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Jackson's college football quarterback rankings for 2025. His top 15 CFB quarterbacks, including Arch Manning, Carson Beck, LaNorris Sellers, and more.
The 2025 college football season is roughly two months away. Can't miss matchups between Auburn and Baylor, Texas and Ohio State, Alabama and Florida State, LSU and Clemson, and Notre Dame and Miami are just ahead. For now, we're still in "talkin' season," a period when debating rankings and looking forward to the start of the new campaign is the best use of our time.
College football has been missing an unquestioned star at QB like Trevor Lawrence, Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton, Joe Burrow, or Andrew Luck, but a few names have emerged as the potential stars of tomorrow. In this article, we'll dive into the top 15 college football quarterbacks for 2025. These rankings take previous performance and future projection into account to form the signal-caller pecking order.
Below, check out where Arch Manning, Carson Beck, LaNorris Sellers, Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, and DJ Lagway stand among the nation's finest QBs.
Honorable Mentions
- Avery Johnson, Kansas State
- Miller Moss, Louisville
- Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
- Jake Retzlaff, BYU
- Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
- Kaidon Salter, Colorado
- Blake Horvath, Navy
- Jalon Daniels, Kansas
- Darian Mensah, Duke
15. Rocco Becht, Iowa State
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 271/456 (59.4 percent), 3,505 yards, 25 TDs, 9 INTs
- Rushing: 318 yards, 8 TDs
Becht wasn't necessarily the most efficient quarterback in the country last season, but he was effective, and he's a high-character leader for Matt Campbell's Cyclones. He's more of a "baller" and playmaker than a perfectly polished signal-caller, but that worked well for Iowa State a season ago.
Unfortunately, star wideout tandem Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are now Houston Texans after being selected on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, so Becht will need to raise his level of play even more to make up for the significant losses at pass-catcher.
14. Josh Hoover, TCU
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 313/471 (66.5 percent), 3,949 yards, 27 TDs, 11 INTs
- Rushing: -19 yards, 4 TDs
After a tough 2023 campaign for TCU, the Horned Frogs rebounded in 2024 with a 9-4 season, in large part due to the excellence of Hoover. As a redshirt freshman, Hoover was a mid-level quarterback in the Big 12, but he took a nice step forward in his sophomore year. If he takes yet another leap in Year 3 as the starter, we could be looking at video-game numbers here.
🐸 Josh Hoover said it best:
“I love Fort Worth. I love TCU. This is the place I want to be. I see TCU as a top program and that’s why I came here.” pic.twitter.com/D09PkeHc6f
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) June 18, 2025
Reportedly, Tennessee made a push for Hoover to transfer to Knoxville after the departure of Nico Iamaleava, but he turned down a significant pay raise to return to Fort Worth. The Big 12 is wide open, and Hoover has the chance to lead his program to the CFP with a special season.
13. Kevin Jennings, SMU
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 247/380 (65.0 percent), 3,245 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs
- Rushing: 354 yards, 5 TDs
It's easy to poke fun at Jennings for his performance against Penn State in last year's College Football Playoff, but he helped the Mustangs get there when no one else expected it, and he could be one of the nation's best quarterbacks if he takes a step forward in 2025.
Don't forget that Jennings almost brought SMU back against Clemson in the ACC title game, and don't sleep on him as a darkhorse Heisman contender if the program can put another 10-win season together.
12. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 196/269 (72.9 percent), 2,114 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: 587 yards, 11 TDs
Entering his sixth collegiate season, King should be a true X factor for the Yellow Jackets, who are a prime ACC sleeper in 2025. The veteran has seen it all, and he's one of the better rushing quarterbacks in college football. The loss of Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn) stings, but Florida International transfer Eric Rivers should help soften the blow, Malik Rutherford is still there, and running back Jamal Haynes is one of the best RBs in the country.
MAXIMUM EFFORT!
Haynes King and Jamal Haynes make absolute MAGIC on this touchdown!
📺 @GeorgiaTechFB x ABC pic.twitter.com/jvBVhWfCVU
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 30, 2024
King doesn't have to do everything for Georgia Tech's offense to have success, but he can if he needs to.
11. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 177/298 (59.4 percent), 2,293 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs
- Rushing: 800 yards, 8 TDs
Diego Pavia is not going to throw for 4,000 or 5,000 yards, but his craftiness with the football and improvising ability make him one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. Pavia is not the biggest, strongest, fastest, or most talented quarterback, but he makes things happen in Vandy's unique offense.
