Week 4 Big Ten QB1 Rankings: Purdue’s Ryan Browne Surges in Updated Top 10?

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Similar to the NFL, a talented quarterback can turn a college football program into a playoff contender. This year’s crop of college signal callers has many players who could hear their names called early in the 2027 NFL Draft. Interestingly, quite a few of them lead offenses in the Big Ten in 2026.

But which quarterbacks are the best of the best in, arguably, the top conference in college football? We aim to answer that question with our updated rankings of the top 10 QB1s in the Big Ten heading into Week 4 of the regular season.

10. Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska (LW: 5)

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 three starts for the Cornhuskers, the Florida native is emerging as a signal caller to keep an eye on this year.

In Week 3 against North Dakota, he was good again as he hit on 71% of his passes for 195 passing yards and two total TDs. He has 8 TDs to just 1 INT this season.

9. Katin Houser, Illinois (LW: 10)

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, and he has been rock solid for the Fighting Illini through three starts.

Houser is seventh in the Big Ten in passing yards (758), has 8 TDs to 2 INTs, and was very good in Week 3 versus Southern Illinois. Completing 23 of his 29 passes for 305 yards.

8. Dante Moore, Oregon (LW: 6)

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 off day in an upset loss to Oklahoma State two weeks ago, Moore had a big bounceback day in Oregon’s 84-0 win over Portland State. Connecting on 19 of 23 passes for 280 yards, 4 TDs, and a fantastic 242.3 passer rating.

7. Demond Williams Jr., Washington (LW: 9)

In his first season as Washington‘s full-time starter, 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.

This year, he is showing that he is even better and hit a new high point in the Huskies’ Week 3 victory over Eastern Washington. The junior completed an outstanding 81% of his passes for 373 yards and 4 TDs. He also ran for 33 yards and has 150 for the season.

6. Malik Washington, Maryland (LW: 8)

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 high ceiling to reach for in 2026.

After three weeks, he has the third most passing yards in the Big Ten (892) after a pair of 300-plus-yard throwing days. The latest came in a frustrating 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech. In the setback, Washington completed 30 of 43 passes for 359 yards and 3 TDs.

5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (LW: 4)

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.

Over his first three games of the new season, the Buckeyes QB continues to be one of the country’s most efficient signal callers. While he couldn’t get the team across the finish line for a win in Week 2 against Texas, Sayin is still among the best in the Big Ten in yards, passer rating, and completion percentage so far this season.

4. Rocco Becht, Penn State (LW: 2)

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 three starts in 2026, Becht is showing why he is one of the most underrated QBs in the country. The Penn State QB1 has been very efficient. Connecting on 70% of his 64 passes for 751 yards and 9 TDs to 0 INTs. He also has an impressive 215.0 passer rating. Becht is quietly emerging as one of the best QBs in the conference in 2026.

3. Ryan Browne, Purdue (LW: 7)

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. Well, he has quieted all the doubters after the first three weeks of the season.

In all three of the Boilermakers’ games, he has thrown for over 300 yards, including a career-best 378 and 3 TDs last week. Unfortunately, his efforts have been wasted by Purdue’s defense, and the team heads into Week 4 with a 1-2 record. If all things were even, he would lead the conference in passing yards (1,024).

2. Josh Hoover, Indiana (LW: 3)

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

So far, so good after the first three weeks of the new season. Due to a pair of blowout wins, Hoover has not had nearly as many passing opportunities as others in the Big Ten. Nevertheless, he has still posted 649 passing yards, 10 TDs to 0 INTs, and an outstanding 243.9 passer rating.

1. Jayden Maiava, USC (LW: 1)

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

Over four starts in 2026, Maiava has looked very good. Leading his team to a 4-0 record, racking up a conference-leading 1,173 yards and 12 TDs to just 1 INT. He has had both a 23-25 game with 349 yards and a 5-TD performance this season.

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