Naming the Likely Starting QBs for Top 25 CFB Teams in 2025
Every offense has 11 starters and plenty more rotational players, but only a select few attract more eyeballs than the quarterback.
Given that reality, it's important to know the guys behind center. The 2025 season will feature some veterans such as Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik, hyped newcomers like Arch Manning and major transfers like John Mateer.
Unless you're a diehard fan of all things college football, though, there are going to be a few unfamiliar faces, too. We're aiming to get you ahead of that curve.
The ranking is based on B/R's post-spring Top 25.
25-21. Indiana, Oklahoma, Baylor, SMU and Florida
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25. Indiana: Fernando Mendoza
Last season, Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to its breakout season. Going back to the portal, the Hoosiers landed two-year Cal starter Fernando Mendoza. He threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns to six interceptions in 2024, leading the Golden Bears to consecutive bowl appearances for only the second time in 15 years.
24. Oklahoma: John Mateer
One of the highest-regarded QBs on the move this offseason, John Mateer is tasked with elevating a dismal OU passing attack. The 21-year-old, who's also a dangerous runner, finished the year seventh nationally at 9.0 yards per pass attempt. Oklahoma ranked 128th out of 134 teams in the category last season.
23. Baylor: Sawyer Robertson
After a quiet opening half of 2024, Sawyer Robertson exploded down the stretch. He guided the Bears to six straight wins, throwing for 3,071 yards and 28 scores to eight interceptions with 230 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
22. SMU: Kevin Jennings
Kevin Jennings took control of the SMU offense early last season and propelled the Mustangs all the way to the College Football Playoff. Safe to say he's not relinquishing the QB1 label to the begin the year.
21. Florida: DJ Lagway
Long labeled the future of the program, DJ Lagway stepped into the lineup after Graham Mertz's injury and sparked the Gators to four consecutive wins—including upsets over LSU and Ole Miss. Fair or not, UF coach Billy Napier's job security is probably tied to Lagway's performance in 2025.
20-16. Tennessee, Texas Tech, Kansas State, South Carolina and BYU
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20. Tennessee: Joey Aguilar
The pseudo-trade with UCLA after Nico Iamaleava bolted UT brought back Joey Aguilar, the former starter at Appalachian State. That experience should help him beat out Jake Merklinger, a 4-star prospect in the 2024 cycle.
19. Texas Tech: Behren Morton
As long as he's healthy—shoulder issues have plagued him in the last two years—Behren Morton will be the Red Raiders' signal-caller. He threw for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions last year.
18. Kansas State: Avery Johnson
Consistent production against higher-tier competition will be key for Avery Johnson, whose skill set is otherwise very intriguing. He tallied 2,712 passing yards, 605 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns last season but struggled in marquee losses to BYU and Arizona State, in particular.
17. South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers
LaNorris Sellers was the projected No. 1 pick in B/R's way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft. So, yeah, he'll be starting for South Carolina in the fall. Last year, he posted 2,534 passing and 674 rushing yards with 25 total touchdowns.
16. BYU: Jake Retzlaff
Two late losses prevented BYU from reaching the Big 12 Championship Game in 2024, but Jake Retzlaff is set to lead the redemption tour. He put up 3,364 offensive yards and 26 scores while leading the Cougars to an 11-2 record.
15-11. Michigan, Iowa State, Alabama, Miami and Ole Miss
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15. Michigan: Bryce Underwood
Early in the offseason, I thought Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene would open the campaign as the starter—with prized freshman Bryce Underwood taking over eventually. Keene being unavailable for spring practice has shifted my opinion to Underwood as the full-time guy.
14. Iowa State: Rocco Becht
There's no controversy at Iowa State, where Rocco Becht is entering his third year as the starter. He's totaled more than 7,000 yards with 59 combined touchdowns to 17 interceptions over the last two seasons.
13. Alabama: Ty Simpson
Alabama, on the other hand, has a high-profile competition. Ty Simpson ended the spring as the favorite, and he'll presumably retain that title into the opener. But Austin Mack and 5-star freshman Keelon Russell still have an opportunity, even if unlikely, to unseat him during fall camp.
12. Miami: Carson Beck
Well, the 'Canes didn't drop millions of dollars on Carson Beck for fun. The former Georgia starter will be QB1 in Coral Gables.
11. Ole Miss: Austin Simmons
Jaxson Dart's departure has cleared the runway for Austin Simmons, a strong, left-handed thrower. He played limited snaps in 2024 but flashed his value when leading a valuable touchdown drive in the upset of Georgia.
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10-6. Illinois, Arizona State, LSU, Oregon and Notre Dame
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10. Illinois: Luke Altmyer
For the Fighting Illini to hit their potential, Luke Altmyer needs to have another strong year. He threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions last season, also running for 217 yards and four scores. He'll be working with a revamped receiving corps in 2025.
9. Arizona State: Sam Leavitt
Versatile running back Cam Skattebo is gone, but Arizona State—the reigning Big 12 champion—returns Sam Leavitt and star wideout Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt, who previously transferred from Michigan State, notched 2,885 passing and 443 rushing yards with 29 total touchdowns last year.
8. LSU: Garrett Nussmeier
An early Heisman Trophy front-runner, Garrett Nussmeier is aiming to build on a season in which he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. LSU's hope is that an impressively upgraded pass-catching group will unleash the QB in 2025.
7. Oregon: Dante Moore
Austin Novosad and Luke Moga remain in the Ducks' competition, but Dante Moore is still the QB to beat. Formerly the starter at UCLA, he spent the 2024 campaign as the backup to Dillon Gabriel.
6. Notre Dame: CJ Carr
This competition isn't finished, but we kind of know, right? Steve Angeli, the second-stringer last season, transferred to Syracuse during the spring window. That appeared to signal the readiness of CJ Carr, a prized recruit two cycles ago—unless Kenny Minchey surprises us during fall camp.
5-1. Penn State, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State and Texas
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5. Penn State: Drew Allar
Heading into his third year as Penn State's starter, Drew Allar has an interesting profile. He posted a career-high 8.4 yards per attempt last season, throwing for 3,327 yards and totaling 30 touchdowns. But against the best competition—Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame—he was relatively ineffective. Allar is a good QB. This season is the last opportunity to show he's a great one.
4. Georgia: Gunner Stockton
Carson Beck's elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game shoved Gunner Stockton into the spotlight, and he played well given the circumstances. The pressure rises immensely in 2025 as Georgia seeks a third SEC crown in four years.
3. Clemson: Cade Klubnik
Similar to Allar, Cade Klubnik had a personal-best campaign in 2024 that lacked the big-game punch. The dual-threat QB amassed 4,102 yards and 43 touchdowns to just six interceptions, but he was a non-factor in a loss to Georgia—and Clemson went 0-3 against SEC opponents last year.
2. Ohio State: Julian Sayin
Gone is Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State who helped the Buckeyes win a national title in 2024. His replacement will be Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz, and Ohio State coaches didn't provide any real answers in the spring. Sayin, however, is widely viewed as the favorite in the competition and expected to start the Week 1 showdown opposite...well, the next guy.
1. Texas: Arch Manning
Following a season in which he started a few games and played sporadically off the bench, Arch Manning has been named the starter for Texas in 2025. He threw for 939 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions while rushing for 108 yards and four scores in his limited action.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
