RADIO
RotoBaller's top 25 college football quarterback rankings for the 2025 season, featuring Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, Byrum Brown, and more.
Top 25 College Football Quarterback Rankings 2025 Regular Season
The regular season has come to a close. Some of these guys won’t have another game. A couple could have up to four more games. Even more could opt out of bowl games with a look toward the future. This is the last level playing field rankings of the 2025 season. With 136 starters and several teams switching starters due to injuries or poor performance, it’s tougher to crack this than most top 25 lists. Where did your favorite quarterback end up?
25. Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Last week: 23 (⇓2)
Result: 10-17, 115 yards; 7 carries, 36 yards
Season totals: 204-341, 2,385 yards, 18 TD, 6 INT; 109 carries, 477 yards, 8 TD
Johnson closed the season with two pedestrian performances, but the overall statistics support his inclusion on the list. His numbers pale in comparison to his 2024 totals, but he did curb the interceptions. Maybe Johnson can find a little more balance in 2026. The Kansas State offense is at its best when Johnson is the centerpiece of it.
24. Jayden Maiava, USC
Last week: NR
Result: 21-29, 257 yards, 2 TD; 4 carries, 10 yards
Season totals: 247-373, 3,431 yards, 23 TD, 8 INT; 51 carries, 150 yards, 6 TD
Maiava ends the season ninth in FBS in passing yards. He’s not the threat on the ground that he was at UNLV because the offense doesn’t rely on it. He has turned into more of a pocket passer and has the stats to back it up. He threw for over 3,000 yards as a freshman at UNLV in 2023, but he also threw 10 interceptions to just 17 touchdowns. This year has been an improvement across the board.
23. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Last week: NR
Result: 17-27, 205 yards, 2 TD; 4 carries, 15 yards
Season totals: 195-293, 2,741 yards, 24 TD, 6 INT; 41 carries, 33 yards, 3 TD
Carr gets on the list with another workman-like performance against Stanford. The Notre Dame offense runs through the backs, but Carr has been much better in the passing game than his predecessors. The Irish offense has an element that it has lacked the last couple of years under Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard. Carr still has at least one more game in front of him this year, and a couple more years in this offense. It’s going to be quite a show.
22. Bear Bachmeier, BYU
Last week: NR
Result: 21-25, 289 yards, TD; 9 carries, 4 yards
Season totals: 208-322, 2,593 yards, 14 TD, 4 INT; 137 carries, 529 yards, 11 TD
The true freshman has accounted for 25 total touchdowns, 3,122 yards, and has turned it over just four times. He has led BYU to the cusp of the College Football Playoff. Many think BYU should be in regardless of what happens this weekend. Bear will get at least two more games to improve on his already impressive totals.
21. Katin Houser, East Carolina
Last week: NR
Result: 20-29, 258 yards, 2 TD; 11 carries, 67 yards, 2 TD
Season totals: 269-408, 3,300 yards, 19 TD, 6 INT; 85 carries, 193 yards, 9 TD
Houser scored four touchdowns in the rout over Florida Atlantic to end the season. He accounted for 28 touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. Houser had by far the best season of his career, putting up career highs across the board. Houser has one more year of college football. He may elect to try to get back to a power conference after a season like this.
20. Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi
Last week: 21 (⇑1)
Result: 23-34, 359 yards, 4 TD; 8 carries, 26 yards
Season totals: 218-333, 3,016 yards, 18 TD, 3 INT; 118 carries, 470 yards, 6 TD
Chambliss accounted for nearly 3,500 yards while only starting 10 games. That’s nearly 350 total yards per game! On top of that, he only threw three interceptions. He is garnering some NFL buzz now and could increase that if he takes Mississippi a round or two into the College Football Playoff.
19. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Last week: NR
Result: 19-35, 122 yards, 3 TD; 10 carries, 31 yards
Season totals: 256-389, 3,056 yards, 25 TD, 4 INT; 75 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD
Simpson threw all three touchdowns in the win in the Iron Bowl to get him back onto the list. He ends his first year as a starter with just four interceptions to go with 25 passing touchdowns. Throwing for over 3,000 yards is just a bonus. Simpson will have at least one more game coming up.
18. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane
Last week: 12 (⇓6)
Result: 28-38, 291 yards, 2 INT; 4 carries, -4 yards, 2 TD
Season totals: 209-334, 2,717 yards, 14 TD, 6 INT; 103 carries, 561 yards, 14 TD
The two turnovers moved Retzlaff further down the list. He didn’t dominate against Charlotte like many thought he should, but the important game is this week. Retzlaff was far more effective on the ground with Tulane than he was at BYU last year. He should eclipse last year’s yardage total, and he cut the interceptions in half.
17. Devon Dampier, Utah
Last week: NR
Result: 15-25, 253 yards, 3 TD; 11 carries, 50 yards
Season totals: 193-303, 2,180 yards, 22 TD, 5 INT; 127 carries, 687 yards, 7 TD
Dampier didn’t rack up a ton of yards, but he accounted for 29 touchdowns and only turned it over five times. Byrd Ficklin has seen more run in games lately because he is the future. It has also saved some wear and tear on Dampier. Dampier has another year left if he wants it. Utah would love to have a healthy Dampier if he stays.
