some offseason portal drama<\/a> but returned to Washington after it became clear it would be really expensive to sign with another school. There\u2019s no doubt Williams \u2014 now in his third season with coach Jedd Fisch \u2014 is talented, but he played his worst against the best defenses he faced last season, and those teams all managed to negate his mobility, which is supposed to be a strength.<\/p>\n\u201cDemond is a good player. Another undersized QB,\u201d a Big Ten front office staffer said. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be the guy who\u2019s running around you better be Lamar Jackson fast, and faster than their fastest guy, which I don\u2019t think Demond is.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
If Washington is going to make noise in the Big Ten, Williams has to be better against the league\u2019s top-tier teams.<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/loading.gif\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Washington has been the centerpiece of Maryland\u2019s program since he committed to the Terrapins in June 2024 \u2014 and for good reason. His size, arm strength and athleticism are all there. <\/p>\n
\u201cNFL talent,\u201d a Big Ten assistant coach said. \u201cCan\u2019t believe he was a freshman. Tremendous zip on the ball, can make all the throws.\u201d <\/p>\n
Several Big Ten front office staffers noted that Washington is still very raw. Still, the ceiling is extremely high. No FBS program ran the ball less than Maryland last season, so making life easier for Washington will be key to maximizing his potential.<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Expectations were high for Dampier as he entered the Big 12, and he largely met them. His running ability is his superpower \u2014 he had the third-most rushing yards among Power 4 QBs last year (835) \u2014 and he had one of the best touchdown-to-turnover ratios in the country (34-to-6).\n <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s electric,\u201d a Big 12 personnel director said. \u201cHe\u2019s someone who you want the ball in his hands.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
His ability as a passer drew plenty of criticism, though, with one conference personnel staffer flagging Dampier\u2019s footwork when pressured.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen (Texas Tech) got pressure on him consistently, everything (went) out the window,\u201d the staffer said. \u201cHe was off his back foot, running around. The accuracy issues, they\u2019re there. It\u2019s really hard for me to like him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big 12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Heintschel was elevated to the top of the depth chart a month into last season and threw for at least 300 yards in four of his first five starts. He\u2019s a solid distributor who plays without fear and shows a willingness to run. However, his aggression can lead to turnovers. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor a young guy, he played with good enough poise,\u201d an ACC personnel staffer said. \u201cHe\u2019s a little erratic. But when he\u2019s going, he\u2019s going.\u201d <\/p>\n
Heintschel\u2019s production dipped late in the season as Pitt faced more difficult competition, but his overall play was encouraging enough to believe he is the long-term answer. <\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
ACC<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Becht, who followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, is the most accomplished quarterback in Iowa State history. He led the Cyclones to their first-ever 10-win season and sits second in career touchdown passes (64) and third in career completions (714). But some in the industry aren\u2019t overly impressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m kinda off the Rocco Becht train,\u201d a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. \u201cHe’s just got a ceiling as a quarterback. He\u2019s got a very high floor, but then a pretty low ceiling as well.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the flip side, others are more than comfortable with the certainty a veteran like Becht provides. \u201cDoesn\u2019t turn the ball over. Smart with the ball. \u2026 The guy has won how many games?\u201d a Big Ten general manager said. \u201cHe\u2019s in a similar system. He has led. He\u2019s a little bit underrated. OK he\u2019s not as talented as those other guys, but he can win you 10 games and take Penn State to the Playoff.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You could argue that Iamaleava was more impressive during the Bruins\u2019 3-9 season than he was as the starter during Tennessee\u2019s CFP season in 2024. He took fair criticism for how his time with the Volunteers ended but showed a ton of competitive character last year despite a horrendous team season that featured a messy coaching situation, underwhelming skill support and a bad offensive line. Iamaleava showed up and battled every week with no complaints even though his team was undermanned almost every game, and he essentially willed UCLA to one of the biggest upsets of the season against Penn State.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis guy is so freaking good,\u201d a Big Ten assistant coach said. \u201cSinglehandedly beat Penn State. Dangerous in every sense of the word. Can make every throw.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are reasons to be optimistic about Iamaleava this year now that UCLA should have competent coaching with Bob Chesney.<\/p>\n
Spend five minutes watching Iamaleava, and it won\u2019t be difficult to see the talent that made him a five-star recruit and created optimism for his NFL future. He has dual-threat skills and the big arm to attack every level of the defense, especially downfield. However, it is also obvious how inconsistent he is on a snap-to-snap basis, even on check-downs and layups. Like most 21-year-old quarterbacks, he is still a work in progress at the hardest position to play in the sport. \u2014 Brugler <\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Simmons entered 2025 as Ole Miss\u2019 QB1, but an early-season injury opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss, who never relinquished the gig. Simmons, who has just two starts and 262 career snaps in three years, will get another shot as the starter at Mizzou. <\/p>\n
There aren\u2019t many questions about his ability. He has legitimate arm talent, good ball placement, mobility and processing skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly on, you saw a lot of flashes,\u201d an SEC general manager said. \u201cI think there\u2019s a chance that it works out well at Missouri.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jackson was clearly the top pick among the Group of 6 quarterbacks. He won\u2019t overwhelm you with his size, but he is a dynamic signal caller. His completion percentage (71.3) was in the top five nationally, and he\u2019s extremely dangerous with his legs. He broke out in 2025 with 3,224 passing yards, 744 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns in his first season as the starter. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a baller,\u201d said a head coach who faced Jackson last year. \u201cI think he\u2019s really good. He\u2019s athletic. He\u2019s a gamer. He\u2019s tough. How they kept him is unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Pac-12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Weigman\u2019s 2025 was a refreshing change from his injury-plagued tenure at Texas A&M. He gave the surprising 10-3 Cougars what they needed: experience, leadership and production (2,705 passing yards, 700 rushing). <\/p>\n
Despite the arrival of five-star recruit Keisean Henderson, Weigman is safe as QB1, looking to take the Cougars into Big 12 title game contention while grooming his successor. Nobody we spoke with was wowed by his traits, but most commended his toughness.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s gritty \u2026 better athlete than you think,\u201d a Big 12 OC said. \u201cHe\u2019s solid throwing the football, but kind of pushes it, not an elite arm talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Said a Big 12 assistant, \u201cHe\u2019s got some moxie to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big 12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lindsey more than held his own in his first season as a starter. He threw for 2,382 yards, led the Golden Gophers to eight wins and solidified himself as a key building block for the program. His size, tools and play have even generated some early NFL Draft buzz, and he should only be better this season now that he has a year of starting experience under his belt. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a big arm,\u201d a Big Ten front office staffer said. \u201cIf you look more at the statuesque passer-type with a big-bodied kid who makes a ton of plays for them, too.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Lindsey is one of the more underrated quarterback prospects in college football. A good-sized passer, he has a strong arm and delivers with touch. And he anticipates well to put the ball where his receiver will be, not where he is. His 2025 tape is littered with decisions he would like back, which is to be expected of a first-year starter in the Big Ten. But scouts are excited to see what Year 2 looks like. \u2014 Brugler<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bachmeier\u2019s production as a true freshman (3,033 passing yards, 527 rushing, 26 TDs responsible for) was terrific. He\u2019s a tough runner and a capable, though not elite, passer with plenty of room for improvement. He didn\u2019t impress coaches with his physical traits, but many called him solid.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig, tough, perfect for BYU\u2019s system and what they do,\u201d a Big 12 head coach said. \u201cHe\u2019ll continue to grow. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s an NFL-type, first-round draft pick right now. He\u2019s still young.\u201d <\/p>\n
Said a Big 12 OC, \u201cHe’s kind of a game manager. He can run but he doesn\u2019t scare you in that he’s gonna take over and win you a game throwing the football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 3<\/p>\n
Big 12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
There was a ton of hype surrounding Underwood entering last season as the No. 1 recruit in his class, but the play didn\u2019t match the buzz. He was just a true freshman, and Michigan\u2019s dysfunctional coaching situation didn\u2019t help matters. He has all the physical tools to become a special QB, but it\u2019ll be on a new coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Jason Beck, to optimize that ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you drew up an athlete, they would look like (him),\u201d a Big Ten assistant coach said. \u201cBig, strong, fast, put together the right way. Mechanics and natural feel not to the level of the other guys (at the top of the league), but he has elite talent for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Taylor showed an appealing skill set in his two starts as a true freshman for the Bulldogs. His size and running ability make him a chore to tackle. If he can throw it well enough to make defenses fear him, he has star potential.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019ll blow up in the SEC,\u201d an FBS personnel staffer said. \u201cHe has some juice. Will he be as clinical as he needs to be and protect the ball and put it in the right spot? I don\u2019t know, but intangibles-wise, traits-wise, he has everything you want.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
