College Football’s Top 10 Quarterbacks Facing the Most Pressure in 2026
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Quarterback play is always under the microscope for all 138 college football teams. It’s no secret this position faces the most pressure and scrutiny in the preseason or throughout the year. The development of a rising star, progression of a touted prospect, or the production of the winner from a quarterback battle, has massive implications on how the season plays out for each team, along with the overall impact for conference titles or the national title chase.
Entering ‘26, several big-time quarterbacks are under pressure to perform. That list includes Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed. The “pressure” designation doesn’t mean a player is on the hot seat or losing a starting job. Instead, the level of pressure is all about delivering up to preseason expectations, living up to recruiting hype, or replacing a star from the previous season. And in the case of a couple of transfers, those quarterbacks are counted upon to make an instant impact to transform the overall production of the offense or keep a passing game performing at a high level.
Which quarterbacks are under the most pressure entering ‘26? Athlon Sports examines 10 names:
Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
College Football’s Top 10 Quarterbacks Facing the Most Pressure in 2026
Josh Hoover, Indiana
Hoover inherits big shoes to fill by replacing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and handling the controls of Indiana’s prolific offense. Coach Curt Cignetti and coordinator Mike Shanahan should get the most out of Hoover’s ability, and the Texas native arrives in Bloomington with 36 career appearances under his belt at TCU. During that stint with the Horned Frogs, Hoover threw for 9,629 yards and 71 scores but also tossed 33 interceptions. Can Hoover keep Indiana’s offense near the top of college football and help the Hoosiers push for another title?
DJ Lagway, Baylor
Lagway’s play was a big reason why Florida surged to a four-game winning streak to close 2024 and helped coach Billy Napier secure another season. However, largely due to a variety of injuries, Lagway was unable to build on that success in ‘25. The Texas native missed the bulk of offseason workouts recovering from those ailments, leading to rust and ineffectiveness last season. In 12 games, Lagway threw for 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns to 14 picks. Arm and physical talent aren’t in question with Lagway, so a fresh start at Baylor could help to get his career back on track. The Bears are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and coach Dave Aranda is squarely on the hot seat. Baylor needs Lagway to regain his promising ‘24 form and reach his potential this fall.
Sam Leavitt, LSU
After guiding Arizona State to a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2024, Leavitt seemed poised to rank as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in ‘25. However, a foot injury limited him to seven games and just 1,628 passing yards and 10 scores. The Oregon native hit the transfer portal this offseason and is new LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s hand-picked starter for ‘26. Leavitt is expected to be a key cog in Kiffin’s efforts to jumpstart an offense that averaged only 22.8 points a contest last year. Can Leavitt quickly regain his ‘24 form and adapt to his new surroundings in Baton Rouge?
Arch Manning, Texas
Expectations were sky high for Manning’s first season as the full-time starter in Austin. Combine the immense pressure on Manning’s right arm, early-season growing pains, a lackluster ground game and a struggling offensive line, and it’s easy to see why the touted prospect had his share of ups and downs early in the ‘25 campaign. However, Manning improved with each snap and finished the year playing his best ball. Over the last five games, Manning threw for 11 touchdowns and 1,368 yards and added four more rushing scores. If the junior picks up where he left off and takes another step forward in his development, Manning has all of the tools and supporting cast to lead Texas to a national title. Considering the hype and expectations last season (and once again in ‘26), Manning is arguably under the most pressure of any quarterback in the nation.
John Mateer, Oklahoma
Mateer’s transfer to Oklahoma from Washington State was one of the most intriguing quarterback storylines of the ‘25 season. The Texas native started the year on a high note with three touchdown passes against Illinois State, guided the Sooners to a win over Michigan and threw for 271 yards and a touchdown to beat Auburn in the SEC opener. However, a thumb injury in that game forced Mateer to miss one contest (Kent State) and hindered his play for the remainder of the ‘25 campaign. Mateer’s overall numbers were solid (2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns and 431 yards and eight scores). But is there another level he can reach in ‘26 with better health and another year to develop under coordinator Ben Arbuckle? For Oklahoma to reach the College Football Playoff once again, Mateer and the offense has to be more productive.
Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore’s return for the ‘26 season instead of an early entry into the NFL Draft was huge for the Ducks’ hopes of bringing back a national title to Eugene for the first time in program history. After throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first year as the starter at Oregon, there’s little overall concern about Moore’s play. But his spot on this list is all about how high can Moore take this team in ‘26? After passing on a likely top-10 pick in the NFL Draft, Moore is under pressure to take the Ducks to the national title.
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
For the bulk of the ‘25 season, Reed was among the SEC’s top quarterbacks. In his first full year as the team’s No. 1 quarterback, Reed threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns and added 493 yards and six scores on the ground. However, six of his 12 interceptions came in Texas A&M’s final three games against FBS competition, including two in the playoff loss to Miami. With Collin Klein departing College Station to be the head coach at Kansas State, wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins will call plays in ‘26. Can Wiggins get Reed back on track and get the most out of his talent?
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Sellers’ emergence in the second half of ‘24 was nearly enough for South Carolina to make the College Football Playoff. Although the Gamecocks just missed the 12-team field, Sellers’ overall performance (3,208 total yards and 25 scores) raised expectations for coach Shane Beamer’s team last year. But instead of building on the ‘24 success, South Carolina regressed to 4-8 and averaged only 22.7 points a contest. Although Sellers has room to improve, the poor ‘25 offensive performance doesn’t fall entirely on his shoulders considering the questionable scheme, poor line play and inconsistent skill talent. New coordinator Kendal Briles should help Sellers get back on track in ‘26. Can the junior reach his potential under a new play-caller and scheme to jump back onto the radar to be a first-round pick in the ‘27 NFL Draft? And if Sellers performs closer to the ‘24 level, could South Carolina make another run at the playoff and cool the pressure on Beamer?
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Stockton gained valuable experience with a start in the Sugar Bowl for the 2024 College Football Playoff after Carson Beck’s season-ending injury in the SEC Championship win over Texas. The Georgia native took full control of the Bulldogs’ attack last offseason and turned in a solid overall debut by throwing for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns to five picks and rushing for 462 yards and 10 scores. Stockton isn’t in any danger of losing his job, so his place on this list is more about upside. Can he elevate his game to another level in ‘26 and guide Georgia to a national title?
Bryce Underwood, Michigan
As expected with any true freshman quarterback – even a five-star and can’t-miss prospect – the season brought plenty of learning moments and also highlights. Underwood started all 13 games for the Wolverines last season, throwing for 2,428 yards and 11 scores and adding 392 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. With another offseason to develop, expectations will be high for Underwood to take a massive step forward. New play-caller Jason Beck’s scheme should be a strong fit for Underwood’s talents, and Michigan added weapons at receiver through the portal to help the young quarterback progress. How far will Underwood develop in ‘26? If he takes a massive step forward, the Wolverines can challenge for a playoff spot under new coach Kyle Whittingham.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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