After spending the offseason projecting and predicting how the top quarterbacks in the country will fare, now it’s time to find out.
Throughout this season, we’ll keep tabs, rank and re-rank the top quarterbacks in the country and look at the most intriguing QB matchups. Heading into Week 1, we’ll base our top 10 on the original ranking from The Athletic’s College QB Tiers, which factors in evaluations from dozens of coaches, general managers and personnel staffers around the country.
Now, the on-field performances will speak for themselves. Before we dive into the top 10, let’s look at some of the interesting Week 1 QB matchups.
Nico Iamaleava (UCLA) vs. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Cal): Learn how to pronounce Sagapolutele’s name if you haven’t (JAIR-uhn KEY-ah-VAY song-EW-polo-tell-AY) because he emerged as one of the nation’s best freshmen last year (currently No. 14 in QB Tiers). Going against the gifted Iamaleava (No. 25), who was a bright spot in an otherwise rough 2025 for UCLA but has an improved supporting cast, should make for a great late Saturday night watch.
DJ Lagway (Baylor) vs. Byrum Brown (Auburn): Lagway (No. 42), who transferred from Florida, is a former five-star recruit with all the physical gifts but hopes a fresh start in his home state gets him back on track. Brown (No. 19), a big dual threat, is one of the statistically prolific QBs in the FBS and followed Alex Golesh from USF to Auburn.
Colton Joseph (Wisconsin) vs. CJ Carr (Notre Dame): Carr (No. 3) looks to build on an impressive starting debut in 2025 and is a trendy preseason Heisman Trophy pick. Joseph (No. 36), who makes his Wisconsin debut, ran for 1,007 yards at Old Dominion last year and was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
Other QB matchups we’re watching:
Lincoln Kienholz (Louisville) vs. Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
Jackson Arnold (UNLV) vs. Micah Alejado (Hawaii)
Julian Lewis (Colorado) vs. Alberto Mendoza (Georgia Tech)
Brad Jackson (Texas State) vs. Arch Manning (Texas)
And now, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 quarterbacks:
1. Trinidad Chambliss, 6th year, Ole Miss
Chambliss was largely unknown this time a year ago, a Division-II transfer slated to back up Austin Simmons. Instead, he became one of college football’s best, leading the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals. He appealed for and won an extra year and heads into 2026 with Heisman Trophy hype.
“Trinidad is probably the best one (in the SEC),” an SEC assistant said. “I think he’s a baller.”
Said a Power 4 OC, “He can beat you in a multitude of different ways.”
He’s not considered an elite NFL prospect in large part because of his size, which is why he’s still in the SEC. With Lane Kiffin gone, he’ll have a new head coach, play caller and several new receivers, which has opponents intrigued. But nobody we spoke with has doubts about Chambliss doing his part.
“He’s a winner. He’s a gamer,” an SEC general manager said. “Should have a ton of confidence and has a ton of experience.”
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2. Dante Moore, 4th year, Oregon
Moore likely would’ve been a first-round pick had he declared for the NFL Draft. But he’s back, and there was no argument about him being the top quarterback in the Big Ten and one of the best in college football.
“I love Dante,” an SEC assistant coach said. “I think Dante would’ve been the first pick in the draft this year. I love the way he throws. I love how calm he is. I love his demeanor.” A Power 4 head coach said, “He’s phenomenal. Super electric, not only with his arm but with his feet.”
Moore was thrown into the fire as a true freshman at UCLA in 2023 but played very well at Oregon last year after backing up Dillon Gabriel for a season.
He’ll be playing for a new offensive coordinator (Drew Mehringer) and behind a rebuilt offensive line, but Moore and the Ducks should be in the mix for a national title this season.
3. CJ Carr, 3rd year, Notre Dame
There’s a ton of excitement about Carr in the coaching and personnel community after an exceptional first season as a starter.
“For sure top-three (quarterback),” a P4 general manager said. “Poised, makes all the throws, can layer the ball, elite processor, captain, kids love him, ultra competitor. He’s unbelievable. He’s a top-10 pick.”
Carr has all the tools, and he’ll be asked to shoulder more of the load this season after Notre Dame lost its two first-round running backs, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and four of its top five pass catchers. He has the talent, poise and experience to handle it.
“I think he is a really high-level NFL prospect,” a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. “I like his game a lot. He makes some big-time throws. I think he got to where he was pretty confident playing at a high level, so I think he’ll take the next step and really be able to be a guy for them.”
4. Darian Mensah, 4th year, Miami
There are several talented quarterbacks in the ACC, but there was little doubt or pushback regarding No. 1.
“If you have a Word doc, put that in bold and underline. It’s a clear-cut No. 1,” an ACC personnel staffer said of Mensah, the top transfer available this offseason. Mensah plays with calm and confidence, has legitimate arm talent and processes very well.
He played in a conference championship game at Tulane in 2024, won a conference title at Duke in 2025 and should be in position to win another ACC title at Miami, which has surrounded him with a great supporting cast.
