Ranking the Big Ten Quarterbacks

It’s already mid-July, and teams are going through the paces and gearing up for full blown practices in August. The rosters are set and while there may be some who drop out before the first game, with the transfer portal locked down, we won’t see any additions. That means Big Ten teams will dance with the girls they brought to the party. Gone are the days when a coach recognizes one of his running backs or wide receivers may be a better QB option than his starter, so he makes a change after three games. With NIL the investment is too big for unknowns. You try to nail down your quarterback room and go to work and keep your fingers crossed you make it through the season with your top two.

So, who has the best 2-deep quarterback room in the Big Ten? And who will be the starter? I’ll give you two rankings, who I think will be the starter and why, plus the next man up. If the player started for his school in 2025, only his 2025 season stats are given. If he is a transfer player, his career stats will be given. Remember, this is ranking QBs, not who has the best team.

How I see them if the season started today.

1. Oregon – Dante Moore, 6’3”, 206 pounds. 2025 stats: 3,565 yards, 30 TDs, 10 Int’s, 71.8% completion rate. 156 yards rushing, 2 TDs over 15 games. Moore surprised people by returning for the 2026 season after being a top 5 pick for the NFL draft. Especially after offensive coordinator Will Stien left to be the Kentucky HC. How well Moore meshes with new OC Drew Mehringer, who was the TE’s coach, and grows at identifying defenses will determine how deep Oregon goes into the CFP. There might be a slight drop-off, but not enough to keep Oregon from possibly going all the way.
2. Ohio State – Julian Sayin, 6’1”, 208 pounds. 2025 stats: 3,610 yards, 32 TDs, 8 Int’s, 77.0% completion rate. -44 yards rushing, 0 TDs over 14 games. The revolving door at OC continues for the Buckeyes as former Steeler’s OC Aurther Smith takes over. How much will Smith’s heavy run game affect Sayin? Far from a running QB, Sayin rushed 42 times last season for -44 yards and 0 TDs. Part of that is being sacked 10 times against Indiana in the Big Ten Championhsip and Miami in the CFP. Yet, his 77% completion rate was one of the most efficient in college football history, making him a Heisman finalist as a redshirt freshman. He has the supporting cast, and even Aurther Smith can’t screw that up.
3. USC – Jayden Maiava, 6’4”, 225 pounds. 2025 stats: 3,711 yards, 24 TDs, 10 Int’s, 65.8% completion rate. 157 yards rushing, 6 TDs. Stats compiled over 13 games. Originally transferring from UNLV, Maiava is starting his third season at USC and has 34 games of experience with a 12-5 record. With multiple Heisman Trophy winners, Lincoln Riley’s offense revolves around the passing game and his QB. Maiava led an explosive offense last season with two NFL caliber receivers. This season he will throw to a young inexperienced group, making consistency a priority rather than a big play attack. Do Riley and Maiava have the patience to run that style of offense? Whatever they do, they’ll have to keep the turnovers down to have success. A Heisman run by Maiava would keep the wolves off Riley if he produces another mediocre season.
4. Penn State – Rocco Becht, 6’1”, 210 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 9,274 yards, 64 TDs, 27 Int’s, 60.7% completion rate. 499 yards rushing, 19 TDs. Stats compiled over 42 games at Iowa State. It was a big win for Matt Campbell when Becht followed him to Happy Valley. His experience as a starter is invaluable as he brings 26 victories in 39 starts and 7 game winning drives with him. The question will be if he can have the same success against Big Ten defenses he had against Big XII defenses. Much of that will depend on OC Taylor Mouser’s ability to adapt to the Big Ten. As the OC and tight end’s coach, use of Benjamin Brahmer and play calling will be critical. Penn State will surprise people, but I’m not sure they are good enough for more than one game in the CFP.
5. Indiana – Josh Hoover, 6’2”, 200 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 9,629 yards, 71 TDs, 33 Int’s, 65.2% completion rate. -10 yards rushing, 8 TDs (42 sacks). Stats compiled over 35 games at TCU. TCU’s HC Sonny Dykes commented upon Hoover’s leaving, “Numbers are numbers and stats are stats” Dykes said. “I think Josh started 31 games here and we turned the ball over 42 times in those 31 starts.” A week later Indiana HC Curt Cignetti responded, “When Josh got here, he met his two new best friends – great defense, and a really good running game – and he was never the same after that.” There is some truth in Cignetti’s comment, however, if Hoover is to have the same success as O’Rourke and Mendoza as a Hoosier, he’ll not only need to cut down on turnovers but eliminate them all together. Establishing himself as a runner would also help.
6. Michigan – Bryce Underwood, 6’4”, 228 pounds. 2025 stats: 2,428 yards, 11 TDs, 9 Int’s, 60.3% completion rate. 392 yards rushing, 3 TDs. Stats compiled over 13 games. Underwood was thrown into the fire as a true freshman and showed why he was the No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle at times and faltering at others. 7 of his 9 interceptions came in his last 5 starts. New OC Jason Beck over the last two seasons fielded the fourth ranked offense nationally, averaging more than 480 total yards a game and ranking second nationally in rushing. With Underwood rushing for 392 yards last season and the Wolverines having a young receiving corps, Beck will lean on Underwoods running ability, relieving pressure on him to throw the ball. Michigan fans will like the new offensive look under Whittingham.
