Big Ten QB rankings for 2026: Where do Dante Moore, Bryce Underwood fit in loaded field?

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Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Bryce Underwood

Big Ten QB rankings for 2026: Where do Dante Moore, Bryce Underwood fit in loaded field? originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff championship last season.

We missed that one last year. Sporting News had the Hoosiers as the No. 13 quarterback room in the Big Ten, and Mendoza defied that ranking by leading the Big Ten with a 182.9 passer rating.

The next five quarterbacks in that category return next season. Ohio State's Julian Sayin (177.5) is a returning Heisman Trophy finalist. Oregon's Dante Moore (163.7) will hope to lead the Ducks back to the College Football Playoff, and Nebraska transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola (158.6) is part of that room. Washington's Demond Williams (161.0) and USC's Jayden Maiava (157.8) round out the group.

The Big Ten also features seven first-year transfer quarterbacks this season, including Penn State's Rocco Becht. Michigan's Bryce Underwood also is among the nine returning starters. How many of these QBs will lead their school to the third edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff?

How do the Big Ten quarterbacks stack up in 2026? Here is a closer look.

MORE QB RANKINGS: SEC

Ranking Big Ten QBs for 2026

1. Oregon

Starter: Junior Dante Moore (20 career starts; 15 at Oregon; 5 at UCLA)

Backup: Junior Dylan Raiola (22 career starts at Nebraska)

Situation: Moore and Raiola have a combined 42 career starts – and Dan Lanning has arguably the best QB room in the FBS as a result. Moore had 3,565 yards, 30 TDs and 10 interceptions in leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff last season, and his decision to bypass the 2026 NFL Draft gives Oregon a legit Heisman Trophy contender. Raiola – a two-year starter at Nebraska – has recovered from a broken fibula that cut short his sophomore season. He will have a chance to reset for a year – much like Moore did behind Dillon Gabriel. That strategy should pay off for Oregon for the next two seasons.

MORE: SN's post-spring Top 25 rankings

2. Ohio State

Starter: Freshman Julian Sayin (14 career starts)

Backup: Freshman Tavien St. Clair (0 career starts)

Situation: Sayin returns after leading the FBS with a 77% completion percentage last season. He had 3,610 passing yards, 32 TDs and eight interceptions, and he should be productive with the connection to receiver Jeremiah Smith in 2026. Sayin was 12-2 as a starter and broke the four-game losing streak to Michigan, but expectations are always high. St. Clair – a 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt freshman – had a strong spring game and is a high-end backup. The Buckeyes might have two first-round picks in this room right now.

BENDER: The 24-team playoff is a bad idea on all fronts

3. USC

Starter: Senior Jayden Maiava (28 career starts; 17 at USC; 11 at UNLV)

Backup: Senior Sam Huard (0 career starts)

Situation: Maiava led the conference with 3,711 passing yards – and he finished with 24 TDs and 10 interceptions. Maiava was 2-3 against ranked teams – but he averaged 303.4 passing yards per game with 10 TDs and six interceptions in those games. He's on track to be the next NFL quarterback developed by USC coach Lincoln Riley, and the Trojans a top-10 team in our Post-Spring Top 25. Huard is a journeyman senior who played at Washington, Cal Poly and Utah before coming to USC.

4. Indiana

Starter: Senior Josh Hoover (31 career starts at TCU)

Backup: Senior Grant Wilson (14 career starts at Old Dominion)

Situation: Is this too low? Hoover had 3,472 passing yards, 29 TDs and 13 interceptions with the Horned Frogs last season, but that came with a 153.4 passer rating that would have ranked eighth in the Big Ten. He's a talented passer who should see an increase in efficiency with Curt Cignetti at Indiana if he cuts down on the turnovers. Hoover has the most career starts of any quarterback in the top five. Wilson returns as the primary backup for the Hoosiers – who once again have a solid quarterback room.

5. Washington

Starter: Junior Demond Williams Jr. (15 career starts)

Backup: Sophomore Elijah Brown (1 career start at Stanford)

Situation: Williams is back at Washington, and he ranked sixth in the Big Ten with 3,065 passing yards last season. He had 25 TDs and eight interceptions and added 282 rushing yards and two TDs. He had 280 yards and four TDs in a 42-25 victory against Illinois and closed the season with 210 yards and four TDs in a 38-10 victory against Boise State in the Los Angeles Bowl. Williams briefly entertained transferring to LSU, but he returned to a team that could be a College Football Playoff sleeper in 20226. Elijah Brown – a Stanford transfer – adds depth to the position.

