Just like in the NFL, the quarterback position is extremely important in the college ranks. So, who are the best of the best as we hit the midway point of the 2025 season? We aim to answer that for you with our top 20 college football QB rankings heading into Week 6 of the 2025 season.
1. Jayden Maiava, USC
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One-time UNLV talent Jayden Maiava has been outstanding for USC in 2025. While the Trojans haven’t faced world beaters in the first four weeks, the leader of the offense helped the team stomp their way to 73 and 59-point performances so far this year. He has been smart and efficient, is second in the nation in passing yards, and fourth in passer rating. Maiava has the Trojans off to a 4-1 start and relevant again.
Jayden Maiava stats: 1,587 passing yards, 135 total TDs, 57 rushing yards, 191.1 rating
2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
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Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza has been one of the breakout stars in college football this season. Indiana isn’t in the top or in the discussion as a National Championship contender without the junior. He is second in the nation in passer rating and touchdowns. Mendoza has been fantastic over the first five weeks of the season and is, arguably, the best pick-up by any team in the portal before the season.
Fernando Mendoza stats: 1,208 passing yards, 18 total TDs, 102 rushing yards, 197.8 passer rating
3. Dante Moore, Oregon
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Oregon is off to a fantastic start, partially due to the strong play of Dante Moore. He has been a machine running their offense and heads into Week 6 with an impressive 183.5 passer rating and a completion percentage of 74.6 after five games. The sophomore is pushing himself into Heisman consideration by overseeing the offense of the No. 2 team in the nation.
Dante Moore stats: 1,210 passing yards, 14 total TDs, 122 rushing yards, 183.5 rating
4. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
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Although Tennessee came up short against Georgia in Week 3, Joey Aguilar and the Volunteers’ offense have been outstanding to start the season. They have scored over 40 in every single game this year (72 in Week 2 and 56 in Week 4), and the starting QB is a major reason why. The senior is having his best campaign yet and is in the top five in the nation for TDs and sixth in passing yards heading into Week 6.
Joey Aguilar stats: 1,459 passing yards, 15 total TDs, 58 rushing yards, 164.0 rating
5. Taylen Green, Arkansas
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Arkansas QB Taylen Green is the best running QB in the nation when it comes to the big conferences in college football, and after just five games, he already has 441 yards on the ground. That threat opens up his passing opportunities, so he has also been a problem for opposing defenses. Hitting on 62.0 percent of his passes and has 14 total TDs heading into Week 6.
Taylen Green stats: 1,398 passing yards, 14 total TDs, 441 rushing yards, 155.1 rating
6. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
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Vanderbilt senior Diego Pavia has taken a big step forward in his second season leading the Commodores’ offense. He is set to have career highs across the board in 2025, and currently sits fifth in the nation for TD passes, eighth in passer rating, and top 20 in yards. Vandy is unbeaten and a top 20 team because of the outstanding play of their captain.
Diego Pavia stats: 1,211 passing yards, 15 total TDs, 294 rushing yards, 184.6 rating
7. Carson Beck, Miami
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Miami‘s Carson Beck is the most accomplished QB in all of college football. He left the Bulldogs to seek out one more huge payday with the Hurricanes and hopefully boost his value for the NFL Draft next spring. So far, he is definitely impressing scouts after a strong start to the year, including leading the Hurricanes to a big Week 1 win over Notre Dame and helping to crush USF in Week 3. his play is a huge reason why Miami is ranked second in the AP poll heading into Week 6.
Carson Beck stats: 972 passing yards, 8 total TDs, 19 rushing yards, 161.4 rating
8. Darian Mensah, Duke
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Duke will always be known for its basketball team, but sophomore Darian Mensah is making the football program worth watching each week. While they’ve lost two games this season, it isn’t the fault of the player rising on many draft boards around the NFL. Heading into Week 6, the California native is third in the nation in passing yards and fifth in passing TDs.
Darian Mensah stats: 1,573 passing yards, 13 total TDs, -30 rushing yards, 166.7 rating
9. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
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Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson showed a lot of potential in his first season as a starter in 2024, and he has grown even more in 2025. The senior is No. 1 in the nation in passing yards and touchdowns heading into Week 6. The Bears have one of the best passing attacks in the country because of Robertson, and the Texas native is turning the heads of NFL scouts this season.
Sawyer Robertson stats: 1,713 passing yards, 18 total TDs, 9 rushing yards, 156.5 ratings
10. John Mateer, Oklahoma
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The Oklahoma Sooners added former Washington State QB John Mateer via the portal, and it has proven to be a huge move for them in 2025. The junior is off to a fantastic start and put the nation on notice in leading the team to big wins over ranked teams Michigan and Auburn. Mateer has quickly become a serious Heisman Trophy candidate due to what he can do with his arm and legs. Unfortunately, a broken hand that required surgery will force a drop in our top 20 in the upcoming weeks.
John Mateer stats: 1,215 passing yards, 11 total TDs, 190 rushing yards, 149.5 rating
11. Ty Simpson, Alabama
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There is a ton of pressure on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, quarterback Ty Simpson has alleviated much of it with a great start to the season. After a rough showing in their Week 1 loss to FSU, he and the offense have caught fire, including a 73-point showing against ULM. After five weeks, he has 13 total TDs, no INTs, and has helped his team get ranked in the top 10.
Ty Simposn stats: 1,138 passing yards, 13 total TDs, 57 rushing yards, 173.1 rating
12. Behren Morton, Texas Tech
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Texas Tech has begun the season 4-0 and is ranked in the top 15 because of the strong play of senior Behren Morton. The offense has scored 45 or more in its first three games, including a pair of 60+ days to start the year. Morton is tied for first in touchdowns and is top 10 in passing yards. Two INTs in a big test against Utah is why he drops a bit this week.
Behren Morton stats: 1,065 passing yards, 11 total TDs, -3 rushing yards, 188.8 passer rating
13. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
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Kansas has had an up-and-down season in 2025, but one consistent bright spot has been the strong play of starting QB Jalon Daniels. The senior is second in the nation in passing touchdowns, and his 188.8 passer rating is among the best in the country. Add in his running abilities, and he is one of the more complete QBs right now in college football.
Jalon Daniels stats:Â 1,262 passing yards, 17 total TDs, 214 rushing yards, 188.8 rating
14. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
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Ohio State‘s Julian Sayin has the unenviable task of being a first-time starter for a defending champion. Yet, despite the immense pressure, he has looked very impressive in the Buckeyes’ first four games. He is top five in the nation in passer rating and is the most accurate passer (78.8 completion percentage) in college football heading into Week 6 for the No. 1 team in the country.
Julian Sayin stats: 1,071 passing yards, 10 total TDs, 5 rushing yards, 183.1 rating
15. Beau Pribula, Missouri
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Missouri is a dangerous sleeper team in the SEC because of senior Beau Pribula. The former Penn State recruit has played very well in his first season as a starting QB and has led the Tigers to a 5-0 start. His impressive athleticism is what makes him a problem for opposing defenses and is why the dual-threat has 12 total TDs heading into Week 6.
Beau Pribula stats: 1,203 passing yards, 12 total TDS, 121 rushing yards, 161.9 rating
16. Trinidad Chambliss
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To replace first-round pick Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss brought in Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss. And under the guidance of head coach Lane Kiffin, Chambliss has helped maintain the standard set last season, and the Rebels are 5-0. Along with being a top-five program heading into Week 6. The new QB is a dangerous passer, but his ability to extend plays and run with the ball makes him a challenge for opponents on Saturdays.
Trinidad Chambliss stats: 1,033 passing yards, 7 total TDs, 266 rushing yards, 164.6 rating
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Rocco Becht has Iowa State off to a great start and in early playoff contention heading into Week 6. He has strong throwing mechanics and a quick release. But his ability to extend plays and make accurate passes on the run makes him a threat every second until the whistle blows. The Cyclones aren’t 5-0 without the talented signal caller Becht.
Rocco Becht stats: 958 passing yards, 12 total TDs, 38 rushing yards, 159.0 rating
18. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
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Texas A&M sophomore Marcel Reed has been outstanding in helping the Aggies post 40 or more points in their first three games this season. In the biggest showcase of his Heisman potential, a Week 3 clash against Notre Dame, Reed torched the Irish with 360 yards through the air and 37 more on the ground. The Aggies are a top 11 team because of the immense talents of their starting QB.
Marcel Reed stats: 1,076 passing yards, 10 total TDs, 119 rushing yards, 156.3 rating
19. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
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Illinois has quietly had another good start to the season, aside from a week four drubbing by Indiana. A major reason why is the performance of senior Luke Altmyer. After a growth season in 2024, he has been even better this year and already has 13 total TDs and an impressive 179.1 passer rating heading into Saturday.
Luke Altmyer stats: 1,183 passing yards, 13 total TDs, -11 rushing yards, 179.1 rating
20. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
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Rutgers has gotten off to a solid 3-2 start this season because of the strong play of senior Athan Kaliakmanis. After five games, he has just two interceptions to nine touchdowns, along with two more TDs on the ground. Heading into Week 6, he has the seventh-most passing yards in the nation.
Athan Kaliakmanis stats: 1,399 passing yards, 11 total TDs, -7 rushing yards, 157.4 rating
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos