Ranking College Football’s Best Returning Quarterbacks in 2026

The 2025 season is barely in the rearview mirror, but college football never really stops. Rosters are still being shuffled, depth charts are still being debated, and the quarterback carousel has already spun itself into a new set of storylines.

What makes 2026 different is the talent that stuck around. Veterans who could have gone pro decided to come back. Transfer portal additions have quietly reshuffled the pecking order at programs that were once afterthoughts. And a handful of sophomore breakout candidates are about to introduce themselves to a national audience in a big way.

The result is one of the deeper quarterback landscapes in recent memory. These are the signal-callers worth building your season around.

More returning college football position rankings:
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Honorable Mentions

Rocco Becht, Penn State Nittany Lions

Redshirt senior in 2026; 6'1", 210 lbs.

2025 stats: 60.5% completion, 2,584 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT; 116 rushing yards, 8 TD

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) prepares to pass in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Rocco Becht spent four years building one of the more quietly impressive careers in Big 12 history at Iowa State, finishing with over 9,000 passing yards and helping the Cyclones run off 30 consecutive home wins. The Wesley Chapel, Florida native was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023 and earned multiple Academic All-Big 12 honors over his time in Ames.

His 2025 numbers were a step back from his previous seasons, but the body of work is there. Becht is a patient, cerebral quarterback who manages games well and rarely beats himself, qualities that translate regardless of conference.

He takes those traits to Penn State for his final season, stepping into a program with legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations and a roster built to compete at the highest level. If he recaptures the form that made him one of the Big 12's steadiest signal callers, the Nittany Lions will be a dangerous team in the Big Ten.

Gunner Stockton, Georgia Bulldogs

Redshirt senior in 2026; 6'1", 215 lbs.

2025 stats: 69.7% completion, 2,894 yards, 24 TD, 5 INT; 462 rushing yards, 10 TD

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) — Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Gunner Stockton waited his turn at Georgia longer than almost anyone, and when he finally got it in 2025, he made it count. The Tiger, Georgia native started all 14 games for the Bulldogs, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions while also contributing on the ground with 462 rushing yards and 10 scores.

Along the way he collected SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Davey O'Brien National QB of the Week recognition, and a Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week nod. He was at his best in big games, throwing for 304 yards against Tennessee and posting a season-long 47-yard run against Ole Miss.

Stockton heads into 2026 as the unquestioned leader of a Georgia program that has the talent to compete for a national title. The wait is over and the stage is his.

Demond Williams Jr., Washington Huskies

Junior in 2026; 5'11", 191 lbs.

2025 stats: 69.5% completion, 3,065 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT; 611 rushing yards, 6 TD

Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) warms up prior to the LA Bowl Game against the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Demond Williams Jr. does not look the part by any traditional measure, but he plays it better than most. The Chandler, Arizona native started all 13 games for Washington in 2025, completing 68.4 percent of his passes for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 611 yards and six scores, the third-most rushing yards by a quarterback in program history.

Williams earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition and a spot on the conference's All-Academic Team, and he was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against Maryland. He's the kind of player who makes the right decision quickly and can hurt you with his legs when a play breaks down.

Williams gives Washington a proven dual-threat starter with two full years of Big Ten experience under his belt. The Huskies are worth watching in 2026.

Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech Red Raiders

Senior in 2026; 6'3", 225 lbs.

2025 stats: 61.6% completion, 2,800 yards, 27 TD, 5 INT; 580 rushing yards, 9 TD

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby — Brendan Sorsby looks to throw during the Texas Tech football team's spring game. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Brendan Sorsby has been everywhere, Indiana, Cincinnati, and now Texas Tech, and he's gotten better at every stop. The Denton, Texas native was the Pro Football Focus Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions while also rushing for 580 yards and nine scores at Cincinnati. ESPN ranked him the top player in the transfer portal following the season, and PFF called him the highest-rated power conference quarterback returning to college football in 2026.

