The Sporting News releases Top 25 QB rankings for 2025 college football season

The Sporting News released its Top 25 QB rankings for the 2025 college football season showcasing a lot of familiar names. We’ll also see some new stars emerge!

There’s a certain popular name at the top of this list, right or wrong. But that’s why these quarterbacks play the game!

Without further ado, let’s dive into the top 25 QB rankings from The Sporting News. We begin at the cream of the crop.

1. Arch Manning, Texas

Manning gets the No. 1 spot on this list despite not being a full-time starter at Texas. The Longhorns are banking on a lot of potential with Manning.

But boy, if there’s a quarterback who could live up and excel with the hype and potential, it’s this kid. Manning threw for nearly 1,000 yards in limited opportunities and two starts last year and is considered a dual threat.

2. Cade Klubnik, Clemson

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about Klubnik being the top quarterback in college football. Heck, some early mock drafts have him as the top QB, if not the No. 1 overall pick next spring.

Last season, he had a career year. Klubnik had 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 63.4% completion percentage to go along with 463 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

3. Drew Allar, Penn State

Drew Allar has the build, the skill and the poise to be one of the best QBs in the country. It’ll be interesting to see how he follows up last year’s run to the CFP semifinals with national championship expectations in 2025.

Allar was a more accurate quarterback last year and tossed 24 touchdowns. He also threw for 3,327 yards but had eight interceptions compared to two in 2023.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nussmeier’s been a popular QB selection for the Heisman Trophy this coming season. We still have a long way to go, but LSU certainly has one of the better quarterback situations in the country.

Whether he should be above the three guys in front of him is up for interpretation. Right now, he’s still a top five QB in the country.

5. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

Leavitt broke out last season for the Sun Devils. He led them to a Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff.

He’s got the skill and moxie and of course, has Jordyn Tyson to throw to again. Leavitt is an exciting QB going into 2025 after throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.

6. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Sellers is a dual threat QB and should be pretty darn fun to watch this year. Especially after his 2024 season and following some development, he could end up being the best QB in the conference.

Last year, Sellers threw for 2,543 yards, 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 65.6% completion percentage. He also ran for 674 yards and seven touchdowns.

7. DJ Lagway, Florida

Lagway has a lot of potential as a quarterback and it seems like Sporting News is banking on it as well. As long as he develops and stays healthy, he could really elevate Florida to new heights in 2025.

As a freshman, Lagway threw for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 59.9% completion percentage. If he cuts down on the turnovers and the offensive symmetry improves, it should be a good year. 

8. Luke Altmyer, Illinois

Altmyer threw for 22 touchdowns and over 2,700 yards last season. The QB was a big reason why Illinois won 10 games last season.

Now that he’s back, there are expectations for the Illini could compete for near the top of the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff. If he plays like a Top 10 QB, that could very well be the case.

9. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Mateer is about to get way more hype now that he’s in the SEC. That’s just the way it works despite his really productive season as a quarterback at Washington State.

Last year, he threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.6% completion percentage. He also ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Good luck stopping him!

10. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Sayin hasn’t won the starting quarterback job yet, but the Ohio State QB seems like the guy for the Buckeyes. No matter who wins the quarterback battle, they’ll have Ryan Day coaching them up and Jeremiah Smith to throw to.

For Sayin himself, he has a cannon and has received rave reviews from his teammates. It seems like he’ll be in charge of leading Ohio State’s attempt to win back to back titles.

Sporting News Top 25 QB rankings for 2025

11. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
12. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
13. Carson Beck, Miami
14. Josh Hoover, TCU
15. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
16. Rocco Becht, Iowa State
17. Kevin Jennings, SMU
18. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
19. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
20. Miller Moss, Louisville
21. Jake Retzlaff, BYU
22. Avery Johnson, Kansas State
23. Dante Moore, Oregon
24. Blake Horvath, Navy
25. Bryce Underwood, Michigan