With spring practices completed or concluding for all 136 college football programs, the new college football season is fast approaching. As August arrives, teams will begin to announce their starting quarterbacks with speculation rife among certain fan bases.
Here we analyze all 136 college football teams and project who their starting quarterbacks will be on opening day.
Who Is the Projected Starting QB for All 136 College Football Programs?
Air Force Falcons: Quentin Hayes
Quentin Hayes made 10 appearances and six starts for the Air Force Falcons in 2024, completing 58.1% of his passes for 455 yards and three passing touchdowns. Additionally, the dynamic threat had 126 rushing attempts for 466 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground and has a clear pathway to being the season starter under Troy Calhoun.
Akron Zips: Ben Finley
Returning starter Ben Finley threw for 2,604 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2024, and ranked eighth in the MAC, averaging 6.7 yards per passing attempt and 61st in the country in passing yards.
The redshirt junior enters his second season with the Akron Zips, having spent three years with the NC State Wolf Pack and one year with the Cal Golden Bears, and is assured of a starting spot.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson will step into the shoes of Alabama Crimson Tide greats in 2025 as he laces up his boots as the starter on opening day. The three-year backup has patiently waited his turn, completing 29 passes for 381 yards over that span, but under Kalen DeBoer, it is his time to shine as a redshirt junior.
Appalachian State Mountaineers: AJ Swann
LSU Tigers’ transfer AJ Sawnn moves to the Appalachian State Mountaineers to replace Joey Aguilar, who departed in the portal. He has big shoes to fill on the mountain, but his play with the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2022 and 2023 showcases that he has the ability to be an upper-tier starter.
In two seasons in Nashville in 2022 and 2023, Swann recorded 2,731 yards and 22 touchdowns and finds himself in a starting role heading into the 2025 season.
Arizona State Sun Devils: Sam Leavitt
Ranked No. 100 on CSN’s top college football returning players, Sam Leavitt thrived in his first year with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2024, leading them to the Big 12 Championship. The redshirt sophomore won’t have Cam Skattebo to rely on in 2025, but he flashed the ability to make plays happen through the air and on the ground and is primed to take another step forward under Kenny Dillingham.
Arizona Wildcats: Noah Fifita
Noah Fifita was one of the electric quarterbacks in the sport in 2023, but his play took a step back in 2024. The Arizona Wildcats’ passer led the Big 12 with 12 interceptions, and his completion percentage dropped 12 points down to 60.5. However, a new OC in Seth Doege could be the change Fifita needs as he prepares for life without Tetairoa McMillan.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Taylen Green
Taylen Green returns as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ starter in 2025 after finishing the season ranked fifth in the SEC with 3,154 passing yards. The redshirt senior also added 602 rushing yards and finished the season 39 scrimmage yards shy of Ryan Mallett’s school record of 3795 total offensive yards.
Arkansas State Red Wolves: Jaylen Raynor
Jaylen Raynor ranked third among Sun Belt QBs with 259 pass completions, whilst also throwing the most pass attempts of any passer in the conference (420) in 2024. The Arkansas State Red Wolves’ quarterback returns for his third season in Jonesboro and has proven to be incredibly consistent as a starter.
Army Black Knights: Dwayne Coleman
Dwayne Coleman is now the likely starting quarterback at West Point and has the inevitable job of replacing the current AAC Offensive Player of the Year. The Army Black Knights are coming off a 12-win season for the first time in their history, and Jeff Monken now turns to Coleman, who started against the Air Force Falcons in 2024 and led them to a convincing 20-3 victory.
Auburn Tigers: Jackson Arnold
Jackson Arnold ranked 10th in the SEC with a completion percentage of 62.9 in 2024, but not for the same team. Arnold’s career flamed out with the Oklahoma Sooners, and he lands on The Plains through the transfer portal with the Auburn Tigers. Last season, the third-year player passed for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Ball State Cardinals: Kiael Kelly
It feels like there isn’t a position Kiael Kelly hasn’t played with the Ball State Cardinals. The quarterback has played defensive back, wide receiver, and running back, but Kelly’s natural home is under center. By all intents and purposes, the Ball State weapon has looked good back at QB in spring practice and will look to prove a point in his last season of eligibility.
Baylor Bears: Sawyer Robinson
Sawyer Robinson emerged as an exhilarating dual-threat talent in 2024, ranking 25th in the country with 3,071 passing yards and 14th with 28 touchdowns through the air. Additionally, the Baylor Bears quarterback had 230 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and Dave Aranda’s side is primed to improve on their 8-5 record from last season.
Boise State Broncos: Maddux Madsen
There is little doubt that Maddux Madsen is the starting QB for the Boise State Broncos after impressing in 2024. He led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,018) and passing touchdowns (23). Meanwhile, his passing yards total was good enough to be ranked 28th in the country, but he now must adapt to life without elite running back Ashton Jeanty.
Boston College Eagles: Grayson James
As he enters his fifth season of college football, Grayson James is positioned as the frontrunner to be the starting quarterback for the Boston College Eagles. The former FIU Owl started five games in 2024, throwing for 1,202 yards and six touchdowns. However, Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Dylan Lonergan is closely vying for the position, and the two players have been sharing first-team reps during spring practice.
