No position can change a team’s fortunes quite like the quarterback. Often regarded as the most difficult position to play in sports, it comes with the dual responsibility of receiving credit when the team triumphs and facing the blame after a loss. In college football, quarterbacks possess varied skill sets, unique journeys, and diverse backgrounds, making them a truly special breed. A talented player can transition from a small-town star to the big man on campus almost overnight, captivating fans and changing the dynamics of their teams.
As the season progresses, fans eagerly engage in debates about who the best quarterbacks are, while pundits consistently rank their top signal callers. In this spirit, we are excited to introduce The Athletic’s College QB Tiers. Drawing inspiration from Mike Sando’s popular NFL QB Tiers, our goal is to rank all 136 FBS starting quarterbacks and categorize them based on their potential impact.
To create this comprehensive list, we surveyed over 40 coaches and staff members from across college football. Their insights provided valuable perspectives on the quarterbacks they have faced, how the quarterbacks in their respective conferences compare, and who stands out as the best in the nation. The rankings are largely influenced by this feedback, offering a unique glimpse into the opinions of those who are most familiar with these players.
Our ranking methodology does not rely on a formal point system or vote tally. Instead, we leaned on the expertise of coaches, granting them anonymity to encourage honest discussions about other teams’ quarterbacks. The rankings and tiers consider a combination of several factors: the coaches’ perspectives, the players’ physical abilities and traits, their career accomplishments to date, and projections for what the year 2025 may hold for them.
It’s important to note that these quarterbacks are ranked based on their performance at the college level, rather than solely on their NFL Draft projections. However, we have included some draft analysis for prospects eligible in 2026, thanks to insights from experts Dane Brugler and Nick Baumgardner. Additionally, the quarterbacks are categorized by conference and their status: returning starter, transfer, or new starter.
Returning starters are defined as quarterbacks who have started more than half of their current team’s 2024 games, with exceptions made for those who were opening-day starters but missed significant time due to injury. Transfers are projected starting quarterbacks who have joined their current team this offseason, bringing fresh talent and experience. New starters, on the other hand, are primarily first-time starters, typically including quarterbacks who have not been on the field for at least half a season prior.
In cases where teams have not officially named a starter due to ongoing quarterback battles, we have ranked the players based on the information gathered thus far, projecting who we believe will take the helm. With the stage set, let the debates begin!
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: John Byrum, Tim Warner, Julio Aguilar, Robin Alam / Getty Images)
