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Report Card Grades for Top 20 College Football QBs After Week 13
Every Tuesday morning during the 2025 college football season, we will be grading the performance of the top 20 quarterbacks in the nation.
The rankings will then be shuffled to provide a fresh top-20 list to grade the following week, providing an updated view of the top-tier quarterback landscape across college football.
Included is each player's production through the air and on the ground, the outcome of their game and the quality of their opponent. A 1-5 star system was used to highlight quality of opponent, using the most recent version of The Athletic's ranking of all 136 FBS teams, with stars awarded as follows:
5 stars: No. 1-10 in the rankings
4 stars: No. 11-40 in the rankings
3 stars: No. 41-70 in the rankings
2 stars: No. 71-100 in the rankings
1 star: No. 101-136 in the rankings or an FCS opponent
Finally, each quarterback's performance was given a grade of A, B, C, D or F, and those grades were factored into the shuffling of the rankings for the following week.
Let's dive into the Week 13 grades.
20. Anthony Colandrea, UNLV
1 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 21-of-26, 253 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 3 carries, 16 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (Hawaii)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (38-10)
Anthony Colandrea was a two-year starter at Virginia who threw for 2,125 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a 5-7 team a year ago. He landed at UNLV in the transfer portal and has led the Rebels to a 9-2 record following a lopsided victory over Hawaii.
He leads the Mountain West in completion percentage (68.2), passing touchdowns (21), yards per attempt (8.5) and passer rating (157.1), and he has also been a weapon on the ground with 528 rushing yards and seven scores.
Week 13 Grade: A
19. Bear Bachmeier, BYU
2 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 15-of-25, 127 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 13 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (Cincinnati)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (26-14)
He may not be a traditional pocket passer, but it's hard to argue with the results as Bear Bachmeier has led BYU to a 10-1 record as a true freshman starter after replacing Jake Retzlaff under center.
On top of his 2,304 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, he also has 525 rushing yards and ranks second in the Big 12 with 11 scores on the ground, making him one of the more productive dual-threat options in the nation.
Week 13 Grade: C
18. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
3 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 22-of-33, 162 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 9 carries, -10 yards, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (Arizona)
Week 13 Outcome: Loss (17-41)
The surface-level numbers are gaudy, as he leads the nation with 30 passing touchdowns and is tops in the Big 12 with 3,372 passing yards, but Sawyer Robertson has also thrown 11 interceptions.
The results have also left something to be desired, as Baylor has gone 1-4 over its last five games, with Robertson completing just 58.4 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions during that stretch.
Week 13 Grade: D
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17. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
4 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 21-of-35, 248 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 13 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★ (Wisconsin)
Week 13 Outcome: Loss (10-27)
Luke Altmyer became the first quarterback in Fighting Illini history with multiple seasons of 2,500 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns with his Week 13 performance, though it did not result in a win for Illinois.
Victory over Northwestern next weekend would mark the first time since 1990 that Illinois has recorded back-to-back eight-win seasons, and Altmyer's emergence as a top-tier quarterback in the Big Ten has been a driving force in that success.
Week 13 Grade: C
16. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
5 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 19-of-23, 469 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 2 carries, 1 yard, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★ (Rice)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (56-24)
During the Mean Green's current five-game winning streak, Drew Mestemaker has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for a staggering 1,886 yards with 13 touchdowns and only one interception.
The first-year starter now leads the nation with 3,469 passing yards, and he is also pacing the AAC in passing touchdowns (26), yards per attempt (9.7) and passer rating (173.2). Can he lead North Texas to the Group of Five playoff spot?
Week 13 Grade: A
15. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
6 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 25-of-38, 300 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 8 carries, 38 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (BYU)
Week 13 Outcome: Loss (14-26)
After winning seven straight and climbing to No. 17 in the AP poll, Cincinnati has dropped three in a row, and quarterback Brendan Sorsby has completed just 51.5 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and four interceptions during that losing streak.
Despite a lackluster second half of the season, he still has 2,518 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His 153.4 passer rating trails only Texas Tech's Behren Morton (162.6) among qualified Big 12 quarterbacks.
