CFW Preseason 2025 - The Top Running Backs and Other Positions

 CFW Preseason 2025 – The Top Running Backs and Other Positions

When it comes to running backs,

Penn State loaded with a dynamic duo

 

Teams playing Penn State this season better be prepared for a one-two punch on the ground. If Nicholas Singleton doesn’t rack up yards, running the ball down your throat, then Kaytron Allen will – or vice versa. One or the other, or both, will dazzle you. Simply put, they will overpower you.

 

Singleton is a Pennsylvania native, from Shillington, Pennsylvania. Allen was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. But he went to high school at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

 

Texas, Georgia, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oregon, Louisville, Baylor, Kansas State, Boise State and Navy have strong running back tandems, but none compare with Penn State.

 

 

The Running Backs – 2025

 

At preseason, there are four running backs receiving most of the love. They are Penn State senior Nicholas Singleton (6-0, 220), Notre Dame junior Jeremiah Love (6-0, 212), Pitt senior Desmond Reid (5-8, 175) and Oregon junior Makhi Hughes (5-11, 210).

 

Last year, Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards, averaging 6.4 yards a carry. He scored 12 touchdowns. Love rushed for 1,125 yards, scoring 17 touchdowns. He averaged 6.9 yards a carry.

 

Reid rushed for 962 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Hughes transferred to Oregon from Tulane during the offseason. Last year with the Green Wave, he rushed for 1,401 yards, scoring 15 touchdowns. He averaged 100 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry.

 

 

ACC

 

Behind Pitt’s Desmond Reid, the ACC has four more good running backs led by Louisville sophomore Isaac Brown (5-9, 190). Last year, Brown rushed for 1,173 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Following Brown is Georgia Tech senior Jamal Haynes (5-9, 190). He rushed for 994 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

 

Two more running backs to keep an eye on in the ACC this season are NC State sophomore Hollywood Smothers (5-11, 185) and Miami junior Mark Fletcher (6-2, 225).

 

 

Big 12

 

The best running back in the Big 12 in 2025 appears to be Baylor sophomore Bryson Wahington (6-0, 203). Last season, Washington rushed for 1,028 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry.

 

Two more outstanding backs are Kansas State junior Dylan Edwards (5-9, 167) and West Virginia junior Jahiem White (5-7, 190). In 2024, Edwards averaged 7.4 yards per carry, while White averaged 5.7 yards.

 

Three other quality running backs in the Big 12 are BYU junior L.J. Martin (6-2, 220), Iowa State junior Carson Hansen (6-2, 220) and Kansas senior Daniel Hishaw (5-10, 220).

 

 

Big Ten

 

Along with Oregon’s Makhi Hughes and Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton, the best running back in the Big Ten is Penn State senior Kaytron Allen (5-11, 225). Last year, Allen runed for 1,108 yards. Washington senior Jonah Coleman (5-9, 225) follows Allen. Coleman rushed for 1,053 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

 

Three more good Big Ten running backs are Minnesota junior Darius Taylor (6-0, 215), Michigan junior Justice Haynes (5-11, 205) and Northwestern senior Cam Porter (5-10, 213). Last season Taylor rushed for 986 yards.

 

 

SEC

 

Two of the best running backs in the SEC are out of the Lone Star state – Texas junior Quintrevion Wisner and Texas A&M senior LeVeon Moss. In 2024, Wisner rushed for 1,064 yards, while Moss averaged 6.3 yards per carry.

 

Oklahoma has an outstanding runner in junior Jaydn Ott (6-1, 224). Ott transferred to OU from California during the offseason.

 

Four ore running backs to keep an eye on in the SEC are Georgia sophomore Nate Frazier (5-10, 205), LSU sophomore Caden Durham (5-9, 204), Alabama senior Jam Miller (5-10, 220) and Missouri sophomore Ahmad Hardy (5-10, 210).

 

 

AC

 

Navy’s running game is set with two of the best running backs in the AC – senior Alex Tecza (6-0, 204) and senior Eli Heidenreich (6-0, 201). UTSA has a solid runner in senior Robert Henry (5-9, 205).

 

Three other outstanding running backs in the AC are Tulane junior Maurice Turner (5-10, 190), Temple senior Jay Ducker (5-10, 195) and South Florida senior Cartevious Norton (5-11, 225).

