Ranking the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks of 2025
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer drops back to attempt a pass during the first quarter against Nebraska Friday September 20, 2024 at Memorial Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
It’s the most physical conference in the game, with tenacious defenses and unpredictable weather in the fall.
That means Big Ten quarterbacks have to bring their A-game every week on the gridiron. These 18 gunslingers are ready to make a name for themselves this upcoming season, and the fans have high anticipation. Which is why late August can’t get here fast enough.
18. Malachi Singleton, Purdue: The Georgia native has spent the past two seasons at Arkansas. Singleton redshirted, and didn’t play at all in 2023. However, he appeared in five games last year, and made the most out of his opportunities behind center. Singleton completed eight of his 10 passes for 120 yards in the opener against Arkansa-Pine Bluff. The 21-year old threw for a season-high, 207 yards, and a touchdown against Ole Miss. Singleton also displayed great mobility as Taylen Green’s backup, and averaged 4.4 yards per carry and generated three touchdowns on the ground. New Coach Barry Odom will need Singleton to use every bit of that SEC experience, and make a smooth transition to the Big Ten.
17. Malik Washington, Maryland: The former four-star prospect is bringing a lot of upside to the Terrapins’ quarterback room this fall. Although Washington is only a true freshman, he’s dynamic and one of the best players to come out of the state of Maryland this year. Coach Mike Locksley usually gets great play out of his quarterbacks, which goes back to Taulia Tagovailoa’s time behind center. Even Billy Edwards put together a solid campaign at Maryland last season. As long as Washington plays within the system, he should adjust fine to the Big Ten’s style of play. There’s enough speed and talent on roster, so Washington doesn’t have to do everything by himself. UCLA transfer Justyn Martin will also be in the mix.
16. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota: The former three-star prospect was Max Brosmer’s backup as a true freshman last season. Lindsey didn’t get much playing time, and only attempted five passes. However, he did throw an eight-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the victory over Rhode Island. Lindsey is coming off an impressive spring, and continues to separate himself from the rest of the pack. Boston College transfer Emmett Morehead will also be in the mix, as well as freshman Jackson Kollock. Coach P.J. Fleck is no stranger to shuffling his quarterbacks. After all, he has played at least two over the past four seasons, including three in 2022. Whoever wins the job, will have a nice start leading into Big Ten play.
15. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State: The 19-year old put together a solid campaign in his first season with the Spartans last year. Chiles started every game, and passed for 2,415 yards. He threw for a season-high, 363 yards, three touchdowns in the victory at Maryland. Chiles passed for 256 yards, and two touchdowns at Illinois. The Californian also threw for 256 yards, and a score in the win over Iowa. Chiles did go through some rough patches, like his three-interception outing at Boston College. Not to mention he was picked off twice in three other games, including two in Big Ten play. However, Coach Jonathan Smith is a former quarterback, who understands what it takes to be successful, so Chiles should be improved.
14. Preston Stone, Northwestern: The Dallas native has spent the past four seasons at SMU. Stone is most known for being a staple in the Mustangs’ 2023 campaign. That’s when SMU won 11 games, including an AAC Championship, and Stone threw for 3,197 yards, and 28 touchdowns. He also earned third-team, All-AAC honors. However, Stone suffered a broken fibula in the season finale against Navy, that lingered into the 2024 season. Although Stone redshirted last year, he started four games, and was a team captain. The 23-year old threw for a season-high, 254 yards in the opening win over Nevada. Stone passed for two touchdowns against Houston Christian, and had one apiece against Louisville and California.
13. Mark Gronowski, Iowa: The 23-year old has spent the past five seasons at South Dakota State, where he was very successful and won a ton of accolades. Gronowski was a Freshman FCS All-American in 2020. Although he redshirted the 2021 season with an injury, Gronowski bounced back in 2022 and passed for 26 touchdowns. He even earned the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the FCS. Gronkowski led the Jackrabbits to an appearance in the FCS Semifinals in 2024. However, he didn’t participate in physical drills during the spring, while recovering from another injury. Iowa fans are hoping Gronowski can return to form, and not end up as damaged goods like the Cade McNamara experiment.
