The quarterback landscape around college football changes every spring, and this year is no different.
Despite a relatively small number of high-level NFL prospects, there will be many new faces -- and some familiar ones with different teams -- headlining the QB position in the 2025 season. Of the 12 teams in the initial expanded College Football Playoff, only six return the same primary starting quarterback this fall.
Non-CFP teams such as Miami, Alabama and Colorado are also replacing quarterbacks. Miami loses arguably the most pro-ready QB in Cam Ward but added another in Carson Beck who was pegged to be the best 2025 draft prospect a year ago. Beck is on a list of notable transfers that includes Oklahoma's John Mateer (Washington State), Duke's Darian Mensah (Tulane), Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (Cal), Utah's Devon Dampier (New Mexico) and Louisville's Miller Moss (USC).
There are some big-name returners, including Penn State's Drew Allar, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and emerging stars such as Florida's DJ Lagway and Texas' Arch Manning.
Sorting out a top quarterbacks list is never easy, but I've enlisted the help of more than a dozen coaches and defensive coordinators who studied the top contenders last season. They made the case for why -- and, in some cases, why not -- certain players belonged on the list. I certainly valued experience and quarterbacks who have proved to be productive and successful with their teams, but that doesn't mean players with potential didn't make the list.
In descending order, here are my top 15 quarterbacks to watch during spring practice as we get closer to the 2025 season.
15. Darian Mensah, Duke
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
2024 stats: 2,723 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs, 65.9% completions
Previous school: Tulane
Why he's ranked: Mensah emerged last season as one of the nation's most intriguing young quarterbacks for a Tulane team that put itself in contention for a CFP spot before a late fade. A three-star prospect from the California central coast, Mensah displayed accuracy and the ability to stretch the field, connecting on at least one pass of 40 yards or longer in eight games. He led AAC quarterbacks in both yards per attempt (9.49) and completion percentage (65.9). Mensah entered the transfer portal and landed at Duke for a significant NIL agreement. Although Duke had a record-setting QB in Maalik Murphy last fall, the team sees Mensah as a long-term upgrade as it competes in the ACC.
What they're saying: Mensah will have to prove himself as an impact Power 4 starter but brings a mix of intelligence and a live arm to the Duke offense.
"He was a good player last year and he's still a young player," a defensive coordinator who faced Tulane said. "He'll probably be a pretty instant impact guy for [Duke] -- for what they're paying him, he better be."
One coach who faced Mensah wondered whether his strengths -- play-action passes and deep-shot plays -- would fit in Duke's offense, which relies on quick passes with playcaller Jonathan Brewer.
"Does he grow and get better at those things, or do they change?" the coach said. "In that league, he's not a no-brainer [star]."
14. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
2024 stats: 3,071 passing yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs, 62.2% completions, 4 rushing TDs
Previous school: Mississippi State
Why he's ranked: There are some returning Big 12 quarterbacks more accomplished than Robertson but few finished the 2024 season playing better than Robertson. He also has physical measurables that jump out, and will be working with playcaller Jake Spavital again. Robertson was the No. 56 overall recruit and No. 7 Texas prospect in the 2021 class who went to Mississippi State to play for Mike Leach. He waited a year at Baylor before finally getting his chance last fall with Spavital, and capitalized with nine consecutive 200-yard passing performances to end the season, including 445 yards against LSU in the Texas Bowl. Despite not opening the season as the starter, Robertson finished sixth in team history in touchdowns and seventh in passing yards and passing efficiency.
What they're saying: Robertson didn't begin the 2024 season as a Big 12 starter, but he ended it generating some buzz around the conference.
"He got a lot better this year," a Big 12 coach said. "He wasn't the starter going in, so he did all of that with limited reps. Jake did a really good job with him."
Another Big 12 coach said Robertson's strong finish definitely earned him a place among the league's best returning QBs.
"He just needed that finish as a confidence boost," a Big 12 defensive coordinator said. "Another year under his belt, I mean, shoot, that experience is so huge in terms of confidence."
13. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
2024 stats: 2717 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs, 60.8% completions, 4 rushing TDs
Previous school: Ole Miss
Why he's ranked: Other than Allar, Altmyer, who is entering his third season leading the Illini offense, is the most experienced Big Ten starter within the conference. After a decent first season in 2023, Altmyer really blossomed last fall for an Illinois team that won 10 games for the first time since 2001. He had six games with multiple touchdown passes and zero interceptions, including four scores in a road win against Nebraska and three -- to go along with 379 passing yards -- in an overtime win against Purdue. Altmyer's accuracy fluctuated a bit in the second half of the season, but he also hurt opponents more with his legs, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown at Rutgers. He also showed he can be clutch, becoming the only quarterback in the FBS to toss three winning scores in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime.
What they're saying: Big Ten coaches have a healthy respect for Altmyer after seeing him the past two seasons following his transfer from Ole Miss.
"He's going to be third year in the system," a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. "I think he's a good athlete. He can throw it."
Illinois coach Bret Bielema told ESPN that Altmyer sought continuity in deciding to return for his final season, and once again will work under primary playcaller Barry Lunney Jr.
"He is a gamer," a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. "The thing he doesn't get credit for is his mobility. He can run. He is a guy that wants to throw the ball first, but when he puts it down to run, he will beat teams. He knows where he wants to go with the ball."
12. Arch Manning, Texas
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
2024 stats: 939 passing yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 67.8% completions, 108 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: Normally first-year starters don't appear on national lists of top quarterbacks, and there are many others who have done more than Manning in actual games. But Manning isn't a typical quarterback to evaluate. He's the next generation of the nation's most-famous football family, has undeniable big-play ability -- even in limited action -- and will be entering his third year with coach Steve Sarkisian and a Longhorns team that has made consecutive CFP appearances. Texas saw glimpses of the future last season, as Manning played extensively against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, accounting for 10 total touchdowns in those wins. He didn't attempt a pass in Texas' regular-season finale, the SEC championship or CFP.
What they're saying: Manning's usage for most of the season limited how much coaches could scout him, but his highlights, especially during the first few games, caught some attention. His ability to generate long runs and make throws on the move especially stood out.
"That was way more natural than I thought it was going to be," an opposing coach said. "I was blown away by how effortless it looked."
Manning had runs of 15 yards or longer against four opponents.
The coach added: "Going into the game, I had respect for his body size, the way he threw it, how he commanded things. But then in the game, obviously he ran well. He's going to be in the Heisman conversation for damn sure."
Another coach familiar with Manning gushed about how well he moves.
"He's an elite athlete," the coach said. "He's still a first-time starter, so people need to give him a little bit of time."
11. Kevin Jennings, SMU
Vitals: Junior, 6-foot, 185 pounds
2024 stats: 3,245 passing yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs, 65% completions, 354 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: Jennings is coming off of a disastrous outing against Penn State in the CFP, but he was very good in 2024, helping SMU reach the ACC title game in its first season as a league member and in its return to a major conference. More than half of his interceptions occurred in two games -- Penn State and Duke -- and he had eight games with multiple touchdowns, including each of the five leading into the CFP. He led the ACC in passing efficiency for conference games (171.5 rating), and had 225 yards or more in every regular-season conference game and 304 against Clemson in the league title game. Jennings didn't produce a ton of yards as a runner but had his moments, including 113 rushing yards and a touchdown against Louisville.
What they're saying: The way Jennings finished the season didn't go unnoticed, but he still stood out to coaches around the ACC.
"He struggled in the playoff, he struggled against Duke, but he also had a helluva performance against most of the ACC," a coach in the league said. "We didn't think he could throw from the pocket, but he did, and moved around."
A second full season as the starter in coach Rhett Lashlee's offense should help Jennings.
"Their quarterback just makes a lot of plays," an ACC coach said. "He can run around, he's athletic and they have the perfect system for his talents."
"He was much more accurate than I thought," an ACC defensive coordinator added.
10. DJ Lagway, Florida
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-3, 241 pounds
2024 stats: 1,915 passing yards, 59.9% completions, 12 TDs, 9 INTs
Why he's ranked: Lagway is more of a projection than a proven player, although he had some meaningful action late last season and provided glimpses of very interesting things. His big-play ability showed in wins against Kentucky, LSU and Ole Miss, and he finished the season with his first 300-yard passing performance against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl. The No. 8 recruit in the 2024 class didn't open Florida's season as the starter but took over after Graham Mertz's knee injury. He dealt with his own injuries, as well as some predictable first-year inconsistency, and a shoulder injury will limit him during spring practice. But the ceiling is clearly high with Lagway, who went 6-1 as Florida's starter as a true freshman, had 12 completions of 40 yards or more and already might be one of the nation's best passers on deep balls.
What they're saying: Coaches around the SEC are certainly aware of Lagway after seeing flashes of what he could do in his first season.
"He's kind of built like a running back, hard to tackle, probably a little bit more athletic than some people give him credit for, and he seems to be a good passer," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "Some of the decision-making that he showed as a freshman was pretty impressive."
An SEC coach who didn't face Lagway last fall says he thinks he will be among the conference's top quarterbacks this fall.