Bowling Green Falcons: Drew Payne
Drew Payne lands with the Bowling Green Falcons after entering the transfer portal. The former Missouri Tigers quarterback has also had previous stops with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Arizona State. However, he has had limited starting experience throughout his career, having started only 12 games as he enters his sixth year of eligibility.
Buffalo Bulls: Ta’Quan Roberson
Now on his fourth team, Ta’Quan Roberson appears to be the starter for the Buffalo Bulls in his final year in college football. Heading into his seventh year of college football, the former Penn State Nittany Lions recruit played 11 games in 2023 with the UConn Huskies, throwing for 2,075 passing yards but only saw limited action in 2024 as a backup with the Kansas State Wildcats.
BYU Cougars: Jake Retzlaff
In his first full year as a starter with the BYU Cougars, Jake Retzlaff passed for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 417 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Coming off an 11-win season, the 20th-ranked team on CSN’s early top 25 college football power rankings also returns RB Chase Roberts to help them go one step further toward a Big 12 Championship Game in 2025.
California Golden Bears: Devin Brown
With the highly-rated five-star recruit Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele joining the roster, Devin Brown might serve primarily as a placeholder at quarterback. The Oregon Ducks’ recruitment flip is clearly the most talented player in the QB room, but Justin Wilcox could opt to play the veteran Ohio State Buckeyes transfer while Keawe-Sagapolutele settles in as a freshman. Brown has only had 27 total completions in his three years with the Buckeyes, but he has the know-how and winning mentality to translate in Berkeley.
Central Michigan Chippewas: Joe Labas
Joe Labas was named the starter for the 2024 season and made six starts for the Central Michigan Chippewas before suffering an injury that caused him to miss the back half of the season. Back to full health, the former Iowa Hawkeyes transfer is looking to build on his 1,114 passing yards and seven touchdowns.
Charlotte 49ers: Conner Harrell
The Charlotte 49ers have had a three-way battle for QB1 during spring practice, with three quarterbacks taking equal reps as they jostle for the starting role. In pole position seems to be Conner Harrell. The former North Carolina Tar Heels backup left Chapel Hill expecting to start games, and the dual-threat quarterback possesses the athleticism to advance the offense. Meanwhile, Grayson Loftis and Zach Wilcke are waiting in the wings.
Cincinnati Bearcats: Brendan Sorsby
Brendan Sorsby ranked ninth among Big 12 quarterbacks in 2024, throwing for 2,813 passing yards. The Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback had his team positioned to compete in the highly competitive conference by starting the season with a 5-2 record. However, a disappointing finish to the season led to a decline in the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback’s performance, as he threw six interceptions in the last five games.
Clemson Tigers: Cade Klubnik
Cade Klubnik is one of the most talented players in the country and is CSN’s 10th-ranked player for the 2026 NFL Draft. With pro aspirations and a loaded team around him, the Clemson Tigers’ passer is expected to build on his career year in 2024, which saw him throw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: MJ Morris
Transferring from the Maryland Terrapins, MJ Morris is the presumed starter for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. It reunites the former NC State Wolfpack quarterback with his former OC, Tim Beck, who got to see Morris up close and personal as a freshman.
Colorado Buffaloes: Kaidon Salter
Deion Sanders will finally get to experience his life as a coach without his son under center. Kaidon Salter transfers to Boulder to be Shedeur Sanders’ replacement, but experiences hot competition for five-star recruit Julian Lewis.
Salter has passed for 5,889 yards and 56 touchdowns, and he has rushed for an additional 2,006 yards and 21 touchdowns across his four-year career with the Liberty Flames. He brings a wealth of experience to Colorado.
Colorado State Rams: Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi ranked sixth in the Mountain West in completion percentage in 2024 (60.5%) and had the third-most passing yards in the conference (2,796). Under Jay Norvell, the Colorado State Rams had an 8-5 record a season ago and spread the ball around with five different players registering more than 300 receiving yards.
Delaware Blue Hens: Zach Marker
With Ryan O’Connor moving on to pastures new, Zach Marker will be the likely starter for the Delaware Blue Hens’ inaugural season in the FBS. The 2024 backup threw for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in four games a year ago, and has the makeup and potential to lead Delaware into their new era.
Duke Blue Devils: Darian Mensah
Darian Mensah averaged 9.5 yards per passing attempt in 2024, ranking fifth in college football, tied with Cam Ward, while also having the highest QB rating of any returning quarterback. The former Tulane Green Wave quarterback was one of the most electrifying players in the sport and has transferred to the Duke Blue Devils, with CBS reporting that he has signed a massive $4 million per year NIL deal.
East Carolina Pirates: Katin Houser
Katin Houser returns for his fourth year of college ball in 2025 after transferring from the Michigan State Spartans to the East Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2024 season. He went on to throw for 2,006 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, his 11 interceptions were the fourth highest in the AAC
Eastern Michigan Eagles: Noah Kim
After transferring, Noah Kim joins the Eastern Michigan Eagles, bringing considerable experience to Ypsilanti. The former Michigan State Spartans recruit secured the starting quarterback position in East Lansing in 2023, where he threw for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury. Although his one-year stint with Coastal Carolina resulted in a backup role in 2024, the Eagles are gaining a strong potential starter who has the ability to elevate the quarterback position.
