2026 Big Ten QB1 Rankings For Week 3: Dante Moore & Julian Sayin Tumble in NEW Top 10

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Similar to the NFL, a skilled quarterback can turn a college football program into a playoff contender. The 2026 crop of college quarterbacks is filled with players who will hear their names called early in the 2027 NFL Draft. And interestingly enough, quite a few of them will be leading offenses in the Big Ten this year.

But which signal callers stand above the rest as the best of the best in, arguably, the top conference in college football? We look to answer that question with our all-new rankings of the top 10 QB1s in the Big Ten heading into Week 3 of the season.

10. Katin Houser, Illinois

After a pair of seasons at East Carolina, including a strong showing in 2025 (3,300 passing yards and 19 TDs), Katin Houser jumped to Illinois via the transfer portal in the spring and he has been rock solid for the Fighting Illini through two starts.

Although they suffered a loss to Kentucky in Week 2, Houser has 453 passing yards and 6 TDs to 1 INT through two starts this season.

9. Demond Williams Jr., Washington

In his first season as the full-time starter at Washington, Demond Williams Jr. showed he has legitimate Heisman potential. In 2025, the QB threw for 3,065 yards, added over 600 more on the ground, and tallied 31 total TDs to 8 interceptions.

While Williams Jr. only has just one passing TD after two games, he has still thrown for 517 yards and ran for 117 more after a pair of wins for the Huskies.

8. Malik Washington, Maryland

As a freshman, Malik Washington had a very nice debut campaign for Maryland last year. The four-star recruit tallied 2,963 passing yards, 303 on the ground, and 21 total touchdowns to nine INTs. He must improve his efficiency (57.7 completion percentage in 2025) and decision-making, but he has a solid ceiling to reach for in 2026.

In Week 1 against Hampton, Washington had a solid performance as he was 19-of-31 for 186 yards and a TD in their 62-0 win. He was even better this past weekend when he hit on 82.9% of his 41 passes in a win over UConn. Posting 347 yards and 2 TDs.

7. Ryan Browne, Purdue

Heading into 2026, Purdue QB Ryan Browne was on shaky ground as their starter after posting a 58.9 completion percentage with 9 TDs to 10 INTs in 12 starts last year. He needed to get off to a strong start this year, and he did in Week 1.

Browne is quieting the doubters this season after a pair of strong performances. Although the Boilermakers suffered a frustrating OT loss this past weekend, the QB has thrown for 646 yards, 4 TDs to 0 INTs, and has a 77.5 completion percentage after two outings.

6. Dante Moore, Oregon

Oregon QB1 Dante Moore has put himself in an interesting position. He likely would have been at least the No. 2 pick in April’s NFL Draft but chose to return for another season in Eugene. That was not planned, so the Ducks added former Nebraska starter Dylan Raiola in the transfer portal. It puts unexpected pressure on the junior because a talented QB is waiting in the wings.

After an outstanding showing in Week 1 versus Boise State, the Ducks QB struggled in Week 2 versus Oklahoma State. He managed just 191 passing yards and a couple of TDs in an upset loss. Moore has 5 TDs and 569 passing yards after two games.

5. Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska

After a breakout season in 2025 at UNLV, Anthony Colandrea took his talents to the Big Ten to be the QB1 at Nebraska this year. And after two starts for the Cornhuskers, the Florida native is emerging as one of the better signal callers in the conference.

In Week 2 against Bowling Green, he was a machine as he connected on 20 of his 24 passes for 222 yards and 4 TDs to 1 INT. He also added 33 more on the ground, and the Nebraska QB is now third in the Big Ten for passing TDs (7).

4. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Ohio State’s Julian Sayin had big shoes to fill last season. Will Howard wasn’t one of the best QBs in the country when he started for the Buckeyes in 2024, but he did something many of his predecessors couldn’t by helping lead OSU to a national title. Yet, despite the high expectations as the QB1 for a program looking to repeat as champs, Sayin delivered in 2025 and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

After a highly efficient performance in the Buckeyes Week 1 win, Sayin had trouble putting the nail in Texas‘ coffin in Week 2. It left the door open for the Longhorns, and they were able to complete a come-from-behind win last week. After two games, Sayin has only 4 TDs, and his completion percentage has tumbled to 66.7%.

3. Josh Hoover, Indiana

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff worked their magic with Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza last year. Turning him into the latest Heisman winner and the leader of a team that brought the school its first football national title. They are hoping to do it again in 2026, this time with former TCU star Josh Hoover.

So far so good after a pair of starts. While the former Horned Frogs QB only has 376 passing yards, he is second in the Big Ten with 8 TDs to 0 INTs. Hoover also has an outstanding 284.9 passer rating.

2. Rocco Becht, Penn State

At his best, former Iowa State three-year starter Rocco Becht made the Cyclones offense a group to respect when he was under center. In 2024, he had a very good year as he threw for 3,505 yards, ran for 318, and posted 33 total touchdowns. However, a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder hampered him and cut his season short in November.

After two starts in 2026, Becht is showing why he is one of the most underrated QBs in the country. The Penn State QB has been very efficient in his two starts, posting a 75.6 completion percentage with 7 TDs to 0 INTs and a 227.7 passer rating after a pair of easy wins.

1. Jayden Maiava, USC

USC’s Jayden Maiava is one of the most dangerous passers in the country, and he showed that last season when the Trojans star posted 3,711 passing yards with 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The leader of the Trojans offense has a quick release and may be the best deep ball thrower in the nation.

Over three starts in 2026, the USC QB has looked very good. Leading his team to a 3-0 record, racking up a conference-leading 896 yards and 10 TDs to just 1 INT. He enters week 3 with an impressive 208.8 passer rating.

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