Top 25 College Football Quarterbacks

The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season.

Note: There is some projection in these rankings for the upcoming season. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.

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25. Nick Minicucci, Delaware Blue Hens

Looking for a smaller conference quarterback to watch? Minicucci led Delaware to seven wins in their first season of FBS football. He plays in a fun offense that saw him pass for 3,683 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 62.9 percent completion. 

24. Bryce Underwood, Michigan Wolverines

His freshman season was rocky for multiple reasons, but he showed some flashes of his immense potential. He passed for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 60.3 percent completion. Underwood rushed for six touchdowns too and if he improves on his stats, he could move up a lot on this list next season. 

23. Conner Weigman, Houston Cougars

Weigman transferred to Houston last season and played better than expected. He passed for 2,75 yards, 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 65.2 percent completion. Weigman also rushed for 700 yards as he helped Houston win 10 games. 

22. Kevin Jennings, SMU Mustangs

Jennings led the Mustangs to the CFP two years ago and had some success last season as well. He passed for 3,641 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 66.1 percent completion. While his rushing stats were down, he still has some escapability. The Mustangs should be able to compete in the ACC again with Jennings back. 

21. Bear Bachmeier, BYU Cougars

Bachmeier was thrust into action as a freshman and delivered for the Cougars, as they only lost two games last season. He has dual-threat abilities, as he passed for 3,033 yards and rushed for 527 more. If he improves, BYU could make the CFP this year. 

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20. Devon Dampier, Utah Utes

Dampier is a great dual-threat who adjusted to the jump from New Mexico to Utah well last season. He passed for 2,490 yards and rushed for 835. Dampier accounted for 34 touchdowns and helped the Utes win 11 games. 

19. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M made the CFP and Reed had some nice moments along the way. He passed for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 62.1 percent completion. Reed also rushed for 493 yards and is expected to keep the Aggies competitive. 

18. CJ Bailey, NC State Wolfpack

A lot of players transferred out of NC State, but Bailey decided to stay after a great season. He passed for 3,105 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 68.8 percent completion. A lot will be on his plate this season, but a good season can boost his draft stock. 

17. Gunner Stockton, Georgia Bulldogs

Stockton helped Georgia make the CFP in his first season as a starter. He finished seventh in the Heisman voting with 2,894 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions on 69.7 percent completion. The Bulldogs will want more big plays out of Stockton, but he has done a good job of running the offense. 

16. Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele, Cal Golden Bears

As a freshman, JKS passed for 3,454 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 64.2 percent completion. His play helped Cal make a bowl game. He is expected to take a jump in his second season and he will be aided by transfer receivers Ian Strong (Rutgers) and Chase Hendricks (Ohio). 

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15. Byrum Brown, Auburn Tigers

Brown spent the first four seasons of his career at USF and now follows head coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. Last season, he accounted for 3,158 passing yards and 1,008 rushing yards, as he helped the Bulls to nine wins, including one over Florida. 

14. Josh Hoover, Indiana Hoosiers

Could Hoover be the next transfer quarterback to be successful for Curt Cignetti and Indiana. He passed for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 65.9 percent completion at TCU last season. Cignetti thinks Hoover can cut down the turnovers and be more efficient. 

13. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks

Sellers saw his numbers go down last season, as he passed for 2,437 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 60.8 percent completion. He also rushed for 270 yards and five touchdowns. Sellers is still learning how to improve as a quarterback, but he has a lot of physical tools to be successful. 

12. Demond Williams, Washington Huskies

There was a little drama with Williams and the transfer portal this offseason, but he is back with the Huskies. He broke out last season by passing for 3,065 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 69.5 percent completion. 

11. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mestemaker didn’t even start in high school and was a walk-on at North Texas. He started for the Mean Green last season and put up great numbers. Mestemaker had 4,379 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 68..9 percent completion. Now, he’ll have to step up against Big 12 competition. 

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10. Noah Fifita, Arizona Wildcats

Fifita is experienced and has led the Wildcats to great success. He passed for 3,228 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions on 64.3 percent completion last season. His size may limit him from being thought of as a great NFL Draft prospect, but he’s a quality college quarterback. 

9. John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners

After transferring from Washington State to Oklahoma, Mateer had 2,885 passing yards, 431 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns. He injured his thumb during the season, which limited his numbers, but a lot more is expected this season. 

8. Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans

Maiava could’ve gone pro, but decided to return to USC, where he will be joined by the no. 1 recruiting class in the country. He passed for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 65.8 percent completion. His top receivers are now in the NFL, so Maiava will need to help younger players develop. 

7. Darian Mensah, Miami Hurricanes

He had success at Tulane, then moved up to Duke last season. At Duke, he passed for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns and six interceptions on 66.8 percent completion. Now with the Hurricanes, Mensah is trying to help the team make it back to the CFP. 

6. Sam Leavitt, LSU Tigers

Leavitt helped Arizona State make the CFP two seasons ago, then dealt with injuries last season. He passed for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on 61.7 percent completion in 2024 and he’ll be trying to recapture those numbers at LSU in Lane Kiffin’s offense. 

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5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State Buckeyes

Sayin had an efficient first season as a starter for Ohio State. He passed for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 77 percent completion. Now, he’ll have to take more chances with his talented receivers to help Ohio State advance further in the CFP. 

4. CJ Carr, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Carr was a first-year starter for Notre Dame last season and impressed with 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on 66.6 percent completion. The Fighting Irish missed the CFP last season, but with Carr improving, they could make it this season. 

3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss made a run in the CFP thanks to Chambliss’s playmaking ability. He accounted for 3,937 passing yards, 527 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns. This year, he will be without Lane Kiffin’s offense, but his talent should still shine through. 

2. Dante Moore, Oregon Ducks

Moore decided to return to Oregon, along with several of his teammates, to try to win a national championship. He passed for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 71.8 percent completion. The Ducks will be relying on him to lead them to better success in the CFP. 

1. Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns

Manning got a lot of flak for starting the season off slowly and for some bad mechanics. He finished the year strong though, passing for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 61.4 percent completion. Texas has put a lot of talent around Manning and he should be able to live up to his potential this season. 

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