Florida Atlantic Owls: Caden Veltkamp
Caden Veltkamp transfers to the Florida Atlanta Owls after leading the CUSA in completion percentage (66.3%), passing yards (3,108), and passing touchdowns (25). While he also threw a conference-high 10 interceptions, the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper and current CUSA Offensive Player of the Year ranked 23rd among all college quarterbacks in passing yards and has offensive-elevating tendencies.
Florida Gators: DJ Lagway
DJ Lagway is one of the brightest young talents in the sport. In seven starts in 2024, the consensus five-star recruit passed for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns, flashing elite playmaking ability and exceptional arm talent. Billy Napier will be relying on Lagway making another jump this season as he looks to secure his future in Gainesville.
Florida International Panthers: Keyone Jenkins
Keyone Jenkins ranked sixth in the CUSA with a completion percentage of 61.8, good enough for 65th amongst all of college football. In his second season as a starter with the FIU Panthers, the Miami native threw for 2,557 yards and ranked second in the conference with 22 passing touchdowns.
Florida State Seminoles: Tommy Castellanos
After being recruited by the Florida State Seminoles, Tommy Castellanos arrives in Tallahassee for his fourth year of college football as the starter. The former UCF Knights and Boston College Eagles passer has 3,689 career passing yards and 33 touchdowns. He is reunited with new OC Guz Malzahn, whom he played under at UCF, and also has transfer duo Duce Robinson and Squirrel White in his receiver room.
Fresno State Bulldogs: E.J. Warner
E.J. Warner transfers to the Fresno State Bulldogs after throwing for 2,710 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games with the Rice Owls. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, the quarterback also played for the Temple Owls, where he set program records with 445 passing attempts and 23 touchdowns. However, he does need to start protecting the ball better, having led the ACC in interceptions in all three of his years in the sport.
Georgia Bulldogs: Gunnar Stockton
2024 bottomed out for the Georgia Bulldogs at the quarterback position with the promise of Carson Beck not materializing.
However, Gunnar Stockton has shown promise, particularly stepping in when Beck went down in the SEC Championship Game, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 71 yards as well as completing 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown in his first career start against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Georgia Southern Eagles: JC French
Ranking second among Sun Belt QBs in 2024 in pass completions (269) and pass attempts (410), the Georgia Southern Eagles weren’t afraid to let JC French throw the ball. He racked up 2,831 passing yards while completing 65.6% of his attempts.
Georgia State Panthers: Christian Veilleux
Christian Veilleux returns to the Georgia State Panthers in 2025, ranking ninth in the Sun Belt in passing yards (2,047) a year ago. The former Pittsburgh Panthers and Penn State Nittany Lions transfer impressed in his first season in Atlanta and should be expected to increase his output as a second-year starter.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Haynes King
After throwing for 2,000+ yards in his two seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Haynes King returns for his sixth year of college football in 2025. The dual-threat quarterback has combined for 1,320 rushing yards and 21 rushing TDs in the last two seasons, and his 72.9% completion percentage led the ACC in 2024.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: Micah Alejado
After backing up Brayden Schager in 2024, Micah Alejado now gets his opportunity to take a starting role. The Honolulu native is a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he threw for over 9,233 yards and 125 touchdowns in his four-year high school career.
Houston Cougars: Conner Weigman
There was much expected of Conner Weigman with the Texas A&M Aggies in 2024, but the realization of his talent never materialized. Now, he heads back home looking to rebuild the Houston Cougars’ offense, which ranked 130th in the country in 2024, averaging just 14 points per game.
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.
Iowa State Cyclones: Rocco Becht
Rocco Becht ranks fifth among returning starters in passing yards (3,505), which also ranked third among Big 12 competition, but he will be without his two favorite receivers in 2025. Nevertheless, the Iowa State Cylcones’ quarterback is a real leader for Matt Campbell’s team who are trying to finally get over the hump and win a Big 12 championship.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks: Cade Cunningham
Tyler Huff was the 2024 CUSA Player of the Year and led the conference with 8.7 passing yards per attempt. In an offseason full of upheaval for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, including the departure of Rich Rodriguez, a bunch of new names have been added to the QB room.
Clint Trickett is the new offensive coordinator and links back up with his former quarterback, Cade Cunningham, who projects as the starter despite not having any statistics from his two seasons at Marshall or one season at Memphis.
James Madison Dukes: Matthew Sluka
Matthew Sluka’s career is closely tied to the James Madison Dukes coaching staff. The FCS star played under HC Bob Chesney and OC Dean Kennedy at Holy Cross before transferring to the UNLV Rebels, where he left due to an NIL dispute. His pairing up with Chesney, who can make the most of his rushing ability, makes sense, even if it is harsh on 2024 starter Alonza Barnett III.
