College football’s 20 best quarterbacks of 2025

The most important position on the field is becoming more vital as we approach year two of the 12-team Playoffs.

Success brings unwanted attention from the opposition, and NIL is critical when it comes to a quarterback’s decision on staying with a current team, or entering the transfer portal. These 20 signal-callers appear to be firmly set with their respective programs as spring ball shifts into gear, and are looking to pick up where they left off from last season.

20. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: Last season in the ACC he made a name for himself as an accurate passer. Mendoza led the conference, and finished 10th nationally in completion percentage. He even ranked fourth in the league, and 16th in the FBS in total offense. Mendoza led California to six wins, and bowl eligibility through its’ first 11 games. The Miami native passed for two touchdowns in the victory at Auburn. Mendoza threw for 364 yards, and two scores in the win over Oregon State. The former three-star prospect posted three touchdown tosses against Stanford. He’ll try to duplicate Kurtis Rourke’s instant success at Indiana, which was double-digit wins, and a Playoff berth.

19. Jake Retzlaff, BYU: The former three star prospect led the Cougars to an 11-2 campaign last season, including a 9-0 start. Retzlaff can hurt defenses with his arm and legs. He also finished 38th nationally in total offense. Retzlaff threw for 348 yards, and three touchdowns against Southern Illinois. The Californian passed for 291 yards, three touchdowns and an interception at Wyoming. Retzlaff posted two touchdown tosses, and no interceptions in conference wins over Kansas State, Arizona and UCF. The former Juco needs to improve his accuracy though, after finishing 97th in the FBS in completion percentage. Regardless, Retzlaff will be one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks.

18. Maalik Murphy, Oregon State: The Californian led Duke to a 9-3 regular season in 2024. Murphy finished fourth in the ACC, and tied for 18th nationally, with 26 touchdown tosses. Although he ranked 71st in the FBS in passing efficiency, and 74th in completion percentage, Murphy put together some impressive performances. The 21-year old threw for 295 yards, and three touchdowns against SMU. He passed for three touchdowns, and an interception in victories over Northwestern, Connecticut and Middle Tennessee State. Now the former four-star prospect will be at his third school in three seasons, and brings vital production, experience and leadership to the Beavers.

17. Avery Johnson, Kansas State: The 20-year old led the Wildcats to a 9-4 campaign in his first full season as a starter. Johnson did damage with his arm and legs. After all, he broke the school record with 25 touchdown passes, and finished second on the team in rushing yards, and touchdowns on the ground. Johnson passed for two touchdowns, and rushed for 110 yards in the victory over Arizona. He threw for three touchdowns, and rushed for two scores in the win over Oklahoma State. Johnson also posted three touchdown tosses against West Virginia, Iowa State and Rutgers. His accuracy must improve for the offense to make strides, after finishing 91st nationally in completion percentage.

16. Haynes King, Georgia Tech: Although he only played in 10 games last season, King led the ACC and finished fourth nationally in completions percentage. He ranked second in the conference, and 12th in the FBS in passing efficiency. King even led the Yellow Jackets in rushing scores. The Texas native threw for 275 yards in wins over Georgia State and VMI. King rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the victory at North Carolina. The former four-star prospect threw for 303 yards, rushed for 110 and scored five total touchdowns at Georgia. His 312 passing yards at Louisville were a season-high. King left a lasting impression with three touchdown tosses against Vanderbilt.

15. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt: He’s a proven winner, considering Pavia led New Mexico State to a 10-5 record in 2023. Last season he led the Commodores to their first winning campaign since 2013. The former two-star prospect finished 39th nationally in passing efficiency, but 87th in completion percentage. Pavia also took care of business on the ground, with 801 rushing yards. His 20 touchdown tosses were the most by a Vanderbilt gunslinger since 2018. He passed for 270 yards, and two scores at Georgia State. The 23-year old threw for 252 yards, and two touchdowns in the victory over Alabama. Pavia even left a lasting impression, with five total touchdowns in bowl win over Georgia Tech.

14. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor: The Texas native started the final 10 games of the regular season for the Bears, and finished 7-3 during that span. Robertson was one of the league’s biggest surprises. After all, he finished second in the Big 12, and 14th in the FBS in passing efficiency. Robertson even ranked 21st nationally in total offense. He also tied for 14th nationally with 28 touchdown passes. The 22-year old threw for 274 yards, and five touchdowns in the victory at Texas Tech. Robertson passed for 310 yards, and four scores in the win over Kansas. The former four-star prospect threw for three touchdowns apiece against Iowa State and West Virginia. He won’t be sneaking up on anyone now.

