College football quarterbacks rankings: Our top 25 list is dominated by SEC, Big Ten

USA Today

17 hours ago

In elite list of college football quarterbacks, Clemson's Cade Klubnik outpaces Arch Manning and others from the SEC.
So, you're tired of all the transfers in college football? Well, then, you'll like this. The nation's top quarterbacks entering the 2025 season signed with their respective program as blue-chip prospects, waited their turn, developed in the system, then seized the starting reins.
The top four quarterbacks in our USA TODAY Sports rankings of the nation's top 25 quarterbacks each plays for the program with which he signed. How's that for a throwback?
Oh, sure, there's some top-tier transfers, too, sprinkled into our top 10. Overall, the quarterback talent runs deep this season, whether homegrown or plucked from the portal.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven quarterbacks ranked in our top 25, but the SEC swarmed the top end of the rankings, with five SEC quarterbacks ranked within the top eight.
These rankings reflect an aggregate of the ballots of five USA TODAY sportswriters who each voted for their top 25.
Here are our USA TODAY top 25 college football quarterbacks:
1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
In his second season at the controls, Klubnik's progress from his first year restored the explosiveness to the Clemson offense that had been missing since the Tigers were playing for national championships. Now with even more weapons at his disposal, he should be front and center in the Heisman discussion as the team makes another title push.
2. Drew Allar, Penn State
Allar is the face of Penn State's push for its first national title in nearly 40 years. After ending his junior year with a devastating interception in the team's playoff semifinal against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, Allar enters his second season running offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki's scheme surrounded by a top-notch offensive line and one of the nation's top collections of skill talent, especially in the backfield.
3. Arch Manning, Texas
Finally, it's Manning's chance to prove true the hype that's followed this blue-chip quarterback with one of football's most famous surnames. He's the preseason Heisman favorite. Manning looked the part of budding star with a lofty ceiling in two spot starts and backup opportunities last season. He should be ready to break out in his third season playing for Steve Sarkisian, a deft quarterback developer. Manning's arm is sharp, and his mobility and size are pluses, although he must improve his processing time.
4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier is equipped with a strong arm and the belief that he can make any throw. Watch him zip a pass to the sideline, and you'll understand why he's projected as an early first-round NFL Draft pick. He's the nation's only returning quarterback who passed for more than 4,000 yards last season, and he'll be surrounded by a good group of receivers. Reducing his 12 interceptions from 2024 becomes the next stage in his development.
5. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
What a difference a year can make. Leavitt went from a relatively unknown Michigan State transfer to one of the top arms in the sport after leading Arizona State to the playoff. Cam Skattebo had all the limelight for the Sun Devils, but Leavitt's production was undeniable; he had 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions in the final nine games. He's got running capabilities, and he's shown he can deliver in big games. The offense is primed to be the best in the Big 12 with Leavitt still leading the way.
6. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Oklahoma failed last season to fix its quarterback void created when Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon. Mateer, a Washington State transfer, addresses that need. His playing style even shares some traits to Gabriel's. He's a hard-nosed dual threat who's an efficient passer and an athletic runner. He completes passes from a variety of arm angles. Mateer now must prove himself against a higher caliber of defense than he faced out West.
7. DJ Lagway, Florida
The Gators ignited after Lagway became their starter midway through his true freshman season. We probably haven't seen the best of him yet. A hamstring injury hampered his dual-threat abilities in 2024. Durability is an issue with Lagway. He's spent the offseason recovering from a throwing shoulder injury. When healthy, he's a big play in waiting. He throws an excellent deep ball, connecting on more than 52% of his throws that traveled more than 20 yards.
8. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Sellers showed he could do it all as a redshirt freshman. He passed for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a November win against Missouri. Two weeks later, he rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns in a takedown of Clemson. That's the epitome of a dual threat. He's accurate and efficient, and he can reach speeds of nearly 21 mph on the ground. If he reduces his turnovers – fumbles were a bugaboo – he'll be the complete package.
9. Carson Beck, Miami
Replacing the top overall draft pick might seem daunting, but Beck is no stranger to lofty expectations. He arrives in Coral Gables with plenty of potential but some baggage as well, as the Georgia offense wasn't always humming. last season His final numbers from 2024 were solid enough 3,485 passing yards, a 64.7% completion rate and 28 TDs. But many of his 12 interceptions resulted from trying to force the action, a habit he'll need to break if the Hurricanes hope to be in the playoff picture.
10. Kevin Jennings, SMU
The Mustangs' appearance in the ACC championship game in their first year in the conference was a surprise. Jennings had a lot to do with that, though the season concluded on a sour note in a playoff drubbing at Penn State. He finished the campaign with 3,245 yards and 23 TDs passing and another 354 yards and five scores by land.
11. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Dave Arnada can thank Robertson for keeping his job secure after an impressive second half of the season from the Baylor quarterback. After taking over in the third game, he led the Bears to a 6-0 finish in the regular season, while totaling 1,581 passing yards with 17 touchdowns during the stretch. His 153.1 efficiency rating is the best among returning Big 12 starters. He has the potential to play on Sundays if he lives up to the offseason hype.
