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ESPN Ranks College Football’s Top 25 Quarterbacks Going Into Week 10

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Who are the Best Quarterbacks in College Football?
Join the Superior Signal Caller Debate: Who is College Football's True QB1?

ESPN has expanded the board to the top 25 Power 4 quarterbacks heading into Week 10, but now it's your turn to step into the film room and debate the hierarchy!
- THE TOP DOG: Does Miami's Darian Mensah hold an undisputed crown, or is Notre Dame's CJ Carr or Ohio State's Julian Sayin the true #1 quarterback in college football?
- PORTAL IMPACT IN THE TOP 25: Which transfer passer has been more vital down the stretch, Indiana's steady leader Josh Hoover, West Virginia's explosive dual-threat Michael Hawkins Jr., or Illinois' poised pocket passer, Katin Houser?
- BIG 12 TITLE SHOWDOWN: Which Big 12 trigger-man, Utah's Devon Dampier, BYU's Bear Bachmeier, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, or Kansas State's Avery Johnson, will carry their squad to a conference crown and a 1st-round playoff bye?
Drop your hot takes and top 25 quarterback rankings in the comments!
ESPN's Top 25 College Football Quarterbacks
Game-Changers & Gunslingers: Ranking College Football's Top 25 Power 4 QBs Heading Into Week 10

Nine weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and as the calendar turns to November, the quarterback play across the Power 4 landscape is reaching a fever pitch. With conference title races tightening and 12-team playoff tickets hanging in the balance, every single snap under center carries season-defining weight. From Heisman frontrunners orchestrating undefeated runs to dynamic transfer portal success stories, ESPN's Bill Connelly has audited the efficiency metrics, Total QBR data, and game tape across the major conferences to rank the nation's elite field generals. With late-October attrition reshaping rosters—including Oregon's Dante Moore sidelined by injury—we have officially expanded the board to the full top 25.

Here is our updated breakdown of Connelly's top 25 Power 4 quarterbacks heading into Week 10, pairing original scouting commentary and verified stats with Connelly's exact film takes.
25. Aidan Chiles | Northwestern Wildcats
Aidan Chiles College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'4"
- • Weight: 225 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Northwestern
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: Long Beach, CA
- • Jersey Number: 0
Chiles brings pure adrenaline to the field in Evanston. When the senior quarterback finds his groove, his rare blend of arm velocity and backyard escapability allows him to single-handedly take over drives against Big Ten defenses.

Aidan Chiles 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,898
- • Touchdown Passes: 13
- • Interceptions: 1
- • Completion Percentage: 68.8% | Cmp/Att: 139 of 202
- • Yards per Attempt: 9.4 YPA
24. Ethan Grunkemeyer | Virginia Tech Hokies
Ethan Grunkemeyer College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'2"
- • Weight: 213 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Virginia Tech
- • Class: Sophomore
- • Hometown: Lewis Center, OH
- • Jersey Number: 17
The Penn State transfer has brought poise and rhythm to Blacksburg, sparking a revitalized start for the Hokies. Grunkemeyer plays with calm maturity, distributing the football cleanly, taking what coverage offers underneath, and limiting critical mistakes.

"His favorite target is a tight end (Luke Reynolds), and I'm not sure what sort of explosiveness we can expect from the Hokies, but the sophomore is commanding a delightfully efficient attack."

Ethan Grunkemeyer 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 2,140
- • Touchdown Passes: 17
- • Interceptions: 2
- • Completion Percentage: 71.4% | Cmp/Att: 187 of 262
- • Yards per Attempt: 8.2 YPA
23. Beau Pribula | Virginia Cavaliers
Beau Pribula College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'2"
- • Weight: 209 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Virginia
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: York, PA
- • Jersey Number: 7
After stops at Penn State and Missouri, the veteran dual-threat passer has given Charlottesville a reliable leader under center. Pribula commands the offense with calm maturity, staying ahead of the chains with quick rhythm throws and tough, timely scrambles.

"He's going to engineer short, quick completions; he's going to keep you on schedule, and he's going to move the chains with his legs pretty well. But when you fall behind schedule, you might not catch up."

Beau Pribula 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,581
- • Touchdown Passes: 14
- • Interceptions: 3
- • Completion Percentage: 65.6% | Cmp/Att: 139 of 212
- • Yards per Attempt: 7.5 YPA
22. Noah Fifita | Arizona Wildcats
Noah Fifita College Football Profile
- • Height: 5'10"
- • Weight: 190 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Arizona
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
- • Jersey Number: 1
Fifita functions as the ultimate point guard on grass in Tucson. Operating Brent Brennan's high-tempo Air Raid attack, he distributes the ball with quick-trigger precision and elite anticipation, though negative plays and pocket pressure have occasionally stalled out drives.

"Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege began his college career playing for Mike Leach, and the spirit of the Air Raid lives in Tucson: quick, relentless (and mostly short) completions, over and over."

Noah Fifita 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 2,481
- • Touchdown Passes: 19
- • Interceptions: 4
- • Completion Percentage: 74.1% | Cmp/Att: 200 of 270
- • Yards per Attempt: 9.2 YPA
21. Anthony Colandrea | Nebraska Cornhuskers
Anthony Colandrea College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'0"
- • Weight: 200 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Nebraska
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
- • Jersey Number: 10
The Virginia transfer has injected genuine juice and swagger into the Cornhuskers' huddle. Colandrea brings backyard-football creativity to Lincoln, slipping out of pressure to extend plays while demonstrating much better ball security than earlier in his career.

"He is scrambling well and avoiding sacks, and he's moving the chains on third down. Better defenses await, but what a great start in Lincoln."

Anthony Colandrea 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,825
- • Touchdown Passes: 15
- • Interceptions: 7
- • Completion Percentage: 61.2% | Cmp/Att: 161 of 263
- • Yards per Attempt: 6.9 YPA
20. Avery Johnson | Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'3"
- • Weight: 200 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Kansas State
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: Wichita, KS
- • Jersey Number: 2
When Johnson is in full stride, his track-star acceleration and off-platform playmaking can completely tilt a game in Manhattan. The ongoing challenge has been staying consistent through the air when Big 12 coordinators drop eight into coverage and force him to win strictly from within the pocket.

"Johnson remains an enigma, a QB capable of big things -- he had 227 passing yards and 152 non-sack rushing yards against Tulane in Week 3 -- and also capable of disappointing. In K-State's upset loss to Cincinnati, he attempted 55 dropbacks with only six rushes, and a one-touchdown-in-six-drives drought led to a 31-26 defeat."

Avery Johnson 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,301
- • Touchdown Passes: 10
- • Interceptions: 3
- • Completion Percentage: 63.1% | Cmp/Att: 118 of 187
- • Yards per Attempt: 7.0 YPA
19. Sam Leavitt | LSU Tigers
Sam Leavitt College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'2"
- • Weight: 207 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: LSU
- • Class: Junior
- • Hometown: West Linn, OR
- • Jersey Number: 10
Lane Kiffin loves a dynamic, aggressive passer, and Leavitt's ceiling in Baton Rouge is as high as anyone's in the SEC. Even while battling through nagging lower-body injuries and missing key targets, his live arm and downfield anticipation keep defenses on constant alert.

"His work against Clemson and Texas A&M -- 86 total points, a 91.3 Total QBR, 10.5 yards per dropback, 7.9 yards per (non-sack) carry -- was Heisman-worthy, but he threw four interceptions and averaged just 6.4 yards per dropback against Louisiana Tech and Ole Miss. He's banged up, but his numbers are still good."

Sam Leavitt 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 2,173
- • Touchdown Passes: 17
- • Interceptions: 8
- • Completion Percentage: 70.3% | Cmp/Att: 180 of 256
- • Yards per Attempt: 8.5 YPA
18. Josh Hoover | Indiana Hoosiers
Josh Hoover College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'2"
- • Weight: 205 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Indiana
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: Heath, TX
- • Jersey Number: 10
Curt Cignetti needed a battle-tested veteran who could protect the football and keep the defending national champions ahead of the chains, and the TCU transfer has delivered. Hoover has managed games with surgical efficiency, letting Indiana's suffocating front seven control the tempo while uncorking timely strikes in high-leverage spots.