 

 

C-USA

 

In C-USA, Liberty is looking good with two of the best running backs in the conference – sophomore Vaughn Blue (5-11, 195) and senior Julian Gray (5-11, 195).

 

Three other good runners to keep an eye on in C-USA are Delaware senior Jo’Nathan Silver (5-10, 200), Jacksonville State junior Cam Cook (5-11, 195) and Missouri State senior Shomari Lawrence (6-0, 207).

 

 

MAC

 

The best running back in the MAC is Buffalo senior Al-Jay Henderson (6-0, 210). Last year, Henderson rushed for 1,078 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

 

Th other top running backs in the MAC are Ohio senior Seth Bangura (6-0, 210), Toledo senior Chip Trayanum (5-11, 227) and Western Michigan junior Jalen Buckley (5-11, 210).

 

 

MWC

 

In the MWC, Boise State is loaded at the running back position with not one but two great backs. They are freshman Sire Gaines (6-1, 225) and senior Malik Sherrod (5-8, 177).

 

The best back in the MWC may be UNLV junior Jai’Den Thomas (5-9, 180). Last season, Thomas rushed for 918 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

 

Three additional quality running backs in the MWC are New Mexico junior Scottre Humphrey (5-10, 201), Air Force senior Dylan Carson (6-0, 215) and Nevada sophomore Herschel Turner (5-9, 190).

 

 

Sun Belt

 

James Madison is stacked with two of the best runners in the Sun Belt Conference. They are junior George Pettaway (5-10, 199) and senor Ayo Adeyi (5-8, 193). In 2024, Pettaway rushed for 980 yards, averaging 6.0 yards a carry.

 

Two remaining strong running backs in the Sun Belt are South Alabama senior Kentrel Bullock (5-10, 203) and Texas State senior Lincoln Pare (5-9, 200).

 

 

Independents

 

Among the Independents, Notre Dame not only has Jeremiah Love, but also, the Irish have junior running back Jadarian Price (5-11, 209). Last year Price averaged 6.2 per carry.

 

Connecticut has a strong, dependable runner in junior Cam Edwards (5-11, 210). Edwards averaged 5.7 yards per carry last year.

 

 

TT’s Top 10 Favorite Running Backs at Preseason

 

1.     Nicholas Singleton – Penn state

2.     Makhi Hughes – Oregon

3.     Jaydn Ott – Oklahoma

4.     Jeremiah Love – Notre Dame

5.     Jamal Haynes – Georgia The

6.     Kaytron Allen – Penn State

7.     Desmond Reid – Pitt

8.     Quintrevion Wisner – Texas

9.     Jahiem White – West Virginia

10.  Isaac Brown – Louisville

 

However, I also like:

 

Jai’Den Thomas (UNLV), LeVeon Moss (Texas A&M), Hollywood Smothers (NC State), Dylan Edwards (Kansas State), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Bryson Washington (Baylor), Al-Jay Henderson (Buffalo), Alex Tecza (Navy), Cam Edwards (UConn), and George Pettaway (James Madison).

 

 

The Other Positions – 2025

 

Wide Receivers

 

With five each, the Big Ten and the SEC have 10 of the best wide receivers in the country. In the Big Ten, who else but Ohio State has two of the top receivers. They are sophomore Jeremiah Smith (6-3, 215) and junior Carnell Tate (6-3, 191). The other three top receivers in the Big Ten are Indiana senior Elijah Sarratt (6-2, 209), USC junior Makai Lemon (5-11, 195) and Washington junior Denzel Boston (6-4, 207).

 

Of the five top receivers in the SEC, two are from Auburn. They are sophomore Cam Coleman (6-3, 195) and junior Eric Singleton (6-3, 195). The remaining three top receivers in the SEC are Alabama sophomore Ryan Williams (6-0, 175), LSU junior Aaron Anderson (5-8, 188) and Florida sophomore Eugene Wilson (5-10, 189).

 

The ACC has two outstanding receivers. They are Clemson junior Antonio Williams (5-11, 190) and Georgia Tech senior Eric Rivers (5-11, 175).