12. Josh Hoover, TCU
TCU finally has its guy after Hoover put up a monster 2024 campaign. He set the single-season school record at 3,949 passing yards and his 66.5% completion percentage are the most among returning Big 12 quarterbacks. His pocket presence is among the top echelon of signal-callers and he's got pinpoint accuracy when he's on the run. The Horned Frogs are a dangerous team that could be an offensive power with the cannon Hoover has, with 61 completions of at least 20 yards last season.
13. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
The former Mississippi transfer has found a home with the surging Illini, totaling 26 touchdowns against six picks in a breakout 2024 season. After winning 10 games last fall, Illinois is a trendy contender for an at-large playoff bid in large part to his reliability and command of the offense. Like Allar at PSU, Altmyer is a returning starter at the same program amid a Big Ten quarterback crop that's otherwise littered with youth and first-year transfers.
14. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Despite being banged up for significant stretches, King finished 2024 with 2,701 yards of offense and accounted for 25 total touchdowns. His hard-nosed running did contribute to those injuries. The question for the Yellow Jackets' staff now is whether they've assembled enough pieces to take full advantage of King's considerable skillset. If they have, an uptick in the victory total is likely.
15. Rocco Becht, Iowa State
There may be no more underrated quarterback on this list than Becht. He guided Iowa State to its first 11-win season in program history in 2024 while throwing for 3,505 yards. He enters the season among the most experienced arms with 27 career starts, and it's evident in his high on-field IQ, consistently frustrating defenses with his ability to extend plays and drives. He's practically a lock to find the endzone with a touchdown pass in 18 consecutive games.
16. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Look for Iamaleava to spend this season in the national spotlight after his dramatic exit from Tennessee. He'll have a harder time at UCLA, which has made gains under coach DeShaun Foster but won't surround the third-year sophomore with the same talent level he had with the Volunteers. Still, Iamaleava has led an SEC team to the playoff and could be the missing piece for the Bruins.
17. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
The former five-star recruit will take the next step as a sophomore thanks to last year's experience, a much improved receiver group and a full offseason learning the ropes in coordinator Dana Holgorsen's system. Raiola has all the gifts to match his immense recruiting hype and should tap into that potential beginning in September.
18. Darian Mensah, Duke
Coming off a 2,723-yard season with 22 passing touchdowns at Tulane, Mensah looks to keep the Blue Devils in the ACC's upper tier. His reportedly lofty NIL price tag indicates the program's backers are serious about making Duke not just a basketball destination. Now, he'll have deliver on that investment to push the Blue Devils into title contention.
19. Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore had an up-and-down freshman year at UCLA in 2023 and then spent last season learning the ropes in Oregon's offense behind Dillon Gabriel. That he has Power Four starting experience and a comfort level in this scheme are two major advantages in his corner. Look for Moore to grab this chance and run with it to become the Ducks' latest super-productive starter.
20. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza becomes the next to grab the reins for the Hoosiers after last year's starter, Kurtis Rourke, helped Indiana make a shocking playoff berth. The Cal transfer threw for over 3,000 yards with 16 scores in 2024 and brings along two years of starting experience into coach Curt Cignetti's explosive offense.
21. Blake Horvath, Navy
In his first season as a starter, Horvath led the Midshipmen to 10 wins, including a defeat of Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl. He does most of his damage on the ground, like most Navy quarterbacks. And while Horvath accumulated 1,353 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing, he also provided a solid throwing threat with 13 passing scores. Expect even better production in 2025 as Navy hopes to contend again in the American Athletic.
22. Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Kansas State put all of its chips into Johnson being the guy after Will Howard, and it now is reaping the benefits of having a quarterback with a tremendous ceiling. He had several shining moments in 2024, particularly in his ability to generate fourth-quarter comebacks. It was evident his confidence rose as the season went on, trusting his arm and letting it work hand-in-hand with his fantastic running ability. With a full year of starting experience under his belt, Johnson will be a much more mature player that will keep Kansas State contenders.
23. Miller Moss, Louisville
It wasn't all bad for Moss at Southern California as he threw for 2,555 yards and 18 scores, but a three-interception outing in a Nov. 2 loss at Washington led to his demotion an eventual transfer. He should be a good fit at Louisville given Jeff Brohm's success mentoring QBs, and he'll have a lot of projected all-league talent around him in the Cardinals offense.
24. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Sayin grabs the keys to the kingdom as the Buckeyes' expected starter. After making 12 attempts in a reserve role for the defending national champs, Sayin should be one of the Big Ten's most efficient passers while playing alongside Jeremiah Smith and other elite receivers. Unlike Moore at Oregon, though, Sayin has limited playing experience and could take a little time to steady himself. Learning how to run the system from Will Howard last year will help ease his transition.
25. Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Stop if you've heard this before: there's a gunslinger that could be dazzling at Texas Tech. Morton enters his final season in Lubbock ready to thrive in the pass-heavy offense the Red Raiders are known for. What's special is for how much he throws it, he takes care of the ball with only eight interceptions on 466 passing attempts last season. He's got all the makings of leading the nation in passing yards.