Ranking college football's top 25 quarterbacks in 2026, from Trinidad Chambliss to Bryce Underwood
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Ranking college football's top 25 quarterbacks in 2026, from Trinidad Chambliss to Bryce Underwood originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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A pair of SEC quarterbacks lead The Sporting News' annual Top 25 Quarterbacks list for the 2026 season.
Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss and Texas' Arch Manning are atop our list – and that is going to create conversation.
Chambliss received an injunction that will allow him to play a sixth year of college football for coach Pete Golding with the Rebels this season. He is the quarterback LSU coach Lane Kiffin helped develop – but also left behind – with the move to Baton Rouge.
Then there's Manning – who was No. 1 on this list last season. Perhaps that Heisman Trophy and NFL Draft hype was premature in 2025. Then again, maybe it wasn't. Manning has shown glimpses of talent that extends beyond his last name, and he should make the jump in 2026.
Chambliss and Manning are among the seven SEC quarterbacks on this list. The Big Ten also has seven quarterbacks – including Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Oregon's Dante Moore. The Big 12 features six quarterbacks, and the ACC had four QBs – led by Miami transfer Darian Mensah. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is the other QB that cracked the top 25.
Here is a closer look at Sporting News' Top 25 college football quarterbacks for 2026.
QB RANKINGS BY CONFERENCE: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC
25. CJ Bailey, NC State
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2025 stats: 3,105 passing yards, 68.8%, 25 TDs, 9 INTs; 215 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Bailey settled in as a second-year starter for the Wolfpack in 2025 and returns as one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC. Bailey had a 50.9% completion percentage with 11 TDs and one interception on passes of 20 yards or more last season, according to PFF.com. Bailey struggled in the losses to Notre Dame and Miami, but he will not face either team this season. Bailey gets a first opportunity in the spotlight for the Aug. 29 season against Virginia in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
24. Rocco Becht, Penn State
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2025 stats: 2,584 yards, 60.5%, 16 TDs, 9 INTs; 118 rushing yards, 8 TDs
Becht was ranked No. 16 on this list last season at Iowa State. He joins coach Matt Campbell at Penn State, and he gives the Nittany Lions an experienced option with 36 career starts. He piled up 64 TDs and 27 interceptions with the Cyclones. Becht's passer rating has dropped and his sack total has increased each of the last three seasons, but we believe he will find success with offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser against a friendly Big Ten schedule.
MORE: Sporting News post-spring Top 25 rankings
23. Bryce Underwood, Michigan
2025 stats: 2,428 yards, 60.3%, 11 TDs, 9 INTs; 392 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Underwood – a 6-foot-4, 228-pound sophomore – moves up two spots from last season. That might not be the expected jump from Michigan fans, but consistency was an issue in a season where Underwood had six games with less than 200 passing yards. He had an 86.4 passer rating with two TDs and four interceptions against ranked teams. The good news? Underwood gets a reset with new coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, which should unlock more of that five-star talent in Year 2.
22. John Mateer, Oklahoma
2025 stats: 2,885 passing yards, 62.2%, 14 TDs, 11 INTs; 431 rushing yards, 8 TDs
Mateer was in the mix for the Heisman Trophy before a hand injury last season. He did lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff last season, and he closed the season with back-to-back 300-yard games. A second season with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle should help improve a 46.3% completion percentage on passes of 10 yards or more. Mateer made 13 big-time throws under pressure last season according to PFF, and that improv style makes him a dangerous scrambler.
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21. Noah Fifita, Arizona
2025 stats: 3,228 yards, 64.3%, 29 TDs, 6 INTs; 216 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Fifita led all returning Big 12 quarterbacks with 3,228 yards and 29 TDs last season – a sign that he's a little under the radar heading into a third season as a full-time starter for the Wildcats. Fifita is 20-14 in that role, and the 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior had 10 TDs and no interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more last season without Tetairoa McMillan – who was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Carolina Panthers.
20. Bear Bachmeier, BYU
2025 stats: 3,033 yards, 64.9%, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, 527 yards, 11 TDs
Bachmeier led the Cougars to 12 wins as a freshman – and he's one of four QBs on this list with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards. Bachmeier had 147 rushing attempts as a read option with LJ Martin, and Bachmeier improved as a passer. That was clear in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, when he hit 27 of 38 passes for 325 yards with just one rushing attempt in the 25-21 victory against Georgia Tech.
19. Conner Weigman, Houston
2025 stats: 2,705 passing yards, 65.2%, 25 TDs, 9 INTs; 700 yards, 11 TDs
Weigman continues the run of Big 12 quarterbacks. The Texas A&M transfer found a home with Houston – and he emerged as a vital part of the rushing attack in the second half of last season with three 100-yard games. Weigman closed the season with a four-TD performance against LSU in a 38-35 victory in the Texas Bowl. Five-star freshman Keisean Henderson is the backup for the Cougars, but the fact Weigman stayed means one more year of production is in store.