 

The final two quality receivers in the country are Arizona State junior Jordyn Tyson (6-2, 195) from the Big 12 and Notre Dame senior Malachi Fields (6-4, 220) from the Independents.

 

 

Tight Ends

 

Two of the four best tight ends in the country are from the SEC. They are Vanderbilt senior Eli Stowers (6-4, 235) and Texas junior Jack Endries (6-4, 240).

 

The other two are NC State senior Justin Jolly (6-3, 251) from the ACC and Ohio State senior Max Klare (6-4, 236) from the Big Ten.

 

 

Centers

 

Two of the four best centers in the country are from the SEC. They are Florida senior Jake Slaughter (6-5, 294) and Alabama junior Parker Brailsford (6-2, 290)

 

The other two are from the Big Ten. They are Iowa senor Logan Jones (6-3, 285) and Oregon junior Iapani Laloulu (6-2, 325).

 

 

Offensive Linemen (Guards and Tackles)

 

With five each, the SEC and the ACC have 10 of the best offensive linemen in the country. In the SEC, Alabama has two of the best offensive linemen. They are junior Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 360) and senior Jaeden Roberts (6-5, 325). Other top offensive linemen in the SEC are Texas A&M senior Ar’maj Reed-Adams (6-5, 340), Missouri junior Cayden Green (6-5, 320) and

Arkansas senior Fernando Carmona (6-5, 325).

 

Of the five best offensive linemen in the ACC, two are from Miami. They are junior Francis Mauigua (6-6, 315) and senior Anez Cooper (6-4, 330). Also from the ACC are Clemson senior Blake Miller (6-6, 315), Georgia Tech senior Keylan Rutledge (6-4, 310) and Duke sophomore Brian Parker (6-5, 300).

 

The Big Ten has four outstanding offensive linemen and two are from Oregon. They are senior Isaiah World (6-8, 310) and senior Emmanuel Pregnon (6-5, 320). The other two linemen from the Big Ten are Penn State junior Olaivavega Ioane (6-4, 334) and Iowa senior Gennings Dunker (6-5, 316).

 

The Big 12 has a couple of top offensive linemen – Utah junior Spencer Fano (6-2, 302) and Colorado sophomore Jordan Seaton (6-5, 330). The final three guys making the list are Boise State junior Kage Casey (6-5, 316) from the MWC, Tulane junior Shadre Hurst (6-2, 293) from the AC and Notre Dame junior Aamil Wagner (6-6, 293) from the Independents.

 

  

Defensive Linemen (Ends and Tackles)

 

The SEC leads the list of best defensive linemen with eight players. Two of those eight are from Florida – senior Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 274) and senior Caleb Banks (6-3, 329), while two are from Alabama – senior L.T. Overton (6-5, 280) and senior Tim Keenan (6-2, 325). The other four from the SEC are South Carolina sophomore Dylan Stewart (6-5, 245), Texas sophomore Colin Simmons (6-3, 238), Auburn junior Keldric Faulk (6-6, 270) and Georgia freshman Christen Miller (6-4, 305).

 

The Big Ten steps in with five of the best defensive linemen and Penn State has two of them – senior Dani Dennis-Sutton (6-5, 265) and senior Zane Durant (6-1, 292). Also, from the Big Ten are Indiana senior Mikail Kamara (6-1, 265), Oregon junior Matayo Uiagalelei (6-5, 270) and Iowa senior Aaron Graves (6-4, 300).

 

From the ACC, Clemson has a couple of top-notch defensive linemen. They are junior T.J. Parker (6-3, 265) and junior Peter Woods (6-3, 315). Also, representing the ACC is Miami junior Rueben Bain (6-3, 270). The best defensive linemen from the Big 12 are Cincinnati senior Dontay Corleone (6-1, 325) and Texas Tech senior Lee Hunter (6-4, 325). Last but not least from the MWC is San Diego State junior They White (6-2, 245), a superb defensive lineman.

 

 

Linebackers (Inside and Outside)

 

The SEC stands out with eight of the best linebackers in the country, and two of those eight are from LSU – junior Whit Weeks (6-2, 225) and junior Harold Perkins (6-1, 220). Each of the other six are from a different school. They are Texas junior Anthony Hill (6-3, 237), Texas A&M junior Taurean York (6-0, 235), Ole Miss junior Suntarine Perkins (6-1, 210) Georgia junior C.J. Allen (6-1,235), Alabama senior Deontae Lawson (6-2, 230) and Oklahoma junior Kip Lewis (6-1, 226).