Week 13 Grade: C
14. Noah Fifita, Arizona
7 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 14-of-25, 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 8 carries, 33 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (Baylor)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (41-17)
After a breakout sophomore season, Noah Fifita had a disappointing junior campaign, but he has bounced back this year with an improved completion percentage (60.5 to 64.2), yards per attempt (6.9 to 7.9) and passer rating (126.5 to 151.4).
That he has done that after losing first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL is all the more impressive, and after a 4-8 finish a year ago, the Wildcats have gone 8-3 thanks to a four-game winning streak heading into their regular-season finale.
Week 13 Grade: C
13. Demond Williams Jr., Washington
8 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 17-of-26, 213 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 6 carries, 56 yards, 2 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (UCLA)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (48-14)
For the second time this season, Demond Williams Jr. recorded multiple passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns in the same game, with the other coming in Week 7 in a 38-19 blowout win against Rutgers.
It has been an extremely productive first full season in the starting role for Williams, and he will have an opportunity to make a statement on Saturday when playoff hopeful Oregon comes to town.
Week 13 Grade: B
12. Darian Mensah, Duke
9 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 20-of-33, 175 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 3 carries, 27 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★ (North Carolina)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (32-25)
After throwing for at least 250 yards in each of his first eight games, Darian Mensah has failed to reach that mark three weeks in a row, averaging just 203.3 yards per game and 6.2 yards per attempt during that span.
However, he did lead the Blue Devils to victory over North Carolina on Saturday, picking up win No. 6 in the process to make Duke bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Week 13 Grade: B
11. Joe Fagnano, UConn
10 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 33-of-46, 446 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 5 carries, -21 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (UConn)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (48-45)
With a bye next weekend and no conference championship game to play as an independent, UConn has wrapped up its regular-season schedule, with Joe Fagnano throwing for 3,448 yards and 28 touchdowns with only one interception in one of the biggest breakout performances of the year.
Only Dan Orlovsky in 2003 eclipsed those numbers while suiting up for the Huskies, as he had 3,485 yards and 33 touchdowns. With a 9-3 record, a bowl game awaits, and Fagnano took home MVP honors in a Fenway Bowl victory over North Carolina a year ago.
Week 13 Grade: A
10. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
11 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 33-of-39, 484 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 15 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (Kentucky)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (45-17)
With a season-high 484 passing yards and six total touchdowns, Diego Pavia made a statement as Vanderbilt tries to secure a College Football Playoff berth, knowing a trip to the SEC Championship Game is not in the cards.
"He's the best player in the country and deserves to be in the Heisman conversation," Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea told reporters. "He tips the field when he steps on it. There's only a few players in the world that when the ball's in your hand that they can take over a game, and he's done that repeatedly here."
Week 13 Grade: A
9. Jayden Maiava, USC
12 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 25-of-43, 306 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 4 carries, 16 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (Oregon)
Week 13 Outcome: Loss (27-42)
Jayden Maiava had his first three-touchdown performance since Week 4, but he also threw a pair of interceptions as USC fell to Oregon in a battle of Big Ten contenders who entered the game with one loss each in conference play.
The Big Ten leader in passing yards (3,174) and yards per game (288.5), Maiava developed an elite connection with Makai Lemon over the course of the season, as the junior wideout leads the conference in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,124) and receiving touchdowns (10).
Week 13 Grade: C
8. Dante Moore, Oregon
13 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 22-of-30, 257 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 2 carries, -3 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (USC)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (42-27)
The Oregon running game was potent once again in a huge victory over USC, tallying 179 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries, but Dante Moore again did his part keeping the opposing defense honest under center.
He ranks third in the Big Ten in completion percentage (72.9), passing touchdowns (23) and passer rating (167.8), trailing only Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin in all three categories, and a victory over Washington on Saturday would almost certainly clinch an opportunity to continue showcasing his talents in the College Football Playoff.
Week 13 Grade: B
7. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
14 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 5-of-9, 49 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 1 carry, -10 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★ (Syracuse)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (70-7)
In a game where Notre Dame built a 21-0 lead before its offense ever stepped onto the field, and Heisman Trophy candidate Jeremiyah Love had 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns, there was not much for CJ Carr to do.
Despite only nine pass attempts, he still managed to record his 22nd passing touchdown of the season, and his 169.8 passer rating on the year is good for fifth in the nation behind Julian Sayin (185.4), Fernando Mendoza (184.8), Diego Pavia (174.2) and Drew Mestemaker (173.2).