He threw and ran for more yards last year at New Mexico, but he threw for a lot more touchdowns this year. Dampier did more on the ground last year. Utah took him and taught him how to be a passer as well as a force on the ground.
16. Arch Manning, Texas
Last week: 16 ⇔
Result: 14-29, 179 yards, TD; 7 carries, 53 yards, TD
Season totals: 227-370, 2,942 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT; 83 carries, 244 yards, 8 TD
Arch didn’t have a great day against A&M, but he scored twice and didn’t turn the ball over. That’s a good performance in Rivalry Week. Arch should top 3,000 in whatever bowl game Texas ends up in. That’s a really solid season for his first year as a starter. If ESPN hadn’t told everyone that he could walk on water before the season, most people would realize it.
15. Nick Minicucci, Delaware
Last week: 19 (⇑4)
Result: 24-37, 311 yards, 3 TD; 10 carries, 47 yards, TD
Season totals: 303-482, 3,514 yards, 122 TD, 7 INT; 106 carries, 231 yards, 10 TD
Delaware got their sixth win behind a big day from Minicucci. That gives the Blue Hens six wins, and they will get to go to a bowl game since not enough established FBS programs got to six wins. It’s a great position for Delaware to be in. Minicucci finished the regular season with 32 total touchdowns. The junior posted career highs across the board for Delaware. The team will find out its bowl fate on Sunday.
14. Noah Fifita, Arizona
Last week: 13 (⇓1)
Result: 28-45, 286 yards, TD; 10 carries, 18 yards
Season totals: 247-386, 2,963 yards, 26 TD, 5 INT; 102 carries, 149 yards, 3 TD
Fifita was methodical in the Territorial Cup win. His 2,963 passing yards are already a career high, as are the 26 touchdowns. The five interceptions are his fewest in a full season as well. Fifita also ran more this year. Arizona is going to be buzzing heading into 2026 after winning five straight to close the 2025 season.
13. Brad Jackson, Texas State
Last week: 17 (⇑4)
Result: 20-26, 280 yards, 2 TD; 13 carries, 113 yards, 3 TD
Season totals: 234-328, 3,049 yards, 18 TD, 7 INT; 160 carries, 692 yards, 16 TD
Jackson’s 16 rushing touchdowns are tied with Ahmad Hardy, Evan Dickens, and Jeremiyah Love for fourth in FBS. Oh…and he threw for over 3,000 yards. Not bad for a guy who threw just 15 passes as a true freshman last year. Jackson is going to be one to watch next year, be it at San Marcos or somewhere else.
12. Bryson Barnes, Utah State
Last week: 11 (⇓1)
Result: 13-31, 184 yards; 18 carries, 89 yards. TD
Season totals: 202-335, 2,686 yards, 18 TD, 4 INT; 176 carries, 733 yards, 9 TD
Barnes struggled in a close loss to Boise, but he scored, and he didn’t turn it over. It’s good enough to stay in the same area of the rankings. Barnes closes his career with career bests across the board, including just four interceptions. He threw six in 209 fewer pass attempts last season. He also set career highs in all rushing categories. He should get a bowl game to add to it.
11. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Last week: 6 (⇓5)
Result: 19-27, 181 yards, INT; 10 carries, 39 yards
Season totals: 230-321, 2,697 yards, 12 TD, 5 INT; 178 carries, 922 yards, 15 TD
King didn’t score a touchdown against Tech’s rival, causing him to lose some ground this week. He will still get a bowl game to try to break his career high of 2,842 passing yards in his first year with Georgia Tech in 2023. His rushing totals are by far the best of his career as Georgia Tech ran the offense through King this season. He finishes his career with double-digit rushing touchdowns in each of his three full seasons.
10. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Last week: 9 (⇓1)
Result: 11-21, 70 yards, TD, INT; 15 carries, 42 yards
Season totals: 231-329, 2,535 yards, 20 TD, 5 INT; 103 carries, 403 yards, 8 TD
Everyone close to Stockton in the rankings also struggled during Rivalry Week, so Stockton doesn’t move down much. Stockton’s first year as a starter was a rousing success for Georgia. He didn’t make as many mistakes as his predecessor and has Georgia firmly in the College Football Playoff with a chance at a first-round bye.
9. Alonza Barnett III, James Madison
Last week: 14 (⇑5)
Result: 15-21, 207 yards, 3 TD, INT; 10 carries, 31 yards, TD
Season totals: 183-297, 2,440 yards, 20 TD, 7INT; 103 carries, 459 yards, 13 TD
Barnett’s 33 total touchdowns are fifth in FBS, and this is with him splitting time with Matthew Sluka for the first month of the season. Barnett balled out as James Madison blew out another opponent to put themselves in a position to get into the CFP.
