Ranking the top 15 college quarterbacks entering 2026 season
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The 2025 college football season ended with Indiana winning the national championship, a result that showed how quickly the power structure can change in the NIL and transfer portal era. The Hoosiers finished 16-0 and beat Miami 27-21 for the title, while Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas also spent most of the year near the top of the national picture. Those teams set the tone for 2026 by showing how strong quarterback play still drives the sport.
Now the focus shifts to the new season, and the quarterback position again sits at the center of every major roster conversation. Brad Crawford’s rankings of projected Power 4 starters show how much experience, production, and movement shape the order heading into 2026. Some teams are building around returning starters. Others are turning to transfers or younger players to fill the role. That mix makes this one of the most important position groups in college football. The quarterbacks below enter 2026 with different paths, but each will shape his team’s season.
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1. Dante Moore, Oregon Ducks
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks off the field as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Moore returns after Oregon fell flat in the CFP for a second straight year. He is back as one of the biggest names in college football and remains a likely NFL draft candidate.
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) laughs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
Sayin returns with Ohio State and gives the Buckeyes a quarterback to build around. With Jeremiah Smith and Bo Jackson also back, he has the kind of support that can keep Ohio State in the national title race.
3. Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Manning enters 2026 in a season that might be his final one at Texas. The Longhorns are going all-in around him after missing the CFP in 2025.
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss looks over at members of the press during the hearing of Chambliss in his lawsuit against the NCAA at Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Miss., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA.
Chambliss gets another season after Ole Miss won its court battle for his eligibility. He gives the Rebels a proven option as they try to stay in the SEC race.
5. Darian Mensah, Miami Hurricanes
Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) reacts after winning the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Mensah transferred in after throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns at Duke in 2025. He enters Miami as a Heisman Trophy favorite in Shannon Dawson’s offense.
6. C.J. Carr, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (12) against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Carr should be better in his second season as Notre Dame’s starter. The Irish bring back most of their defense, which should help him settle into the offense again.
7. Gunner Stockton, Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) takes questions from the press during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals Media Day at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, La., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Players and coaches from Ole Miss and Georgia took questions from the press.
Stockton returns after a solid first season as Georgia’s starter. Kirby Smart again has the Bulldogs built around the run game and a strong defense.
8. Sam Leavitt, LSU Tigers
ASU Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) warms up before the game against the Houston Cougars at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 25, 2025.
Leavitt arrives at LSU after leading Arizona State to a Big 12 title in 2024. He is coming off foot surgery, but LSU built the roster around him for 2026.
9. Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Maiava returns with all five starting offensive linemen and both lead backs back at USC. Lincoln Riley needs a big season, and Maiava gives the Trojans a clear starting point.
10. Josh Hoover, Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana’s Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University spring football practice on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Hoover comes to Indiana after starting 31 games at TCU. The Hoosiers lost Fernando Mendoza, but Hoover gives Curt Cignetti an experienced quarterback for the title defense.
11. Noah Fifita, Arizona Wildcats
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fifita returns to Arizona as one of the more established quarterbacks on the board. His place in the rankings reflects the value of stability at a time when many teams keep changing starters.
12. Byrum Brown, Auburn Tigers
Newly committed Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown is the honorary letterman as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Texas A&M Aggies defeated Auburn Tigers 90-88.
Brown gives Auburn a familiar name at quarterback entering 2026. His ranking shows that the Tigers see enough in his game to build around him next season.
13. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers before the game Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Sellers returns as a key part of South Carolina’s 2026 outlook. The Gamecocks need his development to keep moving forward in the SEC.
14. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M Aggies
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks on during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Reed comes back after Texas A&M opened 2025 with an 11-0 run before fading late. The Aggies need more consistency from him if they want to stay in the SEC race.
15. CJ Bailey, NC State Wolfpack
Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Bailey returns as NC State’s quarterback and gives the Wolfpack an important piece on offense. His spot on the list shows how much respect he has earned heading into 2026.
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Conclusion
The 2026 season will again revolve around quarterback play. Some teams rely on experienced starters, while others turn to transfers or young talent. Performance, consistency, and decision-making will decide outcomes. As programs reset after 2025, these quarterbacks will shape the playoff race and define how the season unfolds.
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