 

The Big Ten has four top linebackers, led by Ohio State senior Sonny Styles (6-4, 235). The other three from the Big Ten are Indiana senior Aiden Fisher (6-1, 233), Illinois senior Gabe Jacas (6-3, 275) and Oregon senior Bryce Boettcher (6-2, 230).

 

Three of the best linebackers are from the ACC – Pitt junior Kyle Louis (6-0, 225), Clemson senior Wade Woodaz (6-3, 235) and California junior Cade Uluave (6-1, 235). The Big 12 comes in with three of the top linebackers – Kansas State junior Austin Romaine (6-2, 240),

Texas Tech senior Jacob Rodriguez (6-1, 230) and Baylor junior Keaton Thomas (6-2, 224).

 

The remaining two top linebackers are Old Dominion senior Jason Henderson (6-1, 225) from the Sun Belt and Notre Dame junior Drayk Bowen (6-2, 238) from the Independents.

 

 

Defensive Backs (Cornerbacks and Safeties)

 

Among the best defensive backs, the Big Ten leads the country with seven. Two of those seven are from Ohio State – junior Caleb Downs (6-0, 205) and senior Davison Igbinosun (6-2, 193). The others from the Big Ten are Oregon junior Dillon Thieneman (6-0, 210), Indiana senior D’Angelo Ponds (5-9, 170), Minnesota sophomore Koi Perich (6-1, 200), Illinois senior Xavier Scott (5-11, 190) and Penn State junior A.J. Harris (6-1, 184).

 

The SEC has five top defensive backs and four of those five are from Georgia and Texas. They are Georgia senior Daylen Everette (6-1, 190), Georgia sophomore K.J. Bolden (6-0, 185), Texas senior Michael Taaffe (6-0, 180) and Texas junior Malik Muhammad (6-0, 178). The fifth player is Tennessee junior Jermod McCoy (6-0, 93).

 

In the ACC, Duke leads the way with two of the best defensive backs. They are senior Chandler Rivers (5-10, 185) and senior Terry Moore (6-1, 195). Also from the ACC are Clemson junior Avieon Terrell (5-11, 180) and SMU senior Isaiah Nwokobia (6-1, 202).

 

From the Big 12, Iowa State has a pair of top-notch defensive backs. They are junior Jontez Williams (5-11, 200) and junior Jeremiah Cooper (6-0, 190). Independent Notre Dame has an ace defensive back in sophomore Leonard Moore (6-2, 180).

 

 

Kickers

 

Of the five best kickers in the country, two are from the SEC. They are Georgia junior Peyton Woodring (5-10, 185) and Ole Miss junior Lucas Carneiro (5-11, 190). The other three are from the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC – Michigan senior Dominic Zvada (6-3, 180), BYU senior Will Ferrin (6-3, 175) and SMU senor Colin Rogers (6-4, 219).

 

 

Punters

 

Two of the five best punters in the country are from the SEC and two are from the Big Ten. From the SEC are Georgia senior Brett Thorson (6-2, 235) and Texas senior Jack Bouwmeester (6-3, 209). From the Big Ten are Michigan State junior Ryan Eckley (6-2, 208) and Iowa sophomore Rhys Dakin (6-4, 225). The fifth of the best punters is from the Big 12 – Baylor junior Palmer Williams (6-2, 201).

 

 

The next posting of College Football Week – CFW Week 0 Forecast – will be released on Thursday morning, August 21.

 

 

Touchdown Tom

August 15, 2025

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

CFW Preseason 2025 - The Top Quarterbacks

 CFW Preseason 2025 – The Top Quarterbacks

Klubnik, Nussmeier and Manning

top list of many good quarterbacks

 

Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier and Arch Manning may be the three best quarterbacks going into the 2025 season, but they are just three of a plethora of outstanding quarterbacks waiting to show their talent. To Klubnik, Nussmeier and Manning, add the names of Drew Allar, Carson Beck, LaNorris Sellers, Blake Horvath, Sam Leavitt, Dylan Raiola and Rocco Becht.

