Ranking the top Big Ten quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 season

The Big Ten is a league in quarterback flux. Three of the four teams that made the College Football Playoff (Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon) are breaking in new starters. Michigan probably will start a freshman. Meanwhile, the highest-profile transfer of the offseason has landed in the league.

1. Drew Allar, Penn State

Though Allar is a third-year starter with an ideal blend of size, arm and athleticism — who happens to pilot one of the most talented teams in the country — he’s probably going to be a controversial choice at No. 1. And I get it. Because the 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior probably should have wowed us more by now.

Would Allar be the No. 1 QB in the Big 12 or the SEC going into this season? Probably not. But in a season of transition for Big Ten QBs, he is the best at the moment. And he has all the tools to be the best at season’s end, too. (And in the 2026 NFL draft.) It’s up to Allar to live up to the hype, and he should have the supporting cast to do it.

2. Luke Altmyer, Illinois

We expect Bret Bielema teams to grind it out on the ground, but Altmyer was a big reason the Illini won 10 games last season. 

Expect Altmyer to get even more freedom this season as Illinois tries to crash the College Football Playoff.

3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Those who stayed up late last season knew Mendoza was a gem at Cal, but he’s going to have a much better team around him in Bloomington. 

Georgia tried to recruit Mendoza out of the transfer portal before its bowl game, but the 6-5, 225-pounder from Miami opted instead to play for Curt Cignetti and try to help the Hoosiers reach the CFP for a second consecutive season.

4. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Iamaleava’s move from Tennessee to UCLA was the story of the offseason, but now we have to separate the off-field drama from the actual QB. At Tennessee in 2024, Iamaleava was good but not great. He averaged 7.8 yards per attempt but would have averaged more if he didn’t frequently overthrew deep balls. But he did take care of the ball — only five interceptions to 19 touchdown passes — and he also proved a willing and capable runner when necessary.

Iamaleava has the tools to be one of the nation’s best QBs. He’ll have to pick up new UCLA offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri’s offense quickly, but if he can, he can change UCLA’s fortunes.

5. Dante Moore, Oregon

Moore is a fascinating case study. A five-star recruit who flipped from Oregon to UCLA — presumably to play immediately — he played for UCLA as a true freshman but then transferred to Oregon knowing he’d have to sit behind Dillon Gabriel for a year. 

The Ducks doesn’t hesitate to dip into the portal for a QB when they feel they don’t have the guy on the roster. But there was no doubt Moore was Gabriel’s heir apparent. Coach Dan Lanning and OC Will Stein have given us a pretty big hint that Moore will be good.

6. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

Much was asked of Raiola as a true freshman, and the results were mixed. He was fairly accurate (67.1 completion percentage) but not terribly efficient (6.9 yards per attempt) and he threw 11 interceptions to 13 touchdowns.

But QBs tend to make a leap between year one and year two as a starter, and Raiola should have more support this year. OC Marcus Satterfield was demoted last year in favor of then-consultant Dana Holgorsen. Now, Raiola has had a full offseason with Holgorsen, whose offense should be more QB friendly. Meanwhile, coach Matt Rhule upgraded the offensive line and the receiving corps through the transfer portal.

7. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

It’s tough to gauge where the first-time starters in the Big Ten will land, but the fact that Ohio State didn’t just go into the portal for a new QB1 suggests high confidence in Sayin. And let’s be real. He gets to throw to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. That’s a huge advantage.

8. Bryce Underwood, Michigan

Underwood may have the biggest skill set of anyone on this list, but he’s facing two challenges. First, he’s a true freshman trying to learn the offense and adjust to the speed of the college game. Second, Michigan’s receivers aren’t on the level of Ohio State’s or Oregon’s. (And probably not Indiana’s.) 

If Underwood can turn Michigan into a functional passing offense, his first year will be a success. Anything beyond that in 2025 means the Wolverines are competing for a CFP berth.

9. Demond Williams Jr., Washington

The Huskies lost their regular-season finale to Oregon and the Sun Bowl to Louisville, but Williams showed why Washington fans should be excited for the future. In those two games, he completed 43 of 52 passes for 575 yards and five touchdowns. 

Now he’s had an entire offseason to take command of coach Jedd Fisch’s offense.

10. Mark Gronowski, Iowa

The 2023 Walter Payton Award — essentially the FCS Heisman Trophy — winner at South Dakota State led the Jackrabbits to the national title that season. After a fourth year in Brookings, Gronowski decided to play his final season of eligibility in the FBS.

He was limited by injury in the spring, so we’re still not sure what he’ll look like in Iowa’s offense. But if he gives the Hawkeyes functional QB play for the first time since C.J. Beathard roamed Kinnick Stadium, then the Hawkeyes could have a huge season.