"He's at the top of my list," a Power 4 recruiting director said. "If I was right now voting for a Heisman guy, it would probably be him over Arch [Manning]. He's going to be their team. They're going to go as he's going to go."
Lagway is still a bit raw and will need to show greater efficiency as a sophomore. But the omnipresent big-play threat raises the ceiling on what he and the Gators can accomplish.
"His physical traits are elite," an opposing coach said. "His arm talent, his athletic ability, wow. It's just, will he see it and protect the football? But I like the kid's ability a lot."
9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
2024 stats: 2,114 passing yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs, 72.9% completions, 587 rushing yards, 11 rushing TDs
Previous school: Texas A&M
Why he's ranked: King is set to enter his sixth college season this fall, and he brings an exciting combination of experience and varied skills for a Georgia Tech team set to take another jump. He's one of the nation's most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks, after rushing for 1,324 yards and 21 touchdowns during the past two seasons. King has dealt with injuries, sitting out most of the 2021 season and several games last year, but he can hurt defenses in multiple ways when healthy. In 2023, he joined Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels as the only quarterbacks with at least 2,800 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 700 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Despite sitting out two games and being limited in two others, King still eclipsed 2,000 passing yards, approached his 2023 rushing total and showed significant improvement in his overall efficiency.
What they're saying: Georgia Tech coach Brent Key pointed to King's improvement in 2024, telling me last month, "He made a ton of improvement, went from 16 interceptions the year before that and limited it to only two last year. One was a throwaway early in the season and one in the last game, so he made a drastic improvement there."
Others in the ACC recognize King's intangibles.
"Haynes King is a winner, competitor, almost an elite runner," an ACC defensive coordinator said. "He was fast, fast."
"I'm very high on King as far as a college QB," an ACC general manager said. "He's not a guy that will be a top draft pick but knows how to win and he's tough as s---."
8. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds
2024 stats: 2,616 passing yards, 19 TDs, 5 INTs, 63.8% completions, 358 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: Tennessee's first A-list quarterback recruit of the name, image and likeness era helped the Vols reach the CFP in his first season as the starter. After a blistering start in the first two games, Iamaleava's passing numbers dipped midseason, as he failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in five of his first six SEC opportunities. He finished the regular season with consecutive games of four touchdown passes, and remained an effective runner. Iamaleava showed his toughness in leading an offense with some obvious limitations, and brings an enticing mix of size and athleticism to the pocket. Expect him to blossom in Year 2 of leading the offense.
What they're saying: SEC coaches came away impressed with Iamaleava despite some middling performances in conference play.
"He's still young, trying to figure it out," an SEC coach said. "He's got the tools. He can make things happen with his feet and has got a big, live arm. I'm sure he's going to take a big step here."
Iamaleava has added mass to his frame since his arrival at Tennessee, when he was a wiry 195 pounds. But coaches repeatedly pointed to his combination of traits as being unique. One SEC defensive assistant said: "He has the arm that can scare you and he's athletic."
Said an SEC defensive coordinator: "I don't know if people realize how big he is. He has a really strong arm and he runs way better than what people think he can. He's just so big, so you can't tell how fast he is."
7. Carson Beck, Miami
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
2024 stats: 3,485 passing yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs, 64.7% completions
Previous school: Georgia
Why he's ranked: Beck has been through a lot since this time last year, when many expected him to lead Georgia to another national title and then exit to be a first-round NFL draft pick. He dealt with a rough midseason stretch that included four multiple-interception performances in five games. But Beck also had five games with three or more touchdown passes, including the last two regular-season games, and still went 24-3 as Georgia's starter with 7,426 passing yards and 52 touchdowns. Did his numbers dip without star tight end Brock Bowers and with a shakier group of receivers last fall? No doubt. He's also coming off of elbow surgery. But Beck can play at a high level and joins an offense under coordinator Shannon Dawson that led the FBS in yards and ranked third in passing last fall with Ward at the helm.
What they're saying: Coaches aren't as down on Beck as others despite his numbers dropping from the 2023 season.
"I just felt like [Georgia] didn't have the same receiving corps last year that they had the year before," an SEC coach said. "He took a lot of the heat. I'm sure that there's things he could have done better -- it always is that way -- but I just felt like they weren't the same. You lose the big tight end from the year before, you lose a couple other guys. You're trying to piece it together."
An SEC defensive coordinator who faced Beck in 2023 recalled him making "every throw."
