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Jackson's early college football quarterback rankings for 2026. His top 20 CFB quarterbacks, including Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Sam Leavitt, Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, and more.
The 2026 college football offseason has just begun, but who says it's too early to take a look at next year's quarterback position? Not us, so let's get to it. Many talented quarterbacks just missed this list or are near the bottom of the rankings, which speaks to the depth of the QB landscape next season.
As always, the rankings later in the preseason will see some changes, and the rankings after the 2026-27 campaign will likely look dramatically different.
Who predicted Fernando Mendoza to be the best quarterback in college football in January of last season? That's right, nobody! There are sure to be plenty of surprises, but for this article, we'll rely on productive players who started last season. Below, find out where we placed big-name QBs such as Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Sam Leavitt, Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, and more.
20. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
2025 Stats: 64.2% completion, 3,454 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, -120 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns
JKS transferred to Cal after just a quick cup of coffee at Oregon, and despite the team's struggle in 2025, he was a bright spot. The Hawaii native led all true freshmen in passing yards, and he threw for at least 208 yards in all 13 games.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele 31/40 330 YDS, 4 TDs, 0 INT vs SMU Tonight.pic.twitter.com/sMuf29pZM4 https://t.co/lBnAGzCtNF
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) November 30, 2025
He averaged 314.8 passing yards over his final four games. Keeping him on campus is a big win for new head coach Tosh Lupoi. The talent is evident for JOK, and the Golden Bears could be dangerous in the wide-open ACC if the team around him improves.
19. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
2025 Stats: 62.1% completion, 3,169 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 493 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
Reed is another quarterback on the list oozing with talent, but his stock took a hit late in the 2025 campaign. His overall body of work is impressive, and he has no shortage of weapons to work with in College Station.
However, Reed enjoyed arguably the easiest schedule in the SEC last season, and he completed under 60% of his passes and threw just six touchdowns to seven interceptions in games against ranked opponents. He could be a clear top-10 QB by the end of next season, but there are reasons to be cautious.
18. John Mateer, Oklahoma
2025 Stats: 62.2% completion, 2,885 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 431 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns
Mateer was the Heisman Trophy favorite for a short time before conference play began, but unfortunately, he only played in one SEC game before suffering an injury to his throwing hand that required surgery. With a full offseason to recover and another year in Ben Arbuckle's system, it's reasonable to expect a step forward in 2026.
John Mateer TD pic.twitter.com/8BxHfzZdpL
— NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) November 15, 2025
The Sooners have been aggressive in the transfer portal and have retained key pieces on offense. We're giving Mateer the benefit of the doubt here, without ranking him too highly.
17. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
2025 Stats: 60.8% completion, 2,437 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 270 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns
Sellers regressed in nearly every statistical category in 2025, but the talent is there, and replacing offensive coordinator Mike Shula with Kendal Briles is a great development for a potential bounce-back season. South Carolina also retained wide receiver Nyck Harbor, and its offensive line can't play any worse than it did last season.
A big campaign could propel Sellers to an early draft position in 2027. Was 2024 an anomaly, or will he return to being one of the better QBs in the SEC?
16. Josh Hoover, Indiana
2025 Stats: 65.9% completion, 3,472 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, four rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
With Fernando Mendoza presumably heading for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Hoosiers have already secured their starter for next season. Hoover has been very productive in Kendal Briles' offense at TCU, and the Indiana coaching staff has earned the benefit of the doubt after an elite 2025 campaign. We should expect Hoover to have a big year in his fifth season of college football, tied to a program that now looks elite.
15. Rocco Becht, Penn State
2025 Stats: 60.5% completion, 2,584 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 116 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns
Becht was statistically better in 2024 than in 2025, but the loss of now-Houston Texans wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel can explain some of that loss of production. Becht has 39 starts under his belt and should be ready to compete in the Big Ten right away under a familiar head coach and offensive coordinator.
my favorite part of Rocco Becht’s game is how he uses his quickness to manipulate and evade defenders in the pocket.
