The start of the 2025-26 college football season is rapidly approaching. Much of the attention will be placed on the teams’ quarterbacks heading into the new campaign. Here are the top 10 QBs to watch this coming season.
Top 10 College Football Quarterbacks to Watch in 2025-26 Season
1. Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns)
All eyes will be on Arch Manning as he begins his first season as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback. He showed what he is capable of in that role last season, throwing for 583 yards and four touchdowns with just two interceptions in his starts against the UL Monroe Warhawks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
2. Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers)
Cade Klubnik delivered in his third season with the Clemson Tigers, recording career-highs in touchdowns and passing yards in 2024. He completed 308-of-486 passes for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns with six interceptions for the Tigers, who finished the campaign with a 10-4 overall record. He is expected to be a top contender for the Heisman Trophy this year.
3. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers)
Another player who is primed for a Heisman bid this year is Garrett Nussmeier. The LSU star posted stellar numbers for the Tigers last season, completing 337-of-525 passes for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He was one of just six quarterbacks in the nation who recorded at least 4,000 passing yards last season. He joined Joe Burrow as the only LSU players to eclipse the 4,000-yard passing mark in a season.
LSU QB’s to throw for 4,000+ yards in a season
Joe Burrow
Garrett NussmeierEnd Of List pic.twitter.com/sZaNTkTZ8O
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) December 31, 2024
4. John Mateer (Oklahoma Sooners)
The Oklahoma Sooners expect great things from new starting quarterback John Mateer, who posted impressive numbers with Washington State last season. He dazzled in his first season as the Cougars’ starting quarterback, completing 224-of-327 passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2024. The Sooners signed him through the transfer portal, hoping Mateer could replicate those numbers in the SEC.
5. Drew Allar (Penn State Nittany Lions)
Drew Allar surprised football fans when he decided to skip the NFL Draft and return to Penn State for another season. That is great news for the Nittany Lions, who came close to winning the national championship last season. Allar helped Penn State finish the 2024 campaign with a 13-3 slate, throwing for a career-high 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
6. Carson Beck (Miami Hurricanes)
Carson Beck is another player who opted to play in the NCAA for another season instead of joining the NFL this year. The former Georgia star joined Miami through the transfer portal, providing the Hurricanes with their new starting quarterback. He threw for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in his final season with the Bulldogs.
7. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks)
LaNorris Sellers impressed in his first season as South Carolina’s QB1, completing 196-of-299 passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2024. Several teams tried to sign Sellers through the transfer portal after that magnificent campaign, but the young quarterback decided to stay with the Gamecocks for another season.
8. Sam Leavitt (Arizona State Sun Devils)
Arizona State’s success last season wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding play of Sam Leavitt. He posted impressive numbers in his freshman year, completing 216-of-350 passes for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led Arizona State to the College Football Playoff, where the Sun Devils lost to Texas in the Peach Bowl.
9. Josh Hoover (TCU Horned Frogs)
The TCU Horned Frogs expect another solid campaign from Josh Hoover, who posted career-best passing numbers in 2024. He threw for 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season for TCU.
10. Gunner Stockton (Georgia Bulldogs)
Following Carson Beck’s departure, the Georgia Bulldogs will give the keys to their offense to new starting quarterback Gunner Stockton. He took over as Georgia’s QB1 late last season after Beck got injured in the SEC Championship Game, leading the Bulldogs to victory over Texas. Stockton’s first College Football Playoff start ended in disappointment, though, as Georgia lost 23-10 to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
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