As seen on College Sports Network’s top 100 returning players this fall, it’s time to rank the sport’s most important position: QB. Using the data at hand and the full picture of the returning signal-callers, there’s a clear-cut leader in the clubhouse, while the rest of the list shakes out in a unique fashion.
14) Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt’s transition from Michigan State Spartans backup to winning the hearts and minds of Arizona State Sun Devils fans as a Big 12 champion at the first attempt is the stuff of fairy tales.
So is some of the returning quarterback’s tape, showcasing some extraordinary throws and the capability to get the job done on the ground too (443 yards, four yards per carry, five touchdowns).
While some have been quick to anoint him the college football QB1, he’ll need to demonstrate he can operate consistently without Cam Skattebo before skyrocketing up our quarterback rankings.
13) Rocco Becht, QB, Iowa State
Are there some elements of Rocco Becht’s game that you’d like to see cleaned up? Of course. You’ll have a hard time selling casual fans on a quarterback who completed just 59.4% of his pass attempts in 2024.
However, the Iowa State Cyclones quarterback has hours of film showcasing his potential to be elite with some of the prettiest throws you will see from any quarterback in the sport. He’s a leader who you’d bet your house on with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and should have the Cyclones in position to compete in 2025, starting with a trip to Dublin, Ireland.
12) Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
The SMU Mustangs started the season operating a QB1a and QB1b system, but it quickly became apparent that Kevin Jennings gave them the best chance to win. The dual-threat powered the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the country and was a pivotal piece of the program’s run to the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
While his ability to manufacture yardage with his legs is a big part of his game, only four returning quarterbacks averaged more than his 8.5 yards per attempt in 2024.
11) Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee
Heading into his third season with the Tennessee Volunteers and second as the starter, Nico Iamaleava has the opportunity to prove himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. At 6’6” and 215 pounds, he boasts great size at the position but is also an impressive athlete who creates opportunities out of structure.
Besides his upside as a mobile quarterback, Iamaleava has a cannon for an arm that is capable of producing breathtaking passes. If he can combine consistency with big play ability in 2025, he has the opportunity to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.
10) Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
The Navy Midshipmen might not produce your traditional quarterback archetype, but that shouldn’t detract from the talent that Blake Horvath brings to the table as a college football player. No returning quarterback had more rushing yards last fall (1,254), while only Devon Dampier had more rushing scores among returning QBs. Horvath was also the only player in the country to have two runs of over 90 yards, and his 7.1 yards per carry led the AAC.
However, Horvath wasn’t just a product of a triple-option offense last fall. Offensive coordinator Drew Cronic ensured that the second-year playmaker could show off his arm talent. While there is some nuance to the conversation due to defenses selling out to stop the Navy ground game, Horvath had a greater touchdown percentage per pass attempt than some of the top 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects. He’s a legitimate talent.
9) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Some players have all the physical tools. Some players have a high level of football IQ and commitment to film study that elevate them into the upper echelons of the sport.
Then, there are those players who transcend everything you think you know about player evaluation. Those players have that little something extra, that “dawg” in them if you like. Then, there’s Diego Pavia.
MORE: Diego Pavia Wins Landmark Injunction Against NCAA
The Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback might never lead the country in passing yards or efficiency, and might not wow NFL scouts with otherworldly arm talent, but if you think Pavia doesn’t deserve a place among the top 100 returning players in college football, you’re damn wrong.
With his ability to grind through a defense with relentless physicality and determination by air or by land, the former New Mexico State Aggie has proven that he has what it takes to make the ‘Dores relevant at the national level.
8) Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Cade Klubnik’s return to the Clemson Tigers and Garrett Riley’s offense is huge for the program’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. At times, the fourth-year quarterback looked like one of the best in the nation, leading all returning passers with 36 touchdowns (17 more than in 2023 with just 32 more passing attempts) while finishing in the top 10 with 3,639 passing yards.
MORE: Cade Klubnik Reveals What Made Him Stay At Clemson
He also showcased the ability to take a game by the horns on the ground, doubling his career rushing yards and touchdowns in one season. However, his EPA was lower than that of many returning quarterbacks, and there were games last fall (notably Georgia, Louisville, and South Carolina) that demonstrated he’s yet to realize his full potential.
7) John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
John Mateer’s swashbuckling skills for the Washington State Cougars captured the public imagination last fall and turned him into something of a college football rockstar. He tallied 44 total touchdowns, showcasing impressive arm talent and the creativity outside of structure that makes for a top-tier college quarterback.
The production was incredible and his leadership equally as impressive, but he’ll face increased scrutiny (and some better defenses) after following his offensive coordinator to Oklahoma.
6) Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The return of Garrett Nussmeier for the 2025 college football season is a major coup for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, who were staring down the barrel of replacing the most passing attempts in the SEC a year ago.
KEEP READING: Garett Nussmeier 2025 Heisman Odds
While he has some areas of his game to clean up (he threw the most interceptions in the conference in 2024), Nussmeier has the arm strength to open up the entire field for a restocked wide receiver room. There are some exciting examples of pass placement in his film, but that needs to become commonplace if he’s to realize his true potential.
5) Darian Mensah, QB, Duke
What a difference one season can make. Darian Mensah wasn’t even assured of a starting role with the Tulane Green Wave this time last year. Now, he’s one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NIL era with the Duke Blue Devils. Some have raised their eyebrows at his value, but for my money, Mensah has earned it.
His 9.5 yards per attempt last season rank second among returning quarterbacks, his 166.67 passer rating is the highest, and a top five quarterback for average EPA among returners.
4) DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
DJ Lagway played more football than Billy Napier and the Florida Gators initially intended last fall, but all that did was raise expectations and excitement for what comes this fall. There were some ups and downs and inconsistencies from the young passer in 2024, but the upside is undeniable.
No quarterback returning to college football in 2025 threw for more yards per attempt last year than Lagway (10.0), who has an incredible receiving room to work with.
3) Arch Manning, QB, Texas
It’s easy to put Arch Manning’s positioning on this list of the top returning college football players for 2025 down to the legacy of his surname, but there’s much more to it than that. There’s a reason why Texas fans were clamoring for him to take the reins of the Longhorns offense at several points during last season.
MORE: Arch Manning The Offseason Favorite To Win The Heisman
He offers an athletic threat at the quarterback position that the program lacked with Quinn Ewers and there’s no doubting his arm talent should make him one of the top passers in the 2025 season.
2) LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers is one of the most exciting players at any position that you’ll see in college football this season. He could comfortably end up as the best quarterback in the country by the year is out.
He’s a dangerous dual threat with the physical tools to dominate for the Gamecocks this fall. If he plays more consistently, the most productive season of his career should lead to team success and individual accolades.
1) Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The 2025 college football quarterback class is a complex beast with plenty of room for movement as the year progresses and a multitude of opinions as to who will emerge as the best.
That complexity is created by the inconsistency of performances from some of those at the very top, including Penn State Nittany Lions passer Drew Allar, who has his fair share of detractors due to some head-scratching decision-making last fall.
However, when he’s at his very best, there is no better-returning quarterback in college football than Allar. He can throw the ball into tight windows with impressive velocity, possesses exceptional accuracy, can manipulate and maneuver expertly in the pocket, and showcased the ability to put the ball on a dime deep downfield in several big moments last fall.
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