Slick throw, too. pic.twitter.com/RqNEgqdIr9
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) July 10, 2025
Although the Nittany Lions have a lot of new faces on the roster, there are plenty of Iowa State carryovers that could make the "rebuild" an expedited one.
14. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
2025 Stats: 68.9% completion, 4,379 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 89 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns
Mestemaker led the country in passing yards as a redshirt freshman at North Texas, and he's primed for QB1 duties under former UNT head coach Eric Morris in Stillwater. Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State offenses used to be dynamic and explosive, and Morris, along with Mestemaker, has the chance to revive that immediately in an offensive attack that would've been a perfect fit in the Big 12 of the past.
This feels like a fair ranking for the young quarterback, considering he'll be dealing with a step up in competition.
13. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
2025 Stats: 69.7% completion, 2,894 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 462 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
It was tough to know what to expect from Stockton entering 2025. He had just one start on his resume, and it was in the College Football Playoff against Notre Dame. Stockton isn't the most impressive quarterback physically, but he's made of the right stuff and was clutch for the Bulldogs all year long.
Heading into his second year as a full-time starter, look for him to take another step forward for the two-time defending SEC champions.
12. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
2025 Stats: 66.6% completion, 2,741 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 33 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
Carr did not attempt a pass as a true freshman, but he won the starting quarterback battle in the preseason and was fantastic once he got his feet under him. The grandson of Lloyd Carr was thrown into the fire immediately in matchups against Miami and Texas A&M before leading the Irish to 10 consecutive wins.
CJ CARR ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOTRE DAME TIES IT UP ☘️
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) September 1, 2025
In his last 10 games, he threw 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He'll be leaned on more heavily in 2026 with the departure of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
11. Byrum Brown, Auburn
2025 Stats: 66.3% completion, 3,158 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 1,008 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns
4,166 total yards and 42 total touchdowns. Those are some solid numbers, yes? Brown has mastered playing in Alex Golesh's offense, and he'll be leaned on heavily to bring that high-powered attack to Auburn in the SEC next season.
BYRUM 👏 BROWN 👏
📺: @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/nS7I1VUV68
— USF Football (@USFFootball) October 25, 2025
If Auburn's defense remains strong in 2026, we could be looking at one of the most improved teams in Power 4 next year. And don't rule out Brown as a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate.
10. Demond Williams Jr., Washington
2025 Stats: 69.5% completion, 3,065 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 611 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
Williams attempted to enter the transfer portal, but Washington had no intention to let him out of the contract extension he signed this offseason. So, he'll be back in Seattle under Jedd Fisch in 2026, and another efficient and productive season should be in order.
The rising junior had thrown just nine interceptions in 459 career passing attempts, and he's a dynamic runner. Washington is a sleeper to watch in the Big Ten next season, in large part because of Williams.
9. Kevin Jennings, SMU
2025 Stats: 66.1% completion, 3,641 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 54 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns
You'd love to see the interceptions come down and the rushing numbers go back up in 2026, but we project Jennings to be one of the best signal-callers in America next season. It will be his third season as a full-time starter under Rhett Lashlee, and pass-catching help is on the way via the transfer portal.
Can Jennings get the Mustangs back to the College Football Playoff? It's within the range of outcomes.
8. Jayden Maiava, USC
2025 Stats: 65.8% completion, 3,711 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 157 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
Maiava seems like a natural fit in Lincoln Riley's offense, and he had a solid showing in his first year as a full-time starter for the Trojans. The rising fifth-year senior can play his way into a valuable draft slot in 2026, especially since he'll have to show he can continue to play at a high level without Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane.
USC will face Penn State, Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon next season, so it'll need him at his best.