Barnett’s passing numbers are actually a bit worse than last year, but one more game should put him over his passing yardage total from last year. Barnett accounted for a career-best 13 rushing touchdowns (after eight combined before this year) and set a career high in rushing yards. He will be fun to watch wherever his bowl game is. Will he follow his coach to UCLA?
8. Darian Mensah, Duke
Last week: 10 (⇑2)
Result: 24-35, 268 yards, 2 TD; 3 carries, -12 yards, TD
Season totals: 286-424, 3,450 yards, 28 TD, 4 INT; 50 carries, -53 yards, TD
Mensah scored three touchdowns to help get Duke into the ACC Championship game. They still won’t get into the playoff, but they can rain on Virginia’s parade. That’s almost as good, right? Mensah’s numbers were much better than last year, everywhere except rushing. Duke elected not the use designed runs, and it worked in the scope of the offense. I’m curious to see how good Mensah can be in the second year of this system.
7. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Last week: 8 (⇑1)
Result: 19-26, 233 yards, 3 TD, INT; 4 carries, 7 yards
Season totals: 258-327, 2,832 yards, 30 TD, 5 INT; 31 carries, 27 yards
Sayin finished the regular season at just under 80% (78.9%) on his passes. That’s incredible for anyone, let alone a freshman. His 30 passing touchdowns were third in FBS, and he only threw five interceptions. His yardage totals were lower than many for the same reason that Fernando Mendoza’s are. Indiana and Ohio State were involved in several games where they didn’t need to push their stars and risk injury. Not every team has that luxury.
6. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Last week: 6 ⇔
Result: 23-33, 282 yards, 3 TD; 10 carries, 59 yards
Season totals: 207-336, 2,800 yards, 27 TD, 5 INT; 100 carries, 580 yards, 9 TD
Sorsby played well in the losses the last two weeks. He finished the season with 36 total touchdowns to just five interceptions. His passing stats were about the same as last year, with a noticeable uptick in touchdowns. His rushing ability was shown off more this season. Sorsby still has one year left. Will he spend it in Cincinnati? He is a good fit in this offense.
5. Joe Fagnano, Connecticut
Last week: 5 (⇓2)
Result: BYE
Season totals: 284-412, 3,441 yards, 28 TD, INT; 47 carries, 131 yards, 3 TD
I don’t care who you are; one interception in 412 attempts is excellent. We saw some greatness with Fagnano this year.
4. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
Last week: 5 (⇑1)
Result: 20-24, 366 yards, 3 TD
Season totals: 271-382, 3,835 yards, 29 TD, 4 INT; 44 carries, 57 yards, 5 TD
Mestemaker hasn’t had a turnover since October 24. He completed over 80% of his passes in each of the last two games to get over 70% (70.9%) on the season. Mestemaker led FBS in passing yards by 154 yards over Sawyer Robertson, with far fewer turnovers. He’s starting arguably the most important football game in North Texas history this weekend. Not bad for a guy who learned to punt because he wasn’t the starting QB on his high school team.
3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Last week: 4 (⇑1)
Result: 8-15, 117 yards, 2 TD; 2 carries, 27 yards, TD
Season totals: 211-293, 2,758 yards, 32 TD, 5 INT; 64 carries, 243 yards, 6 TD
Mendoza took it easy in the blitzing of Purdue, but he still scored three more touchdowns to move his season total to 38, trailing only Byrum Brown in FBS. Mendoza’s yardage total isn’t great, but Indiana didn’t need him in a lot of games. That means Diego Pavia was more important to his team.
Mendoza doubled his career high in touchdown passes already and has at least two games left. He should top 3,000 passing yards for the second straight year. The five interceptions in a career low, and he has already blown away his rushing totals. Mendoza had a career year and could still be Curt Cignetti’s quarterback next year if he elects to return to college.
2. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Last week: 2 ⇔
Result: 18-28, 268 yards, TD, 2 INT; 20 carries, 165 yards, TD
Season totals: 242-340, 3,192 yards, 27 TD, 8 INT; 152 carries, 826 yards, 9 TD
Pavia is third in FBS in total touchdowns with 36, but what moves him up to second is over 4,000 total yards. Pavia already has career highs in yards, touchdown passes, completion percentage, and rushing touchdowns. He could set a new career high in rushing yards if he plays in Vanderbilt’s bowl game.
1. Byrum Brown, South Florida
Last week: 1 ⇔
Result: 16-24, 275 yards, 4 TD; 15 carries, 104 yards, TD
Season totals: 226-341, 3,158 yards, 28 TD, 7 INT; 175 carries, 1,008 yards, 14 TD
Brown’s 42 total touchdowns by far led the FBS. Brown only turned it over twice in the last six games. He should break his season best of 3,292 passing yards set in 2023 if he decides to play in the bowl game. The 1,008 rushing yards are the most of his career by 199 yards already. Brown already has more touchdowns than in any other season in his career. Brown still has one year of eligibility left. Can you imagine if he follows Alex Golesh to Auburn? I hope Brown sticks around for that!