Said an SEC assistant: \u201cReally raw as a passer but really athletic, really good kid. \u2026 I think he\u2019s gotten better as a passer. You\u2019re not going to survive being a runner in this league very long unless you\u2019re Cam Newton and 250 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Crimson Tide haven\u2019t yet publicly declared a starter between Russell and Austin Mack, but Russell\u2019s talent is enticing. \u201cHe\u2019s going to burst out onto the scene,\u201d a Power 4 personnel director said. <\/p>\n
Russell, Alabama\u2019s 2025 five-star signee, has a quick release and is accurate. His athleticism to extend plays can give opponents headaches. His only action last year was 38 combined snaps in blowout wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois, but coaches and scouts inside and outside the SEC believe he has star potential. How will he handle the pressure if he wins the job in Tuscaloosa? <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of ability,\u201d an SEC GM said. \u201cWe just haven\u2019t seen it on the big stage yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Minchey narrowly lost the starting QB competition to CJ Carr last year at Notre Dame and has logged only 105 snaps in 10 career games. But opponents are bullish on Minchey\u2019s potential given his dual-threat ability. \u201cHe\u2019s got a ton of arm talent,\u201d a Power 4 personnel director said. <\/p>\n
Power 4 GM concurred, saying Minchey \u201ccan make all the throws\u201d but suggested Kentucky take advantage of his athleticism. \u201cHe\u2019s a deceptive runner,\u201d the GM said. \u201cIf a team was smart, they\u2019d run him. That kid\u2019s got all the talent in the world. He\u2019s going to go to Kentucky and let it rip.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With Brendan Sorsby out of the picture, the Red Raiders\u2019 hopes rest on Hammond, their 2024 quarterback signee. His dazzling second-half performance against Utah in relief of Behren Morton won supporters last season, but he was up-and-down in a loss to Arizona State.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s still recovering from a knee injury suffered last October, but head coach Joey McGuire recently confirmed Hammond is expected to be cleared and ready for Week 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has pretty good talent,\u201d a Big 12 personnel director said. \u201cHow much do they run him coming off of knee surgery? That\u2019s what made him really dangerous. He\u2019s ridiculously strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Said a Big 12 head coach: \u201cA lot of talent, but how does it all come together coming off an injury? There\u2019s a reason they paid a guy $5 million to come in this year. There’s got to be something they didn\u2019t love or trust completely right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Joseph, the 2025 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, is a true dual-threat passer who produced at a high level against P4 competition with his legs (179 rushing yards and two TDs vs. Indiana) and arm (276 passing yards and two TDs vs. Virginia Tech). He provides some excitement for a Wisconsin program that needs some juice. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a great athlete who can make plays with his legs,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cHe\u2019s got some limitations as a passer that I wonder how that will translate to the Big Ten level. When used correctly, playing to his strengths, he can be productive. He\u2019s not going to fit everybody\u2019s system.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s talent has rarely been an issue; the questions surrounding him are more existential. \u201cWhat has he done in three years?\u201d a Big 12 head coach pondered. <\/p>\n
A supreme athlete, Johnson was expected to take off in 2025 if he cut down on turnovers. Instead, his production dipped across the board. \u201cAll the talent in the world. I don\u2019t know where the disconnect was,\u201d said a personnel director who faced him last year. \u201cI think pressure is a huge problem for him.\u201d <\/p>\n
The good news is a familiar face is back. Collin Klein, the coach who recruited Johnson to the Wildcats, returned to Manhattan as head coach after a two-year stint as Texas A&M\u2019s OC. A Big 12 OC believes it will help Johnson rebound. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat system will play into his strengths,\u201d the OC said. \u201cHe’s still limited as a passer. If he just lets himself be athletic instead of trying to force himself to be an NFL pocket passer, I think he’ll have a really good year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much of the NFL optimism around Johnson started to wane last season as he struggled with his consistency as a passer. The dual-threat talent is exciting, but can he take the next step with his decision making and accuracy? Johnson’s draft projection is directly tied to whether or not his passing development improves as a senior or stays the same. \u2014 Brugler<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
Big 12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Craig, a two-time first-team All-Ivy Leaguer at Harvard, is one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the Big 12. He had draftable grades from NFL scouts and considered going that route before opting to transfer to the Power 4, where he\u2019ll succeed Josh Hoover. His size, arm and smart play (52 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions) drew plenty of interest in the transfer portal.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a really good arm. He\u2019s accurate,\u201d a Big 12 personnel staffer said. \u201cHe\u2019s OK with his legs. He\u2019s more of a scrambling guy, he\u2019s not going to make anyone miss.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Power 4 personnel director said \u201cthere\u2019s no reason he can\u2019t\u201d succeed at the Power 4 level.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe probably has better feel in the pocket than (2025 starter Josh) Hoover, but he won\u2019t give you the wow plays like a Hoover,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With 31 combined career starts at Virginia and UNLV, Colandrea has a wealth of experience and production (7,542 career passing yards, 1,151 rushing yards and 61 total touchdowns). During that time, he\u2019s become known for playing a chaotic brand of football. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to make plays outside of the system but he\u2019s going to make mistakes outside of the system,\u201d a Mountain West head coach said. \u201cYou don\u2019t get one without the other.\u201d <\/p>\n
Colandrea is undersized, but his moxie, experience and playmaking ability are what the Cornhuskers needed after Dylan Raiola transferred and Kenny Minchey left them at the altar for Kentucky.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kentucky inserted Boley into the starting lineup three weeks into the 2025 season, and he had his ups and downs as a redshirt freshman. The traits were eye-catching: He\u2019s big, mobile, has plenty of arm strength and can capably manage the offense. On the downside, he turned it over a lot. His 4.5 percent interception rate in his two seasons at Kentucky is the highest among any FBS quarterback who has made at least 10 starts in the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has the potential to be third in the league (in terms of quarterbacks), but he has the potential to be 14th in the league too if he turns the ball over and doesn\u2019t fix that,\u201d a Big 12 coach said.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Houser was very productive (3,300 passing yards, 28 total touchdowns) in East Carolina\u2019s fast-paced offense last season. He\u2019s also a really accurate passer with a wealth of experience (26 career starts, including seven at Michigan State in 2023). Those factors made him attractive in the portal this offseason. His fit at Illinois, which isn\u2019t exactly known for an up-tempo offense, raises some questions. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he was great for that scheme (at ECU),\u201d an American Conference personnel director said. \u201cI\u2019m not so sure how it\u2019ll go at that level against that speed of defense. He needed a more old school Big-12 type system.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What was supposed to be a big sophomore season at Florida turned into a slump. Lagway\u2019s lingering offseason health issues didn\u2019t help him in the 2025 season, but other parts of his game drew criticism. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you watch his tape from Florida, his decision making was a big issue,\u201d a Big 12 offensive coordinator said. \u201cIf it wasn’t man-to-man and he just knew where he needed to go with the football right away \u2014 if he had to get through progressions \u2014 he put the ball in jeopardy a lot.\u201d <\/p>\n
Still, his elite traits \u2014 size, unparalleled arm strength, mobility \u2014 allow for optimism. \u201cThe sky is still the limit,\u201d an SEC general manager said. Multiple people cited the pairing with Baylor offensive coordinator Jake Spavital as positive for Lagway. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe talent is there,\u201d a Big 12 head coach said. \u201cWouldn\u2019t surprise me if he had a good year.\u201d<\/p>\n
There were moments during his true freshman season at Florida when Lagway looked like a future top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. But the interceptions and sacks taken increased last year as a sophomore, and his explosive plays decreased despite seeing more snaps. Lagway transferred to Baylor this offseason, where he is hoping to reignite his draft stock as a potential early-round player. \u2014 Brugler<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Barnett had a terrific 2025, leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff. The first-team All-Sun Belt pick is on the smaller side but has legitimate speed and is a capable passer. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe does a good enough job in the passing game,\u201d a Group of 6 general manager said. <\/p>\n
His accuracy leaves a lot to be desired, though, and will be worth watching as he moves into the Power 4. He was 114th last year in off-target percentage. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was really good at what they did with him but I would take (Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph) over him and probably (Texas State QB Brad Jackson) over him, too,\u201d a Sun Belt head coach said.\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Angeli, who transferred from Notre Dame last year, was limited to four games due to a torn Achilles suffered in the third quarter of a win at Clemson. Syracuse lost eight consecutive games to finish the season and failed to score 18 points in a game after Angeli\u2019s injury. <\/p>\n
Coach Fran Brown beefed up his quarterback depth with transfers Amari Odom (Kennesaw State) and Malachi Nelson (UTEP), but Angeli should be the starter if healthy.<\/p>\n
A game manager-type quarterback,\u201d a Power 4 general manager said. \u201cMakes all the right throws, all the right reads. He\u2019s a timely thrower.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
ACC<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Grunkemeyer was thrown into the fire at Penn State after Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury and immediately faced three elite defenses (Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana). His production increased after that stretch \u2014 and he displayed some positive signs in seven starts \u2014 but more will be asked of him as he becomes a full-time starter after following coach James Franklin to Blacksburg. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey seem to think he has a very high ceiling, and I don\u2019t disagree with that, but I also kind of wonder if he can get it to that point,\u201d a Power 4 front office staffer said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Cavaliers brought in experienced Pitt transfer Eli Holstein, but Pribula was announced as QB1 entering the preseason. He played extended snaps for the first time last season at Missouri after he was utilized as more of a gadget player at Penn State. He\u2019s a good runner, but hr suffered an ankle injury late in October, and he didn\u2019t excel as a passer. He threw eight touchdowns in nonconference games and just three in SEC play, and he didn\u2019t throw a touchdown pass after Oct. 11. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt times, saw a tough competitor, but that\u2019s kind of it,\u201d one SEC general manager said. \u201cOverall, just thought he was average.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
McCown, entering his fourth year at UTSA and his second as the full-time starter, remains one of the top QBs in the Group of 6. He\u2019s not the most physically imposing, but he makes up for it with accuracy and intelligent play, which isn\u2019t surprising given his pedigree (he\u2019s the son of former NFL QB Josh McCown). <\/p>\n
\u201cThat kid was probably throwing passes out of the womb,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cSmart. Accurate. Smaller guy. If he was his dad\u2019s height, he wouldn\u2019t be at UTSA. But he can put the ball in your back pocket if you want him to.\u201d <\/p>\n
He\u2019s not immune to mistakes, though. <\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019s good for) three-to-five \u2018wow\u2019 throws a game and three-to-five \u2018what the f\u2014\u2019 throws a game,\u201d an American personnel director said.<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
North Carolina did not set up Lopez for success last season. Could he have been better? Sure, but the offense was a mess. Now he\u2019ll be the Demon Deacons\u2019 starter and away from a troubled offensive system, so there\u2019s potential for a bounceback season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s going into Wake underrated,\u201d a Power 4 GM said. \u201cHe\u2019s good. We liked him at South Alabama. Toward the end of last year, he was really good, but the (North Carolina) defense was trash. I think people are going to be sleeping on him.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The former top-100 recruit steps into the starting role full-time after playing in four games last season. Lewis showed flashes of the talent that attracted suitors out of high school, but he still has a lot to prove. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a physical traits standpoint, nothing just jumped off the screen like, \u2018Wow, this kid’s a big-time player,\u2019\u201d a Big 12 offensive coordinator said. <\/p>\n
A Big 12 assistant felt more bullish on Lewis after the arrival of new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think Brennan will turn it around with him,\u201d the assistant said. \u201cThe Go-Go offense might be entertaining with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A three-year starter and former Sun Belt Freshman of the Year at Arkansas State, Raynor has more career offensive yards (9,888) and more career starts (36) than any other Big 12 quarterback. His OC at Arkansas State, Keith Heckendorf, is now his QB coach at Iowa State. <\/p>\n
One Big 12 OC called Raynor a \u201csneaky good pickup\u201d for the Cyclones. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been giving us trouble for three years now,\u201d said a Sun Belt staffer who faced Raynor. \u201cHe can spin it, too. \u2026 We weren\u2019t looking forward to having to tackle him, either.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Minicucci was thrust into the lineup when starter Zach Marker hurt his knee in the first quarter of the opener, and he turned that opportunity into a breakout season. Minicucci threw for 3,683 yards, second to Drew Mestemaker among Group of 6 quarterbacks. He has solid tools and size and decent mobility and should be one of the top G6 passers this year. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an excellent quarterback,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cVery scrappy, but dead-on accurate, knows that offense and does a good job. He\u2019s a dark horse for conference player of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
CUSA<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year is among the top G6 QBs in the country and plays much bigger than his measurables. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat is one where 13 teams walked in thinking they were going to kick the crap out of that kid and 13 walked out like, \u2018Oh my gosh,\u2019\u201d said one G6 general manager. \u201cAbout as perfect a fit for what they want to do schematically.\u201d <\/p>\n
Alejado led Hawaii to its first bowl game in five years and passed for 3,106 yards last season. He has a good arm and a knack for playmaking and winning that dates back to his high school days at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It\u2019s rare these days to see a quarterback wait three years for a starting opportunity, but Vizzina is poised to get his chance this fall \u2014 if he holds off freshman Tait Reynolds. Vizzina is inexperienced but looks the part and can move a bit. He\u2019ll be tutored by new-but-familiar OC Chad Morris, who will try to get the Clemson offense back to an elite level.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just OK,\u201d an ACC personnel staffer said. \u201cObviously, another year and him finally being the guy and getting more reps isn\u2019t gonna hurt him. But he didn\u2019t do anything where I\u2019m like, \u2018Oh my, I\u2019m scared of him.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A true question mark because Kienholz has just 36 career pass attempts. Nearly half (17) came in Ohio State\u2019s Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri in 2023 when he was a third-string true freshman. But Kienholz was committed to Kalen DeBoer at Washington, signed with Ryan Day at Ohio State and is now playing for Jeff Brohm at Louisville. Those are three coaches with a strong read on QBs. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, the price tag was too high for somebody that really hasn\u2019t played,\u201d a Big 12 personnel staffer said. \u201cObviously, Brohm has got a good eye for that, so it\u2019ll be interesting to see.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Philo saw limited snaps (63 in 2025) while backing up Haynes King at Georgia Tech, so there\u2019s still much to learn. He has been effective in his limited duty, accounting for 29 explosive plays in his 180 career snaps (a 3.4 percent explosive play rate would be top 30 nationally if sustained over starter snaps). <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a really good player,\u201d an SEC assistant said. \u201cThe thing about him is he needs a lot of help. He\u2019s not a runner. He\u2019s not going to go out there and win the game himself, but he\u2019ll make the easy throws if guys are open.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Blue Devils did well to land someone with Eget\u2019s experience (18 career starts at San Jose State) after Darian Mensah left them on the last day of the portal window for Miami. Eget, who underwent offseason knee surgery, is an aggressive downfield passer who isn\u2019t afraid to test defenses even if it leads to turnovers (19 interceptions over the past two years). <\/p>\n
\u201cRisk taker, probably a better player than he gets credit for,\u201d an ACC personnel staffer said. \u201cWill be interesting to see how he looks at this level. He\u2019s shown he can play in big games and give his team a chance. He can also look terrible in other games.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Flipping Curtis, a top-five recruit committed to Georgia, was a coup for the Commodores. He\u2019s the highest-rated signee in program history. Is he worth the hype? \u201cProbably so, yeah,\u201d an SEC GM said. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s still battling for the job with Blaze Berlowitz, who backed up Diego Pavia the last two years, but Curtis is clearly Vanderbilt\u2019s QB of the future. He\u2019s big with the arm to make any throw at all levels and can be a problem when extending plays given his strength and mobility. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t afford him, but we liked him,\u201d an SEC assistant said. \u201cI think he\u2019s really good. We\u2019ll see what his mental makeup is. I think he\u2019s going to get beat up early, and if he can weather then I think he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lowry won\u2019t win any passing competitions \u2014 he\u2019s a run-first quarterback. But he does that well, finishing sixth among FBS QBs last season with 963 rushing yards. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe hurt us with his feet,\u201d an FBS head coach said. \u201cBig, strong guy. He can be super lethal.\u201d <\/p>\n
There\u2019s room to improve as a passer, but he\u2019s comfortable throwing on the move and downfield enough to keep defenses honest. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe executes their system at a very high level,\u201d a MAC head coach said. \u201cHe\u2019s able to move the sticks, make critical plays and convert third downs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
MAC<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Veltkamp is a big, experienced, productive passer. He was second in the American in passing yards last year, and returning for a second season in Zach Kittley\u2019s offense should only help his progression. He\u2019s accurate and can throw to all parts of the field, but one issue lingers. No FBS QB has turned it over more than Veltkamp in the last two seasons with 37, including 20 last year. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s a big kid, tough kid, way better athlete than you think, and they do a good job with him in that system,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cHe’s always been productive; he fits what they do, so I’m sure he’ll be one of the better guys in the league again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 4<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tier 5<\/p>\n
Seminoles fans weren\u2019t necessarily inspired by the addition of Daniels, who has started 23 games in his four-year career at Stanford and Auburn. His strengths \u2014 and limitations \u2014 are well known by now. <\/p>\n
\u201cHell of an athlete. Big, can run, he\u2019s physical, he\u2019s not afraid, but he can\u2019t throw the ball?\u201d an ACC front office staffer said.<\/p>\n
But there are still some who believe in Daniels\u2019 ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut in situations to succeed, he can be successful,\u201d a second ACC front office staffer said. \u201cWhen you look at the quarterbacks Mike Norvell has been really successful with, he\u2019s a lot more like a Jordan Travis and Tommy Castellanos than he is a DJ Uiagalelei. I think he\u2019s a good fit for what they do.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no more accomplished quarterback in the Group of 6 than Madsen, who has led the Broncos to two Mountain West championships and a CFP trip in 2024 when he was supported by superstar running back Ashton Jeanty. But questions remain about his ceiling and whether he can carry an offense, considering how much he\u2019s struggled against some top nonconference opponents. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s a bad quarterback for the league,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cBut I just don\u2019t think, \u2018Oh, he could be the best.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 5<\/p>\n
Pac-12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mendoza, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, is in line to be the Yellow Jackets\u2019 starter. He\u2019s played only late in blowouts at Indiana but has shown legitimate speed (two 50-plus-yard runs last season) when given the opportunity. There\u2019s still more to learn about him as a passer. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat is going to be a fascinating one. I think it speaks volumes Indiana didn\u2019t keep him,\u201d an ACC front office staffer said. \u201cI think they\u2019re going to use him kind of like Haynes (King) where he\u2019s going to be running it a lot because physically he looks good.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ryan Silverfield hasn\u2019t publicly named his QB1 \u2014 and the Razorbacks brought in redshirt freshman AJ Hill, who followed the head coach from Memphis \u2014 but Jackson, who backed up Taylen Green last year, has a tad more experience. Jackson played extensively in the final two games of 2025, including starting the season finale against Missouri. <\/p>\n
The southpaw is big and athletic and most dangerous when on the move. He doesn\u2019t have the biggest arm but shows nice touch as a passer, particularly when throwing on the run. When he keeps it, he\u2019s hard to bring down. He showed maturity and poise in making decisions under duress, but his accuracy and consistency from the pocket need work.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arnold is a former five-star prospect who has never put it all together at the collegiate level. He was benched at Oklahoma in 2024 and at Auburn in 2025 because he\u2019s an inconsistent passer who takes too many sacks. He landed at UNLV this offseason to work with coach Dan Mullen, who typically gets the most out of his quarterbacks. It figures that Mullen will lean into Arnold\u2019s strengths (running the ball) and avoid his weakness (pocket awareness) as he builds the offense. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll have a chance to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league,\u201d one Mountain West head coach said.<\/p>\n
Tier 5<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Szarka started only seven games last season, but that was enough to leave a positive impression on his competition. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a beast. He was a problem for us,\u201d an opposing head coach said.<\/p>\n
Szarka is a good passer, especially for an option offense, and rushed for 922 yards and 13 scores last season, turning Air Force\u2019s offense into a serious threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s really good,\u201d a personnel director said. \u201cHe could throw it. He could run it. He competes. I was impressed with him. I think he can absolutely play civilian football in the Mountain West.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 5<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Williams spent the last three years at Miami and the last two backing up Cam Ward and Carson Beck, respectively, and transferred after the Hurricanes acquired Darian Mensah. He hasn\u2019t started since 2023, his freshman season, and has just 298 career snaps, but scouts are high on him given his size and pedigree. He\u2019s a big, strong, traditional pocket passer.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a steal for East Carolina,\u201d a Big 12 personnel staffer said. \u201cThat kid’s a legitimate Power 4 quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Del Rio-Wilson didn\u2019t start until Week 3 last year but found immediate success when he did, leading the Thundering Herd to wins in four of the next five games. The 2026 preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year is one of only two returning FBS quarterbacks to throw for at least 2,000 yards, run for at least 600 and complete at least 65 percent of his passes.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s an effective downhill runner, and with his size, he can be like a bulldozer when he gains steam. But he can win with his arm as well, delivering strikes over the middle of the field.\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Edwards has one season of adequate production in five years of college football, and it came during Maryland\u2019s 4-8 season in 2024. So he still has something to prove, and he\u2019s even more of a question mark now that he\u2019s coming off a knee injury that limited him to just 16 passing attempts at Wisconsin last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing hurt most of last year killed him, but he\u2019s solid,\u201d an ACC personnel staffer said. \u201cBut what Billy Edwards are they getting? Are they getting the one that played really well at times at Maryland? I feel like more often than not, he was just kind of \u2018meh\u2019 most of the time.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Milivojevic started the final four games last season and showed enough that Pat Fitzgerald and the new coaching staff didn\u2019t bring in a transfer. He distributes the ball well and doesn\u2019t force the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan spin it, sharp and all that. I think the only concern is athletically, being able to get out of the way,\u201d said an assistant coach who worked in the Big Ten last year. \u201cI think he has a chance to be a good one. It\u2019s just how well they\u2019re going to be able to protect him, how well they\u2019ll be able to run the ball to make it easier on him.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The optimism about Chiles espoused within the coaching and personnel community this time last year been muted a bit after he was benched at Michigan State. But there\u2019s still intrigue about how the talented-yet-inconsistent California native will mesh with new Wildcats offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought the offense at Michigan State wasn\u2019t necessarily tailored to his skill set,\u201d an assistant coach who worked in the Big Ten last year said. \u201cI think he\u2019ll be really good in Chip\u2019s system. There were times when he was Michigan State\u2019s best runner, and I think he\u2019ll be able to showcase that in Chip\u2019s system.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It was a bad situation in Corvallis last season. While Murphy possesses raw talent, he didn\u2019t do much to elevate the offense. He was benched midway through the Beavers\u2019 2-10 season but now has a fresh start under new head coach JaMarcus Shephard. He will have to hold off FCS transfer Braden Atkinson, who threw for 3,596 yards and 34 touchdowns and earned SoCon Freshman of the Year honors at Mercer in 2025.<\/p>\n
Murphy, on his third school and in his fifth year of college, has the experience edge. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just massive. Definitely has a live arm. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s the type to come in and take over a game, though,\u201d a Power 4 personnel director said. <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Pac-12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Mountaineers, who haven\u2019t publicly named a starter, could go with Hawkins, the Oklahoma transfer, or Scotty Fox Jr., who started six games for WVU last year and showed promise. But pairing the athletic Hawkins with transfer running back Cam Cook \u2014 the FBS leading rusher in 2025 \u2014 is an enticing proposition that could draw comparisons to Pat White and Steve Slaton, the dynamic duo Rich Rodriguez coached in his first West Virginia stint.<\/p>\n
Hawkins, who backed up Jackson Arnold in 2024 and John Mateer in 2025, is dynamic as a runner. \u201cHe has legit athleticism,\u201d a Big 12 personnel director said. Passing-wise, his sidearm delivery and accuracy issues are concerns.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Van Buren brings a decent bit of Power 4 starting experience to Tampa. He started eight games as a true freshman at Mississippi State in 2024 and four last year at LSU. He improved his accuracy and cut his interception rate as a sophomore and could be a breakout player in the American if he continues to progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood on them for paying a guy that started 12 SEC games,\u201d an American personnel director said. \u201cI don\u2019t see an SEC body, but he at least produced enough there to make it interesting.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Singleton, who started his career at Arkansas and transferred in from Purdue, has a stocky build but is a natural thrower and runner. He\u2019s comfortable operating from the pocket or on the move, and he\u2019s a chain-mover in the run game. He proved effective in short-yardage runs for the Boilermakers and can absorb hits. <\/p>\n
He just needs reps. He has yet to start a game and has just 229 career snaps in 16 appearances.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tennessee hasn\u2019t yet declared a starter between Brandon and redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. But Brandon, a top-10 national recruit, has the profile and ability to compete right away. He\u2019s tall and lean with a big arm and good mobility. He has no fear taking downfield shots when the opportunity arises, which fits the Vols\u2019 offense well. <\/p>\n
There will be some growing pains, as with most true freshmen, but not much question about Brandon\u2019s physical talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrandon has the size and ability,\u201d an SEC general manager said. \u201cJust have to see him process.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hayes, who followed head coach Tre Lamb from East Tennessee State prior to last season, took over the starting job at Tulsa for good midway through 2025 and competed well. All three of Tulsa\u2019s wins over FBS teams came with Hayes as the starter, including the Golden Hurricane\u2019s road upset of Oklahoma State.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s not the biggest and he doesn\u2019t have the biggest arm, but he moves well and is solid throwing off-platform. An American GM called him a \u201cgunslinger\u201d who will turn it over but can make big plays, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s really good at scrambling and extending plays,\u201d the GM said. \u201cHe\u2019s hard to get down. He’s a smaller guy as far as playing size, but he makes things happen.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hellums gives Army what it needs to run its option-heavy offense. \u201cSolid kid. Winner. Typical Army kid,\u201d said an American head coach. He led all FBS quarterbacks in rushing yards in 2025 (1,223) while taking control of the QB job in the second half of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cTough-ass kid,\u201d said a Group of 6 GM. \u201cLimited as a thrower, but can do what they want to do with the QB run game.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
School:<\/p>\n
Jacksonville State<\/p>\n
A Conference USA coach said of Creel, \u201cFor what they do, he\u2019s pretty decent.\u201d That is underselling it a bit.<\/p>\n
The Gamecocks are a run-first operation, and Creel excels with his legs. He had seven 100-yard rushing performances and ran for 1,075 yards last season as Jacksonville State finished 15th nationally in yards per rush (5.31). Creel rushed and passed for at least 100 yards in six games. Is he anything to write home about as a passer? No, but he protects the ball, which is critical for a program led by a defensive-minded head coach like Charles Kelly.<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
CUSA<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
French, a two-year starter at Georgia Southern, has plenty of experience (36 games, 26 starts), sufficient arm talent and enough mobility to be a factor in the run game. \u201cHe spins the ball really well,\u201d a Big 12 personnel director said. <\/p>\n
But he\u2019s much smaller than his predecessor (Brendan Sorsby was 6-3, 235) and though he had solid numbers \u2014 and improved his interception rate from 2.7 percent in 2024 to 2.1 percent in 2025 \u2014 he doesn\u2019t jump off the page to opponents. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought that kid was just average, to be honest,\u201d a Sun Belt head coach said. \u201cHe\u2019s so up and down.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Woodson, who succeeds two-year starter Blake Horvath, has started a game in each of the last three years and saw meaningful action last year, starting against Notre Dame and playing in the second half against USF. He flashed ability as both a rusher and a passer and was one of only two quarterbacks to record three runs of 60-plus yards last season. He\u2019s a gifted athlete and a natural fit for the Midshipmen.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be dangerous,\u201d an American personnel director said. \u201cHe\u2019s a big, athletic dude.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brown, a former West Georgia and Texas Tech transfer, had to wait behind Christian Veilleux and T.J. Finley, but he was productive enough in his four late-season starts to lead Georgia State in every major passing category and earn honorable-mention all-conference honors.\n<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll enter 2026 as the starter, and it\u2019s easy to see why. He\u2019s a twitchy athlete who can hurt defenses with his running ability (he ran for a combined 187 yards in his first two 2025 starts) but can also effectively deliver as a passer in the intermediate and deep parts of the field.\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Denegal spent three years at Michigan but didn\u2019t receive extended playing time until last season, his first at San Diego State. He won\u2019t wow anyone as a technical passer, but he\u2019s athletic, and there\u2019s optimism he\u2019ll improve with a cleaner bill of health this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see why Michigan took him out of high school. \u2026 Elite arm,\u201d a G6 general manager who faced San Diego State last year said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think he had the best feel sometimes. I thought they did a good job of setting him up and using him for the throws that he\u2019s good at.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Pac-12<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jackson, who also made stops at Tennessee and Indiana, started 10 games for UCF last year. His physical talent is evident, even if the results haven\u2019t consistently matched. He gives new coach Neal Brown real ability and experience that should play well in the American. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll do a good job in that conference,\u201d a Power 4 personnel director said. \u201cHe\u2019s a big kid, can throw a good ball. Not the most dynamic runner, but he\u2019s big enough where you can utilize him in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hejny was Oklahoma State\u2019s opening-day starter last season but was limited to just 10 pass attempts after he broke his foot in the first game. Those are the only 10 passes Hejny has thrown at the collegiate level. He\u2019s been utilized more as a runner throughout his career \u2014 19 rush attempts for 92 yards \u2014 so we\u2019re set to learn a lot more about him this fall. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am interested to see him there. I like Hauss,\u201d a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. \u201cI think that\u2019s a pretty good fit for him and he\u2019ll have a lot of success at Colorado State.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Davenport stepped into the starting role last season after 2024 starter Gio Lopez transferred to North Carolina. The former Utah State transfer didn\u2019t disappoint. He\u2019s an accurate, fundamentally sound passer who worked well within the structure of the offense. Another year of experience \u2014 this will be his fourth at South Alabama \u2014 should help him improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a really good player, and for (head coach Major Applewhite\u2019s) system, it\u2019s a really good fit,\u201d a Sun Belt personnel staffer said.\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watson, who transferred from Virginia Tech, is an electric athlete. He\u2019s small but shifty and accelerates quickly when taking off. As a passer, he\u2019s most comfortable moving the pocket, which opens throwing lanes that weren\u2019t available on his initial dropback. His downfield throws are more feasible due to the threat his athleticism poses. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a coach\u2019s kid,\u201d a MAC head coach said. \u201cNot really, really tall, but he\u2019s another guy that understands it. High football IQ and he\u2019s really been a winner everywhere he\u2019s been.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
DeShields is a snapshot of resilience. The junior tore the ACL in his right knee three times between his senior high school season (2022) and his second year at Kent State, which kept him sidelined until last year.\n <\/p>\n
He thrived once his opportunity arrived, helping a Golden Flashes team that went winless in 2024 to a five-win improvement in 2025. He can spray the ball all over the field, throws downfield with confidence and is effective in the short game. He didn\u2019t run much in 2025, but he is effective throwing on the move.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t wow you with anything, but he has it,\u201d a MAC head coach said. \u201cHe just finds a way to make plays, not only within the scheme, but when it breaks down, he\u2019s able to make something out of nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
MAC<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It feels like the Hilltoppers always have productive quarterbacks, and Tisdale could be the next in line. He took over midway through last season and started Western Kentucky\u2019s final six games. The Hilltoppers went 4-2 in that span and won the New Orleans Bowl. <\/p>\n
\u201cDual threat, really smooth thrower,\u201d a Conference USA head coach said. \u201cHe\u2019s good.\u201d <\/p>\n
The coaching staff brought in Florida State transfer Brock Glenn, who has experience and could push for the job. Both quarterbacks will work with new OC Bodie Reeder, who joined the program from Middle Tennessee this offseason.\n <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
CUSA<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Winfield didn\u2019t start until Week 7 last year (Walker Howard and Daniel Beale preceded him), but he didn\u2019t let go of the job once he got it. He proved productive in his eight starts, with 667 rushing yards (third-most among 2025 Sun Belt QBs) and 20 combined rushing and passing touchdowns. He doesn\u2019t have a rocket arm but displays good touch and is comfortable on the move. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a pretty good player,\u201d a Sun Belt head coach said.\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kim, who has also played at Michigan State and Coastal Carolina, started all 12 games for EMU in 2025, led the MAC in passing yardage (2,817) and has more FBS starts than any QB in the conference (17).<\/p>\n
Kim doesn\u2019t have an elite arm but has good pocket feel, throws in rhythm, is a run threat and capably manages the Eagles\u2019 offense. One caveat: His 15 turnovers were third-most in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe makes a ton of plays with his arm and legs, but he\u2019s the most turnover-prone,\u201d a MAC head coach said.\n<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
MAC<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Coleman, a former Richmond transfer, is competing for the starting job with Memphis transfer Arrington Maiden, UCF transfer Davi Belfort and returnee JC Evans. None have much FBS experience \u2014 Coleman redshirted and didn\u2019t see the field last year, while the other three have fewer than 50 career snaps. <\/p>\n
Coleman and Maiden have the most intriguing physical profiles. Both are similar in size and true dual threats who can throw to all parts of the field and hurt defenses with their legs. But Coleman has the most starting experience of the group (14 starts) \u2014 albeit at the FCS level \u2014 and was the only QB to earn captain status for the spring game.\n <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bailey, who followed new Coastal Carolina coach Ryan Beard from Missouri State, is an elusive, make-something-out-of-nothing playmaker. He has a small, slight frame, but he makes up for it with his playmaking ability. He also shows good anticipation as a passer.<\/p>\n
As a true freshman, Bailey played in three games and started one in place of the injured Jacob Clark. He fared well given his inexperience, and the moment didn\u2019t appear too big for him, but his ball security \u2014 he tends to hold the ball away from his body when taking off \u2014 needs work. He\u2019s one to watch as he steps into a bigger role in 2026.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Central Michigan uses multiple quarterbacks under coach Matt Drinkall, and Glasser was one of three who saw time last year behind 2025 starter Joe Labas. Glasser, Angel Flores and Marcus Beamon all return to compete as Labas\u2019 successor, but Glasser has the most potential of the group.\n <\/p>\n
Glasser has a first-off-the-bus frame, with the look of a high-end Power 4 starter. He has the arm to reach all parts of the field, is a run threat and can deliver strikes when scrambling. He started three games in 2024 and showed promise in his only extended action last year, playing meaningful snaps in CMU\u2019s Week 2 loss to Pitt, but a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.\n <\/p>\n
Flores, who is used primarily as a runner, figures to also get snaps in much the way he did a year ago, but don\u2019t be surprised if Glasser has a breakout year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pinnick earned 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors after he passed for 3,206 yards, rushed for 437 and accounted for 32 touchdowns while leading UC Davis to the FCS playoffs. He is a creative player in the pocket but has to cut down on turnovers (10 interceptions and four lost fumbles last season) as he moves up a level. <\/p>\n
\u201cI still think his best football will be after this year,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cHe\u2019ll be good this year, but we really liked him as a young, developmental guy. He\u2019s talented, though. Improviser, dual-sport athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Stokes, a D-II transfer from West Florida, is battling former Ohio State and South Carolina transfer Air Noland, but Stokes seemed to have the edge coming out of spring football. Stokes committed to Florida as a 2023 recruit but never got to UF after a video surfaced of him rapping along to lyrics that included a racial slur. <\/p>\n
At West Florida, Stokes was Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 after leading the league in passing yards (3,297) and touchdown passes (30). <\/p>\n
“He\u2019s the better of the two because he\u2019s athletic and he can make plays,\u201d an American general manager said of Stokes. \u201cI can see him being one of the better guys in our conference.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Armenta is entering his third year as the Warhawks\u2019 starter and made strides last season, improving his accuracy and ball security. His numbers won\u2019t be eye-popping but he can make big plays, particularly as a downfield passer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won\u2019t beat you but he won\u2019t lose it either,\u201d a Sun Belt personnel staffer said. \u201cGood game manager. Can rush a decent amount, can throw it all right. Doesn\u2019t do anything over the top well but he\u2019s a quality player for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Semonza, who transferred to Tulane from Ball State before the 2025 season, got lost in the shuffle as previous head coach Jon Sumrall took four transfer QBs last offseason (former BYU starter Jake Retzlaff wound up with the job). But the other three are gone, and Semonza, the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year, returns. <\/p>\n
Tulane did take a transfer \u2014 Houston backup Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, a former starter at Louisiana. But Semonza\u2019s comfort and familiarity with new coach Will Hall (Tulane\u2019s passing game coordinator\/receivers coach last year) gives him an edge. Because of his lack of 2025 snaps, it\u2019s easy to forget that Semonza was a coveted portal quarterback in the 2024-25 offseason. He\u2019s a traditional pass-first quarterback who operates well both within offensive structure and off-platform, showing good arm strength for his frame. <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Lobos have a run-first offense, so Layne wasn\u2019t exactly asked to do a lot in the passing game. Though he won\u2019t blow anyone away as a passer, Layne still had some strong moments \u2014 like a 342-yard, three-touchdown effort on the road at UNLV \u2014 and helped New Mexico post its first winning season since 2016. \u201cHe was just OK in my opinion,\u201d said a G6 general manager. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of turnovers. A lot of sacks. Did have the ability to take some deep shots. I don\u2019t know. That was an interesting one for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dickens was tremendous at Western Carolina last year and was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for 3,508 yards with a 74.2 percent completion percentage and a 7.7 percent off-target rate, both No. 1 in the FCS. He should provide an immediate boost to the Huskies’ anemic passing game.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur head coach loved him,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cMy only concern with him after watching the tape is durability. He\u2019s so small. You gotta get him a stepstool to see over the line of scrimmage. But he grades out really well.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
Tier 6<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve watched college football this decade, you\u2019ve likely caught a glimpse of Johnson, who was a freshman at LSU in 2020. After starting there in 2021, he spent two years at Texas A&M and two at North Carolina. Injuries interrupted his time at both stops, including a broken leg in the 2024 season opener. <\/p>\n
At Georgia Southern, he\u2019ll attempt to be the wire-to-wire starter for the first time since he was at LSU. The southpaw is a pocket passer but can move, and he brings a wealth of experience (35 games, 24 starts, 1,843 career snaps) and has won games in the Power 4.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brown feels like a perfect fit for Scott Abell\u2019s gun-option offense. The Owls had some success last year with Chase Jenkins, but Brown, who has played at Miami and UCF, is much bigger. The long strider is tough to tackle, and his running ability should separate him. <\/p>\n
\u201cBetter pure quarterback talent than what they had before,\u201d an American GM said. \u201cHe\u2019s a big athlete who was competent enough as a passer to get a chance at a P4 school. He\u2019ll be able to run what they do well.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A blue-chip prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle, Merklinger was limited to just 30 pass attempts as a reserve quarterback at Tennessee over the past two seasons. Huskies coach Jason Candle, a respected offensive mind, is entering his first season on the job and will roll with Merklinger as his starter. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s athletic. Comfortable on the move,\u201d an SEC personnel staffer said. \u201cNot elite arm strength. … Little up and down accuracy. Needs a lot of reps. Don\u2019t think he will ever be an elite guy. He\u2019s the type that can make an offense run, but not going to win you games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Independent<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Eagles hope McKenzie, who played at Saginaw Valley State in Michigan, is the latest Division II transfer quarterback success story. He is a tough player who runs a lot (942 rushing yards) but will also wait in the pocket until the last possible moment and will take whatever hit may follow. But there are questions about his size and passing ability, and he has been turnover-prone (11 interceptions and four lost fumbles last year). <\/p>\n
\u201cSupreme athlete, can flip and roll. I think he\u2019s solid enough as a passer,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cI don’t know if he’s going to be a good enough pure passer at the ACC level.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Richter, a longtime backup for the Rockets, looks poised to slide into the starting role with Tucker Gleason gone. The veteran has good size, can make all the necessary throws, shows poise in the pocket and has been lauded for his leadership by new coach Mike Jacobs.\n <\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t have a ton of meaningful snaps and just 207 total in four seasons, but he has been productive and efficient when given the opportunity, completing more than 65 percent of his passes for 699 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wright, a redshirt freshman who was part of head coach Pete Lembo\u2019s first Buffalo signing class, saw just 19 snaps in four games last year, mostly as a rushing threat. But the Bulls are high on him. Not only is he a dynamic runner, but he\u2019s an effective downfield thrower who has the ability to stretch defenses with his arm talent. <\/p>\n
Wright is battling transfer Elijah Holmes, who started 12 games at Division II Wingate (N.C.) and threw for 3,037 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Hawkeyes exited the spring without a clear answer in the quarterback battle between Hecklinski and Hank Brown. Brown beat out Hecklinski for the backup job last season, but Hecklinski took over later in the year. Hecklinski, who began his career at Wake Forest, won\u2019t impress anyone with his physical tools and has only two career passing attempts. Brown, a former Auburn signee, has 73. Iowa has taken some steps forward offensively the past few seasons, but the quarterback situation in 2026 isn\u2019t great \u2014 on paper, at least.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This is still an open competition between Lonergan and AJ Surace, who is in his third year with the program. It seems like a relatively competitive battle, but Lonergan has the edge in experience based on his nine starts at Boston College last season. And if Rutgers was completely sold on Surace, it probably wouldn\u2019t have needed to add a signal caller with extended P4 snaps under his belt. Lonergan, who began his career at Alabama, wasn\u2019t horrible at Boston College but clearly wasn\u2019t the solution either. So we\u2019ll see what the Scarlet Knights can get out of him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ballard is competing for the starting job with fellow veteran Isaiah Marshall and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins. Ballard, a former walk-on, made a start in 2023 after injuries to then-starter Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean. <\/p>\n
Given his extended time with the Jayhawks and familiarity with Andy Kotelnicki\u2019s offense, Ballard appears to be the favorite, though it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see Marshall and\/or Jenkins, who are more athletic, get snaps. Despite all three being at least third-year players, none are terribly experienced, with Jenkins having 358 career snaps, Ballard 104 and Marshall 18.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Crowder, the opening-day starter for the Trojans each of the last two years, had both his 2024 and 2025 seasons interrupted by injury. In 2024, he was limited to four games. Last year, he had September shoulder surgery, which caused him to miss six games in the middle of the season. <\/p>\n
He has been effective when healthy, accounting for 19 touchdowns and 1,951 total yards in 11 starts. He\u2019s a tough, poised, accurate passer who can win games if he can remain on the field.<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There hasn\u2019t been a lot to be excited about in Reno \u2014 the Wolf Pack have won just 10 games over the past four seasons \u2014 but Jones could be a source of optimism. He was one of just a handful of true freshmen who ascended to a starting QB role last season and showed solid traits: a good arm, quick release and mobility. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a dude,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cThey don\u2019t have talent, so he\u2019s not going to look good. But I think, s—, we would\u2019ve taken him out of the portal. \u2026 I loved that kid.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Browne spent the spring of 2025 at North Carolina before transferring back to the Boilermakers and claiming the starting job. The first two games of the season, against outmanned teams, were promising, but Browne struggled once Purdue faced P4 competition. He threw three touchdowns and five interceptions over the final two months of the season, so the Boilermakers will need more from him \u2014 and everyone else.<\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019s) a legit long speed guy, is a threat to scramble,\u201d a Big Ten assistant coach said. \u201cGood competitor. Will be interesting to see improvements they will make from last season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Big Ten<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Poffenbarger is on his fifth stop. After starting his career at Old Dominion, he had two terrific years in the FCS at Albany, the second of which he led the subdivision in passing yards (3,603) and passing touchdowns (36). He\u2019s run into tough luck since, transferring to Miami a week before Cam Ward in 2024 and arriving at North Texas to potentially start in 2025, only to lose a competition to last year\u2019s FBS passing leader, Drew Mestemaker.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll get one last shot with the Zips under coach Joe Moorhead, who hopes to realize the potential the last two staffs saw. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an elite thrower and a great athlete,\u201d an FBS head coach said. \u201cHe\u2019ll be very successful if he can pick up the offense.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Novosad was a heavily pursued recruit out of high school in 2023 before landing at Oregon, where he was a reserve for three seasons, logging only 48 snaps and attempting just 15 passes. This will be his first opportunity at extended, meaningful playing time. <\/p>\n
He has a long delivery and is not a fireballer, but he gets it there. In his limited action, he showed he can read the field well and doesn\u2019t put the ball in harm\u2019s way. He has the look of a traditional dropback passer and has sufficient functional athleticism. He has enough ability to lift a passing attack that produced the third-lowest yardage total in the MAC last season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
San Jose State has ranked in the top 15 nationally in passing in each of the last two seasons under offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann. With Walker Eget now at Duke, Stutzmann looked to another pass-heavy offense to find his next quarterback and wound up with Weaver, who threw for a combined 534 yards in two starts for Hawaii last season. Given what Stutzmann\u2019s offenses have shown over the past two seasons, Weaver should be expected to put up good passing numbers this fall.\n <\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kohl was a top-150 prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle but never found a role during his two years at Iowa State. He transferred to Appalachian State and didn\u2019t win the job but passed for 1,465 yards and played a decent bit after starter AJ Swann was injured. Now Kohl is at his third school in as many years, trying to lock down a starting role at FIU. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a little bit more athletic than you would imagine,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cHe can pull the ball down to run. Dude can move. But he might get sawed in half being 6-7.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gagliano is poised to step into the spotlight following the departure of longtime starter Nicholas Vattiato. We caught an early glimpse of Gagliano when he started the final three games last season in place of an injured Vattiato. The early returns were promising. He passed for at least 260 yards in each game, threw seven touchdown passes and rushed for two, didn\u2019t turn the ball over and led the Blue Raiders to two of their three wins. Coach Derek Mason is 6-18 in his first two seasons at Middle Tennessee, but Gagliano might be able to provide a spark.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ethan Vasko is the returning starter but missed the spring because of offseason shoulder surgery. He also struggled last season (10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions), and the Flames ranked 83rd in scoring offense (25.6 ppg). So Liberty\u2019s coaching staff brought in two veteran transfers to compete with him \u2014 Purdie (Wake Forest) and Jaylen Henderson (West Virginia). Purdie\u2019s physical tools and experience may give him an edge in a wide-open competition. <\/p>\n
\u201cGame manager at best,\u201d an ACC personnel staffer said. \u201cBetter have a run game. (Defenses) want him to beat them throwing.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Henicle has offered glimpses of his ability in his first two seasons at ODU. In his first game in 2024, he ran for a 65-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech. In his most recent appearance, he won Cure Bowl MVP while starting for departing transfer Colton Joseph. <\/p>\n
Henicle has won his only two starts and offers a skill set similar to that of Joseph: an adequate passer but a slippery runner who can accelerate. Assuming he wins the job over Washington transfer Jaxon Potter, Henicle should be a natural fit for the Monarchs\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The last time we saw Warren play, he was in a disastrous offensive setup at Michigan in 2024. While it would\u2019ve been difficult for any quarterback to succeed for the Wolverines that year, Warren surely didn\u2019t elevate things. He failed to pass for more than 150 yards in six of his nine starts and also threw more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven). <\/p>\n
New Stanford coach Tavita Pritchard is hitching his wagon to Warren, but there are legitimate questions about whether the Cardinal\u2019s roster has enough talent for Warren to be successful.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Burton, a former BYU and West Virginia transfer, backed up Jalen Kitna last year and returns to UAB to take the starting job under new coach Alex Mortensen. In spot starts for an injured Kitna, Burton showed plenty of ability to make effective downfield throws but also threw the ball into harm\u2019s way at times. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis combination of moxie and athleticism is going to cause some problems,\u201d an American personnel director said. \u201cI think he\u2019s got enough arm talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Poulos, a former junior college transfer, is entering his third year in the program. He spent the last two seasons backing up Parker Navarro and has only one start and 218 snaps across 12 games. He is more of a traditional passer than the quick and shifty Navarro was, but he can move the chains when running the ball and moves well for his size. <\/p>\n
Poulos is battling New Hampshire transfer Matt Vezza and freshman Levi Davis for the job, but Poulos had the leg up coming out of spring football.\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Owens, a former four-star recruit, had the distinction of signing with Texas when Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning were already there. He barely saw the field, taking 28 snaps in 2024 and none since then. He\u2019s battling with three others for the job: Vanderbilt transfers Drew Dickey and Jeremy St-Hilaire \u2014 Garrett Altman, Arkansas State\u2019s new offensive coordinator, was the Commodores\u2019 QB coach last year \u2014 and returnee Ethan Crawford.\n <\/p>\n
Owens has the type of arm one would expect given his size and should be able to stretch the field comfortably. Running isn\u2019t a major part of his game, and he\u2019s not a speedster, but he can pick up yards on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always thought he was going to be a good player,\u201d the Sun Belt personnel staffer said. \u201cHe probably wasn\u2019t Texas good, but I think he\u2019ll definitely be a good starter and I think they\u2019ll play well with him there.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cowboys coach Jay Sawvel is 7-17 through two years on the job. In 2024, Wyoming ranked 123rd nationally in scoring offense (19.3 ppg). It got worse in 2025 (16.0 ppg, 131st). Now, the Cowboys turn to Hughes, a transfer from William & Mary who threw for 2,330 yards and rushed for 670, accounting for 31 total touchdowns in 2025. Wyoming will have to find a way to maximize all of Hughes\u2019 skills to turn things around offensively.\n <\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Miners coach Scotty Walden never found a successful formula at quarterback last year, and both players who started games, Malachi Nelson and Skyler Locklear, transferred in the offseason after combining for 20 interceptions. Walden is 5-19 through his first two seasons at UTEP, so he\u2019s under pressure to win and will place his faith in Colson, who began his career at UCF before spending last year at Incarnate Word. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was damn good,\u201d one opposing head coach said. \u201c(But) sometimes it doesn\u2019t matter how good of a quarterback you are if you\u2019re in a bad situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
Transfer<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
School:<\/p>\n
North Dakota State<\/p>\n
The Bison, who have enjoyed a strong run of quarterback play, are handing the keys to the offense to Hayes as they move up to the FBS. His sample size is very limited. He\u2019s thrown just 63 passes over the past two seasons, and a majority of those came in blowout victories. He did take some snaps in North Dakota State\u2019s stunning loss to Illinois in the FCS quarterfinals but completed just 2 of 7 attempts for 19 yards in that game.<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Mountain West<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gotkowski entered last season as the third quarterback but worked his way into the lineup and started three of the final four games with mixed results, contributing to wins over Buffalo and Ball State but having tough outings in losses to Western Michigan and Fresno State. <\/p>\n
He is on the smaller side but is a good athlete and throws a nice deep ball. His accuracy needs a lot of work, though: His 24.4 percent off-target rate was second-worst among the 180 QBs who had at least 85 pass attempts last year. It\u2019s by no means a given that he wins the job, as he\u2019s in a competition with two transfers: David McComb, a 6-4, 220-pound redshirt freshman who was at Kansas, and Caleb Heavner, a fifth-year senior from Division II Fort Hays State in Kansas. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hampton saw only 17 snaps as a backup last season at Illinois, but casual fans may remember him as the quarterback who helped guide Northern Illinois to its 2024 upset of Notre Dame. He started 10 games that season and didn\u2019t have terrific production (his 198 passing yards against the Fighting Irish were his highest against an FBS opponent), but he led the Huskies to bowl eligibility. <\/p>\n
Hampton doesn\u2019t display elite physical traits but has good size and is a tough, smart player who can throw and run. He\u2019s battling returnee Landry Lyddy for the starting job.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Locklear emerged as UTEP\u2019s starter midway through last season. The offense slightly improved when he took over, but it was still a slog, and Locklear struggled to protect the football. That was a bad offensive environment, and now Locklear is getting a new start with the Bears and first-year coach Casey Woods. Locklear followed offensive coordinator Mark Cala from UTEP to Missouri State, which could give him an edge over Duke transfer Henry Belin IV. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s scrappy \u2026 but I was shocked they took him from UTEP,\u201d one Conference USA head coach said.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a tight connection between Locke and Bearkats coach Phil Longo. Locke was committed to Wisconsin when Longo was the Badgers’ offensive coordinator but signed with Sam Houston after Longo was hired. Longo and Locke, who started three games in 2025, have to improve the offense after it ranked 127th in scoring (17.8 ppg) during a 2-10 season. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s good, but I don\u2019t know how good he\u2019ll look because of the lack of talent around him,\u201d a G6 general manager said. \u201cHe\u2019s a Power 4-caliber quarterback, and it wouldn\u2019t surprise me if he ends up in the P4 next year.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Owls lost 2025 starter Amari Odom to Syracuse, but ended up with Collins, who started a handful of games for the Orange last season. It was the first real extended playing time for Collins, and he struggled mightily. He accounted for more turnovers than touchdowns and wasn\u2019t an accurate passer, and he eventually lost the starting role. Whether he\u2019s more comfortable or not at the G6 level will play a part in Kennesaw State\u2019s repeat bid for a conference title. <\/p>\n
“Turns the ball over a lot. But he\u2019s talented enough for what Kennesaw does,\u201d a G6 general manager said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kukuk actually won a tight competition for the starting job out of camp last year but in Week 3 gave way to Blake Baker, who started the next seven games before tearing his ACL. With Baker recovering, Kukuk has worked with the first team this offseason and figures to be the starter again. <\/p>\n
Kukuk was underwhelming early, but found his footing late in the year, rushing for a combined 319 yards in wins over Liberty, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. A Group of 6 personnel director said Kukuk was effective as a runner, but if he\u2019s asked to beat a team as a passer, \u201cI don\u2019t see it happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
Sun Belt<\/p>\n
New starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Conklin isn\u2019t a typical transfer, as this is his second stint with Sac State. He was a Jerry Rice Award finalist \u2014 which goes to the top freshman in the FCS \u2014 in 2024 as the Hornets\u2019 starter, but he transferred to Fresno State after last year\u2019s coach, Brennan Marion, brought in Cardell Williams and Jaden Rashada.<\/p>\n
Conklin backed up E.J. Warner at Fresno but started three games and flashed a bit of gunslinger mentality, rarely hesitating to let it rip. He showed good velocity and a quick release but failed to hit a 50 percent completion rate in each of his starts and returned to the bench. Could being back in familiar surroundings help him return to his 2024 form? <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Harrell started Charlotte\u2019s first four games before a knee injury ended his 2025 season. He\u2019s back for 2026, but not without competition: Pitt transfer Cole Gonzales has arrived, and Grayson Loftis, who started seven games while Harrell was out, returns. Gonzales, who starred at Western Carolina before going to Pitt, has a real shot here. <\/p>\n
Before the injury, Harrell had a career-best performance in Charlotte\u2019s only win, against FCS Monmouth. The upside remains the same: He\u2019s a big, athletic option who needs to improve as a passer, and he was underwhelming against FBS foes. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know he got hurt last year, but the film was not good before the injury,\u201d an American personnel director said.\n <\/p>\n
Tier 7<\/p>\n
American<\/p>\n
Returning starter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hillstead actually began his career with the Aggies and played a good bit as a true freshman in 2023 (1,062 passing yards and 11 TDs). He transferred to BYU after that season and was in the mix to start last year after Jake Retzlaff\u2019s sudden departure created an opening. But Hillstead lost the competition to Bear Bachmeier and threw just five passes in 2025. Aggies coach Bronco Mendenhall named Hillstead the starter in April.\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Cardinals have a competition between Luster (formerly of SMU and Texas State) and Tyler Mizzell, a Division II transfer from Concord (W.Va.) University who started his career at Wake Forest. Luster\u2019s thick frame is unique, but he has plenty of arm talent, which originally attracted SMU to him out of high school in 2023.\n<\/p>\n
He isn\u2019t a dynamic athlete but is functional on the move. The hurdle is his lack of reps: He\u2019s had only 15 career dropbacks and 67 career snaps. Mizzell was an all-conference pick last year and started 10 games after seeing just two snaps in two seasons at Wake Forest.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Martin spent the past two seasons at Maryland, but his playing time was mostly limited to late snaps in blowouts. The highlight of his career was winning MVP of the Terrapins\u2019 spring game last year. It\u2019s not difficult to see why there\u2019s intrigue. He is physically impressive and moves around for his size. Martin needs more reps, which the Bulldogs can provide, and Fresno State hopes it has a quarterback who can take care of the ball after its QBs threw 13 interceptions last fall.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Smolik, a former Elite 11 Finalist, spent the last three years as a reserve at Penn State and endured some tough injury luck. He battled Ethan Grunkemeyer for the backup job behind Drew Allar and became QB2 after Allar\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n
He has yet to attempt a collegiate pass and was used as a rusher in package plays last season \u2014 one of which led to a season-ending wrist injury. Smolik is battling Washington State transfer Ajani Sheppard for the starting job, but he is the favorite to win it.<\/p>\n
Smolik\u2019s combination of legitimate arm talent and underrated athleticism should fit Temple\u2019s offense well.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Aggies have ranked 110th or worse in scoring offense in each of coach Tony Sanchez\u2019s two seasons at the helm. Sanchez hasn\u2019t been able to find stable QB play either. New Mexico State will now place its hopes in Hedden, who passed for 2,967 yards at FCS Furman last season, but had a major turnover problem (13 interceptions and three lost fumbles). <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes he gets a little loose with the ball. He\u2019s still a little young,\u201d a Conference USA head coach said. \u201cBut (OC David) Yost has done a pretty good job of getting those guys right in his career.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Notes: Snap counts, dropbacks, off-target percentages and pressure rates are from Pro Football Focus. Explosive play rates are from TruMedia. Because of the changing nature of NCAA eligibility rules, quarterbacks are listed by what year they\u2019re in (first, second, third, fourth, etc.) rather than classification (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior).<\/p>\n
Quarterbacks are sortable by conference and by their status: returning starter, transfer or new starter. Returning starters are those who generally started at least half of their current team\u2019s 2025 games, with exceptions for QBs who were opening-day starters but lost extended time to injury. Transfers include only those who transferred to their current team in the 2026 offseason. New starters are mostly first-time starters and generally include QBs who haven\u2019t started at least half a season before, but could also be former transfers who have been in their programs for multiple seasons and are now getting the chance to start.<\/p>\n
For teams that haven\u2019t officially named a starter because they\u2019re still engaged in a quarterback battle, we ranked who we project to start based on information gathered to this point. For quarterbacks making their second appearance on this list, we included their 2025 College QB Tiers ranking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Projecting how a college quarterback will pan out often proves a fool\u2019s errand, despite how many people have…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":949579,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[43],"tags":[3917,35604,35594,1373,1428,3909,1372,35596,12806,1318,23536,2500,3915,9443,1379,8798,8797,35607,8795,3914,35600,1426,4739,7800,35608,9444,35601,1317,1315,1316,11995,35603,3910,1380,4733,21286,30698,1381,35606,8796,3916,14971,35597,62,35602,22503,35593,9662,8799,35598,35599,35595,67,132,68,32858,35605,1374,27637,1427],"class_list":["post-949578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ncaa-football","tag-baylor-bears","tag-boston-college-eagles","tag-cincinnati-bearcats","tag-clemson-tigers","tag-college-football","tag-connecticut-huskies","tag-duke-blue-devils","tag-east-carolina-pirates","tag-florida-state-seminoles","tag-football","tag-georgia-tech-yellow-jackets","tag-houston-cougars","tag-illinois-fighting-illini","tag-indiana-hoosiers","tag-iowa-hawkeyes","tag-iowa-state-cyclones","tag-kansas-jayhawks","tag-kansas-state-wildcats","tag-louisville-cardinals","tag-maryland-terrapins","tag-memphis-tigers","tag-miami-hurricanes","tag-michigan-state-spartans","tag-michigan-wolverines","tag-middle-tennessee-blue-raider","tag-minnesota-golden-gophers","tag-navy-midshipmen","tag-ncaa","tag-ncaa-football","tag-ncaafootball","tag-nebraska-cornhuskers","tag-north-carolina-state-wolfpack","tag-north-carolina-tar-heels","tag-northwestern-wildcats","tag-ohio-state-buckeyes","tag-oklahoma-sooners","tag-oklahoma-state-cowboys","tag-penn-state-nittany-lions","tag-pittsburgh-panthers","tag-purdue-boilermakers","tag-rutgers-scarlet-knights","tag-smu-mustangs","tag-south-florida-bulls","tag-sports","tag-syracuse-orange","tag-tcu-horned-frogs","tag-temple-owls","tag-texas-longhorns","tag-texas-tech-red-raiders","tag-tulane-green-wave","tag-tulsa-golden-hurricane","tag-ucf-knights","tag-united-states","tag-unitedstates","tag-us","tag-virginia-cavaliers","tag-virginia-tech-hokies","tag-wake-forest-demon-deacons","tag-west-virginia-mountaineers","tag-wisconsin-badgers"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/949578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=949578"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/949578\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/949579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=949578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=949578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=949578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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