The college football offseason is here, and that means one thing: rankings season and plenty of controversy. Ari Wasserman of On3 dropped his Top 10 college football quarterbacks entering the 2026 season, and almost instantly, the backlash followed.
Now I am not saying it is easy to project who the top 10 quarterbacks in the country will be a year from now. It is nearly impossible. But that is also why these lists spark so much debate. Last April, Wasserman released his Top 10 QBs entering the 2025 season, and it did not age well. DJ Lagway at No. 1, John Mateer at No. 4, Cade Clubnik at No. 5, plus Drew Allar and Nico Iamaleava on the list. There were plenty of misses. That is the nature of college football. It is volatile, chaotic, and flat-out insane. Still, I understand why writers do it. It fuels conversation, and in February, conversation is king.
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So without further ado, here is On3’s Top 10 college football quarterbacks entering the 2026 season. Let’s break it down.
1. Texas QB Arch Manning
AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 28: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns walks off the field after beating the Texas A&M Aggies 27-17 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Arch Manning at No. 1 is certainly a choice. Manning quietly improved as the 2025 season went on for Texas, and you can see the vision. The Longhorns were aggressive in the portal and on the recruiting trail, surrounding him with more offensive talent. Auburn transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman, the No. 1 receiver in the portal, is now in Austin. If Manning leans more into his mobility in 2026 and becomes a true dual threat, the No. 1 ranking starts to make more sense.
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2. Oregon QB Dante Moore
Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the fourth quarter the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Moore had a tremendous 2025 season and was in the Heisman race until the very end. Many expected him to jump to the NFL, but he returned to Eugene with a loaded roster and a top-three recruiting class arriving. The talent is undeniable. The next step is cutting down on turnovers in big moments. If he does that, he has every tool to justify this ranking.
3. LSU QB Sam Leavitt
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Houston Cougars in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Leavitt is one of the more polarizing names here. In 2024, he led Arizona State to a College Football Playoff appearance and was electric all season. In 2025, injuries limited him to seven games, and he was sacked 19 times in that span. Now he is paired with Lane Kiffin at LSU, which is fascinating. Leavitt has a natural feel for the game, and if Kiffin unlocks him, the Tigers could be dangerous in year one of that partnership.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) takes a snap during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025.
Sayin might actually be too low on this list. He was a Heisman finalist as a freshman and returns with arguably the best receiver in America in Jeremiah Smith and a top-tier running back in Bo Jackson. Much of the offensive line is back as well. With Arthur Smith stepping in as offensive coordinator, this Buckeye offense has a sky-high ceiling. Sayin is set up for a massive 2026.
5. Indiana QB Josh Hoover
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 29: Josh Hoover #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with teammates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Hoover is a true wildcard. After transferring from TCU to Indiana, he steps in as Curt Cignetti’s next quarterback project. Hoover has been a three-year starter and one of the better Big 12 quarterbacks, but the Big Ten is a different animal. He has a tendency to lock onto his first read and force throws, which leads to interceptions. That said, Cignetti fixed similar issues with Fernando Mendoza. If lightning strikes twice, Hoover could thrive.
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6. Georgia QB Gunner Stockton
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass against Alabama during the 2025 SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Stockton is probably the most predictable name on the list. You know what you are getting. He is tough, steady, and unafraid to take a hit. He is not an elite athlete with a cannon arm, but that has never been Kirby Smart’s requirement. Stockton protects the football and commands the locker room. He will not single-handedly win games, but he will not lose them either. That formula worked with Stetson Bennett, and it could work again.
7. USC QB Jayden Maiava
Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) talks with Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Maiava impressed in his first full season as USC’s starter, throwing for more than 3,700 yards with 24 touchdowns and adding six more scores on the ground. The concern is replacing top targets Makai Lemon and Ja’kobi Lane. USC did bring in the No. 1 recruiting class in 2026, loaded with receiver and tight end talent, but youth will have to step up quickly. Whether that group develops will determine if Maiava stays in the top 10 conversation.
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8. Miami QB Darian Mensah
Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarter back Darian Mensah (10) drops back for a pass against Virginia Cavaliers defensive lineman Jacob Holmes (23) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Mensah feels like a projection based partly on the system, but the talent is real. After productive stops at Tulane and Duke, he now lands at Miami with national title aspirations. The Hurricanes return running back Mark Fletcher Jr., freshman standout Malchi Toney, and add Mensah’s former Duke teammate Cooper Barkate, along with other transfers. The pieces are there for this offense to explode in 2026.
9. Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby
Brendan Sorsby: Cincinnati to Texas Tech. Considered the top QB in the portal by many, the native Texan will head back to the Lone Star State to lead the Red Raiders’ hopes of getting back to the CFP.
Texas Tech invested heavily in Sorsby, and it is easy to see why. On a middling Cincinnati team, he threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and took only seven sacks. He also ran for 580 yards and nine scores. If he brings that efficiency and dual-threat ability to Lubbock, Tech could be a serious factor.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 15: CJ Carr #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass in the first half during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Carr, like Sayin, turned heads as a freshman. Notre Dame dropped its first two games to Miami and Texas A&M, Carr’s first college starts, but he held his own. From there, the Irish rolled, and Carr flashed high-end potential. With a manageable 2026 schedule and plenty of talent returning, Notre Dame has a real shot to make noise. Carr and the Irish will be must-watch next season.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Julian Sayin outside top 3 in On3’s 2026 QB rankings raises eyebrows
