'The Best Quarterback We Faced': Anonymous Coaches Open Up on Top College QBs
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Quarterbacks understandably took up a lot of air in Athlon’s anonymous scouting reports.
Assistant coaches hit on new hires, coaches on the hot seat and even their rivals’ financial situations, but quarterbacks kept coming up in the team previews throughout Athlon Sports’ 2026 College Football Preview magazine. Quarterback is the most important position in team sports, after all. And signal-callers are fetching more and more money in the transfer portal — or even to stay in college another season and put off the NFL.
Given all of the excitement around the 2027 NFL Draft class, it makes sense that the quarterback position is in a good place across the college ranks this season. See what assistant coaches had to say about some of the top quarterbacks in the Power 4 conferences below.
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Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
“Yes, (the North Texas offense) can translate to the Big 12 because of the trigger man. (North Texas transfer) Drew Mestemaker is special. He’s got great vision, and he’s a quick processor. They’ll have a chance because he’s playing quarterback. Now I know that they brought a lot of players in. I get that, but having that elite quarterback, they’ll have a chance. What that means, I don’t know. But they’ll definitely have a chance on offense.”
Mestemaker led the country in passing last season, racking up 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns at North Texas as a redshirt freshman. His transfer to Oklahoma State is a massive upgrade at a position of need for a team that finished last in the Big 12 in scoring and total offense.
- 2026 College Football Passing Yards Leader: Top Quarterbacks to Watch
Not only did Mestemaker leave the Mean Green for the Cowboys, but he followed his former head coach Eric Morris. They were joined by wide receivers Wyatt Young and Miles Coleman and running back Caleb Hawkins, who helped North Texas lead the country in points and yards per game last season with Mestemaker under center.
Noah Fifita, Arizona
“(QB Noah Fifita) is freaking electric. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country. His off-schedule playmaking ability is unbelievable. When he gets flushed out of the pocket, the play begins.”
Fifita is among the most experienced quarterbacks in the country with 34 starts to his name. He’s coming off the most productive campaign of his career, in which he threw for 3,228 yards and set a new Arizona program record with 29 touchdowns. Fifita also showed signs of being more mobile with new highs in rushing yards (216) and rushing touchdowns (three).
- Related: Big 12 Football 2026 Predictions
That the three-year starter turned in such a successful season after losing star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL last offseason bodes well for his 2026 prospects after considerable change at the Wildcats’ skill positions.
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
“Their confidence in (QB Gunner Stockton) throwing the ball will determine how aggressive they are.”
Stockton’s stats were more than respectable in his first season as Georgia’s starter. He completed just under 70% of his passes, and rarely turned over the ball. However, the Bulldogs finished 12th in the SEC in passing yards per game (220.2) and Stockton tied for ninth in the conference in yards per attempt (7.5).
Much of the offense in 2025 was funneled to Zachariah Branch near the line of scrimmage. With Branch off to the NFL, will offensive coordinator Mike Bobo empower Stockton to push the ball further downfield to Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion? Or will Georgia continue to play it safe?
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
“If I was going to defend (QB Nico Iamaleava), I would do some things to stop him from running and make him throw the ball — particularly downfield. He’s a playmaker. But without his feet and without his ability to scramble, I’m not sure he can sit in the pocket and carve you up. It’ll be interesting to see what the NFL guys think of him. He’s a good player and can take a hit, but he just didn’t seem like he could kill you with his arm.”
Iamaleava’s first season in Westwood fell well short of expectations. He finished with fewer than 2,000 passing yards despite starting 11 games. And Iamaleava’s putrid 6.0 yards per attempt ranked dead last in the Big Ten.
The silver lining for Iamaleava was his legs, which he showcased in an upset win over Penn State. He ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns in his best game of the season for UCLA — and one of the best of his career. Perhaps the new head coach-coordinator combination of Bob Chesney and Dean Kennedy can tap more into that dual-threat component after they maximized Alonza Barnett III at James Madison.
Conner Weigman, Houston
“(QB) Conner Weigman is a stud. Tough, gritty, winner. Can beat you with his legs, and they’ll run the hell out of him, too. He really understands how to run their offense they want to run.“
Weigman had a long-awaited breakout in his Houston debut. The former five-star prospect was one of the most effective quarterbacks in the conference in 2025 between his passing efficiency and willingness to run.
Weigman had 100-plus rushing yards in three of his final six games and set career-highs in passing stats across the board. Familiarity in the Cougars’ offensive system with star wide receiver Amare Thomas is a good sign for Weigman’s continued growth in a potentially pivotal campaign for Houston.
Malik Washington, Maryland
“They’re hanging a lot on the quarterback (Malik Washington) and hoping that he repeats what he did as a freshman. I thought he was really impressive. I didn’t think coming out of high school that he would be ready to do that. I know they lost eight straight, but he was not really the reason that they were losing. (Washington) is elite. He’s a really good athlete, and we hit him a couple times, and it just didn’t bother him.”
Washington was a rare true freshman starter last season for the Terrapins. He showed plenty of promise out of the gate, leading Maryland to a 4-0 start. The Terps wouldn’t win another game the rest of the season, but that was hardly his fault.
Washington dazzled down the stretch, racking up 164 rushing yards against Rutgers and 459 passing yards against Michigan State. Despite some turnover concerns, Washington lived up to his blue-chip billing and looks ready to take the next step after taking his lumps in Year 1.
Dante Moore, Oregon
“(Dante Moore) was the best quarterback we faced last year.”
Moore very easily could have started his NFL career as a first-round pick this past April. Instead, he stayed in college for another year, a coup for the Ducks and perhaps the best thing for his long-term development.
Moore had his ups and downs, including a midseason slump after the first Indiana game, but he was playing his best football at the end of the regular season and into the CFP. With an elite fleet of familiar weapons around him, Moore will be in the mix for the Heisman Trophy. And in all likelihood, he will be an early selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Aaron Philo, Florida
“The question marks would still be along the offensive line and quarterback. They got (Aaron Philo) from Georgia Tech, who knows the system, but in this league, it’s about making critical throws on third down and in the red zone, and that’s yet to be seen.”
The Gators replaced two-year starter DJ Lagway with Philo, who followed offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech to Florida. He has flashed promise across eight appearances and one start, but Philo remains something of an unknown.
The familiarity with Faulkner’s system and even some of the pass-catchers — tight end Luke Harping transferred from Georgia Tech and wide receiver Eric Singleton was on the team in 2024 — will help Philo adjust to life in the SEC. New head coach Jon Sumrall has not yet named a starting quarterback, though it’s presumed that Philo will beat out Tramell Jones Jr., who played sparingly for Florida as a freshman.
Kenny Minchey, Kentucky
“I haven’t seen a ton of (Notre Dame QB transfer Kenny Minchey), but I’ve heard good things about him as an athlete and as a person. He clearly has legit talent, and those guys are hard to find.”
Minchey was an intriguing portal addition for the Wildcats. Originally a four-star prospect, he’s attempted just 29 passes across 10 appearances in three campaigns at Notre Dame. He saw his most action this past season, primarily in cleanup duty with the Fighting Irish in control.
Kentucky returns two of its top three pass-catchers, including tight end Willie Rodriguez. However, the Wildcats reworked their entire offensive line ahead of Will Stein’s first season in charge. Stein’s strong track record with quarterbacks at Oregon is a good sign for Minchey.
Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville
“They got a good portal quarterback. (Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz) is gonna be better than what people anticipate.”
The Cardinals went to the transfer portal once again to land a starting signal-caller. Kienholz is less of a proven product than Miller Moss, Tyler Shough or Jack Plummer, all of whom had power conference starting experience before they landed at Louisville. But he arrives with impressive pedigree.
Kienholz was a four-star prospect who bided his time at Ohio State as a backup. He’s still relatively raw with just 36 career passes, though he saw his most action this past season in relief of Julian Sayin. Kienholz will benefit from playing alongside running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown in coach Jeff Brohm’s offense.
Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State
“(QB Kamario Taylor) is a phenom. He’s athletically gifted. He can do a lot of things for them this year, not only with his arm, but also with his feet. He can keep plays alive, which turn into big plays.”
Taylor took over the starting job late last season, infusing a struggling Bulldogs team with hope. His 173 rushing yards in the Egg Bowl were the most by a Mississippi State player since 2019, and he built on that outing with his best passing performance to date in the Duke‘s Mayo Bowl.
Despite starting just two games, he finished sixth in the SEC among quarterbacks in rushing yards. And though his sub-60% completion rate was not ideal, he made up for that with consistent chunk gains. A Taylor breakout could help power the Bulldogs to their first winning season since 2022.
Austin Simmons, Missouri
“With (Ole Miss QB transfer Austin Simmons), I think they’ll be much better on offense. They’ll run what he wants to run. Last year, they ran more gun-run for Beau (Pribula), and Simmons isn’t really a gun-run guy. They’re really more of a stretch-run and get downfield with a passing tree. This year, they’ll be able to do that.”
Last season was supposed to be Simmons’ coming out party at Ole Miss. Instead, an early injury saw Trinidad Chambliss take the starting job — and he never looked back. With Chambliss back for another season in Oxford and Lane Kiffin off to LSU, Simmons stayed in the SEC with a move to Missouri.