"Remember all that talk in the spring about Hoover's turnover problems? Well, halfway through the regular season, he has thrown two interceptions. We'll see how he holds up when the level of competition improves."

Josh Hoover 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,860
- • Touchdown Passes: 19
- • Interceptions: 2
- • Completion Percentage: 60.2% | Cmp/Att: 124 of 206
- • Yards per Attempt: 9.0 YPA
17. Michael Hawkins Jr. | West Virginia Mountaineers
Michael Hawkins Jr. College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'1"
- • Weight: 205 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: West Virginia
- • Class: Sophomore
- • Hometown: Dallas, TX
- • Jersey Number: 3
Leaving Norman for Morgantown has paid immediate dividends for Hawkins. Rich Rodriguez’s option-heavy scheme is the ultimate playground for his explosive open-field speed, turning the Mountaineers into a relentless Big 12 ground attack that punishes undisciplined defensive ends.

"On paper, the dual-threat Hawkins playing in a Rich Rodriguez offense seemed pretty perfect. It has played out that way on the field, too. The WVU offense has come around nicely with the right guy behind center."

Michael Hawkins Jr. 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,598
- • Touchdown Passes: 11
- • Interceptions: 2
- • Completion Percentage: 56.6% | Cmp/Att: 90 of 159
- • Yards per Attempt: 10.1 YPA
16. Katin Houser | Illinois Fighting Illini
Katin Houser College Football Profile
- • Height: 6'3"
- • Weight: 225 lbs
- • Position: Quarterback
- • School: Illinois
- • Class: Senior
- • Hometown: Anaheim, CA
- • Jersey Number: 4
Bret Bielema found himself a legitimate field general out of the transfer portal to stabilize the Fighting Illini. Houser operates with supreme pocket poise, delivering throws on schedule and giving Illinois a high-floor offensive identity even while their defense forces him into weekly track meets.

"The ECU transfer is thriving in Champaign. Illinois ranks ninth nationally in success rate, and with his sharp passing and smart scrambling, Houser is a big reason for that."

Katin Houser 2026 Stats
- • Passing Yards: 1,663
- • Touchdown Passes: 13
- • Interceptions: 5
- • Completion Percentage: 64.8% | Cmp/Att: 140 of 216
- • Yards per Attempt: 7.7 YPA
15. Bear Bachmeier | BYU Cougars
Bear Bachmeier College Football Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: BYU
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Murrieta, CA
- Jersey Number: 47
Driving a dark-horse Big 12 contender requires taking care of the football, and the freshman standout in Provo plays way more maturely than his years. Bear Bachmeier manages game flow with calm poise, making timely throws on third down while using his mobility to pick up crucial yardage for BYU.

"He avoids pressure and remains a solid rusher, and his passes come out on time. He has been great."

Bear Bachmeier 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,750
- Touchdown Passes: 12
- Interceptions:4
- Completion Percentage: 63.1% | Cmp/Att: 135 of 214
- Yards per Attempt: 8.2 YPA
14. Devon Dampier | Utah Utes
Devon Dampier College Football Profile
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Utah
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
- Jersey Number: 4
Transitioning into a physical, run-first Big 12 offense fits the dynamic playmaker like a glove. Devon Dampier's lethal open-field agility forces linebackers to freeze on option reads, opening up clean passing lanes down the seam for Utah.

"After thriving with Jason Beck (now at Michigan), I was curious how the super unique Dampier would fare with a new coordinator. The verdict: great so far! Utah is now a Big 12 title favorite, per SP+, and Dampier is a big reason for it."

Devon Dampier 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,876
- Touchdown Passes: 18
- Interceptions: 7
- Completion Percentage: 69.6% | Cmp/Att: 158 of 227
- Yards per Attempt: 8.3 YPA
13. Conner Weigman | Houston Cougars
Conner Weigman College Football Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Houston
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Cypress, TX
- Jersey Number: 1
Willie Fritz has the Cougars playing disciplined football in the Big 12, and his veteran passer is providing a rock-solid floor under center. Conner Weigman gets the ball out of his hands in a hurry, minimizing negative plays and keeping the chains moving for Houston.

"Houston might not have the defense for a serious Big 12 title push, but the Cougars' offense has achieved a new level of efficiency. While the run game has played a big role, Weigman discovering a new level of consistency has, too."

Conner Weigman 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,053
- Touchdown Passes: 20
- Interceptions: 2
- Completion Percentage: 65.7% | Cmp/Att: 153 of 233
- Yards per Attempt: 8.8 YPA
12. Aaron Philo | Florida Gators
Aaron Philo College Football Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Florida
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Bogart, GA
- Jersey Number: 12
Managing Buster Faulkner's balanced attack demands high-level situational awareness, and the young Gators quarterback is executing the script to perfection. Aaron Philo operates seamlessly off play-action fakes, hitting intermediate crossers in stride to sustain methodical scoring marches.

"Granted, you're living a pretty good life when you have the option of handing the ball to Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark, but when Philo has been asked to do something in Buster Faulkner's offense, he has done it beautifully."

Aaron Philo 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,367
- Touchdown Passes: 9
- Interceptions: 5
- Completion Percentage: 70.5% | Cmp/Att: 110 of 156
- Yards per Attempt: 8.8 YPA
11. Kevin Jennings | SMU Mustangs
Kevin Jennings College Football Profile
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: SMU
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Oak Cliff, TX
- Jersey Number: 6
Rhett Lashlee's up-tempo system thrives on volume, and the Mustangs' quarterback delivers fireworks every time he steps under center. Kevin Jennings pushes the ball downfield aggressively, pairing big-time arm strength with raw athletic creation inside the red zone.

"If you can survive one poor mistake per half, Jennings will reward you with some serious volume stats."

Kevin Jennings 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,414
- Touchdown Passes: 21
- Interceptions: 5
- Completion Percentage: 73.7% | Cmp/Att: 185 of 251
- Yards per Attempt: 9.6 YPA
10. Lincoln Kienholz | Louisville Cardinals
Lincoln Kienholz College Football Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Louisville
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Pierre, SD
- Jersey Number: 3
Jeff Brohm's scheme requires a passer who isn't afraid to take shots into narrow windows, and the Cardinals' signal-caller plays with supreme confidence. Lincoln Kienholz uses his athletic base to throw on the move, extending plays outside the pocket to generate explosive scoring drives for Louisville.

"With the Louisville defense allowing at least 30 points in three of four games, he'll have to keep producing."

Lincoln Kienholz 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,094
- Touchdown Passes: 12
- Interceptions: 3
- Completion Percentage: 67.8% | Cmp/Att: 141 of 208
- Yards per Attempt: 10.1 YPA
9. Drew Mestemaker | Oklahoma State Cowboys
Drew Mestemaker College Football Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 211 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Oklahoma State
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Austin, TX
- Jersey Number: 17
Stillwater's QB1 shook off an early September hiccup and has transformed the Pokes' offense into a rapid-scoring machine. Drew Mestemaker distributes the football with rapid pre-snap reads, exploiting single coverage on the boundary and keeping Big 12 defenses constantly on their heels.

"Since stumbling out of the gate against Tulsa, Mestemaker has been as good as advertised. In wins over Oregon, Murray State and West Virginia, he produced an 85.9 Total QBR, threw for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 125 yards and another score."

Drew Mestemaker 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,649
- Touchdown Passes: 25
- Interceptions: 7
- Completion Percentage: 65.5% | Cmp/Att: 184 of 281
- Yards per Attempt: 9.4 YPA
8. Gunner Stockton | Georgia Bulldogs
Gunner Stockton College Football Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Georgia
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Tiger, GA
- Jersey Number: 14
Kirby Smart doesn't ask his signal-caller to throw 50 times a night, but whenever his number gets called, the relentless Georgia leader strikes with lethal efficiency. Gunner Stockton brings a tough, hard-nosed rushing element to the table alongside clean decision-making that keeps the Dawgs out of dangerous turnover situations.

