Having an elite QB can make a huge difference in college football. Dual threats and big arms can have a bigger impact each week in D1 football than they do in the NFL. So, who are the best signal callers in the collegiate ranks right now? We look to answer that question with our Week 13 college football QB rankings.
20. Walker Eget, San Jose State
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This has unsurprisingly been a rough year for the Mountain West program, San Jose State. But the one saving grace has been some outstanding play from senior Walker Eget. His final year in college football has been his best by far, and includes a pair of days throwing for well over 400 yards.
However, he has slipped in our college football rankings, and for most passing yards in the nation, after a disastrous three-interception day in Week 12 versus Nevada.
Walker Eget stats: 10 games, 3,015 passing yards, 17 total TDs, 98 rushing yards, 135.4 rating
19. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
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Former Minnesota recruit Athan Kaliakmanis is having a career year in his second season at Rutgers. The senior is top 15 in the nation for throwing yards and is, arguably, the lone bright spot for a 5-5 Scarlet Knights team this season.
While the team has struggled against a higher level of competition, the senior has played well in most of those games, including a 386-yard showing against Washington in October.
Athan Kaliakmanis stats: 10 games, 2,705 passing yards, 20 total TDs, -2 rushing yards, 144.9 rating
18. Dante Moore, Oregon
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Oregon has national title hopes this year because of the play of sophomore Dante Moore. Early in the season, he was a machine running their offense. However, in recent weeks, he’s hit some big bumps in the road — including throwing for just 86 yards against Wisconsin two weeks ago.
However, in Week 12 against Minnesota, he had a much-needed bounce-back game as he threw for over 300 yards and hit on an absurd 90% of his passes.
Dante Moore stats: 10 games, 2,190 passing yards, 21 total TDs, 183 rushing yards, 168.6 rating
17. Nick Minicucci, Delaware
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Who knows where the Delaware Blue Hens would be right now if not for junior Nick Minicucci? In his first full season as a starter, he has played some impressive ball, throwing for over 300 yards in more than half of his games. It is why he is second in the nation for passing yards. He has pretty much made Delaware worth watching in 2025.
Nick Minicucci stats: 10 games, 3,063 passing yards, 27 total TDs, 197 rushing yards, 135.1 rating
16. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
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North Texas Freshman Drew Mestemaker has quietly had a fantastic season for the Green Mean. The team heads into Week 13 with a 9-1 record, and the Austin, TX native is a huge reason why. He is fifth in the nation in passing yards and TDs. In Week 9, he had a performance that won’t be topped by anyone this year when he threw for 608 yards against Charlotte.
Drew Mestemaker stats: 10 games, 3,000 passing yards, 27 total TDs, 56 rushing yards, 164.7 rating
15. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
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After Ole Miss starting QB Austin Simmons suffered a serious ankle injury, Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss was thrust into the QB1 role. Under the guidance of head coach Lane Kiffin, the senior has been far better than anyone expected. The Rebels are 10-1 and are the No. 6 team in the country heading into Week 13 because of how well Chambliss has played in some big games. Including a pair of 300-plus yard throwing days against LSU and Oklahoma.
Trinidad Chambliss stats: 11 games, 2,657 passing yards, 20 total TDs, 444 rushing yards, 153.3 rating
14. 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, has led his team to an 8-2 record and a top 15 ranking heading into Week 13.
Following a big day against Texas two weeks ago, Pavia was able to avoid a big overtime upset against Auburn by hitting on 25 of 33 passes for nearly 400 yards and three more TDs in Week 11.
Diego Pavia stats: 10 games, 2,440 passing yards, 28 total TDs, 613 rushing yards, 162.0 rating
13. Kevin Jennings, SMU
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SMU has developed junior Kevin Jennings over the last four years and is really coming on strong late in the 2025 season. After a breakout campaign in 2024, Jennings has been even better this season, posting 2,810 passing yards and 23 total touchdowns after 10 games. He hit a career peak in Week 10 when he threw for 365 yards in a huge overtime win over No. 10 Miami.
Kevin Jennings stats: 10 games, 2,810 passing yards, 23 total TDs, 54 rushing yards, 147.1 rating
12. Taylen Green, Arkansas
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Arkansas QB Taylen Green is one of the best dual-threat signal callers in the league. After 10 games, he has an impressive 719 yards on the ground. While the Razorbacks have had a horrible year as they’ve lost eight straight — four to ranked teams — Green has done the best he can to keep his team competitive against elite competition in the SEC.
Taylen Green stats: 10 games, 2,537 passing yards, 26 total TDs, 719 rushing yards, 149.4 rating
11. Josh Hoover, TCU
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While this hasn’t been the type of season TCU hoped for, senior Josh Hoover has been a bright spot for much of the season. He sits fifth in TDs and ninth in passing yards in the country. The four-year veteran is on pace to have his best year yet in college football and is getting the attention of NFL scouts this season.
Josh Hoover stats: 10 games, 2,873 passing yards, 25 total TDs, 47 rushing yards, 147.0 rating
10. Demond Williams, Jr., Washington
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Washington‘s Demond Williams is having a breakout season in year two with the Huskies. He is seventh in the nation for completion percentage and has also racked up 512 yards on the ground. The Arizona native is a major reason why Washington has had a better season than many expected in 2025.
Demond Williams stats: 10 games, 2,508 passing yards, 21 total TDs, 512 rushing yards, 166.3 passer rating
9. 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. Heading into Week 13, the California native is fourth in the nation in passing yards, third in TDs, and he has just four INTs after 10 games.
While his team has struggled against top-25-level competition, Mensah is a top QB prospect heading into the draft for a reason.
Darian Mensah stats: 10 games, 3,007 passing yards, 25 total TDs, -68 rushing yards, 159.9 rating
8. Joe Fagnano, Connecticut
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After losing two of their first three, Connecticut got on a roll and won four straight because of some very strong play from senior QB Joe Fagnano. The Maine Black Bears transfer is having a career year in his third season with the Huskies. He is sixth in the nation for passing yards, third in TDs, and it wasn’t until game 11 of the season that he threw his first INT of 2025. UConn is a worthwhile watch in the final weeks of the season because of the Pennsylvania native.
Joe Fagnano stats: 11 games, 2,995 passing yards, 28 total TDs, 152 rushing yards, 159.3 rating
7. 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 back to being No.1 in the nation in passing yards and is second in TDs heading into Week 13. He is the main reason the Bears have one of the best passing attacks in the country, and the Texas native has done a good job of putting his name on the radar of NFL draft evaluators.
Sawyer Robertson stats: 10 games, 3,210 passing yards, 31 total TDs, 43 rushing yards, 143.0 rating
6. Ty Simpson, Alabama
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There was a ton of pressure on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer heading into the season, and things got worse after their Week 1 loss to FSU. However, quarterback Ty Simpson has alleviated all of it with outstanding play throughout the year because he and the offense have caught fire since that setback. Turning into a key part of big victories over four ranked teams this season.
While they suffered a big loss in Week 12 against Oklahoma, and Simpson threw just his second INT of the year, he still tossed for over 300 yards in the defeat.
Ty Simposn stats: 10 games, 2,787 passing yards, 24 total TDs, 78 rushing yards, 156.4 rating
5. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
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Although Tennessee came up short against Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma this season, Joey Aguilar and the Volunteers’ offense have been outstanding for the majority of 2025. They have scored over 40 in seven of their 10 games (72 in Week 2 and 56 in Weeks 4 and 9), and the starting QB is a huge part of why.
The senior is having his best campaign yet and is eighth in the nation for passing yards and top 10 in TDs heading into Week 13.
Joey Aguilar stats: 10 games, 2,941 passing yards, 25 total TDs, 119 rushing yards, 159.9 rating
4. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
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Texas A&M would not be ranked third in the nation if not for the strong play of sophomore Marcel Reed. He has been steady all season and avoided mistakes that could cost his team wins.
However, that wasn’t the case in Week 12. An awful first half that included two INTs was why they trailed 30-3 at the half. But he showed why he is one of the best in the game by leading a wild comeback win, and threw for 439 yards in the victory.
Marcel Reed stats: 10 games, 2,632 passing yards, 28 total TDs, 391 rushing yards, 155.5 rating
3. Jayden Maiava, USC
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One-time UNLV talent Jayden Maiava has been outstanding for USC throughout the 2025 campaign. The Trojans are in the top 15 due to the exploits of the junior and big-time performances in games against ranked programs Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa. His work in leading the offense is why they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot late into the season.
Jayden Maiava stats: 10 games, 2,868 passing yards, 24 total TDs, 124 rushing yards, 162.6 rating
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
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Ohio State‘s Julian Sayin had the unenviable task of being a first-time starter for a defending champion. Yet, despite the immense pressure and high standard, the former Alabama recruit has been outstanding for the Buckeyes in 2025.
He is No.1 in the nation for both passer rating and completion percentage for QB with over 50 passing attempts. “Super Saiyan” is becoming a serious Heisman contender during his first season as the starter in Columbus.
Julian Sayin stats: 10 games, 2,675 passing yards, 25 total TDs, 20 rushing yards, 186.2 rating
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
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Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza has been the biggest breakout star in college football this season. Indiana isn’t in the chase to No. 1 in the nation or win a stacked Big Ten without the junior. He is first in the nation for touchdowns and second in passer rating. Mendoza is sure to be a Heisman finalist from his performance as the leader of the Hoosiers’ offense.
Fernando Mendoza stats: 11 games, 2,641 passing yards, 35 total TDs, 216 rushing yards, 184.8 passer rating
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos