Who are the best non-Power Four QBs? See our top 10 rankings for 2026

Who are the best non-Power Four QBs? See our top 10 rankings for 2026

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Who are the best non-Power Four QBs? See our top 10 rankings for 2026

College football fans already know the Arch Mannings and Trinidad Chamblisses of the sport. But what about the lesser-known quarterbacks?

Plenty of signal callers have top-tier talent at the non-Power Four ranks, which has become especially known with the transfer portal in recent years. Chambliss, for example, started at Division II Ferris State before becoming one of the best players in college football at Mississippi last season.

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Eight of USA TODAY Sports' top-10 ranked quarterbacks from non-Power Four schools have returned for another season at their current school, deciding against a potential pay raise or a step up in competition by transferring.

Two of the quarterbacks on the list transferred from SEC programs, and are perhaps hoping for huge years before jumping back into the top echelon of the sport.

One of these quarterbacks could even find themselves in the College Football Playoff next season. Here's a look at our top-10 non-Power Four quarterbacks ahead of the 2026 season:

10. Caden Pinnick, Washington State

UC Davis Aggies quarterback Caden Pinnick (12) throws the ball as Mercer Bears take on UC Davis Aggies during the FCS Kickoff Game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

  • 2025 passing (UC Davis): 240-of-345 passing (69.6%) for 3,206 yards with 32 touchdowns to 10 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing (UC Davis): 125 carries for 437 yards with 3 touchdowns

Pinnick is looking to be the next FCS star to make the jump at Washington State, following in former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward's footsteps after he transferred from Incarnate Word ahead of the 2022 season. The 6-foot redshirt sophomore finished runner-up last season for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in FCS.

Pinnick threw for 402 yards and three touchdowns against eventual national runners-up Illinois State in the FCS championship quarterfinals. He also tossed five touchdowns while rushing for 99 yards in UC Davis' second-round win over Rhode Island.

The dual-threat quarterback could be an under-the-radar weapon for first-year coach Kirby Moore, the former Missouri offensive coordinator.

9. Liam Szarka, Air Force

Nov 1, 2025; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Air Force Falcons quarterback Liam Szarka (9) attempts a pass in the second quarter against the Army West Point Black Knights at Falcon Stadium.

  • 2025 passing: 75-of-120 passing (62.5%) for 1,294 yards with 9 touchdowns to 5 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 190 carries for 922 yards with 13 touchdowns

Szarka only played in 10 games with seven starts last season, but put up quite good numbers for an otherwise not-so-great Air Force team in 2025. Szarka showed dual-threat ability for the Falcons, passing for 1,294 yards with nine touchdowns to five interceptions despite playing in a triple-option offense.

The rising junior is the only player in Mountain West history to have three straight games with over 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing, and was one of two players in FBS to throw for more than 1,000 yards while rushing for at least 900 yards.

8. Michael Van Buren Jr., South Florida

Tigers Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr 11, LSU Tigers take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. November 15, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

  • 2025 passing (LSU): 94-of-151 passing (62.3%) for 1,010 passing with 8 touchdowns to 2 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing (LSU): 48 carries for 129 yards with a touchdown

Van Buren Jr. was the next quarterback in waiting at LSU behind Garrett Nussmeier after transferring from Mississippi State following an impressive true freshman season. LSU then fired Brian Kelly and hired Lane Kiffin, resulting in Van Buren transferring to USF, one of the best non-Power Four programs.

The former four-star recruit started four games for the Tigers last season, passing for 1,010 yards with eight touchdowns to two interceptions. He also started eight games at Mississippi State in 2024.

The 6-foot quarterback joins first-year coach Brian Hartline and a talented offense that's expected to be among the best in the Group of Six.

7. Jackson Arnold, UNLV

Oct 25, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

  • 2025 passing(Auburn): 136-of-215 passing (63.3%) for 1,309 yards with 6 touchdowns to 2 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing (Auburn): 112 carries for 311 yards with 8 touchdowns

Arnold, a former consensus five-star recruit, hasn't had the start to his career many expected, struggling as a starter and being benched at both Oklahoma and Auburn. The redshirt junior now finds himself at UNLV, where he'll lead a quarterback-friendly offense led by second-year coach Dan Mullen.

Arnold won the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp in high school before being named Gatorade National Player of the Year. He has the tools and talent, and is looking to get his career back on track with the Rebels, where Anthony Colandrea shined last season after leaving Virginia.

6. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall

Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns Lineman Fitzgerald West Jr 68 has Herd Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson 7 in his sights as the Cajuns take on Marshall Thundering Herd at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette, LA. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

  • 2025 passing: 171-of-256 passing (66.8%) for 2,043 yards with 17 touchdowns to 5 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 160 carries for 660 yards with 6 touchdowns

Former Florida and Syracuse quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has found his home at Marshall. After winning the starting gig early in the season, he became one of two quarterbacks in FBS to throw for 2,000 yards, rush for at least 600 yards and complete at least 65% of their passes, joining Auburn signal caller Byrum Brown.

