Projecting the Top QBs for the 2025 CFB Season
Football is a team game. Nevertheless, the importance of having a top-tier quarterback is reinforced every year.
While it's possible to win a national championship without an elite QB, that road becomes incredibly difficult on the biggest stages. At some point, a program is going to need a clutch touchdown drive to survive.
Consequently, it's no surprise the best QBs in the transfer portal or top recruits are commanding many millions of dollars.
That's the long version of saying the 2025 season, as usual, will likely be defined by the best signal-callers in the nation.
The list is subjective but focuses on a player's projection this fall.
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
1 of 7
The departure of star running back Cam Skattebo means Arizona State is destined to have a different kind of offense in 2025.
In other words, there's more pressure on Sam Leavitt.
Fortunately for the Sun Devils, the Michigan State transfer was terrific while guiding them to a Big 12 crown last year. He threw for 8.2 yards per attempt with 24 touchdowns to six interceptions, adding 443 yards and five scores on the ground.
Yes, it helps to have All-Big 12 wideout Jordyn Tyson, but no other receiver even had 400 yards in 2024. Jalen Moss, who notched a pair of 500-yard seasons at Fresno State, should a high-quality complementary piece.
Throw in a strong offensive mind in head coach Kenny Dillingham, and Leavitt is well-positioned to build on his promising debut in Tempe.
Behren Morton, Texas Tech
2 of 7
Just stay healthy.
That's the main concern for Behren Morton, who has dealt with shoulder injuries for the last two seasons. He didn't participate in spring practice last year while recovering and again missed the spring in 2025.
So, true, he's missed valuable time to develop, yet Morton and the Red Raiders are seemingly on the verge of a breakout year.
Top receivers Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin are back, and Texas Tech brought in Miami (Ohio) transfer Reggie Virgil after an 800-yard season. The portal also bolstered the backfield and offensive line.
This is a bold projection, but the pieces are there for Morton to excel.
John Mateer, Oklahoma
3 of 7
While at Washington State last season, John Mateer ascended from an unknown backup to one of the nation's most coveted transfers.
The 21-year-old finished the year seventh nationally at 9.0 yards per pass attempt, throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He was electric on the ground and provided 826 yards with 15 more scores.
He's since landed at Oklahoma, which stumbled to a 6-7 record—largely because of a QB situation that ranked 128th in yards per attempt—last year.
Deion Burks and Jayden Gibson are returning from injury to lead the receiving corps, and OU did well in the portal to counteract a couple key departures. It's probably not an overwhelming group, but Mateer can elevate the offense in a big way.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
4 of 7
On one hand, I struggle to jump aboard a South Carolina bandwagon. Though the team navigated a tough schedule last season, the 2025 slate looks similarly demanding with a defense likely to regress and a suspect pass-catching unit.
But, whew, on the other: LaNorris Sellers.
As a first-time starter, the 19-year-old notched 8.5 yards per pass attempt with 2,534 yards and 18 scores to seven picks. He scampered for 674 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Gamecocks to a 9-4 record with a notable win at Clemson.
If you'll permit some nuance, there's a genuine chance South Carolina's record dips in 2025 despite a more dynamic season from Sellers.
His dual-threat potential is special.
Arch Manning, Texas
5 of 7
The hype is immense. Now, will Arch Manning meet it?
Because of the noise around him, it's easy to overlook the transition on the Texas offense. Gone are its top three targets, along with four starters in the blocking group. Manning isn't taking over a veteran-led offense.
Simultaneously, there is a ton of talent surrounding him. Ryan Wingo had 472 receiving yards as a true freshman, and DeAndre Moore Jr. caught seven touchdowns. Tight end Jack Endries (Cal) and wideout Emmett Mosley V (Stanford) should be impact transfers with several highly recruited freshmen up next.
Manning, whose mobility will add a new dimension to the Longhorns, has little excuse to not have a great season—even if that spectacular hype is a bit lofty.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
6 of 7
LSU travels to Clemson, Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma this season, also hosting South Carolina and Texas A&M. The trip to Vanderbilt, as the Crimson Tide learned in 2024, might not be simple, either.
Despite that rigorous slate, LSU has championship upside.
The challenge for Garrett Nussmeier is avoiding those nightmare games. He tossed three interceptions in a loss to Texas A&M last season, for example, and he finished below six yards per attempt in setbacks to Bama and Florida.
At his best, though, he's an efficient distributor who lets the playmakers shine. That ability should be on full display after the Tigers added transfers Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky) to a group that brings back leading receiver Aaron Anderson and a healthier Chris Hilton Jr. in 2025.
Nussmeier is the linchpin to LSU's title dreams.
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
7 of 7
If not in 2025, when?
Truly, that's the straightforward question for Clemson. Cade Klubnik struggled in some of the biggest games—a real problem—but otherwise played a major part in the Tigers winning the ACC, collecting 4,102 offensive yards and 43 total touchdowns. He made significant progress in his second year as the starter.
While development is not necessarily linear, the 21-year-old has every opportunity to stand atop the country at his position.
The offensive line returns four starters. The receiving corps has four players—Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown—with a 500-yard season in college and brought in FCS standout Tristan Smith.
Factor in Clemson's defensive strength, and the Klubnik-led Tigers have the look of a championship-worthy roster.
.png?w=600 "2027 NFL Mock Draft 🔮")
.png?w=600 "Who Will Panthers Take at No. 9 ? 🤔")
.jpg?w=600 "WWE NXT Results & Grades 🔠")