"He showed good pocket awareness," the coach added. "He's one that I think is a little bit more athletic than people give credit for. I'm not saying a blazer, but he runs good enough when he wants to run. I thought that kid can make the throws, he was a good decision-maker. I know he threw a ton of picks, I get it, but that's because of the confidence that he has to make some throws and throw into tight windows."
An ACC coach expressed some skepticism, saying Beck "never made me go, 'Wow.'"
"You would think they have the system for him to excel," another coach added of Miami.
6. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
2024 stats: 2,885 passing yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 61.7% completions, 443 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs
Previous school: Michigan State
Why he's ranked: After spending the 2023 season at Michigan State, Leavitt came to Arizona State as a bit of a mystery man. He joined a Sun Devils quarterback room that would include high-profile recruit Jaden Rashada. But Leavitt impressed the coaches during his first offseason and then showed why when the games began. After an up-and-down first half, he surged late in the regular season with three passing touchdowns or more in five of his final seven games, and then three more scores against Iowa State in the Big 12 championship. He avoided a multiple-interception game in his first season as an FBS starter and completed better than 63% of his passes in seven contests.
What they're saying: Although Arizona State leaned on Cam Skattebo in its run game last season, several coaches pointed to Leavitt's mobility and playmaking skills. Leavitt quietly had 40 or more rushing yards in six games.
"He was a lot better than people gave him credit for, his ability to scramble and make plays," a Big 12 coach said.
A Big 12 defensive coordinator echoed that claim, pointing to Leavitt, not Skattebo, as the biggest factor when facing the Sun Devils.
"I'm super high on him," the coach said. "He's really, really good. He's just so much more athletic than you'd think, but he throws the ball really well. He's just a perfect blend of all of it. To think he's just a young guy, he's the best one [in the league] by far."
Another coach who faced ASU said Leavitt simply makes "winning plays." A Big 12 coach called him "a great find."
"Stuff breaks down and then he'll scramble and get a first down, and he'll keep himself alive in certain situations, you're not able to get him on the ground," the coach said. "He's worth those extra couple key possessions a game, that it's third-and-6, third-and-7, something breaks down and the next thing you know, something breaks down and he can still scramble and get you a first down. And he's accurate enough. He operated the offense at a really high level."
5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
2024 stats: 2,534 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 7 INTs, 65.6% completions, 674 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: Sellers put himself on the SEC and national radar in a big way last fall. In his first season as South Carolina's quarterback, he helped the team to nine wins and a No. 19 AP finish. He was voted SEC freshman of the year and earned third-team all-conference honors after a big second half in which his passing production improved to complement solid running skills that can pop, as he showed against in-state rival Clemson with 166 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sellers showed very good accuracy for a young quarterback and brings a strong combination of size and strength to the position.
What they're saying: Coaches around the SEC came away very impressed with Sellers after his first season as South Carolina's starter.
"He's going to be really tough to handle," an SEC coach said. "He can run and he also can throw it well. His mental and physical ability to throw the ball jumps out."
A SEC defensive coordinator who didn't face Sellers last fall still came away impressed after watching him on film.
"I can't tell you how polished he is as a passer, but just his sheer athleticism, the way he moved, when he scrambled, became a problem," the coach said. "I thought he gave some guys some fits."
4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Vitals: Junior, 6-foot-1, 224 pounds
2024 stats: 3,139 passing yards, 29 TDs, 7 INTs, 64.6%, 826 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs
Previous school: Washington State
Why he's ranked: Mateer replaced Ward as Washington State's starter last fall and, like his predecessor, generated a lot of interest as a transfer portal candidate. He propelled the Cougars to an 8-1 start, including wins over Texas Tech and Washington, and had rushing touchdowns in all but one game, while completing more than 69% of his passes in seven games. Mateer led the FBS in touchdowns responsible for with 44, and was the only quarterback with 20 or more passing touchdowns and 10 or more rushing touchdowns. He unsurprisingly followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Oklahoma, which will try to boost an offense that ranked 97th in scoring and 119th in passing last season.
What they're saying: Mateer wowed opposing coaches he faced in 2024, both in the Power 4 and Group of 5, as he succeeded against all types of opponents.
"He's going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country next year," an opposing coach said. "If that guy's in rhythm, you can't stop him. He seems like an elite competitor, and those quarterbacks scare me more than even the high-talent guys. They're the ones on fourth-and-5 in the red zone, where the game's on the line, like, if it's not there, they're going to take off and it's going to be a touchdown. Those are the guys that keep you awake at night."
The coach added: "I'd be shocked if he's not one of the top SEC quarterbacks, if not one of the top quarterbacks in the nation."
Another coach who faced Mateer noted that the combination of traits sets him apart.