Del Rio-Wilson was named the preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, and is looking to lead the Thundering Herd to a conference title after four seasons as a backup at Florida and Syracuse.

5. Nick Minicucci, Delaware

Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci throws in the second quarter of the Blue Hens' 35-17 win against Delaware State at Delaware Stadium on Aug. 28, 2025.

  • 2025 passing: 322-of-512 passing (62.9%) for 3,683 yards with 23 touchdowns to 7 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 112 carries for 235 yards with 10 touchdowns

Minicucci is one of the best quarterbacks in college football most fans likely haven’t heard much of. The senior quarterback passed for 3,683 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns last season at Delaware in the program’s first season at the FBS level.

He has good size (6-foot-2) and was one of two quarterbacks nationally with 3,500 passing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns last season, joining Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia. He also ranked sixth nationally in passing yards.

4. Maddux Madsen, Boise State

Maddux Madsen of the Boise State Broncos warms up before the Mountain West Conference championship game against the UNLV Rebels at Albertsons Stadium on December 5, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

  • 2025 passing: 176-of-302 passing (58.3%) for 2,334 yards with 18 touchdowns to 9 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 57 carries for 81 yards with 4 touchdowns

Madsen had a down season in 2025 after helping lead Boise State to the College Football Playoff alongside Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, but he’s still among the most consistent and experienced quarterbacks in Group of Six.

Madsen’s completion percentage took a dip in 2025, falling to 58.3% from 62.4% in his first full season as starter in 2024. He struggled against top competition, throwing four interceptions against Notre Dame and two interceptions against Washington in the LA Bowl.

Madsen fought through a leg injury late in the season, and should be one of the best non-Power Four quarterbacks nationally at full health.

3. Owen McCown, UTSA

Nov 29, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners running back Robert Henry Jr. (3) takes a handoff from quarterback Owen McCown (2) during the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

  • 2025 passing: 277-of-410 passing (67.6%) for 2,995 yards with 30 touchdowns to 7 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 45 carries for 24 yards with a touchdown

McCown, the son of former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, has quietly been one of the most productive passers at the Group of Six level the last few seasons at UTSA. The left-handed passer has 27 career starts for the Roadrunners after transferring from Colorado in 2022, and has 55 passing touchdowns in two seasons as a full-time starter.

McCown handed Tulane one of its two losses before the CFP last season, lighting up the Green Wave for 370 yards and four touchdowns through the air, completing 31-of-33 passes in the 48-26 win.

2. Micah Alejado, Hawai'i

Oct 18, 2025; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado (12) is pressured by Colorado State Rams linebacker Paul Tangelo (52) in the first quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

  • 2025 passing: 285-of-430 passing (66.3%) for 3,106 yards with 24 touchdowns to 7 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 81 carries for 105 yards with a touchdown

Hawai’i and coach Timmy Chang found a gem in first-year starter Micah Alejado, who as a redshirt freshman led the Rainbow Warriors last season to only their second season of nine or more wins since 2010.

The left-hander broke a Mountain West freshman record with 24 passing touchdowns in 2025, and also led Hawaii to a 21-point comeback win over Cal in the Hawai’i Bowl.

The Las Vegas native is aiming to take a huge jump in Year 2 as starter.

1. Brad Jackson, Texas State

Texas State Bobcats quarterback Brad Jackson (8) looks to pass against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg,Miss, on Nov. 15, 2025.

  • 2025 passing: 251-of-352 (71.3%) for 3,224 yards with 21 touchdowns to 7 interceptions
  • 2025 rushing: 174 carries for 744 yards with 17 touchdowns

Jackson was the most prolific quarterback at the Group of Six level last season alongside USF’s Byrum Brown, scoring 38 total touchdowns as a redshirt freshman at Texas State.

The dual-threat decided to stay with the Bobcats and coach G.J. Kinne ahead of their first season in the Pac-12, although he was certainly highly sought-after in the offseason. He currently ranks first in Texas State history in completion percentage (70.6%), passing efficiency (163.0)  and average yards per pass (12.9).

Jackson’s 38 total touchdowns ranked tied-for fifth nationally, and he’ll lead an offense that returns star receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. in a new conference this season.

Honorable mentions: Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic; Broc Lowry, Western Michigan; Maalik Murphy, Oregon State; Baylor Hayes, Tulsa; Taron Dickens, Northern Illinois; Cale Hellums, Army;

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the best non-Power Four QBs? See our top 10 rankings for 2026

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