Kansas Jayhawks: Jalon Daniels
When healthy, Jalon Daniels is one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12, but his 2,454 passing yards in 2024 ranked 71st among college passers. The loss of OC Andy Kotelnicki hit hard as the Kansas Jayhawks’ passer had the lowest completion percentage of his career. However, as he returns for his sixth college season, he still possesses the tools to be a game-changer.
Kansas State Wildcats: Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson ranked 20th in the nation in 2024 with 25 passing touchdowns, and the Kansas State Wildcats ranked 41st in the nation, averaging 30 points per game. The quarterback continues to flash dual-threat abilities under Chris Klieman. The Wildcats’ QB passed for 2,712 yards and rushed for an additional 605 yards and seven touchdowns, but will need to show more consistency in 2025.
Kennesaw State Owls: Dexter Williams II
Dexter Williams II is now on his third team and has linked up with the Kennesaw State Owls to finally get a starting job. The Georgia native completed 13 passes in 2022 at Indiana, throwing 184 yards and two touchdowns, before passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns on 19 completions with Georgia Southern in 2024.
Kent State Golden Flashes: Devin Kargman
After three years as a backup with the Kent State Golden Flashes, Devin Kargman now gets his time in the spotlight. Kenni Burns named the longtime backup as the starter ahead of the 2024 season, but the 2025 QB competition is a lot hotter with JD Sherrod and CJ Montes also on the roster with Mark Carney in interim charge.
Kentucky Wildcats: Zach Calzada
Zach Calzada is now on his fourth team, having first joined the Texas A&M Aggies in 2019. The journeyman passer has also had stops at Auburn (2022) and Incarnate Word (2023-24) before ending back in the SEC as a graduate student with the Kentucky Wildcats. The 6’4”, 230-pound quarterback has thrown for 8,707 yards and 73 touchdowns and will look to lead Mark Stoops back to a winning season.
Liberty Flames: Ethan Vasko
Ethan Vasko transfers to Liberty to replace the Colorado-bound Salter. The former Coastal Carolina quarterback had a sporadic 2024 season that included benchings, but he ended the year completing 54.6% of his passes for 2,110 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns: Walker Howard
After rarely seeing the field for two SEC teams, Walker Howard transfers to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and is the projected starter ahead of the 2025 season. The former LSU and Ole Miss Rebels player has only 10 passing attempts for 56 yards across his three-year career, and returns home as a Lafayette native.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Evan Bullock
Evan Bullock was one of the most productive passers in the CUSA in 2024, ranking second in completion percentage (65.7), fifth in passing yards (2,104), and passing touchdowns (14) in just nine starts in his redshirt freshman season. Now entering his third year with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, he is the unquestionable starter and can build on his performances last season, which saw him named to the All-CUSA Freshman Team.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks: Aidan Armenta
In 12 appearances in 2024, Aidan Armenta completed 104 of his 190 pass attempts for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns. But he did throw 10 interceptions. Named the starter from the off in 2025 will only serve to boost Armenta’s stock ahead of the season, but the sophomore still has some evolving and developing to do to be considered amongst the best QBs in the Sun Belt.
Louisville Cardinals: Miller Moss
After successfully recruiting Tyler Shough out of the transfer portal, Jeff Brohm and his staff dipped back into the well in 2025, signing Miller Moss. The former USC Trojans quarterback threw for 2,555 yards and 18 touchdowns in Lincoln Riley’s offense in 2024 and is looking to lead the Louisville Cardinals to another 9+ win season in the Brohm era.
LSU Tigers: Garrett Nussmeier
Garrett Nussmeier is CSN’s 32nd top returning college football player and the 21st-ranked prospect on CSN’s top players for the 2026 NFL Draft. 2024 was a breakout year for the LSU quarterback who led the SEC in pass completions (337) and pass attempts (525), as well as ranking fifth in the nation with 4,039 passing yards, the most of any returning passer.
Marshall Thundering Herd: Zion Turner
Zion Turner joined the Marshall Thundering Herd in the winter transfer portal, adding vital talent to the roster. The Jacksonville State transfer only threw one pass in 2024, but as a freshman at UConn, he passed for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games.
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.
Memphis Tigers: Brendon Lewis
Replacing Seth Henigan, who was the second most productive passer in the AAC in 2024, will not be easy. The Memphis Tigers are currently holding an open competition for the starting quarterback position, with former Colorado and Nevada Wolfpack QB Brendon Lewis as the frontrunner.
As a sixth-year senior, Lewis brings a wealth of experience and is a dual-threat player, which gives him an advantage over competitors Arrington Maiden and A.J. Hill. Given this, Ryan Silverfield may choose to rely on Lewis as the leader early in the season.
Miami (FL) Hurricanes: Carson Beck
Carson Beck is heading to South Florida with a chip on his shoulder. The Former Georgia Bulldog failed to live up to expectations in 2024, throwing a conference-high 12 interceptions, following a 2023 season in which he led the SEC in completions and passing yards. He hopes that new surroundings will bring more success as he follows the Cam Ward pathway through The U, but Miami’s season predictions may not be so promsing.
