. Head coach Jason Eck chose him after Layne led his Vandals to a 10-4 record in the FCS last season, before New Mexico hired Eck to lead the program. Layne followed Eck to Albuquerque, and they’ll take on the Michigan Wolverines in Week 1.
1. Garrett Nussmeier - LSU Tigers
Breakout College Football Stars to Know for the 2025 Season
Garrett Nussmeier waited multiple years to become the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers. The redshirt junior did not have the season many anticipated, but he was pretty good despite an offensive line that did not live up to the hype and a receiver corps that was far from what LSU ran out in 2023. Nussmeier had 29 touchdowns and threw for an impressive 4,052 yards with a completion percentage of better than 64 percent. The Tigers loaded up in the transfer portal and expect a playoff push in 2025.
MORE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
USA TODAY: 4
The Athletic: 2
Joel Klatt: 6
Greg McElroy: 5
EA Sports: 2
Andy Staples SEC: 2Week 1: LSU (+2.5) at Clemson
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