13. Luke Altmyer, Illinois: Last season he led the Fighting Illini to 10 wins for the first time since 2001. Altmyer’s 22 touchdown tosses were the third-most in a single-season by an Illinois gunslinger. He finished 37th nationally in passing efficiency. The former four-star prospect threw for four touchdowns apiece in victories over Eastern Illinois and Nebraska. Altmyer passed for 379 yards, and three touchdowns in the win over Purdue. The 22-year old recorded two touchdown tosses against Rutgers, and Michigan State. Altmyer needs to improve his accuracy after finishing 68th in the FBS in completion percentage. That could be challenging with star wideout Pat Bryant no longer in his arsenal.

12. John Mateer, Oklahoma: The Texas native led Washington State to a 8-4 regular season, and scored a jaw-dropping, 44 total touchdowns last season. Mateer finished fourth nationally in total offense, eighth in passing efficiency, tied for 10th in touchdown tosses and 22nd in yards through the air. He even led the Cougars in rushing yards, and touchdowns on the ground. The former three-star prospect threw for 352 yards, and a season-high, five touchdowns against Portland State. His 197 rush yards against Texas Tech were also a season-high. Mateer had four touchdown passes apiece against Utah State and New Mexico State. Oklahoma’s offense needs that type of production.

11. Rocco Becht, Iowa State: The Florida native led the Cyclones to 11 wins last season, which were the most in school history. Becht’s 3,505 passing yards, and 25 touchdown tosses, were the second-most in a single-season by an Iowa State signal-caller. He finished third in the Big 12, and 11th nationally in passing yards. Becht even ranked 25th in the FBS in total offense. The 21-year old threw for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win at Iowa. Becht left a lasting impression with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns in the bowl victory over Miami, and was named MVP. He’s All-Big 12 caliber, but will be without the dynamic wideout duo of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.

10. Josh Hoover, TCU: The former three-star prospect flourished as a full-time starter in Sonny Dykes’ system last season, and led the Horned Frogs to a 9-4 campaign. Hoover broke the program’s single-season record, with 3,949 passing yards. He finished second in the Big 12, and ninth nationally in total offense. Hoover ranked second in the conference, and 19th in the FBS in completion percentage. The 21-year old finished 18th in the country in passing efficiency. Hoover threw for a season-high, 402 yards and four touchdowns against UCF. Hoover also passed for four scores in the bowl win over Louisiana. The Texas native was a big reason why TCU won six of its’ final seven games.

9. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee: The Californian led the Volunteers to a 10-2 regular season, and a Playoff berth in 2024. Iamaleava also finished 33rd nationally, and 43rd in completion percentage. He passed for a season-high, 314 passing yards, and three touchdowns in the opener against Chattanooga. The former five-star prospect threw for 292 yards, and a score in the win over Kentucky. Iamaleava passed for 257 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the victory at Vanderbilt. The 20-year old also posted four touchdown passes against UTEP. Being the only returning SEC gunslinger to start in last season’s Playoffs, means there’ll be high expectations for Iamaleava this fall.

8. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State: The former three-star prospect put together a memorable campaign for the Sun Devils as a redshirt freshman last season. Leavitt led Arizona State to 11 wins for the first time since 1996, which included a Big 12 Title, and the league’s only Playoff appearance. He finished fourth in the Big 12, and 23rd in the FBS in passing efficiency. The 20-year old was named the league’s Offensive Freshman of the Year, and earned second-team, All-Big 12 honors. Leavitt threw for four touchdowns and an interception against Kansas. The Oregon native had three touchdown passes apiece, with no interceptions in wins over Oklahoma State, UCF, Kansas State and Iowa State.

7. Carson Beck, Miami: The Florida native has thrown for 52 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions over the past two seasons at Georgia. Beck even earned second-team, All-SEC honors in 2023. Last year he led the Bulldogs to 10 wins during the regular season. Beck finished 13th nationally in passing yards, and tied for 14th in touchdown tosses. The 22-year old threw for 278 yards, and two touchdowns in the opening victory over Clemson. Beck passed for five touchdowns apiece in wins over Tennessee Tech and Georgia Tech. His three interceptions apiece against Texas, Alabama and Florida raised several eyebrows though. Now Beck has to fill Cam Ward’s shoes at Miami this fall.