Miami (OH) RedHawks: Daquan Finn
A sixth-year senior, Daquan Finn was one of the hottest quarterbacks in the Group of Five with the Toledo Rockets, throwing for over 7,000 yards in 45 career games. He became the only QB in Toledo history to pass for over 2,000 yards and rush for more than 500 yards in three consecutive seasons, but a transfer to Baylor in 2024 didn’t go as planned. Finn now heads to the Miami RedHawks with something to prove in his last season in college football.
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.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Nicholas Vattiato
Nicholas Vattiato led the CUSA with 269 pass completions, 418 pass attempts, and an average of 257.7 yards per game in 2024. The two-year starter finished 25th in the nation with 3,092 passing yards and displayed his prowess through the air, passing for 209 yards against the Ole Miss Rebels. He enters 2025 as one of the top returning quarterbacks in the conference, looking to improve on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders’ 3-9 record last season.
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.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Blake Shapen
Blake Shapen is rated highly by Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby and would have been on for a productive season if it wasn’t for a season-ending injury after four games in 2024. Until that point, the senior quarterback had 974 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception. Meanwhile, his 68.5% completion percentage would have been good enough for second in the SEC if recorded over the entire season.
Missouri Tigers: Beau Pribula
There is a new name under center for the Missouri Tigers in 2025. Beau Pribula opted to enter the transfer portal during the Penn State Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff run and impressed enough as a dual-threat quarterback to earn an SEC starting job. The Penn State backup threw for 275 yards, five touchdowns in 2024, and rushing for 242 yards and four touchdowns.
Missouri State Bears: Jacob Clark
The Missouri State Bears officially join the CUSA in July 2025 and will again have Jacob Clark under center. The 2025 First-team All-MVFC QB passed for 3,604 yards last season, with 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Navy Midshipmen: Blake Hovarth
CSN’s 70th returning college football player, Blake Hovarth, has thrived under the triple option and has evolved into one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country. He had the most rushing yards of any quarterback in 2024 (1,254), and his 7.1 yards per carry was the best in the AAC.
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.
Nevada Wolf Pack: Chubba Purdy
Chubba Purdy is poised to be the starting quarterback for the Nevada Wolfpack after spending the 2024 season as a backup to Brendon Lewis. The former Florida State and Nebraska quarterback is finally getting his opportunity to start in his sixth year of college football. He has recorded 1,085 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and eight interceptions throughout his career.
New Mexico Lobos: Jack Layne
With Devon Damier entering the transfer portal, the road is clear for a new QB1 for the New Mexico Lobos. Jack Layne has been the starter through spring practice after transferring from Idaho, where he passed for 1,477 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games.
New Mexico State Aggies: Logan Fife
Logan Fife enters his fifth year of college ball in 2025 and transfers from the Montana Grizzlies to the New Mexico State Aggies after throwing for 1,890 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024. The former FBS quarterback hopes to be the Aggies’ solution to a revolving door at the position, which saw Parker Award and Santino Marucci both attempt more than 100 passes last season.
North Carolina State Wolfpack: CJ Bailey
After being thrust into a starting role as a freshman in 2024 following Grayson McCall’s concussion, CJ Bailey flashed promise, ranking fifth in the ACC with eight yards per passing attempt. He will look to lead the NC State Wolfpack back to success after finishing 6-7 in 2024, marking just the third time in 12 years under Dave Doeren that the Wolfpack have ended with less than seven wins.
North Carolina Tar Heels: Gio Lopez
After committing to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the spring transfer portal, Gio Lopez is the presumed starter in Chapel Hill to begin the Bill Belichick era. The former South Alabama Jaguars quarterback ranked 24th among all college quarterbacks in 2024, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt on his way to passing for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns.
North Texas Mean Green: Drew Mestemaker
There is a tight race between Drew Mestemaker, Reese Poffenbarger, and Chris Jimerson Jr. to be named Chandler Morris’ replacement in North Texas. Mestemaker had a great showing in the First Responder Bowl, throwing for 393 yards and two touchdowns as well as rushing for a 70-yard touchdown, and should be considered the front runner.
Northern Illinois Huskies: Josh Holst
In their final year in the MAC before transitioning to the Mountain West, the Northern Illinois Huskies are expected to deploy 2024 backup Josh Holst as their starting quarterback. He will become the third starting quarterback in three seasons in DeKalb, but he faces opposition from Jalen Macon.
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).
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: CJ Carr
CJ Carr is projected to be the starting quarterback in South Bend, and the 6’3″, 209-pound passer appears ready to take on the role. After performing at a high level throughout spring practice, there should be no doubt that he is prepared to play on opening day. The transfer of Steve Angeli should further strengthen the belief that Carr is the right choice for the 2025 season.
Ohio Bobcats: Parker Navarro
Ranked seventh in the MAC and 77th in the nation with 2,396 passing yards in 2024, Parker Navarro returns to the Ohio Bobcats as their starter in 2025. The former UCF Knights recruit threw a conference high 11 interceptions last season, but has showcased the platform to build upon after recording 11 wins for the first time in program history.
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.
