The Big Ten Conference is home to the last two national champions, but several programs within its ranks have question marks at the quarterback position heading into this fall. Who will be the QB1 for all 18 Big Ten teams at the start of the 2025 college football season?
Illinois Fighting Illini: Luke Altmyer
A two-year starter, Luke Altmyer will be Bret Bielema’s starting quarterback again in 2025. He is coming off a 2,717 passing-yard season that saw the Illinois Fighting Illini win 10 games for the first time since 2001.
Indiana Hoosiers: Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza could be the most underrated passer in the country. The Cal transfer threw for 3,000+ yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024 and has the skillset to replace Kurtis Rourke, who led the Indiana Hooziers to their first 10-win season in program history in 2024. Under Curt Cignetti, the blueprint is in place for Mendoza to be equally successful.
Iowa Hawkeyes: Mark Gronowski
A four-year starter at the FCS level, Mark Gronowski finally gets a chance to prove himself in the brutal Big Ten. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits quarterback holds a 49-6 career record, the most joint-most wins of any FCS passer, while also having 10,308 passing yards in his career.
Maryland Terrapins: Justyn Martin
UCLA Bruins transfer Justyn Martin is slated to be the starter for the Maryland Terrapins in 2024. Despite only stepping into three games in 2024, completing 24 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, the addition was sought after in the transfer portal, and he has the skill set to step into a starting role in his junior year.
Michigan State Spartans: Aidan Chiles
Aidan Chiles could be a quarterback who makes massive strides in 2025. The Michigan State Spartans’ passer ranks 51st on CSN’s top players for the 2026 NFL Draft, and at 6’3” and 217 pounds, with a strong arm and good mobility, he could make a gigantic step in his game in the upcoming season.
Michigan Wolverines: Mikey Keene
Mikey Keene may be the starting quarterback in Week 1 for the Michigan Wolverines, but how long will it last? With No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood becoming one of the hottest names in college football in recent months, the calls could get loud for the Fresno State transfer to be replaced by the shiny, dual-threat, strong-armed quarterback before too long.
But Keene ranked sixth in the nation with a completion percentage of 70.5, and his experience shouldn’t be undervalued, even if an injury limited him in spring practice.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: Drake Lindsey
After sitting behind Max Brosmer for a year, it now seems to be Drake Lindsey’s time. The former three-star recruit only threw five passes in 2024, but PJ Fleck is high on the 6’5”, 230-pound passer who has had time to learn the scheme ahead of the 2025 season.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiola is the clear QB1 for the Nebraska Cornhuskers after growing his game in 2024. The former five-star recruit completed 67.1% of his passes and threw for 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns. While he did throw for a Big Ten high 11 interceptions last season, he did lead Matt Rhule’s side to a Bowl game for the first time since 2016, and he has the playmaking hallmarks to improve in 2025.
Northwestern Wildcats: Preston Stone
After starting for the SMU Mustangs in Week 1 of the 2024 season, Preston Stone lost his job to Kevin Jennings and entered the transfer portal. Now, with the Northwestern Wildcats, David Braun will need Stone to return to his 2023 form, which saw him throw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns, if he is to improve an offense that ranked 129th in college football in average points per game (16.6).
Ohio State Buckeyes: Julian Sayin
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the current favourites to win the National Championship Game again in 2025, but they will now turn to an unproven yet talented player under center. A former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer, Julian Sayin is loaded with traits and pedigree but lacks the experience that the Buckeyes have had at quarterback in recent years. This means that Ohio State’s season predictions vary among analysts.
Ohio States Julian Sayin has looked good so far today. Been very accurate . TD scarlet pic.twitter.com/MjtX43Ocfl
— CFBBlueprint (@CFBBluePrint) April 12, 2025
Oregon Ducks: Dante Moore
After spending a season sitting behind Dillon Gabriel, it is now Dante Moore’s time to be the starter at Autzen Stadium. The former one-year UCLA Bruins starter has started 14 career games, passing for 1,659 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he is now looking to prove he is the next transfer quarterback off the conveyor belt in Eugene.
Penn State Nittany Lions: Drew Allar
After forgoing the 2025 NFL Draft to return to college, the bar is set high for Drew Allar in his senior season. Latest Penn State season predictions would have the Nittany Lions on the cusp of the playoff again if the 6’5, 236-pound passer can repeat his 2024 success.
Purdue Boilermakers: Malachi Singleton
There is a lack of clarity in the Purdue Boilermakers’ quarterback room heading into 2025, with three guys vying for the starting role. But Malachi Singleton could be the favorite to start at Ball State on opening day. As a redshirt freshman at Arkansas in 2024, the four-star prospect threw 28 passes in five games, passing for 358 yards and one touchdown.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Athan Kaliakmanis
Athan Kaliakmanis returns for his second year in New Jersey after transferring alongside his offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca, from Minnesota. The senior posted 2,696 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024 but ranked 114th among eligible quarterbacks with a completion percentage of 53.9.
UCLA Bruins: Nico Iamaleava
One of the spring’s most dramatic and documented storylines, Nico Iamaleava has headed back home, transferring from Tennessee to UCLA. The transfer quarterback ranked 76th in the FBS with 201 yards per game and 42nd with 19 passing touchdowns, but he flashed exciting potential while needing to become more accurate and consistent.
USC Trojans: Jayden Maiava
Jayden Maiava went 3-1 as a starter in 2024 after replacing Moss down the stretch and is the assumed starter heading into 2025. He has the athleticism and arm talent to thrive in a full-time role under Riley. However, exciting five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is lurking in the shadows as a potential starter as a true freshman.
Washington Huskies: Desmond Williams
Desmond Williams is the undisputed starter for the Washington Huskies after starting the final game of the 2024 season and the Sun Bowl. The 5’10”, 195-pound quarterback has bulked up this off-season and is expected to add a serious rushing threat from under center under HC Jedd Fisch.
Wisconsin Badgers: Billy Edwards
The Wisconsin Badgers gutted their QB room after the 2024 season, adding several new names, but Billy Edwards has the inside track to be the starter in Luke Fickell’s third season. The Maryland transfer threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Terrapins in 2024 but ranked 98th in the country, averaging 6.9 yards per passing attempt.
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