"I don't think Mateer has this great arm or anything like that," the coach said. "Mateer has great mobility and there's the element of designed quarterback run that they do with him. He is fast, he's got intelligence and he's going to be in basically the same system. There's a lot of other quarterbacks that aren't as good as John Mateer in the SEC and the Big Ten. He'll be fine."
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
2024 stats: 4,052 passing yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs, 64.2% completions
Why he's ranked: I'm a bit surprised Nussmeier doesn't generate more national buzz after the season he had in 2024. LSU didn't have its most talented or consistent team and he still became one of only six FBS quarterbacks to eclipse 4,000 passing yards. He's the only one of that group to return in 2025, which will mark his second season as the Tigers' starter but his fifth in the program. Nussmeier's numbers for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns and total offense marked the most for a first-year starter at LSU.
What they're saying: An SEC coach called Nussmeier "an elite player," adding that he's probably the conference's best returning quarterback. Another SEC coach noted Nussmeier's passing yards total and said, "He's going to cause a lot of problems for teams."
"He has really good pocket awareness," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "I wouldn't say he's an athlete in the pocket, but we thought he had good enough movement to extend the play to get it downfield. We thought his strength was his decision-making."
2. Drew Allar, Penn State
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
2024 stats: 3,327 passing yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs, 66.5% completions, 302 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: He's entering his third year as a starter, has CFP experience after last season and projects as the top quarterback for the 2026 NFL draft. Allar has the traits and support to finish his college career with a championship-level performance, before moving on to the pro ranks. He's Penn State's all-time leader in career completion percentage (62.9), ranks in the top 10 in most major categories and will finish as one of the most prolific passers in team history. The missing piece, of course, is better performances in the biggest games, an area in which Allar has fallen short. But a third year as the starter and second under coordinator Andy Kotelnicki should propel him toward a big 2025 season.
What they're saying: Allar certainly looks the part with a big frame, a strong arm and the ability to move a bit. He's also "sneaky athletic," said a coach who faced him in 2024.
"He's an NFL talent," an opposing coach said. "You walk up to him, he's all of 6-5, can make every throw."
Another opposing coach said he gained more respect after facing Allar than going in, watching him take hits and continue to make plays.
"Everybody I talked to going in said he's a first-round draft pick a year from now," the coach said. "I watched the tape and I thought we saw better [players], but after playing him, I was impressed with how he's able to handle himself."
Big Ten coaches recognized Allar's talent but had some hesitation about where he belongs among the nation's top quarterbacks.
"He knows where to go with the ball, but it didn't seem like the quarterback was beating you," a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. "It was the system."
A coach added that Allar so often targeted tight end Tyler Warren, the 2024 Mackey Award winner, and will need to show a similar connection with a largely new group of pass-catchers.
"How good is he really in the pocket, going through the progressions, processing, getting the ball from point A to point B, getting the ball to the right guy?" a Big Ten coach said. "Because he really didn't do a lot of that in that offense."
A Big Ten defensive coordinator added: "He's a really quality player. He's just got to get over decision-making when it counts."
1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Vitals: Senior, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
2024 stats: 3,639 passing yards, 36 TDs, 6 INTs, 63.4% completions, 463 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs
Why he's ranked: Along with Allar, Klubnik enters the fall with a ton of key boxes checked, including his first CFP appearance at Clemson. His dramatic improvement last fall went a bit under the radar nationally after a season-opening loss to Georgia and an early November loss to Louisville, but Klubnik's numbers really pop. He had 17 more touchdown passes than the 2023 season, cut his interceptions total by three despite 32 more pass attempts, and again connected on more than 63% of his attempts. He had eight games with more than 250 passing yards, while reaching 30 yards in nine games. Klubnik recorded the second-highest passing touchdowns total in team history, and will be working with coordinator Garrett Riley for the third straight season.
What they're saying: ACC coaches clearly respect Klubnik, who led Clemson to a somewhat surprising conference title last fall and guided a much-improved overall offense.
"He's got a ton of experience, so I think he'll do an excellent job," an ACC coach said. "Just like any quarterback, he's been through the struggles, the ups and downs. I thought he finished well and played well for the most part. He's got a good team around him."
Another ACC coach acknowledged that Klubnik is "the best right now" in the conference, and another described him as "a gritty, tough kid."
"He's played a lot," one coach said. "I don't know if he's an NFL guy, or a first- and second-rounder. But he's gotten a lot better decision-making-wise."
"He's one of the most improved passers in the country," an ACC defensive coordinator added. "I know he was gritty, a competitor, but the passing really got better last year."