Standout tight end Eli Stowers is back for Vanderbilt, and look for Pavia's former New Mexico State teammate, Trent Hudson, to emerge as a potential go-to target in the passing attack. Pavia's excellence is unlikely to be enough to put Vandy anywhere close to SEC title contention, but he'll have plenty of upper-tier conference squads on upset watch.
10. John Mateer, Oklahoma
2024 Season Stats (Washington State):
- Passing: 224/347 (64.6 percent), 3,139 yards, 29 TDs, 7 INTs
- Rushing: 826 yards, 15 TDs
While Mateer could take his place as an unquestioned top-5 quarterback on this list by season's end, it's important not to get too bullish on the former Washington State Cougar. His video-game stats are nothing to scoff at, but the quality of his opponents was in 2024. WAZU essentially played a Mountain West schedule last year after the collapse of the Pac-12. We've seen many quarterbacks transfer up -- only to faceplant.
All that said, we've also seen success stories, and it doesn't hurt that his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, followed him to Norman. The Sooners have one of the most difficult seven-game stretches to close the 2025 campaign that we have ever seen (vs. Texas, at South Carolina, vs. Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Alabama, vs. Missouri, vs LSU). Oh, and Michigan comes to town in Week 2.
John Mateer takes it HIMSELF for a Washington State touchdown. 😤
📺: Peacock | @WSUCougarFB pic.twitter.com/QHpIbopEOh
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 14, 2024
Surrounded by stud WR1 Deion Burks and an impressive stable of running backs, including Jaydn Ott, Jovantae Barnes, and Xavier Robinson, can Mateer battle the storm? It'll be fun to find out.
9. Carson Beck, Miami
2024 Season Stats (Georgia):
- Passing: 290/448 (64.7 percent), 3,485 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs
- Rushing: 71 yards, 1 TD
Beck's final season at Georgia did not go as planned. His raw stats look solid overall, but he wasn't great in some of the Bulldogs' bigger contests.
The Florida native threw half of his 28 touchdowns in three contests. Two of those were against Tennessee Tech (five) and UMass (four). The other was against Georgia Tech in an eight-overtime game. Against Ole Miss, Florida, Alabama, and Texas combined, he threw for five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Needless to say, the loss of Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey proved significant.
For those reasons, he's not a top-5 QB entering 2025. However, he can rebound nicely and has been battle-tested in the SEC over the last two campaigns. He's flashed high-end QB play on many occasions, and he'll have plenty of talent to work with as a Hurricane. He will be tested immediately in a showdown with Notre Dame to begin his Miami career.
8. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 211/347 (60.8 percent), 2,717 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs
- Rushing: 217 yards, 4 TDs
Behind an excellent campaign by Altmyer last season, the Ilini won 10 games for the first time since 2001. The veteran takes care of the football and distributes the ball with the best of them, and he's an underrated runner and improviser.
The former Ole Miss QB has improved year-over-year, so it will be fun to watch him in Year 5. Faced with a significant talent deficit, Illinois will need a game-breaking performance out of Altmyer to hang with Ohio State. The program does not face Oregon, Michigan, or Penn State, so there is a real path toward the Big Ten title game in 2025.
7. DJ Lagway, Florida
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 115/192 (59.9 percent), 1,915 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs
- Rushing: 101 yards
If you're just looking at the stats, Lagway would belong nowhere near this list. However, he brought a tremendous spark to the Gators program as a true freshman, helping Florida win four straight games to close the 2024 campaign. This streak included wins over No. 22 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss.
Overall, Lagway went 6-1 as a starter and flashed his potential that has many around the country believing he can be one of the nation's top quarterbacks over at least the next two seasons.
TOUCHDOWN! On 3rd and 18, DJ Lagway delivers a strike to Dike pic.twitter.com/DO21rcdVNT
— Stadium and Gale: A Florida Gators Podcast (@StadiumAndGale) October 13, 2024
The 240-pounder has no shortage of arm talent and upside, and he'll be tasked with fully saving Billy Napier's job in his sophomore season. Lagway has been dealing with a shoulder injury this offseason but is expected to be full-go when it matters.
6. Arch Manning, Texas
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 61/90 (67.8 percent), 939 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: 108 yards, 4 TDs
Some have Manning in the top five, and others even have him in the No. 1 spot. While the No. 6 spot is bullish for a player we haven't seen all that much of, it's a fair placement given his projection and upside.
Manning sat behind Quinn Ewers in 2023 and 2024, but it's now his time to shine, and Texas fans expect him to be the one to get the program over the hump and win a natty for the first time since Mack Brown and Vince Young did it in 2005.