7. Darian Mensah, Duke
2025 Stats: 66.8% completion, 3,973 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, -32 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Just before the transfer portal closed, Mensah was the last shocking addition to the loaded group of veteran quarterbacks in this year's cycle. The rising junior enjoyed great success at Tulane and Duke in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively, and he has officially joined the Miami program.
The Canes have no shortage of talent, and Mensah could have the best WR duo in the country in Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. With Mensah at the helm, this squad should be back in the CFP.
6. Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech
2025 Stats: 61.6% completion, 2,800 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 580 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns
Texas Tech put a lot of money on the table to field a great roster in 2025, and it led to a 12-2 record and a Big 12 Championship. However, it felt like the Red Raiders were missing a game-changer at quarterback, no disrespect to Behren Morton.
They are hoping Sorsby is the man to bring the program to the next level, and based on his career and resume at Cincinnati, he just might be. It looks like Tech is going to be aggressive every season in the portal, so don't be surprised if its starting quarterback is near the top of these lists for years to come.
5. Arch Manning, Texas
2025 Stats: 61.4% completion, 3,163 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 399 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
The expectations for Manning in Year 1 as a starter were probably too high. Is there any way he was going to live up to them? It was a shaky start for the next up in the royal family of quarterbacks, but he turned it on significantly in the second half of the season.
Arch Manning 21/34, 221 PYDS, 155 RUYDS, 4 Total TDs vs Michgan 2025 Citrus Bowl Today.pic.twitter.com/OOq8JRTvA1 https://t.co/eE9bajiBRY
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) January 1, 2026
Over the final six games of the year, he averaged 286.2 passing yards per game, scored 19 touchdowns, and threw five interceptions. He faced the No. 9, No. 5, No. 3, and No. 18-ranked teams in four of those contests. He did all of this without a real rushing attack. The Longhorns have added a ton of talent around him in this year's transfer portal, so don't be surprised if his real breakout season is just ahead.
4. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
2025 Stats: 77.0% completion, 3,610 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, -44 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns
A 77 percent completion rate speaks for itself, and Sayin had a great year after taking over for Will Howard. He wasn't at his best against Ohio State's three toughest opponents (Texas, Indiana, Miami), but another year of seasoning should help him be better prepared for those big-time games.
It seems like Ohio State will never lack talent at wide receiver again, so he'll continue to be set up for success.
3. Sam Leavitt, LSU
2025 Stats: 60.7% completion, 1,628 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 306 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns
Leavitt's second and final season at Arizona State was cut short due to injury, but he showed enough this year and during his 2024 breakout year to make him one of the top quarterbacks on the market this offseason.
No matter what you think about Lane Kiffin, he's clearly one of the best offensive minds in football, and his quarterbacks never fail to be big-time producers. Leavitt has some "Jaxson Dart" in his game. Expect him to hit the ground running in Baton Rouge.
2. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
2025 Stats: 66.1% completion, 3,937 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 527 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns
After being granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, Chambliss is in line to start for the Rebels in 2026. The former Division II National Champion arrived in Oxford last season to be the backup to Austin Simmons, but he ended up being one of the best players in the country, leading Ole Miss to a historic season.
The loss of Lane Kiffin is significant, but retaining Chambliss, who turns 24 just before his final collegiate season, gives Ole Miss a chance to compete for a College Football Playoff spot once again. Chambliss is a special player and an X-factor. You can debate whether or not he should be eligible this season, but he's a lot of fun to watch!
1. Dante Moore, Oregon
2025 Stats: 71.8% completion, 3,565 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 156 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Dante Moore was likely a lock to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he has decided to come back to Oregon in hopes of bringing home a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2026.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore said he has decided to return to school for the 2026 season, forgoing a chance to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His decision is expected to have significant ramifications on the draft. pic.twitter.com/IPQRYOSbbC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2026
It may be a smart move in the long run, but the Ducks' Big Ten opposition isn't excited about it. With Moore back at the helm, Oregon will be a popular pick to win the conference, and maybe even the "whole thing."
