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
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
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