Oklahoma Sooners: John Mateer
John Mateer heads to Norman alongside offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after both served with the Washington State Cougars in 2024. Under Arbuckle’s tutelage, Mateer ranked 22nd in the FBS with 3,139 passing yards and is the No. 37 returning college football player in 2025. Plus, the Oklahoma Sooners have gone all out in the transfer portal to attract more offensive weapons.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: Hauss Hejny
Hauss Hejny brings his dual-threat ability to Stillwater and is the favorite to land the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ starting job despite a reported battle. The TCU transfer attempted only 15 passes in four games as a backup in 2024 but possesses a unique rushing ability in a crowded quarterback room.
Old Dominion Monarchs: Colton Joseph
Starting eight games in 2024, Colton Joseph threw for 1,627 yards and 11 touchdowns as he ranked seventh in the Sun Belt with 7.3 yards per passing attempt. The former three-star recruit also tied for fourth in the conference with 11 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability by also having two games passing for 300+ yards.
Ole Miss Rebels: Austin Simmons
Jaxson Dart became the last Ole Miss Rebels quarterback to be drafted in the Lane Kiffin era, with Austin Simmons the next man up. The four-star recruit has been highly touted in Oxford, as he threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns in brief appearances in nine games during the 2024 season.
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.
Oregon State Beavers: Maalik Murphy
With Duke, Maalik Murphy ranked 33rd in the nation with 2,933 passing yards in 2024 but entered the transfer portal to be the presumed starter with the Oregon State Beavers. The PAC-12 side finished 5-7 in 2024, and Murphy brings bigger upside as a passer.
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.
Pittsburgh Panthers: Eli Holstein
Eli Holstein was dynamic in 2024, passing for 2,228 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first season with the Pittsburgh Panthers. The freshman had one of the best maiden seasons in program history, equalling Alex Van Pelt’s 17 touchdowns, and his dual-threat playmaking ability can improve even more in his redshirt sophomore season.
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.
Rice Owls: Drew Devillier
Drew Devillier appeared in three games in 2024 behind E.J. Warner, completing 20 of his 38 attempts for 137 yards. It was a fleeting outing for the freshman who has the promise to step in following Warner’s departure, after originally committing to playing baseball at TCU.
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.
Sam Houston Bearkats: Hunter Watson
Hunter Watson ranked seventh in the conference and 100th nationally with 1,811 passing yards in 2024 while also throwing eight interceptions, the fourth most in the conference. However, his 647 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground led the team and were a significant factor in the Sam Houston Bearkats finishing 10-3 on the season, including a 31-26 victory in the New Orleans Bowl over Georgia Southern.
San Diego State Aztecs: Jayden Denegal
With Danny O’Neil’s departure to the transfer portal after his freshman season, the San Diego State Aztecs face a significant gap at quarterback heading into spring practice. They have added three new players to the position alongside Kyle Crum. Currently, Jayden Denegal and Bert Emanuel Jr. are competing for the starting role. Offensive coordinator Matt Johnson has indicated that Denegal is making better progress at the moment, although the competition remains extremely close.
San Jose State Spartans: Walker Eget
Walker Eget returns to the San Jose State Spartans in 2025, coming off a 2,504-yard and 13-touchdown season through the air. IN his first year as a starter, the 6’3”, 200-pound passer ranked second in the Mountain West with 7.6 yards per passing attempt while also ranking 10th with a completion percentage of 57.3.
SMU Mustangs: Kevin Jennings
Kevin Jennings is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football. He ranks 81st on CSN’s top 10 returning college football players after having a stylistically and statistically excellent 2024 season. Only three ACC quarterbacks threw for more yards than the SMU Mustangs’ passer in 2024, and with the QB1 tag secure to start the season, Jennings has the play to take Rhett Lashlee’s side to another 11-win season.
South Alabama Jaguars: Zach Pyron
The loss of Lopez to the transfer portal has hit the South Alabama Jaguars hard, but Major Applewhite may have the answer in attracting Zach Pyron. The former Georgia Tech quarterback threw for 409 yards in 10 games in 2024 and opted to transfer to Minnesota before entering the spring portal. Pyron will be looking to cement himself as the starter in Mobile and lead the Jaguars to improved form from their 7-6 record in each of the last two seasons.
South Carolina Gamecocks: LaNorris Sellers
LaNorris Sellers is CSN’s 11th top returning player in 2025 and ranks 12th on CSN’s watchlist of 2026 NFL Draft prospects. The South Carolina Gamecocks’ quarterback is a stud who can equally pick teams apart with his legs or his arm, proven by his 2,534 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024, as well as his 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Braylon Braxton
Braylon Braxton has transferred within the conference, heading from Marshall to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. It is easy to see why Charles Huff was interested in bringing in the QB. Braxton ranked fourth in the conference with an average of 7.9 yards per passing attempt and fourth with 19 touchdowns. Meanwhile, his passing efficiency rating of 154.9 was second-best in the Sun Belt.
Stanford Cardinal: Elijah Brown
The Stanford Cardinals’ quarterback room has lost significant experience, creating a clear opportunity for Elijah Brown to step in as the starting quarterback in 2025 and develop his skills under Frank Reich. Although the four-star recruit played in only three games during the 2023 season, he brings a strong pedigree with him, having made history at Mater Dei as the only quarterback to win two state championships.