The numbers over his career are staggering. Sorsby is one of only 20 quarterbacks since 1956 to throw for 7,000 yards and 60 touchdowns with fewer than 25 interceptions while also rushing for 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. He does it all cleanly, and his five interceptions in 2025 were tied for third-fewest nationally among quarterbacks with at least 2,500 passing yards.

Sorsby arrives as the most experienced quarterback in the Big 12 and one of the most complete signal callers in the country. The Red Raiders could be a problem.

CJ Carr, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

21-year-old redshirt sophomore in 2026; 6'3", 205 lbs.

2025 stats: 66.6% completion, 2,741 yards, 24 TD, 6 INT; 33 rushing yards, 3 TD

Quarterback CJ Carr during Notre Dame football's Pro Day at Irish Athletic Center. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CJ Carr did something most true freshmen never do at Notre Dame: he started all 12 games and never looked out of place. The Saline, Michigan native threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns against just six interceptions while completing 66.6 percent of his passes, earning Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist recognition and a spot on The Athletic's Midseason All-Freshman Team.

Carr had nine games with multiple touchdown passes and was the first Notre Dame quarterback since 2017 to have at least one passing and rushing touchdown in his first career start. The pedigree is there too, as the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, he grew up around the game and it shows in how he carries himself.

Carr has the makings of a legitimate star. Notre Dame has the roster to compete for a title, and he's the one under center.

Kevin Jennings, SMU Mustangs

Redshirt senior in 2026; 6'0", 192 lbs.

2025 stats: 66.1% completion, 3,641 yards, 26 TD, 13 INT

Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Kevin Jennings has quietly become one of the more productive quarterbacks in the ACC, and he's done it without much national fanfare. The Oak Cliff, Texas native threw for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2025 while serving as team captain, finishing third in the conference in passing yards and posting a 146.6 passer rating that ranked fifth in the ACC.

His best moments came against the biggest competition. Jennings threw for a season-high 365 yards against No. 10 Miami and connected on a season-best 80-yard completion in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl win over Arizona. He had five games with at least 300 yards passing and three games with at least three touchdown passes.

Jennings gives SMU a proven starter with the arm talent to keep the Mustangs in the ACC conversation.

Top 10 college football quarterbacks for 2026

10. Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans

Redshirt senior in 2026; 6'4", 225 lbs.

2025 stats: 65.8% completion, 3,711 yards, 24 TD, 10 INT; 157 rushing yards, 6 TD

Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half during the Alamo Bowl. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jayden Maiava has been through the full USC experience, the chaos, the transition, the expectations, and he's still standing. The Paiolo, Hawaii native posted 3,771 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025 while also rushing for 157 yards and six scores, earning Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team honors and a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist nod along the way.

What separates Maiava is his dual-threat ability at a legitimate quarterback size. At 6'4" and 225 pounds, he can beat you with his arm or his legs, and he's shown the toughness to absorb hits and keep drives alive. Lincoln Riley said after spring ball that he sees a noticeably different player heading into 2026, more decisive, more comfortable, and ready to take over as one of the Big Ten's premier quarterbacks.

Maiava has the experience and the weapons around him to make USC relevant again. If the spring reports hold up in September, the Trojans could be a sleeper worth watching.

9. Darian Mensah, Miami

Redshirt junior in 2026; 6'3", 205 lbs.

2025 stats: 66.8% completion, 3,973 yards, 34 TD, 6 INT

Former Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Darian Mensah has done this before. He took over at Tulane, won the job, and moved on. He did the same thing at Duke, arriving as a transfer and promptly leading the Blue Devils to the ACC Championship in his only season with the program. Now he's done it again, landing in Coral Gables as the answer to Miami's quarterback question.

At Duke in 2025, Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns against just six interceptions across 14 starts, earning All-ACC Second Team honors and a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist nod. He was at his sharpest in the biggest moments, taking home MVP honors in both the ACC Championship Game and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

Miami hasn't had a quarterback this polished walking through the door in years. If Mensah does what he's done at every other stop, the Hurricanes are going to be very difficult to deal with in 2026.

8. Josh Hoover, Indiana Hoosiers

Redshirt senior in 2026; 6'2", 200 lbs.

2025 stats: 65.9% completion, 3,472 yards, 29 TD, 13 INT

Former TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Josh Hoover spent four years carving up defenses at TCU, and now he brings that experience to one of college football's most interesting programs. The Heath, Texas native was the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, finishing with 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Horned Frogs on a dramatic comeback win in the Valero Alamo Bowl that ESPN ranked among the top 30 games of the season.

Hoover owns some of TCU's most impressive career passing numbers, and his volume production over four seasons speaks to his ability to keep an offense moving through good times and bad. He's not flashy, but he finds ways to get the ball to playmakers and put points on the board.

The move to Indiana puts him in a program that went to the College Football Playoff last year under Curt Cignetti, and Hoover gives the Hoosiers an experienced signal caller who knows how to lead a team. He'll need to sharpen his decision-making and cut down on the turnovers, but the arm talent and the track record are both there.

7. Byrum Brown, Auburn Tigers

Senior in 2026; 6'3", 232 lbs.

2025 stats: 66.7% completion, 3,158 yards, 28 TD, 7 INT; 1,008 rushing yards, 14 TD

Former South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throws the ball against the UTSA Roadrunners. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Byrum Brown is the kind of quarterback who makes a defensive coordinator's job a nightmare. The Raleigh, North Carolina native put together a monster season at South Florida in 2025, throwing for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for over 1,000 yards and 14 scores, making him one of the most dangerous dual-threat players in the country. He owns 15 USF program records and was the Boca Raton Bowl Offensive MVP before making the jump to the SEC.

Brown brings a physical toughness to the position that fits naturally in the SEC. At 6'3" and 232 pounds, he absorbs hits and keeps plays alive with his legs in a way that wears defenses down over the course of a game. Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, who coached Brown at USF, already knows exactly what he's getting.

The jump from the AAC to the SEC is a real one, but Brown has the tools and the track record to handle it. If he translates his dual-threat dominance to the Plains, Auburn could be a team that nobody wants to face in 2026.

6. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss Rebels

Senior in 2026; 6', 205 lbs.

2025 stats: 66.1% completion, 3,937 yards, 22 TD, 3 INT; 527 rushing yards, 8 TD

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) after losing the CFP Fiesta Bowl against Miami at the State Farm Stadium. | Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Trinidad Chambliss might be the most unlikely star in college football. A Division II champion at Ferris State who had to fight the NCAA in court just to play in 2026, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native arrived at Ole Miss and immediately looked like he belonged among the best quarterbacks in the country. He was named SEC Newcomer of the Year after completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,937 yards while also rushing for 527 yards and eight touchdowns, earning All-SEC Second Team honors and the C Spire Conerly Trophy along the way.

His biggest moments came when the stage was largest. Chambliss orchestrated two CFP wins for the Rebels and was named Sugar Bowl Offensive MVP, finishing 23-of-37 for 277 yards and three touchdowns against Miami in the CFP Quarterfinal.

With head coach Pete Golding calling him a Heisman contender and the legal cloud now behind him, Chambliss heads into his final college season as one of the most fascinating players in the sport. Don't let the Division II background fool you. This guy is the real deal.

5. Sam Leavitt, LSU Tigers

Redshirt junior in 2026; 6'2", 216 lbs.

2025 stats: 60.7% completion, 1,628 yards, 10 TD, 3 INT; 306 rushing yards, 5 TD

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) — Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Houston Cougars in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sam Leavitt does things his own way, and it's worked pretty well so far. The West Linn, Oregon native was the 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year after leading Arizona State to an 11-3 record, a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He was on his way to building on that in 2025 before a foot injury cut his season short after just seven games.

Now he's a Tiger, following Lane Kiffin from Tempe to LSU in one of the offseason's most talked about moves. That same foot injury forced him to miss the rest of spring practice in Baton Rouge, which is worth keeping an eye on heading into fall camp.

When healthy, Leavitt is one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. If he's right by September, LSU has the pieces around him to be one of the scariest offenses in the SEC.

4. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Redshirt sophomore in 2026; 6'4", 211 lbs.

2025 stats: 68.9% completion, 4,379 yards, 34 TD, 9 INT

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker — Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker is interviewed during a spring football practice. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Drew Mestemaker is college football's best-kept secret, and that changes the moment he steps onto a Big 12 field. The Austin, Texas native was a statistical wrecking ball at North Texas in 2025, becoming the NCAA FBS champion in passing yards, passing yards per game, total offense and yards per attempt while throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns. He set the single-game UNT record with 608 passing yards against Charlotte and finished the year with the highest passing efficiency rating in program history.

The awards followed in bunches. Mestemaker was a First Team All-American by the FWAA, the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, a Manning Award finalist and a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist, becoming just the fifth freshman in FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards. He completed at least 300 yards in five games and connected for multiple touchdowns in 13 of his 14 starts.

Now transferring to Oklahoma State to reunite with his head coach in the Big 12, Mestemaker faces a serious jump in competition. But if the tape and the numbers are any indication, he's more than ready for it.

3. Dante Moore, Oregon Ducks

Redshirt junior in 2026; 6'3", 206 lbs.

2025 stats: 71.8% completion, 3,565 yards, 30 TD, 10 INT; 156 rushing yards, 2 TD

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the 2025 Peach Bowl. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Dante Moore gave up a projected first-round draft grade to come back to Eugene, and that decision alone tells you everything about where his head is at. The Detroit native put together one of the finest seasons in Oregon history in 2025, ranking fourth all-time in single-season completion percentage at the school while guiding the Ducks to a 13-2 record and the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

Moore was at his absolute best when the stakes were highest. He threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns against James Madison in the CFP. He was named a Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist and a Maxwell Award semifinalist, earning All-Big Ten recognition along the way.

With a new offensive coordinator in Drew Mehringer and a roster loaded with returning talent, Moore heads into 2026 with unfinished business and a clear shot at a national championship run. Oregon is built to win it all, and he's the engine.

2. Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns

Junior in 2026; 6'4", 226 lbs.

2025 stats: 61.4% completion, 3,163 yards, 26 TD, 7 INT; 399 rushing yards, 10 TD

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The Manning name carries more weight than any other in football history, and Arch has spent his first two seasons in Austin proving he's worth every bit of it. The New Orleans native finished 2025 with 26 touchdown passes and a career-best performance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, where he was named MVP after going 21-of-34 for 221 yards with two scores while also adding 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

His dual-threat ability is what separates him from the family tree. Manning was Texas's second leading rusher in 2025, recording 399 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground while also throwing for over 3,000 yards. He had three games with at least 300 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns without a single interception, a combination that very few quarterbacks in the country could pull off.

Now heading into his junior season with full command of Steve Sarkisian's offense and an NIL deal that reflects his standing as one of the most marketable players in college football, Manning enters 2026 as a legitimate Heisman contender with something to prove to the doubters.

1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State Buckeyes

Junior in 2026; 6'1", 208 lbs.

2025: 77.0% completion, 3,610 yards, 32 TD, 8 INT

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) prepares to take the field for warm-ups prior to the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Julian Sayin is the best quarterback in college football, and it's not particularly close. The Carlsbad, California native led the nation in completion percentage in 2025, finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, and guided Ohio State to a 12-0 regular season and the College Football Playoff. He had six games where he completed better than 80% of his passes, and did it against one of the most demanding schedules in the country.

What makes Sayin special isn't just the accuracy, it's the consistency. He never seems rattled, never forces throws he shouldn't make, and has a feel for the game that most quarterbacks don't develop until they're deep into their professional careers. Head coach Ryan Day has a track record of developing elite quarterbacks, and Sayin may be the best he's ever had.

Now entering his junior season with 14 starts under his belt and the full trust of his teammates, Sayin heads into 2026 as the Heisman frontrunner and the player opposing defenses lose sleep over.