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 head into Saturday’s matchups? We aim to answer that for you with our all-new top 20 college football QB rankings heading into Week 8 of the 2025 season.
college football qb rankings
Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Rocco Becht has played a major role in making Iowa State a tough out for any team they play this season. He has strong throwing mechanics and a quick release. But he can also extend plays and make accurate passes on the run. It makes him a threat every second until the whistle blows. While they suffered a pair of losses the last couple of weeks that destroyed dreams of reaching the CFB playoffs, he remains one of the best QBs in the nation.
Rocco Becht stats: 7 games, 1,622 passing yards, 16 total TDs, 54 rushing yards, 142.8 rating
19. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
college football qb rankings
Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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 has helped get his team to a 5-1 record after six games and in the top 20. The stud QB still has a chance to lead his team to a playoff spot this year with some big games ahead, including a matchup in Week 8 versus LSU.
Diego Pavia stats: 6 games, 1,409 passing yards, 16 total TDs, 352 rushing yards, 168.7 rating
18. Kevin Jennings, SMU
college football qb rankings
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
SMU has developed junior Kevin Jennings over the last four years, and he has turned into a pretty darn good QB at the college level. After a breakout season in 2024, Jennings is off to a strong start in 2025 with 1,658 passing yards after six games and has 16 total touchdowns — seventh highest in the nation. While he needs to cut down on his turnovers a bit, the Mustangs are competitive every week because of the talented fourth-year talent.
Kevin Jennings stats: 6 games, 1,658 passing yards, 16 total TDs, 5 rushing yards, 164.3 rating
17. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
college football qb rankings
Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Former Minnesota recruit Athan Kaliakmanis is having a career year in his second season at Rutgers. The senior is top 10 in the nation for throwing yards and is one of the biggest bright spots for a 3-3 Scarlet Knights team this season.
Athan Kaliakmanis stats: 6 games, 1,785 passing yards, 13 total TDs, 4 rushing yards, 152.3 rating
16. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Credit: USA Today Sports
The Oklahoma Sooners added former Washington State QB John Mateer via the portal, and he proved to be a huge addition in 2025. The junior was playing fantastically over his first four games and put the nation on notice by leading the team to big wins over ranked teams Michigan and Auburn. A hand injury sidelined him for several weeks, and likely was why he had a bad game in his return against Texas in Week 6. If he can get back to his previous form, he should rise in our college football QB rankings in the weeks ahead.
John Mateer stats: 5 games, 1,417 passing yards, 11 total TDs, 195 rushing yards, 135.1 rating
15. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
college football qb rankings
Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Illinois has quietly had another good season — aside from some tough losses to Indiana and Ohio State. 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 15 total TDs and an impressive 173.4 passer rating, which is 10th best in the nation heading into Week 8.
Luke Altmyer stats: 7 games, 1,821 passing yards, 15 total TDs, -28 rushing yards, 173.4 rating
14. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
college football qb rankings
Credit: Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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 178.8 passer rating is seventh 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: 7 games, 1,752 passing yards, 19 total TDs, 199 rushing yards, 178.8 rating
13. Josh Hoover, TCU
college football qb rankings
Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
TCU heads into Week 8 with a 5-1 record because of the outstanding play of junior Josh Hoover. He is third in the country for TDs (18) and is second in the nation in passing yards (1,893). The four-year veteran is on pace to have his best year yet and is getting the attention of NFL scouts this fall.
Josh Hoover stats: 6 games, 1,893 passing yards, 20 total TDs, 9 rushing yards, 160.7 rating
12. Behren Morton, Texas Tech
college football qb rankings
Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Texas Tech has begun the season 6-0 and is ranked in the top 10 because of the strong play of senior Behren Morton. The offense has scored 40 or more in four of its first six games, including a pair of 60+ days to start the year. He is sure to return to the top five in yards and touchdowns after he returns to the field in Week 8 following an off week.
Behren Morton stats: 6 games, 1,501 passing yards, 13 total TDs, -2 rushing yards, 175.6 passer rating
11. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
college football qb rankings
Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Despite a pair of losses to start the season, Notre Dame has gotten back into the playoff picture due to the strong play of freshman CJ Carr. He has gotten better as the season has played out and has thrown for around 350 yards in two of their last three games. His strong showing in recent weeks has him in the top 20 in the country for passing yards and TDs, and the Fighting Irish back in the top 15.