Week 13 Grade: C
6. Byrum Brown, South Florida
15 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 19-of-25, 353 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 14 carries, 63 yards, 2 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★ (UAB)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (48-18)
Another week, another game with multiple passing and rushing scores from dual-threat dynamo Byrum Brown, whose 37 total touchdowns on the year are tops in the nation ahead of Fernando Mendoza (35) and Diego Pavia (34).
With 117 passing yards and 96 rushing yards on Saturday against Rice, he would become the first quarterback in South Florida history with 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season.
Week 13 Grade: A
5. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
16 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 10-of-15, 120 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 1 carry, 4 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★ (Samford)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (48-0)
Marcel Reed threw three first-quarter touchdown passes and led the Aggies to the end zone on four of five drives to start the game before heading to the sidelines in a blowout win over FCS opponent Samford.
He now has 13 touchdown passes over his last five games, and Texas A&M rolls into the regular-season finale as the lone undefeated team left standing in the SEC looking to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
Week 13 Grade: A
4. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
17 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 17-of-21, 196 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 5 carries, 11 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★ (Charlotte)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (35-3)
It was a lackluster showing for Gunner Stockton against a Charlotte team that has struggled to a 1-10 record on the year and allowed a staggering 608 passing yards to North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker in October.
The Bulldogs didn't need much from him in a game where they pounded out 192 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and he only threw four incompletions, but it was still a missed opportunity for a gaudy stat day.
Week 13 Grade: C
3. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
18 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 27-of-41, 275 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 20 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★★ (Pittsburgh)
Week 13 Outcome: Loss (28-42)
Holding Haynes King to 333 total yards and three touchdowns was enough for Pittsburgh to hand Georgia Tech its second loss of the season, eliminating the Yellow Jackets from contention for a spot in the ACC championship game in the process.
With 3,399 total yards and 27 total touchdowns, he is the biggest reason why Georgia Tech is enjoying its best season in more than a decade, and while the dark-horse Heisman buzz has died down, it has still been a memorable year for the dual-threat star.
Week 13 Grade: C
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
19 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 11-of-16, 147 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 2 carries, 17 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★ (Eastern Illinois)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (56-0)
Since a Week 10 bye, Ty Simpson has completed 64.5 percent of his throws for 750 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in Alabama's last three games, and getting picked off twice against Eastern Illinois was not a great look.
He only played the first half of the game before heading to the bench, and he can easily erase this lackluster stretch of games with a strong performance against rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl next weekend.
Week 13 Grade: C
1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
20 of 21
Week 13 Passing Stats: 13-of-19, 157 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Week 13 Rushing Stats: 0 carries, 0 yards
Week 13 Quality of Opponent: ★★★ (Rutgers)
Week 13 Outcome: Win (42-9)
After an efficient performance against Rutgers on Saturday, Julian Sayin remains the FBS leader in completion percentage (79.4) and passer rating (185.4), and he has Ohio State on the doorstep of an undefeated regular season if they can knock off rival Michigan at the Big House on Saturday.
The former 5-star recruit entered the season with just 12 career pass attempts, but he has done a fantastic job piloting a high-powered Buckeyes offense, with the benefit of throwing to the nation's best wide receiver tandem in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
Week 13 Grade: A
Updated Top 20 CFB Quarterbacks List
21 of 21
In an effort to keep things fresh and allow for the inclusion of breakout performers, we will be re-ranking the top 20 quarterbacks in college football each week on this final slide. That will then set the stage for the 20 QBs whose performance will be graded the following week.
Players who are headed into a bye week were also temporarily removed from the list, to provide a list of 20 quarterbacks that can all be graded on Week 14 performance in next week's article.
That notably removed Joe Fagnano (UConn) from consideration.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
3. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
4. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
5. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
6. Byrum Brown, South Florida
7. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
8. Dante Moore, Oregon
9. Ty Simpson, Alabama
10. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
11. Jayden Maiava, USC
12. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
13. Demond Williams Jr., Washington
14. Darian Mensah, Duke
15. Noah Fifita, Arizona
16. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
17. Carson Beck, Miami
18. Kevin Jennings, SMU
19. Arch Manning, Texas
20. Anthony Colandrea, UNLV
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