“I would be very surprised if he doesn’t go and have a great year and they win a lot of games again,” a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. “I think those guys do a good job developing quarterbacks. And he makes more plays than Carson Beck does.”
5. Julian Sayin, 3rd year, Ohio State
Welcome to one of the most polarizing debates. As a first-time starter, Sayin was the most accurate quarterback in college football and a Heisman Trophy finalist who led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff.
But there’s a wide range of opinions as to whether Sayin is an elite quarterback or just a product of Ohio State’s system and the talent around him. He generates extreme takes on both sides of the argument — especially after he stumbled against Indiana and Miami to end last season.
“He’s just a game manager. Overrated,” a Big Ten general manager said. “Not a guy who can win them the title.” Meanwhile, an ACC front office staffer said, “I think people are criminally low on Sayin. I think Sayin is a top-two or -three quarterback, and anyone else who doesn’t have him there is wrong.”
The Buckeyes face their toughest schedule in recent memory this fall, so Sayin will have opportunities to prove himself.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is entering his second season as the starting QB. (Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
6. Drew Mestamaker, 3rd year, Oklahoma State
Few on this list received as much praise from our panel as Mestemaker, the former walk-on turned FBS passing leader in 2025 (4,379 yards) who followed coach Eric Morris and others from North Texas to Stillwater after a 12-2 season in 2025. The step up in competition from the American to the Big 12 isn’t viewed as too daunting by those we spoke with, and it helps that he’ll have the same head coach, play caller and position coach, plus 18 former teammates.
One personnel director said Mestemaker has the best arm talent in the conference.
“There’s no question (he’s the best in the league),” a Big 12 personnel staffer said. “That kid’s so good. … He’s good enough with his legs, but his arm talent is freaky.”
Said a Big 12 assistant, “He’s probably the face of the Big 12 from a quarterback standpoint.”
7. Arch Manning, 4th year, Texas
Just like a year ago, Manning elicited a range of opinions. Most acknowledge that his physical tools are top-notch, but the rest is up for debate. “I’m not a big Arch Manning fan. I think he’s just OK,” a Power 4 head coach said. “I think he’s a little bit overhyped.”
An SEC general manager felt differently: “Has all the tools you want to see. Got better throughout the year. Saw leadership, saw tenacity. Top tier in the country.”
Last year’s slow start was equal parts Manning’s growing pains and a struggling offensive line. Texas addressed the front and drastically upgraded his supporting cast via the transfer portal. He’s still viewed as a high-end NFL Draft prospect, but can he be more consistent this year?
“You’ve got to tip your cap to that kid, because after the start of last year, to be able to rebound the way that he did and play as good as he did down the stretch is really impressive and something that not very many people would be able to do,” a Big 12 offensive coordinator said. “I have a lot of respect for that kid and what he did. And I think he’s pretty dang good.”
8. Sam Leavitt, 4th year, Arizona State
After a breakout 2024 at Arizona State, Leavitt’s final season in Tempe was cut short by a foot injury. But he’s viewed as one of the most talented QBs in the country when he’s 100 percent.
“He was arguably the best QB in the portal,” a Power 4 OC said. “He’s as cool as a cucumber with the game on the line. … Throws an elite deep ball, is a really good athlete, super talented kid. You want to talk about competitive moxie? That kid’s got it through the roof.”
Some raised concerns about how he exited Arizona State, and an SEC front office staffer questioned Leavitt’s production given his talented supporting cast. Leavitt’s tendency to freelance — maybe too much — was also flagged.
“I get really worried about him playing with a Superman cape on instead of just running the offense,” a Power 4 assistant said.
9. Jayden Maiava, 5th year, USC
Maiava made considerable progress last season. His arm talent looked good, and he cut down on the poor decision-making that plagued him during a handful of starts in 2024. He received rave reviews from within the program this spring and got off to a strong start, completing 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 0 win over San Jose State. Maiava showed good poise, patience and ball placement.
“The most underrated quarterback is Lincoln Riley’s quarterback,” a Big 12 head coach said. “The dude is good. Like, really good. I was just watching USC film. He’s in the top handful of quarterbacks, and nobody talks about him, which is out of this world because he’s Lincoln Riley’s quarterback. I love him.”
10. Noah Fifita, 5th year, Arizona
In 2025, Fifita reverted to his 2023 breakout form, making believers in and outside the Big 12. No QB in the league has played more games (40, including 34 starts), and it shows in his heady play. A Power 4 personnel director called him “tiny, but tough.”
“He can make every throw,” a Big 12 offensive coordinator said. “He’s athletic enough to extend. He’s really good, and I think Arizona’s a pretty sneaky, dangerous team in the Big 12.”
His stature will prevent draftniks from fawning over him, and even opponents aren’t immune to underestimating him in person.
“He does not look the part and he’s so small and then he threw all over us,” said a Big 12 personnel staffer. “He’s so calm in the pocket and he’s been playing the game at this level for so long as a starting quarterback. As long as he’s there, he’s going to make them competitive.”