6. Penn State

Starter: Senior Rocco Becht (39 career starts at Iowa State)

Backup: Freshman Alex Manske (0 career starts)

Situation: Becht – who is 26-13 as a starter – followed Matt Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser from Iowa State and gives the Nittany Lions a reliable, experienced starter for the start of a new era. Becht had 2,584 passing yards, 16 TDs and nine interceptions last season. He had a 134.8 passer rating, which was a touch under Drew Allar – Penn State's starting quarterback last season who finished with a 135.7 passer rating. Alex Manske – a redshirt freshman – also transferred from Iowa State and is the primary backup option.

MORE: What teams would benefit most from 24-team playoff

7. Michigan

Starter: Sophomore Bryce Underwood (13 career starts)

Backup: Freshman Tommy Carr (0 career starts)

Situation: Bryce Underwood – the top QB recruit in the class of 2025 – had an up-an-down first season as a starter with 2,428 passing yards, 11 TDs and nine interceptions. He added 392 rushing yards and six TDs, but he will need to take the next step with first-year coach Kyle Whittingham and new offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Senior Brayden Nicolosi-Fowler – a potential Colorado State transfer – delayed enrollment, so freshman Tommy Carr – the brother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr – could emerge as the primary backup option.

8. UCLA

Starter: Junior Nico Iamaleava (25 career starts; 11 at UCLA; 14 at Tennessee)

Backup: Freshman Madden Iamaleava (0 career starts)

Situation: It's an interesting year for Nico Iamaleava, who has high upside entering his second season as the Bruins starter with first-year coach Bob Chesney. Iamaleava passed for 1,928 yards, 13 TDs and seven interceptions last season. He also had 505 rushing yards and four TDs – Including 128 yards and three TDs in a 42-37 upset against Penn State. There have been glimpses of five-star talent, but consistency has been an issue. He's 14-11 as a starter between his time with Tennessee and UCLA. Redshirt freshman Madden Iamaleava is the primary backup for the Bruins.

9. Nebraska

Starter: Senior Anthony Colandrea (31 career starts; 17 at Virginia, 14 at UNLV)

Backup: Sophomore TJ Lateef (4 career starts)

Situation: Raiola's transfer means the Huskers will start Matt Rhule's fourth season with a new quarterback. Anthony Colandrea is a two-time transfer who spent two seasons at Virginia and one year at UNLV. He passed for 3,459 yards, rushed for 649 yards and totaled 33 TDs as part of a 10-win season for the Rebels in 2025. TJ Lateef made four starts last season and had 904 passing yards, 120 rushing yards and nine total TDs. Both QBs are interesting fits with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

10. Maryland

Starter: Sophomore Malik Washington (12 career starts)

Backup: Junior Devin Kargman (2 career stats at Kent State)

Situation: Washington took over the starting job in 2025 – and backup quarterback Justyn Martin transferred to Ohio State. Washington had 2,963 yards, 17 TDs and nine interceptions last season, and he closed the season with a 459-yard, three-TD performance against Michigan State. He ranked 16th in the Big Ten in passer rating (118.4), so improvement is needed. Kargman is a veteran transfer for Kent State. Redshirt freshman Jackson Hamilton and three-star freshman Nathan Bernhard add depth to the position.

11. Illinois

Starter: Senior Katin Houser (26 career starts; 19 at East Carolina; 7 at Michigan State)

Backup: Freshman Carson Boyd (0 career starts)

Situation: Illinois loses Luke Altmyer – who led the Illini to 19 victories the last two seasons. Houser played the last two seasons at East Carolina. He had 3,300 yards, 19 TDs and six interceptions – and he added 13 rushing TDs the last two seasons. He's a mobile quarterback who also played at Michigan State his first two years. Four-star freshman Michael Clayton II could push redshirt freshmen Carson Boyd and Jershaun Newton for backup duties.