Syracuse Orange: Rickie Collins Jr.
Fran Brown has already named Rickie Collins Jr. as his starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The LSU transfer has no career starts and has only appeared in four total games in Baton Rouge, but the former four-star recruit gets his chance to prove himself as the new starter for the Syracuse Orange.
TCU Horned Frogs: Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover ranked seventh in the nation and second among Big 12 quarterbacks, throwing for 3,949 yards in 2024, setting a new program record. He returns to the TCU Horned Frogs who are looking to improve on a 9-4 record, including winning 6 of 7 down the stretch under Sonny Dykes.
Temple Owls: Gevani McCoy
Gevani McCoy committed to the Temple Owls in the spring transfer portal as K.C. Keeler looks towards a dual-threat quarterback who can use his legs. A FCS star and Oregon State passer, McCoy had 1,300 passing yards in 10 games in 2024, as well as 328 yards and five touchdowns rushing in 10 games.
Tennessee Volunteers: Joey Aguilar
After one of the strangest transfer portal swaps we have seen, Joey Aguilar heads to the Tennessee Volunteers from UCLA, while Nico Iamaleava heads in the opposite direction. Is Aguilar ready for the bright lights of the SEC? You bet. The former App State quarterback has thrown over 3,000 yards in two consecutive seasons in the Sun Belt, averaging 273 yards per game in 2024.
Texas A&M Aggies: Marcel Reed
Marcel Reed took over the starting role at Texas A&M during the season, and the playmaker proved to be the best quarterback on the roster. He ranked 1oth in the conference with a completion percentage of 7.8, whilst he also had the 10th most passing touchdowns (15). He now heads into 2025 as the undisputed starter, and the Aggies have loaded up at the receiver position, ready for him to continue his ascension.
Texas Longhorns: Arch Manning
The time that everyone in Austin has been waiting for. It’s Arch Manning season. The sporting public and media have been clamoring to see the latest addition to one of America’s great family dynasties, and Arch proved in brief stints in 2024 that he has the potential to be an NFL prospect. He threw for 939 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, adding 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Texas State Bobcats: Nate Yarnell
The QB1 competition in San Marcos is no joke. Any one of Brad Jackson, Holden Geriner, Nare Yarnell, or Keldric Luster could be named the starter in the summer. The inside line is projected to be held by Yarnell, whose 1,056 yards and 10 touchdowns in 9 appearances at Pitt in 2024 prove that he has the playmaking capacity to replace Jordan McCloud.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Behren Morton
Behren Morton is scheduled to be the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders again in 2025, having played through injuries over the last two seasons. He averaged 277.9 yards per game in 2024, throwing for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns, showcasing toughness and fortitude.
Toledo Rockets: Tucker Gleason
Tucker Gleason completed the fourth most passes (233) in the MAC in 2024 and ranked third in the conference in completion percentage. The sixth-year senior thrived in his first year as a starter with the Rockets, as he also threw 24 touchdowns and 2,808 passing yards.
Troy Trojans: Goose Crowder
All signs have pointed to Goose Crowder projecting as the Day 1 starter for the Troy Trojans. Matthew Caldwell has entered the transfer portal, signalling a clear runway for the 2024 starter to regain his place. With Crowder now back from injury, he should cement himself again as Gerad Parker’s starting quarterback.
Tulane Green Wave: Kadin Semonza
Kadin Semonza led the MAC with 25 passing touchdowns in 2024, becoming the first Ball State passer to do so since Keith Wenning in 2013. He transfers to Tulane after averaging 242 yards per game, and the redshirt sophomore looks to build on the Green Wave’s 9-5 record in Jon Sumrall’s first season.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane: Kirk Francis
Kirk Francis looks to be the starter again for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes despite a disappointing 2024, which ranked among the lowest among his fellow AAC quarterbacks. The Tulsa passer ranked ninth in the conference in pass completions (149) and only threw nine touchdowns.
UAB Blazers: Jalen Kitna
Jalen Kitna ranked sixth in the AAC with 2,209 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns after starting the final eight games of the 2024 season. The UAB Blazers quarterback passed for more than 230 yards in seven of his eight games as a starter and showed enough to be granted the starting job ahead of the 2025 season.
UCF Knights: Tayven Jackson
Scott Frost has been active adding players to the Quarterback room, as UCF and Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson is the current favorite to land the starting job. After spending one year in Tennessee and two in Indiana, Jackson is scheduled for his first starting role in 2025 after showcasing flashy moments when Kurtis Rourke was injured in 2024.
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.
UConn Huskies: Joe Fagnano
Joe Fagnano is expected to be the starting quarterback for the UConn Huskies after throwing for 1,631 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games during the 2024 season. Although he will face competition from Nick Evers, the transfer of Cole Welliver after just one season as a true freshman has lowered the overall potential of the Huskies’ quarterback group.
UMass Minutemen: AJ Hairston
AJ Hairston played in four games, throwing for 480 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, and appears to be the current leader for a starting spot on opening day. The incumbent is the only QB on the roster who has played for the Minutemen, but Brandon Rose will look to challenge the current QB1 once he has recovered to full health after a season-ending injury at Utah in 2024.