"He's eighth only because he has been asked to do the least of any of the top eight guys. Still, he has brought an extra level of explosiveness to the table this season, and it might be making Georgia the best team in the country."

Gunner Stockton 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,671
- Touchdown Passes: 16
- Interceptions: 4
- Completion Percentage: 78.4% | Cmp/Att: 130 of 181
- Yards per Attempt: 9.2 YPA
7. Keelon Russell | Alabama Crimson Tide
Keelon Russell College Football Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
- Jersey Number: 10
Stepping into Kalen DeBoer's high-flying passing scheme as a young starter is no small task, but Tuscaloosa’s newest focal point is growing up fast before our eyes. Keelon Russell combines smooth pocket footwork with a launcher of a right arm, showing real poise whenever the game plan calls for vertical strikes.

"Russell has been every bit as good as Alabama needed him to be this season, combining effortless deep passing with solid contributions in the running game. He holds onto the ball a little too long and sometimes gets into trouble because of it, but with the way he's learning and growing, he might have that solved."

Keelon Russell 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,057
- Touchdown Passes: 15
- Interceptions: 5
- Completion Percentage: 67.0% | Cmp/Att: 148 of 221
- Yards per Attempt: 9.3 YPA
6. Jayden Maiava | USC Trojans
Jayden Maiava College Football Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 230 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: USC
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Palolo, HI
- Jersey Number: 14
Carrying Lincoln Riley's offensive mantle into the Big Ten means slinging the rock with volume, and the Trojans' QB1 has embraced the heavy workload with zero hesitation. Even with constant pressure up front, Jayden Maiava's arm talent and deep-ball touch keep USC dangerous in every high-scoring battle.

"Despite having a ridiculously young receiving corps at his disposal -- and despite the best of his freshmen receivers quickly getting hurt -- he just keeps delivering. He should threaten 4,000 passing yards and 35 TDs this year."

Jayden Maiava 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,524
- Touchdown Passes: 20
- Interceptions: 5
- Completion Percentage: 66.9% | Cmp/Att: 198 of 296
- Yards per Attempt: 8.5 YPA
5. Kamario Taylor | Mississippi State Bulldogs
Kamario Taylor College Football Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 230 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Mississippi State
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Mason, MS
- Jersey Number: 1
Starkville found its new fan favorite in a freshman sensation who plays with zero fear and electric dual-threat flair. Kamario Taylor's raw arm strength allows him to stretch defenses vertically, while his physical running style turns broken plays into demoralizing third-down conversions.

"Maybe the most exciting thing about Taylor is that he's still clearly learning on the job. He's the September Heisman winner, and the fact that he appears to be cool as hell only adds to the aura."

Kamario Taylor 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,460
- Touchdown Passes: 17
- Interceptions: 4
- Completion Percentage: 65.4% | Cmp/Att: 104 of 159
- Yards per Attempt: 9.2 YPA
4. Trinidad Chambliss | Ole Miss Rebels
Trinidad Chambliss College Football Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Ole Miss
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
- Jersey Number: 6
Lane Kiffin's offense thrives on tempo and explosive chunk plays, and the dual-threat leader in Oxford brings a cold-blooded edge whenever game tempos accelerate. When pockets collapse or down-and-distance scenarios get grimy, Trinidad Chambliss's instinctual scramble mobility and improvisational throwing angles keep drives alive.

"He has already led two winning fourth-quarter drives this season, and however far the Rebels make it this year with an increasingly shaky-looking defense, it will be because Chambliss dragged them there."

Trinidad Chambliss 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,189
- Touchdown Passes: 18
- Interceptions: 8
- Completion Percentage: 63.9% | Cmp/Att: 189 of 296
- Yards per Attempt: 7.4 YPA
3. Julian Sayin | Ohio State Buckeyes
Julian Sayin College Football Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
- Jersey Number: 10
Operating Ryan Day’s aerial circus requires absolute mastery of timing and spatial awareness, and the sophomore passer makes it look entirely effortless. While having elite perimeter weapons certainly doesn't hurt, Julian Sayin's ability to manipulate coverage safety eyes and hit secondary targets across the middle proves he's a premier distributor. He'll have to return and bounce back from arm and shoulder issues soon to keep this ranking.