12. Wisconsin

Starter: Junior Colton Joseph (20 career starts at Old Dominion)

Backup: Freshman Carter Smith (3 career starts)

Situation: Wisconsin needed a QB reset after its quarterbacks combined for nine TDs and 13 interceptions last season. Joseph ranked eighth in the FBS in total offense with 302.6 yards per game, and he had 2,624 yards, 21 TDs and 10 interceptions with the Monarchs. He had 96 passing yards and three interceptions in the opener against Indiana – but that came with 179 rushing yards and two TDs. It's hard to gauge what the Big Ten transition looks like. Smith made three starts last season – and he had a 56.5% completion percentage. Louisville transfer Deuce Smith will be the third option.

13. Minnesota

Starter: Sophomore Drake Lindsey (12 career starts)

Backup: Sophomore Michael Merdinger (2 career starts at Liberty)

Situation: Lindsey – a 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback – is generating some NFL interest, and he had a successful first year as a starter with 2,382 yards, 18 TDs and six interceptions with a 126.9 passer rating. Lindsey was arrested on May 1 on accusations of underage possession of alcohol and possession of fake identification. Backup quarterback Max Shikenjanski has competition from Merdinger, a two-time transfer who played at North Carolina and Liberty the last two seasons.

MORE: SN's Big Board for 2027 NFL Draft

14. Michigan State

Starter: Sophomore Alessio Milivojevic (4 career starts)

Backup: Senior Cam Fancher (28 career starts; 17 at Marshall; 9 at FAU; 2 at UCF)

Situation: Milivojevic took over the starting job last season – and he will get the first shot with new coach Pat Fitzgerald. Milivojevic had 1,267 passing yards, 10 TDs and three interceptions last season. Milivojevic ranked 10th among Big Ten QBs with a 141.3 passer rating. He could improve with offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, who was at Alabama last season. Fancher is a sixth-year quarterback who played at Marshall, FAU and UCF. He provides a veteran presence behind Milivojevic to start the season.

15. Northwestern

Starter: Senior Aidan Chiles (20 career starts at Michigan State)

Backup: Junior Nicco Marchiol (7 career stars at West Virginia)

Situation: Chiles ranked 16th in the Big Ten with 1,392 passing yards at Michigan State last season, and he transferred for a second time. It's an intriguing fit with David Braun, who hired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel this offseason. Chiles averaged 1,903 passing yards with 23 TDs and 14 interceptions the last two seasons. Marchiol transferred from West Virginia in March. He adds more experience to the room and could push for time if Chiles struggles.

16. Purdue

Starter: Junior Ryan Browne (14 career starts)

Backup: Sophomore Evans Chuba (0 career starts at Washington State)

Situation: There is no controversy heading into Barry Odom's second season with the program. Browne is the no-doubt starter for the Boilermakers. He finished with 2,153 yards, nine TDs and 10 interceptions – and backup quarterback Malachi Singleton transferred to Appalachian State. Browne added 206 rushing yards and four TDs in his first season as a starter. The Boilermakers have little experience behind Browne with Chuba – a Washington State transfer – and Garyt Odom battling for backup duties heading into fall camp.

17. Rutgers

Starter: Senior Dylan Lonergan (9 career starts at Boston College)

Backup: Junior AJ Surace (0 career starts)

Situation: Rutgers loses Athan Kaliakmanis, who made 42 career starts and was a seventh-round pick by the Washington Commanders. Lonergan is a two-time transfer from Alabama and Boston College who made nine starts for the Eagles last season. He had 2,025 passing yards, 12 TDs and five interceptions. That included three games with 300 passing yards or more. Surace – the backup for the Scarlet Knights last season – could push for the starting job in fall camp.

18. Iowa

Starter: Sophomore Jeremy Hecklinski (0 career starts)

Backup: Junior Hank Brown (2 career starts at Auburn)

Situation: Hecklinski and Brown are in a tight quarterback battle to replace Mark Gronowski. It's not a sexy job – the Hawkeyes ranked 129th in pass offense at 143.2 passing yards per game last season, and Iowa quarterbacks have 31 TDs and 27 interceptions the last three seasons. They were last in the Big Ten in passing attempts per game the last two seasons. The Hawkeyes have managed to win nine games per season from 2023-25. It's one of the Big Ten's greatest mysteries, and Hecklinski and Brown could both see time as a starter this season on a CFP contender.

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