 

That’s only the tip of the iceberg. How about Miller Moss, Avery Johnson, Luke Altmeyer, D.J. Lagway, Maddux Madsen, Kevin Jennings and Sawyer Robertson. I could go on and on with more names like Eli Holstein, Dante Moore, Diego Pavia, John Mateer, Darian Mensah, Haynes King and Marcel Reed. And still, I could go on.

 

Yes, 2025 is definitely going to be the year of the quarterback. Josh Hoover, Fernando Mendoza, Taylen Green, Alonza Barnett, Owen McCown, Behren Morton, Jayden Maiava and Tucker Gleason. There is no end to it.

 

Most will excite you with their passing. Garrett Nussmeier passed for 4,052 yards last year. Others will excite you with their running. Blake Horvath ran for 1,246 yards in 2024. Still, some will excite you with their passing and their running. LaNorris Sellers passed for 2,534 yards and rushed for 674 yards last season. The fireworks are about to begin.

 

 

The Quarterbacks – 2025

 

Why are Clemson senior Cade Klubnik (6-2, 210), LSU senior Garrett Nussmeier (6-2, 200) and Texas sophomore Arch Manning (6-4, 222) considered to be the best three quarterbacks entering the 2025 season? Well, Klubnik led Clemson to a 10-4 record, an ACC championship and a spot in the CFP last year. He accomplished all of this while passing for 3,689 yards, throwing 36 touchdown passes and averaging 260 yards a game passing. Klubnik completed 63 percent of his passes.

 

Nussmeier led LSU to a 9-4 record and a 44-31 victory over Baylor in the Texas Bowl last year. He accomplished all of this while passing for 4,052 yards, throwing 29 touchdown passes and averaging 312 yards a game passing. Nussmeier completed 64 percent of his lobs.

 

Now, the rest of the story: On opening weekend, Klubnik and Nussmeier lead their teams against each other. LSU at Clemson on August 30. It doesn’t get any better than that.

 

Unlike Klubnik and Nussmeier, Manning was not a starting quarterback last season. He was Quinn Ewers backup. When Ewers was injured in the third game of the season, Manning finished that game at quarterback and started the next two games for the Longhorns. With limited action last year, he still finished the season as the number one rated quarterback in the SEC. Manning passed for 939 yards and threw nine touchdown passes. Known for his deep-passing accuracy, he mirrors the athleticism of his grandfather, Archie.

 

Now the rest of the story: Manning’s first game is against Ohio State in Columbus on August 30. It doesn’t get any better than that.

 

 

Big 12

 

From top to bottom, the Big 12 has the best overall group of quarterbacks. At the top of the group is Arizona State sophomore Sam Leavitt (6-2, 210). Last year, Leavitt led the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record, the Big 12 championship and a spot in the CFP. Along the way, he passed for 2,663 yards, averaging 222 passing yards a game. Leavitt completed 63% of his oases.

 

Behind Leavitt are five excellent quarterbacks, any one of whom could lead their team to the Big 12 championship. They are Baylor senior Sawyer Robertson (6-4, 220), Iowa State junior Rocco Becht (6-1, 210), Kansas State junior Avery Johnson (6-8, 188), TCU junior Josh Hoover (6-2, 200) and Texas Tech senior Behran Morton (6-2, 220).

 

In 2024, Sawyer Robertson led Baylor to an 8-5 record (6-3 in the Big 12). He passed for 3,021 yards, completed 62% of his passes, while averaging 256 yards a game. Robertson threw 28 touchdown passes. Rocco Becht was no slouch, leading the Bears to an 11-3 record (7-2 in the Big 12) and a bowl-game victory over Miami (Florida). He passed for 3,505 yards, averaging 250 yards a game. Becht threw 25 touchdown passes, while completing 59% of his throws.

 

Last year, Avery Johnson led Kansas State to a 9-4 record and a bowl-game win over Rutgers. Along the way, Johnson passed for 2,712 yards, averaging 209 yards per game. He threw 25 touchdown passes. A dual threat player, Johnson also rushed for 605 yards. At TCU, Josh Hoover led the Horned Frogs to a 9-4 record (6-3 in the Big 12) and a season-ending bowl win. He passed for 3,949 yards, averaging 304 yards a game. Hoover threw 27 touchdown passes, while completing 67% of his throws.