"He's accurate and awesome, and the only thing we haven't seen from him yet is a big, go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter."

Julian Sayin 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,007
- Touchdown Passes: 19
- Interceptions: 4
- Completion Percentage: 68.2% | Cmp/Att: 131 of 192
- Yards per Attempt: 10.5 YPA
2. CJ Carr | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
CJ Carr College Football Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Notre Dame
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Saline, MI
- Jersey Number: 13
Taking over the keys in South Bend comes with microscopic scrutiny, but the blue-chip signal-caller has elevated his operational rhythm into elite territory. CJ Carr plays with ultimate composure under pressure, processing defensive looks pre-snap and dropping absolute dimes into tight boundary windows.

"Despite getting far less support from his run game (and losing his best deep threat from 2025), Carr has improved his numbers in nearly every important category this season. He's making quicker decisions and suffering fewer INTs and sacks, and he might have found an even better deep threat in Micah Gilbert "

CJ Carr 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 1,848
- Touchdown Passes: 18
- Interceptions: 1
- Completion Percentage: 66.7% | Cmp/Att: 148 of 222
- Yards per Attempt: 8.3 YPA
1. Darian Mensah | Miami Hurricanes
Darian Mensah College Football Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Miami
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Jersey Number: 10
South Beach hit the transfer portal jackpot, and Mario Cristobal’s offense is reaping the rewards of having a hyper-efficient field general under center. Darian Mensah operates with surgical precision, carving up secondaries in the intermediate passing game and delivering throws with exquisite ball placement.

"When you're No. 1 in that many key categories, you're No. 1 on this list. Miami spent a lot of money bringing Mensah to town, and he has thus far been worth twice as much."

Darian Mensah 2026 Stats
- Passing Yards: 2,425
- Touchdown Passes: 25
- Interceptions: 1
- Completion Percentage: 80.7% | Cmp/Att: 188 of 233
- Yards per Attempt: 10.4 YPA
Have Your Say! Who are the Best Quarterbacks in College Football?
Join the Superior Signal Caller Debate: Who is College Football's True QB1?

ESPN has expanded the board to the top 25 Power 4 quarterbacks heading into Week 10, but now it's your turn to step into the film room and debate the hierarchy!
- THE TOP DOG: Does Miami's Darian Mensah hold an undisputed crown, or is Notre Dame's CJ Carr or Ohio State's Julian Sayin the true #1 quarterback in college football?
- PORTAL IMPACT IN THE TOP 25: Which transfer passer has been more vital down the stretch, Indiana's steady leader Josh Hoover, West Virginia's explosive dual-threat Michael Hawkins Jr., or Illinois' poised pocket passer, Katin Houser?
- BIG 12 TITLE SHOWDOWN: Which Big 12 trigger-man, Utah's Devon Dampier, BYU's Bear Bachmeier, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, or Kansas State's Avery Johnson, will carry their squad to a conference crown and a 1st-round playoff bye?
Drop your hot takes and top 25 quarterback rankings in the comments!
ESPN's Top 25 College Football Quarterbacks
Game-Changers & Gunslingers: Ranking College Football's Top 25 Power 4 QBs Heading Into Week 10

Nine weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and as the calendar turns to November, the quarterback play across the Power 4 landscape is reaching a fever pitch. With conference title races tightening and 12-team playoff tickets hanging in the balance, every single snap under center carries season-defining weight. From Heisman frontrunners orchestrating undefeated runs to dynamic transfer portal success stories, ESPN's Bill Connelly has audited the efficiency metrics, Total QBR data, and game tape across the major conferences to rank the nation's elite field generals. With late-October attrition reshaping rosters—including Oregon's Dante Moore sidelined by injury—we have officially expanded the board to the full top 25.

Here is our updated breakdown of Connelly's top 25 Power 4 quarterbacks heading into Week 10, pairing original scouting commentary and verified stats with Connelly's exact film takes.