12. Demond Williams, Washington: The former four-star prospect spent most of last season as Will Rogers’ backup, but was able to get valuable snaps, and started the final two games for the Huskies. Once the smoke cleared, Williams finished with some decent numbers in limited action behind center. After all, he threw for 944 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns, including two on the ground. Williams was only picked off once on 105 pass attempts. In his first start, Williams threw for 201 yards, and a touchdown at Oregon. His 374 passing yards, and four touchdown tosses in the bowl game against Louisville were both career-highs. Not to mention Williams passed for a touchdown against Weber State, Iowa and UCLA.
11. Bryce Underwood, Michigan: The former five-star prospect is the Wolverines’ first No. 1 overall recruit since Rashan Gary. Coach Sherrone Moore had to shuffle three quarterbacks last season, and the position was a liability in his first campaign. However, Underwood has the talent, and athletic ability to make an instant impact in the Big Ten. Anything to improve an offense that finished 129th nationally in yards per game. The 17-year old will have to live up to the hype, and high expectations though. It helps that Underwood will have a solid offensive line up front protecting him. He’ll have to find some weapons to spread the ball around, but if the offense gels together quickly, Michigan should have a fast start.
10. Billy Edwards Jr., Wisconsin: The 22-year old has valuable Big Ten experience, after spending the past three seasons at Maryland. Edwards started 14 games during that span, including 11 in 2024. He ranked second in the Big Ten, and 16th in the FBS in passing yards per game. The Virginia native finished seventh in the conference, and 31st nationally in completion percentage. Edwards threw for a season-high, 373 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the victory over USC. Not to mention he passed for 300-plus yards against Connecticut, Villanova and Rutgers. Edwards was even named the MVP of the 2023 Music City Bowl win over Auburn. His production, and leadership will be crucial for the Badgers this fall.
9. Dante Moore, Oregon: The Detroit native started five games, including three in Pac-12 play at UCLA in 2023. Moore generated a 3-2 record as a starter under Chip Kelly, and passed for 11 touchdowns that year. However, he was also picked off nine times. Moore transferred to Oregon, and only appeared in mop-up duty as Dillon Gabriel’s backup last season. Despite the fact that he only attempted eight passes, Moore shadowed Gabriel, and learned the system. He was also part of the Ducks’ first-ever, Big Ten Championship. Now the 20-year old is prepared to carry the torch Gabriel left behind. The reigning Big Ten champs will have a bullseye on their backs, so Moore has to be ready for whatever comes with the territory.
8. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska: The former five-star prospect is coming off a promising true freshman campaign. Raiola started all 13 games last year, and led the Huskers to their first winning season since 2016. He got off to a hot start, and won five of his first six contests. During that span Raiola passed for 1,358 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. However, there were some growing pains. In games against Indiana, Ohio State, UCLA and USC, Raiola combined for two touchdown tosses, and seven interceptions, which resulted in four losses. Still, Raiola is coming off a strong spring. The Georgia native is also trimming down his weight, and enjoying the results, including fluid footwork and throws.
7. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers: The 21-year old was a team captain in 2024, and started all 13 games. Kaliakmanis helped the Scarlet Knights win seven of their first 12 contests, which were the most in the regular season since 2014. His 18 touchdown tosses tied for sixth in the Big Ten. Not to mention Kaliakmanis’ 2,696 passing yards were the most in a single-season by a Rutgers quarterback since Gary Nova. The Illinois native threw for a season-high, 313 yards at USC. Kaliakmanis passed for three touchdowns apiece in victories over Howard, Akron and Minnesota. He has a ton of experience, with 17 starts at Minnesota from 2022-23, and makes Rutgers’ offense more credible with his leadership and production.