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18. Kevin Jennings, SMU
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2025 stats: 3,641 passing yards, 66.1%, 26 TDs, 13 INTs; 54 rushing yards, 4 TDs
Jennings is 18-6 as a starter with back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons for the Mustangs in the ACC. He's a high-volume passer in Rhett Lashlee's offense, and he had 365 passing yards in the 26-20 overtime upset against the Hurricanes. Jennings must cut down on the interceptions and will have to make an adjustment without offensive coordinator Casey Woods, who took the Missouri State job. Jennings will keep SMU in the mix for another CFP berth in his third full season as the starter.
17. Byrum Brown, Auburn
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2025 stats: 3,158 passing yards, 66.3%, 28 TDs, 7 INTs; 1,008 rushing yards, 14 TDs
Brown led the FBS in total offense with 347.2 yards per game at South Florida last season, and he followed coach Alex Golesh via the transfer portal. Brown made 32 career starts with the Bulls. He is our fourth-highest ranked transfer quarterback as a result. He averaged 268.5 passing yards in the matchups against Florida and Miami last season, but that's a small sample compared to what is to come in a full season in the SEC.
16. Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele, Cal
2025 stats: 3,454 yards, 64.2%, 18 TDs, 9 INTs; -120 rushing yards, 4 TDs
Keawe-Sagapolutele had a breakout season as a freshman – and the final month of the season could offer clues for what is to come in 2026. He averaged 314.8 passing yards per game with a 69.7% completion percentage, seven TDs and no interceptions in the Golden Bears' last four games. Keawe-Sagapolutele opted to stay with Cal this offseason with new coach Tosh Lupoi and co-offensive coordinators Jordan Somerville and Ike Hilliard.
15. Demond Williams, Washington
2025 stats: 3,065 passing yards, 69.5%, 25 TDs, 8 INTs; 611 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Williams had a 161 passer rating in 2025 – and he's one of five returning FBS starters who topped 160 in that category in 2025. He had four TDs in three games last season and rushed for 50 or more yards in seven games – which makes the 5-foot-10 sophomore one of the true dual threats in the Big Ten. Williams briefly entertained transferring to LSU, but he opted to return to the Huskies. Williams had a 69.4% completion percentage against ranked teams – but he'll have to take more chances down the field against the Big Ten's best teams.
14. Devon Dampier, Utah
2025 stats: 2,490 yards, 63.5%, 24 TDs, 5 INTs; 835 rushing yards, 10 TDs
Dampier accounted for 34 TDs last season – which ranks seventh among the quarterbacks on this list. He led the Utes to a 10-win season and closed last year with an average of 274 passing yards, 97.3 rushing yards and 12 total TDs in the Utes' last three games. He also had a 156.9 passer rating on the road in 2025. Backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin also is a role player, but Dampier should continue to produce with first-year coach Morgan Scalley and could easily lead Utah to a Big 12 championship.
13. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
2025 stats: 2,437 passing yards, 60.8%, 13 TDs, 8 INTs; 270 rushing yards, 5 TDs
There is no question Sellers is a big-time talent with an NFL future given a 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame. Sellers was No. 6 on this list in 2025, but the Gamecocks slipped to 4-8 and Sellers took 42 sacks – the most of any Power 4 quarterback. He still has next-level arm talent mixed with an ability to rack up rushing yards and touchdowns. He's a bounce-back candidate – and this feels like the right spot.
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12. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
2025 stats: 3,169 passing yards, 62.1%, 25 TDs, 12 INTs; 493 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Reed helped the Aggies reach the College Football Playoff for the first time, and he is now 15-6 as a starter with coach Mike Elko. He had a 360-yard performance against Notre Dame and a 439-yard outburst in a comeback from a 30-3 deficit against South Carolina last season. Reed struggled in the late-season losses to Texas and Miami, but he returns to an offense that should be able to match last year's total of 33.8 points per game with new offensive coordinator Holman Wiggins.
11. Josh Hoover, Indiana
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2025 stats: 3,472 passing yards, 65.9%, 29 TDs, 13 INTs; 4 rushing yards, 2 TDs
What will Indiana coach Curt Cignetti do for Hoover – the third straight transfer quarterback at Indiana? Hoover – who was 19-12 as a starter at TCU – made a strong impression during the spring. He averaged 28 TDs and 12 interceptions with the Horned Frogs the last two seasons, but if Cignetti's track record holds true then Hoover should see a bump in efficiency in the Hoosiers' high-powered offense. According to PFF, Hoover had nine TDs and eight interceptions on passes of 10 yards or more last season. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza had 25 TDs and four INTs in the same split last season.
10. Sam Leavitt, LSU
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2025 stats: 1,628 passing yards, 60.7%, 10 TDs, 3 INTs; 306 rushing yards, 5 TDs
Leavitt is one of two quarterbacks who were in the top five on this list who returns for 2026. It's a fresh start with first-year coach Lane Kiffin, and Leavitt should benefit from working with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. Leavitt is coming off season-ending foot surgery at Arizona State. He totaled 34 TDs, nine interceptions and 10 rushing TDs with the Sun Devils and will look to recapture the form that led to a CFP appearance in 2024. This should work in Baton Rouge.
9. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
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2025 stats: 4,379 passing yards, 68.9%, 34 TDs, 9 INTs; 89 rushing yards, 5 TDs
Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards at North Texas – and he followed coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. Mestemaker was one of three FBS quarterbacks who averaged more than 300 passing yards per game last season – and he should have success in the Big 12. Mestemaker had three interceptions in losses to South Florida and Tulane – the only ranked teams he faced last season. Still, Mestemaker should help the Cowboys make the transition from the Mike Gundy era.
8. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
2025 stats: 2,894 passing yards, 69.7%, 28 TDs, 5 INTs; 462 yards, 10 TDs
Stockton – who finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2025 – led Georgia to the SEC championship in his first season as a full-time starter. He ranked second in the SEC in completion percentage behind Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia. According to PFF, Stockton had 13 TDs and five interceptions on passes of 10 yards or more. Stockton, however, had 16 TDs and two interceptions in seven games against top-25 opponents. The added scrambling ability is underrated, and Stockton should be in position to lead the Bulldogs to another run to the CFP.
7. Jayden Maiava, USC
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2025 stats: 3,711 passing yards, 65.8%, 24 TDs, 10 INTs; 157 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Maiava – a 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback – led the Big Ten in passing yards last season and will progress in his second year as the Trojans' full-time starter under Lincoln Riley. Maiava put up 300-plus passing yards in three of USC's four losses last season. The Trojans had the third-best third-down percentage in the FBS last season, and Maiava could emerge as the next Heisman candidate under Riley if USC can work into the CFP for the first time in school history.
6. Dante Moore, Oregon
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2025 stats: 3,565 passing yards, 71.8%, 30 TDs, 10 INTs; 156 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Moore bypassed the 2026 NFL Draft – where he was projected to be a top-five pick. He took advantage of a year behind Dillon Gabriel and emerged as one of the best QBs in the Big Ten last season. Moore had 15 TDs and two interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more, and he never had a completion percentage below 60% in a single game in leading Oregon to the CFP quarterfinals. That high-efficiency production should continue with new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, who replaces Will Stein.
5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
2025 stats: 3,610 passing yards, 77%, 32 TDs, 8 INTs, -44 rushing yards, 0 TDs
Sayin led the FBS with a near-record setting completion percentage – and he is the only returning Heisman Trophy finalist on this list. Sayin had six games with 300 or more passing yards in his first season as a starter. A second year with Ryan Day and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith should increase Sayin's value, too. Yes, Sayin has the luxury of a loaded group of receivers led by potential No. 1 pick Jeremiah Smith – but that does not devalue what the redshirt sophomore accomplished last season for the Buckeyes.
4. Darian Mensah, Miami
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2025 stats: 3,973 passing yards, 66.8%, 34 TDs, 6 INTs, -32 rushing yards, 1 TD
Mensah led the ACC with 3,9783 passing yards and 34 TDs while leading Duke to the ACC championship last season – and he surprised by transferring to Miami before the portal closed. He's an excellent down-field passer who totaled 56 TDs and 12 interceptions the last two years with Tulane and Duke, and that has increased expectations following Cam Ward and Carson Beck to Miami. We expect Mensah to thrive with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson – especially with a strong connection to sophomore receiver Malachi Toney.
3. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
2025 stats: 2,741 passing yards, 66.6%, 24 TDs, 6 INTs; 33 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Too much for a Notre Dame quarterback? Carr settled in as the Irish's starter last season and lived up to expectations through a 10-2 season. Carr had just four interceptions in the last 10 starts – and he had eight TDs and no interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more. He had a passer rating of 168.1 – which ranks third among quarterbacks on this list. That number increased to 170.2 in November last season – which has increased the hype heading into 2026 for what should be a loaded Notre Dame team.
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2. Arch Manning, Texas
2025 stats: 3,163 passing yards, 61.4%, 26 TDs, 7 INTs; 399 rushing yards, 10 TDs
Speaking of hype, why are we doubling down? Manning grew into the starting role last season – and he closed the season with 221 passing yards, 155 rushing yards and four TDs in the Cheez-It Bowl win against Michigan. That combination of down-field passing as a real-time threat in the running game showed up in the second half of the season for Texas. Manning will need to become a more accurate passer in the intermediate range (10-19 yards) – where he was just 58.1% according to PFF.com. Yet the Longhorns have an outstanding supporting cast with receivers Ryan Wingo and Auburn transfer Cam Coleman. Manning will be one of the best QBs in the FBS this season.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
2025 stats: 3,937 passing yards, 66.1%, 22 TDs, 3 INTs; 527 rushing yards, 8 TDs
Chambliss – a Ferris State transfer – emerged as Ole Miss' starter last season after Austin Simmons suffered an ankle injury. Chambliss led the Rebels on a run to the CFP semifinals and showcased play-making skills at the next level. He averaged 307 passing yards per game during the CFP run. He's a good decision-maker with the ability to extend plays for down-field throws outside the pocket. He had four games with 300-plus passing yards and 50-plus rushing yards.
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