6. Kevin Jennings, SMU: Last season he helped the Mustangs reach double-digit wins, to go along with a berth in the ACC Championship Game, and the program’s first-ever, Playoff appearance. Jennings ranked third in the ACC, and 20th in the FBS in passing efficiency. He finished fourth in the league, and 18th nationally in passing yards. Jennings also earned third-team, All-ACC honors for his heroics. The Texas native threw for 281 yards, and rushed for 113 at Louisville. Jennings recorded three touchdown passes against Florida State, Stanford, Boston College and Clemson. The former three-star prospect ended his campaign on a sour note, with three interceptions in the loss to Penn State.

5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina: The 19-year old did a magnificent job as a redshirt freshman last season. Sellers went 8-3 as a starter during the regular season, including a six-game win streak with victories over four ranked teams. The South Carolina native is dangerous with his arm and legs. Sellers finished second in the SEC, and 17th nationally in passing efficiency. He ranked third in the SEC, and 29th in the FBS in completion percentage. Sellers even ranked 30th in the country in total offense. The former four-star prospect was also the Gamecocks’ second-leading rusher. Sellers threw for 353 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Missouri, which were both season-highs.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: The former four-star prospect led the Bayou Bengals to a 9-4 campaign last season. Nussmeier led the entire SEC in pass attempts, and completions. His 4,052 yards through the air were the second-most in a single-season by an LSU gunslinger. Nussmeier ranked second in the conference in completion percentage, and fifth nationally in passing yards. The Louisiana native even finished second in the league, and eighth in the FBS in total offense. Nussmeier threw for a season-high, 409 yards against South Alabama. He also passed for 405 yards at Texas A&M, and 378 against USC. Nussmeier had a season-high, six touchdown tosses in the victory over Nicholls State.

3. Drew Allar, Penn State: The former five-star prospect has passed for 5,958 yards, 49 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over the past two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Allar led Penn State to a school-record, 13 wins last season, which included an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game, and the Playoff Semifinals. His 3,327 passing yards were the third-best in a single-season at the program. Allar threw for three touchdowns in the opener at West Virginia. The 20-year old also had three touchdown tosses in wins over Kent State, Purdue and Boise State. Despite his success, Allar couldn’t deliver in Penn State’s biggest games against Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame.

2. Arch Manning, Texas: Over the past two seasons the former five-star prospect has backed up Quinn Ewers. However, his highly-anticipated era begins. Manning made the most out of his opportunities in 2024, and shined in Ewers’ absence. He completed five of the six passes for 95 yards, and scored two touchdowns in the opener against Colorado State. Manning threw for 223 yards, and scored five total touchdowns, including four with his arm against UTSA. In his lone start in SEC play against Mississippi State, Manning passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Steve Sarkisian’s elite recruiting will provide Manning with an arsenal of weapons to unleash on the SEC.

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson: The former five-star prospect led the Tigers to an ACC Title, and a Playoff berth last season. Klubnik finished third in the ACC, and 10th nationally in passing yards and total offense. His 36 touchdown passes tied for second-best in a single-season for a Clemson gunslinger, which also ranked second in the league, and third in the FBS. Klubnik passed for a season-high, five touchdowns, to go along with two rushing scores against Appalachian State. He threw for four touchdowns against Stanford. Klubnik also had four touchdown tosses in the victory over SMU in the ACC Title Game. The 21-year old only received Honorable Mention All-ACC for his heroics.

Honorable Mention

Dylan Raiola, Nebraska: Last season as a true freshman he led the Huskers to their first winning campaign since 2016. Big Red Nation is expecting the former five-star prospect to flourish this fall with more experience in Dana Holgorsen’s system.

DJ Lagway, Florida: The 19-year old started seven games last season as a true freshman, and helped the Gators reach bowl eligibility. Lagway ended his campaign with Freshman All-American honors, and was even named MVP of the Gasparilla Bowl.

Noah Fifita, Arizona: Although he didn’t put up the passing production like he generated in 2023, Fifita finished with nearly 3,000 yards through the air and 18 touchdowns. He’ll have to find a new top target though, with the loss of Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL.

Jalon Daniels, Kansas: Last year he finally made it through a season without a major injury, but was inconsistent and the Jayhawks suffered a 5-7 campaign. Daniels did help Kansas close out strong down the stretch, winning four of its’ final six games.

Marcel Reed, Texas A&M: The former four-star prospect started eight games for the Aggies last season. Reed rushed for three touchdowns in the victory over LSU. Not to mention he scored three total touchdowns in wins over Florida and Arkansas.