6. Julian Sayin, Ohio State: The 19-year old appeared in four games for the National Champs last season, but only attempted 12 passes. Sayin was a third-stringer behind Will Howard and Devin Brown, and threw his only touchdown pass in the victory over Western Michigan. However, he appears to be the front-runner for the starting job this fall. After all, Saying looked impressive in the Buckeyes’ spring game, and completed 17 of his 24 passes for 175 yards, and a touchdown. Even All-American wideout Jeremiah Smith is giving Sayin praise, and believes he can make every throw. Lincoln Kienholz will also be in the mix, but hasn’t played a meaningful snap since 2023. Coach Ryan Day always gets the best out of his quarterbacks.
5. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: The Miami native’s accuracy set the ACC on fire at California last year. Mendoza ranked first in the league, and 10th in the FBS in completion percentage. Not to mention he finished fourth in the conference, and 16th nationally in total offense. Mendoza also helped the Golden Bears reach bowl eligibility. Coach Curt Cignetti appears to have a knack for getting his quarterbacks to play at a high level. After all, Jordan McCloud threw for 35 touchdowns in Cignetti’s final season at James Madison, and Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to the Playoffs in 2024. If Mendoza has a smooth transition, and duplicates his success in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers could very well reach postseason glory again.
4. Jayden Maiva, USC: Last season he emerged from the shadows, started the final four games for the Trojans and salvaged Lincoln Riley’s first campaign in the Big Ten. Mavia finished 3-1 as USC’s starter, with victories over Nebraska, UCLA and Texas A&M. His only loss was to a team that eventually played for the National Championship. Mavia threw for 1,135 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions during that span. The former UNLV gunslinger gave USC fans a glimpse of what the offense will look like with him behind center full time. After all, Riley has already cemented himself as a quarterback guru, and coached three Heisman winners. Now Mavia has an opportunity to spread his wings in Riley’s scheme.
3. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA: The former five-star prospect started all 13 games for Tennessee last season. Iamaleava delivered on the lofty expectations, and led the Volunteers to a 10-2 campaign, which resulted in their first-ever, Playoff appearance. He also ranked 33rd in the FBS in passing efficiency. Iamaleava got off to a hot start, and threw for a season-high, 314 yards, and three touchdowns in the opening win over Chattanooga. The Californian had four touchdown passes apiece in victories over UTEP and Vanderbilt. He’s one of two current Big Ten quarterbacks that has reached postseason glory. However, with a new team, coach, system and conference at UCLA, Iamaleava will definitely have his work cut out for him.
2. Luke Altmyer, Illinois: The 22-year old has started 22 games for the Fighting Illini over the past two years, including all 13 in 2024. Altmyer put together a stellar season, and helped Illinois capture 10 wins for the first time since 2001. His 2,717 passing yards were the most in a single-season by an Illinois quarterback since 2013. Altmyer’s 22 touchdown tosses were the most in the program since Juice Williams’ 2008 campaign. He even passed for four touchdowns apiece in wins over Nebraska, and Eastern Illinois. However, Altmyer struggled at times with accuracy, and lost All-Big Ten wideout Pat Bryant to the NFL. Altmyer continues to improve in that department, and has all of the tools to be an elite gunslinger.
1. Drew Allar, Penn State: The Ohio native has started every game for the Nittany Lions over the past two seasons. Allar is 23-6 as a starter, with jaw-dropping, 5,958 passing yards, 49 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during that span. Last year he led Penn State to a program-record, 13 victories, and its’ first-ever, Playoff appearance. The 21-year old even helped the Nittany Lions reach the semifinals. Allar is also within striking distance of setting a milestone record at Penn State. The former five-star prospect needs 34 touchdown tosses this fall to become the school’s career leader. If the Nittany Lions can make another Playoff run, Allar could very well reach that historic mark. After all, he has a plethora of weapons to deliver the ball to.