Unlike his uncles, Peyton and Eli, Arch has legitimate game-breaking speed, and he's been taught and bred to be a high-level quarterback for his entire life. In Steve Sarkisian's QB-friendly system and surrounded by elite talent, he has what it takes to live up to the hype -- if that's even possible.
ARCH MANNING TAKES IT 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE WITH HIS LEGS 😱
It's the longest rush by a Texas QB since Vince Young in 2005. pic.twitter.com/AjU9uSli2c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2024
5. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 216/350 (61.7 percent), 2,885 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs
- Rushing: 443 yards, 5 TDs
For good reason, much attention was given to star running back Cam Skattebo during Arizona State's impressive run to the Big 12 title and CFP last season. But Leavitt, a redshirt freshman quarterback, was also excellent and is now poised to become the unquestioned engine of Kenny Dillingham's offense.
The former Michigan State transfer excelled in the Big 12 title game, posting just over 250 total yards and four scores (one rushing) without star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt made some questionable decisions in the CFP quarterfinal contest against Texas, but the Sun Devils were oh so close to upsetting the Longhorns and advancing.
With a full offseason heading into Year 3, we should expect him to be a clear top national gunslinger.
4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 196/299 (65.6 percent), 2,534 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs
- Rushing: 674 yards, 7 TDs
Many of the quarterbacks on the list have top-notch weapons, but Sellers likely isn't one of them. However, the explosive runner and improviser can make things happen when the going gets tough, making him one of the most exciting players to watch in college football.
South Carolina capped off the regular season with a thrilling 17-14 win over in state rival Clemson. LaNorris Sellers rushed for 166 yards and 2 TD’s along with 164 yards passing! pic.twitter.com/u6QaSp1YIJ
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) March 5, 2025
Sellers established himself as a high-end quarterback late in the 2024 campaign in explosive performances against Missouri (353 passing yards) and Clemson (166 rushing yards). South Carolina lost several key pieces on defense, so if the Gamecocks are back in the CFP picture in 2025, it will be because Sellers took another step forward and "carried" the team on his back.
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 337/525 (64.2 percent), 4,052 yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs
- Rushing: -38 yards, 3 TDs
Put simply, Nussmeier needs to clean up the turnovers. Throwing at least two interceptions in four of his 13 contests is not ideal, and it helped contribute to losses against Texas A&M and Alabama. If he can do that, he will play his way into a high draft choice in 2026. Luckily for him, the program brought in a few game-changing pass-catchers in Barion Brown (Kentucky) and Nic Anderson (Oklahoma).
LSU has struggled to run the ball in recent seasons, but the emergence of Caden Durham could change its fortunes, which will in turn help the passing game and pass protection. The Tigers must find a way to replace significant contributors to the offensive line from last year, but if Nussmeier is as good as we think he is, he should be able to help mitigate some weaknesses along the front five.
2. Drew Allar, Penn State
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 262/394 (66.5 percent), 3,327 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs
- Rushing: 302 yards, 6 TDs
Rather than entering the 2026 NFL Draft, where he likely would have been a first-round pick, Allar decided to return for a final season at Penn State in search of a Big Ten and CFP national championship. All-world tight end Tyler Warren is gone, but Allar's receiving group could be improved in 2025, and hopefully, it is after the unit struggled to make an impact in the semifinal matchup against Notre Dame (zero combined receptions).
900-yard receiver and Syracuse transfer Trebor Pena figures to slot into the WR1 role, while Devonte Ross (Troy) was a 1,000-yard receiver a season ago and is set to make a big impact. This will be Allar's final chance to get Penn State over the hump and in the championship game. That will be one of the top storylines to watch in 2025.
1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
2024 Season Stats:
- Passing: 308/486 (63.4 percent), 3,639 yards, 36 TDs, 6 INTs
- Rushing: 463 yards, 7 TDs
Klubnik didn't look great in his limited action to close out the 2022 campaign, and he is somewhat of a game manager in 2023. However, the Texas native took a huge step forward in 2024 and became a dynamic dual-threat QB.
Clemson returns its top three leading receivers from last season (Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore), and this group should be one of the elite wide receiver rooms in the nation. That won't hurt Klubnik's cause to compete for a Heisman Trophy.
The Tigers dealt with pedestrian quarterback play after Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence left town, but Klubnik will give the program a chance to fight for another national title in 2025. Clemson opens the season with a home game against LSU and Garrett Nussmeier. That should be a fun QB duel.
#Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is rated as the No. 1 QB in the 2026 NFL Draft class, according to Mel Kiper and Matt Miller. pic.twitter.com/bZeQfZUD3X
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 23, 2025