 

Texas Tech’s Behren Morton had an impressive record, leading the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record. He passed for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns. Morton averaged 278 passing yards a game, while completing 63% of his passes.

 

Three more quarterbacks in the Big 12 aren’t likely to lead their teams to a conference championship, but each can be serious offensive threats to their opponents. They are Arizona junior Noah Fifita (5-10, 186), Kansas senior Jalon Daniels (6-0, 220) and Cincinnati junior Brendan Sorsby (6-3, 235).

 

Last season, Fifita passed for 2,958 yards, averaging 247 yards a game. He completed 61% of his passes. Daniels is a dual threat – passing and running. Sorsby threw for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns. He averaged 250 yards a game, completing 59% of his passes.

 

There are three transfer quarterbacks who could be starting for the first time in the Big 12. They are Utah junior Devon Dampier (5-11, 204), Colorado senior Kaidon Salter (6-1, 190) and Houston junior Conner Weighman (6-3, 215). Last year, Dampier passed for 2,768 yards, averaging 231 yards a game at New Mexico. He also rushed for 1,166 yards. Salter rushed for 587 yards at Liberty. Weighman is a former starter at Texas A&M.

 

A curious question mark in the Big 12 is West Virginia junior Nicco Marchiol (6-2, 228). A backup quarterback to Garrett Greene last season, Marchiol started two games when Greene was injured. He led WVU to wins in both of those games against Cincinnati and Arizona. Greene has graduated so this is Marchiol’s year to establish himself.

 

 

Big Ten

 

The clear-cut leading quarterback in the Big Ten is Penn State senior Drew Allar (6-5,241). In 2024, Allar led the Nittany Lions to a 13-3 record (8-1 in the Big Ten) and a spot in the CFP. He passed for 3,327 yards, averaging 208 yards a game. Allar threw 24 touchdown passes, completing 67 % of his throws.

 

Four quarterbacks fall in line behind Allar in the Big Ten. They are Illinois senior Luke Altmyer (6-2, 205), Nebraska sophomore Dylan Raiola (6-3, 230), USC junior Jayden Maiava (6-4, 215) and Washington sophomore Demond Williams (5-11, 197).

 

Last year, Altmyer led Illinois to a 10-3 record (6-3 in the Big Ten) and a Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina. He passed for 2,717 yards, averaging 209 yards a game and completed 61% of his passes. Nebraska’s Raiola passed for 2,819 yards and threw 27 touchdown passes.

 

At USC, Maiava replaced Miller Moss as the starting quarterback during the season last year. He led the Trojans to a Las Vegas Bowl win over Texas A&M. Washington’s Williams is a budding star as a dual threat quarterback.

 

Five Big Ten quarterbacks with lots of potential are transfers to their respective schools. Indiana junior Fernando Mendoza (6-5, 225) transferred to the Hoosiers from California. With the Golden Bears last year, he passed for 3,004 yards, averaging 273 yards, while completing 69% of his passes. Ohio State has high hopes for freshman Julian Sayin (6-1, 203). Sayin transferred to the Buckeyes from Alabama.

 

Oregon will be hanging its hat on sophomore Dante Moore (6-3, 210), who transferred to the Ducks from UCLA. And speaking of UCLA, the Bruins did a swap with Tennessee. UCLA picked up sophomore Nico Iamaleava (6-6, 220) who was the starting quarterback for the Vols in 2024. And finally, Wisconsin will go with senior Billy Edwards (6-3, 228). Edwards is a former Maryland quarterback.

 

 

ACC

 

Clemson’s Cade Klubnik may be the best, but he isn’t the only good quarterback in the ACC. Most of the best of the other quarterbacks in the conference are transfers. Among the transfers, none is better than Miami senior Carson Beck (6-4, 220). At Georgia last year, Beck passed for 3,485 yards, averaging 268 yards a game. He threw 28 touchdown passes and completed 65% of his passes.