Given the uncertainty around running back Ahmad Hardy’s status, the Tigers might have to lean on Simmons early. He is more of a pure passer than his predecessor, and he brings athleticism to the table. There will also be familiarity right away with former Rebels receiver Cayden Lee joining Simmons at Missouri.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
“(QB LaNorris Sellers) is an elite athlete. He’s very hot and cold. If they can protect him but allow him to show his athleticism, they can be a legitimate problem. He’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen live. He’s a mismatch for almost everybody. If he feels overwhelmed like he did last year, that wouldn’t be good. But I think they’re gonna make it easy and get the ball out of his hands, as well as some designed runs where he’s taking on a DB in space or out-athleting D-linemen.”
After a tantalizing 2024 season, Sellers and the Gamecocks took a big step back in 2025. South Carolina’s offensive efficiency fell across the board as Sellers dealt with constant pressure. He took 42 sacks, the third-most in the FBS, and his average rush attempt dropped precipitously.
- Related: SEC Football 2026 Predictions
Sellers’ unique athletic ability and past production would indicate that last fall was the outlier. An improved run game and reworked offensive line in new offensive coordinator Kendall Briles’ system should take some of the load off of Sellers.
John Mateer, Oklahoma
“(QB John Mateer) has a ridiculously high ceiling.”
Mateer was firmly in the mix with Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman race until he broke his thumb in September. He quickly returned for the Red River Rivalry, but he was not the same player the rest of the way who had tallied 11 total touchdowns in his first four games.
That the Sooners won 10 games and made the CFP with a diminished version of Mateer bodes well for 2026. He’ll have another season with top target Isaiah Sategna III, and transfers Trell Harris (Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (Texas) make for an intimidating trio. Mateer was a human highlight reel at Washington State and in his early days at OU. If he can get back to that, look out.
Steve Angeli, Syracuse
“If (quarterback) Steve Angeli is healthy, it’ll be fixed. It’s really what it comes down to. I don’t know if the other guys in that room are any good. But (Angeli) is really good.”
The Orange season was off to an exceptional start when Angeli went down against Clemson. Losing him to a torn Achilles overshadowed that upset of the Tigers, Syracuse’s third straight win behind a dynamic passing attack. Even though Angeli didn’t that finish that fourth contest, his average of 329 passing yards per game would have led the country.
Now the question is, can Angeli return to that level of production? And if so, can he sustain it for a full season? The Orange found quarterback insurance in the portal if he cannot. But the hope is that Angeli is back to full strength and making the most of a reworked wide receiver room.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
“(Trinidad Chambliss) is absolutely the top returning quarterback in the country. He’s a winner, he’s got a feel for the game, he’s got presence, he looks like he’s got tremendous leadership skills.”
Whether Chambliss would be permitted to play another season in college was one of the biggest storylines early on in the offseason. Once he received an injunction, the breakout star of the 2025 season became an early Heisman hopeful for 2026.
The Division II transfer put up video game-like stats for the Rebels once he won the starting job. Chambliss regularly created explosive plays with his arms and his legs and rarely turned the ball over. His return to Oxford ensures Ole Miss is a contender in the SEC and a threat to return to the CFP.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
“With them being able to get (quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele) to return, that just shows their commitment to winning. Putting the right players around him, they can make a run in the ACC. I’m not saying they’re gonna be able to win the ACC, but they’re gonna have a chance to hang around just because of the quarterback play. The guys around him will rise to his level.”
Sagapolutele’s emergence as a true freshman was one of the biggest shocks of the 2025 season. That new head coach Tosh Lupoi got him to stick around in Berkeley was almost as surprising.
- Related: ACC Football 2026 Predictions
Sagapolutele threw for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns and joined Jared Goff as the second Golden Bears true freshman to start the season opener. Cal was correct to prioritize retention of a player with such obvious talent and build around him with a handful of promising pass-catchers from the portal. Last season was the first time since 2019 that the Golden Bears finished with a winning record, and Sagapolutele should only get better.
Beau Pribula, Virginia
“(Missouri transfer quarterback) Beau Pribula is a good complement to any QB room. I felt like he was a great add for them, especially considering the dual-threat ability they asked of their QB last year. Now that he has some experience, I think he’ll take the next step, especially in the offense that they run.”
Pribula got his first shot at starting last season at Missouri after spending the previous two years as a gadget weapon at Penn State. The results were a bit of a mixed bag, further complicated by a late-season ankle injury. Pribula struggled in SEC play and his rushing efficiency tailed off, but the Cavaliers are betting his mobility adds another dimension to their offense.
Virginia occasionally called on quarterback Chandler Morris to make plays with his legs in 2025. With Pribula, running the quarterback projects to be a more central tenet of the offense, even if the passing efficiency takes a step back.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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