UNLV Rebels: Alex Orji
Hajj-Malik Williams was one of the most electric players in the Mountain West in 2024 and is a difficult presence to replace. That job will fall to one of Alex Orji or Anthony Colandrea, who are in an open battle through the spring. Orji offers more athleticism in the first year under Dan Mullen than his challenger, but both could see serious gametime through the 2025 season.
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.
USF Bulls: Byrum Brown
Byrum Brown appears to be the starter again for the South Florida Bulls. The USF passer only played in six games in 2024 due to a leg injury. However, his 3,292 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, alongside his 809 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2023, showcase just how exceptional an athlete Brown is.
Utah State Aggies: Bryson Barnes
Playing 11 games for the Utah Utes in 2023, Bryson Barnes transferred to the Utah State Aggies in 2024 and passed for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns, breaking school records as a backup. Barnes holds the single-game record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in program history, gathering 193 yards on 15 carries on the ground. His rushing threat should be exciting to watch as a starter in 2025.
Utah Utes: Devin Dampier
A true dual-threat, Devin Dampier rushed for 19 touchdowns at New Mexico in 2024 while throwing for 3,934 yards. The Lobos transfer can unlock defense with his legs, as displayed by his 1,166 rushing yards, which ranked fourth among all quarterbacks, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Utah sits 25th on CSN’s early college football top 25 power rankings with a rock-solid offensive line for Dampier to thrive behind.
UTEP Miners: Malachi Nelson
Malachi Nelson is now on his third team in as many seasons, having transferred from USC to Boise State in 2024 and then landed in El Paso for the 2025 season. As a backup with the Broncos last season, the former five-star recruit completed 12 of his 17 passes for 128 yards and is looking to finally cement his place as a starter with the UTEP Miners.
UTSA Roadrunners: Owen McCown
Owen McCown ranked third in the AAC with a 63% pass completion percentage in 2024, starting all 13 games, throwing for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns. The son of Josh McCown, the left-handed passer, led the UTSA Roadrunners to a 7-6 record, the worst winning percentage under Jeff Traylor.
Vanderbilt Commodores: Diego Pavia
Diego Pavia is incredibly underrated—a proper football player who plays with his hair on fire. The Vanderbilt Commodores’ quarterback threw for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024, as well as adding a further 801 yards and eight touchdowns with his legs. He ranks as CSN’s 67th top returning player and brings violent physicality and high football IQ to the SEC.
Virginia Cavaliers: Chandler Morris
Chandler Morris brings the creativity and fast-paced playing style that the Virginia Cavaliers need as they head into the 2025 season. Last year, Tony Elliott’s team averaged only 22.7 points per game, ranking 107th in the FBS, indicating a clear need for improvement at the quarterback position. Morris transfers from the North Texas Mean Green, where he threw for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Kyron Drones
Kyron Drones returns for his redshirt senior season with the Virginia Tech Hokies after disappointing in 2024. The starting quarterback ranked 15th in the ACC in pass completions (136), passing yards (1,562), and passing touchdowns (10), but there is little competition on the roster to challenge for his place as QB1.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Robby Ashford
Despite an open competition through spring practice, Robby Ashford is expected to be the starting quarterback in Winston-Salem. The former Auburn and South Carolina backup is expected to slide straight into new head coach Jake Dickert’s offense in his fourth year, which will phase out the slow-mesh concept in 2025.
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.
Washington State Cougars: Zevi Eckhaus
The Washington State Cougars’ offense is in flux after losing former OC Arbuckle and QB Mateer to Oklahoma. Thankfully, Jimmy Rogers persuaded Zevi Eckhaus to withdraw from the transfer portal, presumably to be their starter. As a backup in 2024, Eckhaus completed 37 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns.
West Virginia Mountaineers: Nicco Marchiol
Nicco Marchiol will finally get his chance to start in 2025. And he deserves it. The West Virginia Mountaineers’ passer is 4-0 as a starter when stepping in to replace the injured Garrett Green and has totaled 1,000+ yards and 11 touchdowns across his three-year career.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Maverick McIvor
Maverick McIvor may not just be a starter; he could also make the all-names list. He transfers to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2025 after dominating at the FCS level.
The former Abilene Christian quarterback has recorded over 8,000 passing yards and 63 touchdowns in three seasons. However, he faces an uphill battle in trying to replace Veltkamp’s charisma and production in CUSA.
Western Michigan Broncos: Broc Lowry
Broc Lowry transfers to the Western Michigan Broncos from Indiana, where he appeared in four games in 2024. The Canfield High School product joins with a high pedigree in his redshirt sophomore season after winning an OHSAA Division III Championship and setting several school records.
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.
Wyoming Cowboys: Kaden Anderson
After naming Evan Svoboda as the starter before the 2024 season, Jay Sawvel quickly turned to Kaden Anderson in his first year as head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys, transitioning the presumed starter to tight end.
KEEP READING: Top 100 Players for the 2026 NFL Draft
As we head into 2025, there is consistency in Laramie as the Cowboys are expected to start Anderson at quarterback and Svoboda at tight end during the upcoming season.
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