 

Then there are Louisville senior Miller Moss (6-2, 210) and Duke sophomore Darian Mensah (6-3, 205). Miller transferred to Louisville from USC, where last year he passed for 2,555 yards averaging 284 yards a game. Miller completed 64% of his throws. At Tulane last season, Mensah passed for 2,723 yards, completing 66% of his passes. He averaged 210 yards a game through the air.

 

Two more transfers have the potential. They are North Carolina sophomore Gio Lopez (6-0, 220) and Florida State senior Tommy Castellanos (5-11, 201). It remains to be seen how they perform. Last year at South Alabama, Lopez passed for 2,557 yards, averaging 233 yards a game. He completed 66% of his passes. Castellanos transferred to FSU from Boston College, where he saw limited action last season.

 

The ACC has four solid quarterbacks who didn’t transfer during the offseason. They are SMU junior Kevin Jennings (6-0, 185), Georgia Tech senior Haynes King (6-3, 215), Pitt sophomore Eli Holstein (6-4, 225) and Virginia Tech senior Kyron Drones (6-2, 235).

 

In 2024, Jennings passed for 3,245 yards, averaging 232 yards a game and completing 65% of his passes. Both a passing and running threat, King rushed for 587 yards. In spite of being injured during the latter part of the season, Holstein passed for 2,228 yards, averaging 223 yards and completing 62% of his throws.

 

 

SEC

 

In addition to Garrett Nussmeier and Arch Manning, the SEC has an impressive corps of quarterbacks led by South Carolina sophomore LaNorris Sellers (6-3, 240). Last year, Sellers passed for 2,534 yards, averaging 211 yards a game. He also rushed for 674 yards.

 

When Florida sophomore D.J. Lagway (6-3, 241) didn’t start in 2024, the Gators were 2-4. When Lagway started, Florida was 6-1, including a 4-0 run at the end of the season with wins over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida state and Tulane.

 

Vanderbilt senior Diego Pavia (6-0, 207) not only led the Commodores to a win over Alabama last season, but also, he led Vandy to a bowl game win over Georgia Tech. A dual threat quarterback, Pavia passed for 2,293 yards and rushed for 801 yards. In spite of a so-so season for Arkansas last year (7-6), senior quarterback Taylen Green (6-6, 224) had an impressive season with the Razorbacks. Green passed for 3,154 yards, averaging 243 yards a game and completing 60% of his passes.

 

Georgia comes into the season ranked high with junior quarterback Gunner Stockton (6-1, 215). Texas A&M sophomore Marcel Reed (6-2, 185) came on strong last year for the Aggies. Mississippi State senior Blake Shapen (6-1, 210) returns from an injury-ending season in 2024.

 

Oklahoma junior John Mateer (6-1, 224) is drawing lots of attention. Mateer transferred to the Sooners from Washington State. Last year with the Cougars, he passed for 3,139 yards and averaged 262 yards a game, completing 65% of his lobs. Mateer threw 29 touchdown passes.

 

 

AC

 

The newly branded AC (American Conference) has four good quarterbacks, and none is better than Navy senior Blake Horvath (6-2, 1965). Last year, Horvath led the Midshipmen to a 10-3 record, including a bowl game win over Oklahoma. A strong runner, he rushed for 1,246 yards, scoring 17 touchdowns, while averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

 

Another good quarterback in the AC is UTSA junior Owen McCown (6-1, 190). McCown was impressive last season, passing for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns. He averaged 263 passing yards a game, completing 63% of his passes.

 

Two more AC quarterbacks to keep an eye on are South Florida senior Byrum Brown (6-3, 229) and UAB senior Jalen Kitna (6-5, 220). Brown was injured most of the 2024 season, while Kitna averaged 276 yards a game passing, completing 62% of his throws.

 

 

C-USA

 

The best of four good quarterbacks in C-USA is Middle Tennessee senior Nicholas Vattiato (6-0, 203). Last year, Vattiato passed for 3,092 yards, averaging 258 yards a game. He completed 64% of his passes.

 

The other three are FIU junior Keyone Jenkins (6-0, 195), Sam Houston senior Hunter Watson (6-3, 210) and UTEP junior Skyler Locklear (5-11, 195). Jenkins passed for 2,557 yards, averaging 213 yards a game. He completed 62% of his throws. Watson, a dual threat quarterback, rushed for 647 yards last year.