CJ Carr stats: 6 games, 1,622 passing yards, 14 total TDs, 16 rushing yards, 176.0 rating
10. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Credit: USA Today Sports
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 really impressive in the Buckeyes’ first six games. He is top three in the nation in passer rating and is the most accurate passer (78.4 completion percentage) in college football heading into Week 8 for the No. 1 team in the country.
Julian Sayin stats: 6 games, 1,479 passing yards, 15 total TDs, 10 rushing yards, 188.1 rating
9. Darian Mensah, Duke
college football qb rankings
Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
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 8, the California native is sixth in the nation in passing yards and seventh in passing TDs. The former Tulane recruit should put up the best numbers of his career in 2025.
Darian Mensah stats: 6 games, 1,838 passing yards, 15 total TDs, -48 rushing yards, 167.3 rating
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
college football qb rankings
Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
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 8. 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: 6 games, 2,058 passing yards, 20 total TDs, 11 rushing yards, 155.5 ratings
7. Dante Moore, Oregon
college football qb rankings
Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Oregon has national title hopes this year, partially due to the strong play of Dante Moore. He has been a machine running their offense and heads into Week 8 with a rock-solid 167.7 passer rating and a completion percentage of 72.0 after six games. The sophomore is rising on many draft boards due to his performance for the Ducks this season.
Dante Moore stats: 6 games, 1,396 passing yards, 15 total TDs, 95 rushing yards, 167.7 rating
6. Carson Beck, Miami
Credit: USA Today Sports
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 8.
Carson Beck stats: 5 games, 1,213 passing yards, 12 total TDs, 18 rushing yards, 168.5 rating
5. Ty Simpson, Alabama
NCAA Football: Wisconsin at Alabama
Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
There is a ton of pressure on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, quarterback Ty Simpson has alleviated much of it with some outstanding play this year. 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 seven weeks, he has 18 total TDs, just 1 INT, and has helped his team on the verge of a top-five ranking.
Ty Simposn stats: 6 games, 1,678 passing yards, 18 total TDs, 58 rushing yards, 172.4 rating
4. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
Credit: USA Today Sports
Although Tennessee came up short against Georgia in Week 3, Joey Aguilar and the Volunteers’ offense have been outstanding so far this season. They have scored over 40 in five of their six games (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 15 in the nation for TDs and yards heading into Week 8.
Joey Aguilar stats: 6 games, 1,680 passing yards, 16 total TDs, 117 rushing yards, 162.3 rating
3. Taylen Green, Arkansas
college football qb rankings
Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Arkansas QB Taylen Green is the best running QB in the nation when it comes to the big conferences in college football. After just six games, he already has 504 yards on the ground. That threat opens up his passing opportunities and makes him a serious problem for opposing defenses. While the Razorbacks have lost four straight — three to ranked teams — Green has done the best he can to keep his team competitive against serious competition.
Taylen Green stats: 6 games, 1,654 passing yards, 17 total TDs, 504 rushing yards, 155.6 rating
2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
college football qb rankings
Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza has been one of the breakout stars in college football this season. Indiana isn’t in the top three or in the discussion as a National Championship contender without the junior. He is fourth in the nation in touchdowns and fifth in passer rating. Mendoza has been fantastic over the first seven weeks of the season and has been the best pick-up by any team in the portal before the season.
Fernando Mendoza stats: 6 games, 1,423 passing yards, 19 total TDs, 133 rushing yards, 183.4 passer rating
1. Jayden Maiava, USC
college football qb rankings
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
One-time UNLV talent Jayden Maiava has been outstanding for USC in 2025. The Trojans have returned to the top 25 due to the exploits of the junior and big-time performances in games against ranked teams, Illinois, and Michigan. If he can lead them to a Week 8 win over Notre Dame, USC could be in striking distance of a playoff spot in 2025.
Jayden Maiava stats: 6 games, 1,852 passing yards, 17 total TDs, 50 rushing yards, 185.6 rating
avatar
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos