The Top Returning Quarterbacks for 2025: A Comprehensive Ranking
🏈 With the 2024 college football season now behind us, it’s thrilling to peep into the crystal ball of 2025 and explore the outstanding talent returning next season. Among all positions, the quarterback stands tall as the most pivotal. With several talented signal-callers opting to stay in college rather than make the leap to the NFL, the list of top returning quarterbacks is particularly impressive this year.
Here, we present an exciting countdown of the top 10 returning quarterbacks in college football and an honorable mention. These rankings do not take NFL projections into account; instead, they focus solely on what we witnessed on the field.
1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
🌟 Cade Klubnik has emerged as a true gem in college football. After a disappointing 2023 season, where he ranked 102nd among FBS quarterbacks with a passing grade of 63.9, his transformation was nothing short of remarkable. In 2024, he climbed to fifth place with an impressive 87.7 passing grade, throwing 36 touchdowns during the season—ranking behind only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, both expected to be first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Klubnik also boasted 28 big-time throws, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier quarterback. With his senior year approaching, the sky's the limit for this rising star at Clemson!
“CADE KLUBNIK WAS DETERMINED TO FIND THE END ZONE 😤”
2. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
🚀 After a season in Michigan State, Sam Leavitt made an impressive splash at Arizona State, leading the Sun Devils from a dismal 3-9 record in previous seasons to a Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Leavitt’s overall grade of 89.1 placed him ninth among FBS quarterbacks, showcasing his dual-threat abilities with strong passing and rushing performances. His prowess in creating plays was symbolized by a low turnover-worthy play rate of just 1.1%, combined with 34 forced missed tackles—a testament to his capability in the run game.
3. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
🏖️ After a rocky final season at Georgia, Carson Beck transferred to Miami with high hopes of rejuvenating his career. Despite putting up solid numbers last season—wrapping up with an 80.2 passing grade—he had a sky-high number of turnover-worthy plays, which illustrated some ongoing struggles. Still, his historical performance on the field, boasting a superb 90.9 overall passing grade since 2023, keeps him in the conversation as one of the top returning quarterbacks as he aims to rediscover his form in Miami.
“BEST THROW OF CARSON BECK’S CAREER”
4. Drew Allar, Penn State
🏆 Despite facing scrutiny during his final game of the season, Drew Allar led the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals in a storied journey. His performance demonstrated significant growth, finishing sixth in overall quarterback value according to the wins above average metric. As he enters his senior season, Allar is positioned for a breakout year, needing to polish aspects like footwork and accuracy, while benefitting from a rich roster around him.
“DREW ALLAR DIME🚀🚀”
5. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
🌪️ After three years on the bench, Garrett Nussmeier had his moment to shine as the starting quarterback for the Tigers. He made an impressive showing, finishing with the fifth-most passing yards nationwide (4,043) and showcasing his long-ball prowess with 26 big-time throws. While he tends to take risks, ranking low in turnover-worthy plays, Nussmeier displayed grit and can command the field with a willingness to make bold plays.
“GARRETT NUSSMEIER’S ARM TALENT IS ELITE.”
6. Arch Manning, Texas
🥇 Arch Manning has attracted attention due to his illustrious family legacy and a promising college debut, despite having just three starts under his belt. With an overall passing grade of 88.1, he showed significant potential in his limited action, ranking 13th among FBS quarterbacks. He presents a unique blend of athleticism and playmaking, having scored four rushing touchdowns last season, indicating massive potential for growth.
“ARCH MANNING is destined for greatness”
7. DJ Lagway, Florida
🌊 Although he lacks extensive experience, DJ Lagway shined as a true freshman, ranking first among Power Four quarterbacks with an 8.8% big-time throw rate. His deep throws were noteworthy and impressive, placing him third in grading. To take the next step, Lagway must refine his passing accuracy on shorter throws, with goals firmly set for his sophomore year.
“DJ LAGWAY is putting on a show tonight🤩”
8. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
🎉 Pavia played a crucial role in reversing Vanderbilt's fortunes, guiding the team to a winning season, including a bowl victory—its first in over a decade! His impressive 85.0 PFF passing grade ranked him 10th among FBS quarterbacks, coupled with an explosive performance against Alabama—where he soared to a 92.1 passing grade. With another season to cement his legacy, expectations are high for the Vanderbilt quarterback.
“DIEGO PAVIA revives programs.”
9. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
📈 Nico started his college career slowly, facing challenges early on. However, he turned the tide during the latter half of the season, showcasing his value with an 81.7 overall passing grade. Iamaleava demonstrates tremendous potential and could elevate his stock if he maintains consistency throughout the upcoming season.
“NICO IAMALEAVA is the future!”
10. Kevin Jennings, SMU
🎓 Jennings unexpectedly stepped into the starting quarterback role and capitalized on the opportunity, leading the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff. With a solid performance pledged to him through an 85.0 passing grade, Jennings now positions himself to grow as a leader and refine his decision-making on the field.
“KEVIN JENNINGS was making plays all season!”
Honorable Mention: Taylen Green, Arkansas
🌠 Taylen Green experienced a revival after transferring to Arkansas, elevating his passing efficiency significantly during the 2024 season. Boasting outstanding physical attributes and the potential to clean up some errant throws, Green is a name to watch and could easily break into the top ranks in the future.
“TAYLEN GREEN WAS IN VIDEO GAME MODE 🤯🎮”
As we look ahead to the 2025 college football season, it’s clear that these quarterbacks possess exceptional talent and are primed to make waves in their respective programs. The excitement for the upcoming season has never been higher, and fans will undoubtedly be tuning in to watch these quarterbacks ascend into the spotlight! 🌟