 

 

MAC

 

The MAC has four good quarterbacks who are going to be fun to watch. The two most exciting of the four appear to be Toledo senior Tucker Gleason (6-3, 245) and Ohio senior Parker Navarro (6-0, 205). In 2024, Gleason passed for 2,808 yards, averaging 234 yards a game. Navarro, an exciting runner, rushed for 1,054 yards and 18 touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards a carry. Passing, Navarro completed 66% of his throws.

 

The other two quarterbacks to keep an eye on are Miami senior Dequan Finn (6-2, 205) and

Akron junior Ben Finley (6-3, 200). Last year, Finley passed for 2,604 yards, averaging 217 yards a game.

 

 

MWC

 

The MWC has five good quarterbacks and the best of the five is Boise State junior Maddux Madsen (5-10, 201). Last season, Madsen led the Broncos to 12-2 record, the MWC championship and a spot in the CFP. Madsen passed for 3,018 yards, averaging 216 yards a game. He completed 62% of his passes.

 

Right behind Madsen are Colorado State junior Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (6-2, 200) 2,796, 215, 61 and San Jose State senior Walker Eget (6-3, 228). In 2024, Fowler-Nicolosi passed for 2,796 yards, averaging 215 yards a game. He completed 61% of his passes. Meanwhile, Eget passed for 2,504 yards, averaging 209 yards a game. He completed 61% of his throws and threw 24 touchdown passes.

 

Two other quarterbacks to keep an eye on in the MWC are Fresno State senior E.J. Warner (6-0, 195) and Nevada senior Chubba Purdy (6-3, 218). Warner, son of former NFL quarterback Curt Warner, has made the rounds in college football. Two years ago, he played for Temple. Last year, he was playing at Rice. This year he’ll give Fresno State a try. And Purdy, the chubby brother of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, has played the field too – first at Florida State, then Nebraska and now Nevada. Maybe the third school will be a charm for Warner and Purdy.

 

 

Sun Belt

 

The Sun Belt Conference has three good quarterbacks with the two best being Georgia Southern junior J.C. French (6-1, 205) and Arkansas State junior Jalen Raynor (6-0, 201). Last year French passed for 2,831 yards, averaging 218 yards a game. He completed 66% of his throws. Raynor passed for 2,783 yards, averaging 214 yards a game. He completed 62% of his passes.

 

The third quarterback is Southern Miss senior Braylon Braxton (6-2, 227). Last year, Braxton led Marshall to the Sun Belt championship. He transferred to Southern miss during the offseason.

 

Keep an eye on James Madison where anyone of three quarterbacks – junior Alonza Barnett (6-0, 206), senior Matthew Sluka (6-3, 216) and junior Camden Coleman (6-3, 220) – could become the star. Sluka transferred to JMU from UNLV.

 

 

Independents/Pac-2

 

Among the Independent/Pac-2 teams, Oregon State has a quality quarterback in junior Maalik Murphy (6-5, 235). During the offseason, Maalik transferred from Duke to Oregon State. Last year at Duke, he passed for 2,933 yards, averaging 244 yards a game. He completed 60% of his passes and threw 26 touchdown passes.

 

 

TT’s Top 10 Favorite Quarterbacks at Preseason

 

1.     Blake Horvath – Navy

2.     Sam Leavitt – Arizona State

3.     Arch Manning – Texas

4.     Cade Klubnik – Clemson

5.     Garrett Nussmeier – LSU

6.     Demond Williams – Washington

7.     Luke Altmyer – Illinois

8.     LaNorris Sellers – South Carolina

9.     Sawyer Robertson – Baylor

10.  Rocco Becht – Iowa State

 

However, I also like:

 

Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Carson Beck (Miami-Florida), Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Colorado State), Drew Allar (Penn State), D.J. Lagway (Florida), Haynes King (Georgia Tech), Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Parker Navarro (Ohio), Eli Holstein (Pitt) and Walker Eget (San Jose State).

 

The next posting of College Football Week – CFW Preseason 2025: The Top Running Backs and Other Positions – will be released tomorrow morning, August 15. See you then.

 

Touchdown Tom

August 14, 2025

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