Ranking the Big Ten: Quarterback

As the 2025 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.

We start our annual Ranking the Big Ten series today with the quarterbacks. A mix of familiar faces and new additions will bring plenty of firepower to the position this season.

Nebraska Opponent Spring Reviews: Cincinnati | Akron | Houston Christian | Michigan | Michigan State | Maryland | Northwestern | USC | UCLA | Penn State | Iowa

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1. Drew Allar, Penn State

For as much hype as Drew Allar carried into his college career, the Penn State quarterback started delivering on those expectations in a big way last season. The former five-star prospect and one-time No. 1 QB recruit in the country threw for over 3,200 yards with 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2024, helping lead the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff.

At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Allar has the prototypical NFL frame and arm talent, and he’s steadily developed the mental side of his game under James Franklin’s staff. As far as physical tools go, there may not be a better quarterback in the league this fall.

There’s a reason Allar is already popping up on early 2026 NFL Draft boards and why Penn State’s season largely hinges on his ability to take another leap. He has all the tools and a big-stage resume now to match. If the new-look wideout room can gel quickly and Allar continues his upward trajectory, he could not only lead PSU back to the CFP but also enter serious Heisman Trophy conversations.

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2. Luke Altmyer, Illinois

Luke Altmyer may not get the national attention of some of the other Big Ten quarterbacks, but those who’ve followed his development closely know just how important he is to Illinois’ chances this fall. The former Ole Miss transfer took a major step forward in 2024, throwing for over 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for another 450 and six scores.

His toughness, leadership, and ability to create off-schedule have quietly made him one of the most respected QBs in the league. What’s also elevated Altmyer into the upper tier of the Big Ten quarterback conversation is how much more comfortable he looked running Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense in Year 2.

With another offseason of development and what should be a more stable offensive line in front of him, Illinois is counting on Altmyer to be the engine of the offense in what could be a pivotal season for Bret Bielema’s program.

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3. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

It didn’t take long for Dylan Raiola to start showing why he was the most heralded quarterback recruit to ever sign with Nebraska. The five-star legacy made his presence felt immediately as a true freshman in 2024, setting program records for passing yards (2,819) and completion percentage (67.1%) while leading the Huskers to their first bowl win in nearly a decade.

Now heading into Year 2, Nebraska hopes Raiola’s ceiling rises even higher after a full offseason with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. By all accounts, Raiola has embraced the offseason grind, with coaches raving about how far ahead he is since the end of his freshman campaign. Simply put, this is now his team, and he’s starting to look like the guy who can finally elevate the Huskers back into Big Ten contention.

National media have already started to take notice, with Pat McAfee recently calling him a potential breakout star in 2025. If Raiola continues on this trajectory, don’t be surprised if he’s not just one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten but one of the best in the entire country by season’s end.

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4. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

After Kurtis Rourke and Indiana took the Big Ten by storm last season, Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza hopes to keep things rolling in Bloomington. Mendoza showed flashes of promise at Cal, and that talent quickly carried over to IU this spring.

At 6-foot-5 with a quick release and high football IQ, Mendoza seamlessly took command of Curt Cignetti’s offense. While he doesn’t have the same national profile as some of the conference’s blue-chip names, Mendoza’s fit at Indiana might be one of the more underrated storylines heading into 2025.

If Indiana is going to prove last year wasn’t just a flash in the pan, it’ll likely be because Mendoza made that leap from “potential” to “production.” And given the weapons assembled around him and the confidence the staff has shown, it’s not a stretch to think he could be one of the Big Ten’s breakout stars this fall.

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5. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

After flashing in limited action at Tennessee in 2024, Nico Iamaleava made headlines and created plenty of drama by transferring to UCLA this offseason. As the dust settles on his tumultuous exit from Knoxville, head coach DeShaun Foster hopes the former five-star becomes a centerpiece of the Bruins’ offense.

At 6-foot-6 with elite athleticism and arm strength, Iamaleava is already turning heads with his play and leadership in Westwood. The tools have always been there, but now he’s in a system where UCLA is asking him to take full control of the offense from Day 1. UCLA is tailoring its scheme to maximize his strengths: vertical throws, run-pass options, and designed quarterback runs.

Iamaleava generated plenty of buzz this spring. He’s got a strong supporting cast around him, and if the Bruins’ offensive line holds up, this could be the year Iamaleava makes the leap from elite prospect to elite performer.

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