7. Nebraska – Anthony Colandrea, 6’0”, 205 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 7,542 yards, 49 TDs, 29 Int’s, 63.8% completion rate. 1,151 yards rushing, 12 TDs. Stats compiled over 33 games, 19 at Virginia, 14 at UNLV. The narrative out there is that Nebraska had to pursue Colandrea because Dylan Riola left. I believe it was quite the opposite, Nebraska made it clear they needed a mobile quarterback and Raiola hit the bricks. However you’d like to spin it, it was a mutual agreement. Dana Holgorsen tried to fit the misshaped puzzle piece that was Raiola in his offense, and it just didn’t work. Enter the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Anthony Colandrea, a perfect fit that snaps into place for what Holgorsen wants to do. A dual threat QB, Colandrea passed for 3,459 yards, 23 TDs, 9 Int’s while rushing for 649 yards and 10 TDs last season at UNLV. The knock on him, he’s had a total of 29 interceptions in three seasons or .879 interceptions per game. Raiola was only slightly better with .773 per game. For Colandrea, it’s about cutting it loose – no hesitation, trust your eyes and your feet, if you see a guy open, throw it. The key word Nebraska and Colandrea will use to kill opponents this season, unpredictable. The ceiling for the Huskers with Colandrea at QB could be incredibly high.
8. UCLA – Nico Iamaleava, 6’6”, 215 pounds. 2025 stats: 1,928 yards, 13 TDs, 7 Int’s, 64.4% completion rate. 505 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 11 games. For many the jury is still out on Nico. After leading Tennessee to the CFP a messy transfer to UCLA left questions as to his loyalty. It didn’t get better at UCLA after his head coach and offensive coordinator got fired after three straight losses to start the season. Things got significantly better when JMU HC Bob Chesney and OC Dean Kennedy were hired. They’ll look to pull a “Cignetti,” with Iamaleava playing the role of Fernando Mendoza. Nico has the chops to make it happen with a little help from skill personnel. In 29 games of Power Four football, he’s passed for 4,858 yards, 34 TDs, 12 Int’s, and rushed for 934 yards and 10 TDs. Nico may not lead UCLA to a CFP berth but look for him to resemble what we saw at Tennessee.
9. Washington – Damond Williams, 5’11”, 191 pounds. 2025 stats: 3,065 yards, 25 TDs, 8 Int’s, 69.5% completion rate. 611 yards rushing, 6 TDs. Stats compiled over 13 games. When Williams is on his game there are few players who can match his ability. The question going into this season is whether the relationship between head coach, who is also the OC, and quarterback has been mended after Williams was forced to stay in Washington and not go to LSU. It was a messy affair to say the least, and a costly one for Williams. The Huskies will get the defending national champion at home for the third straight year and have a road record of 2-9 in the Big Ten. With Williams losing his best playmakers to the NFL draft, if things don’t go well out of the gate there could be finger pointing.
10. Illinois – Katin Houser, 6’3”, 225 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 6,438 yards, 43 TDs, 22 Int’s, 62.8% completion rate. 364 yards rushing, 15 TDs. Stats compiled over 34 games, 13 at Michigan State, 21 at East Carolina. East Carolina isn’t in the Big Ten, but then again, Katin Houser is aware of what the Big Ten requires of a QB after playing at Michigan State. Houser will attempt to replace three-year starter Luke Altmeyer, which will be no easy task. The expectations in Champagne are that Houser will pick up where Altmeyer left off, going 19-7 over the last two seasons and back-to-back bowl games. The cupboard isn’t bare and Houser will have a capable support crew. However, Houser and this squad will only go as far as their offensive line will take them.
11. Maryland – Malik Washington, 6’5”, 231 pounds. 2025 stats: 2,963 yards, 17 TDs, 9 Int’s, 57.7% completion rate. 303 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 12 games. Mike Locksley was fortunate to keep Washington around for another season, as Washinton may be one of the most talented young QBs in the Big Ten. He turned heads last season with his play as a true freshman and if he would’ve had a supportive running game the Terps would have fared better than 4-8. Washington is mobile and showed his ability to evade pursuit with only being sacked 8 times over 500 drop backs. He could duplicate last season’s stats on his own, but if he doesn’t get some offensive help, Washington will more than likely hit the portal at the end of the season due to Locksley’s firing.
12. Wisconsin – Colton Joseph, 6’2”, 212 pounds. 2024-25 stats: 4,251 yards, 32 TDs, 15 Int’s, 59.8% completion rate. 1,654 yards rushing, 24 TDs. Stats compiled over 21 games at Old Dominion. Wisconsin’s offense was dismal at best last season ranking 130th in passing offense and 133rd in total offense nationally. OC Jeff Grimes hit the portal starting with Joseph. He then added 5 new offensive linemen, 5 wide receivers and 3 running backs. Joseph is a dual threat quarterback and if the new offensive players jell and Joseph’s game translates to the Big Ten, then Luke Fickell may have a chance of sticking round another year. Regardless of what happens, Colton Joseph is the most talented QB Fickell has had since taking over the Badgers, which makes things promising in Madison.
13. Minnesota – Drake Lindsey, 6’5”, 230 pounds. 2025 stats: 2,382 yards, 18 TDs, 6 Int’s, 63.2% completion rate. -119 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 13 games. Few QBs in the Big Ten were as consistent as Lindsey in November. His touchdown to turnover ratio was 8/0 in the last five games of the season. His size and arm give him a high ceiling and with only 3 games of experience going into 2025, he exceeded expectations. He has good veteran skill players around him, but he’ll need strong support from the running game. That could be challenging as the Gophers lack depth at running back. Lindsay’s negative rushing numbers are due to being sacked 21 times last season. That will need to improve if Fleck and company are to see another 8-to-9-win season.
14. Northwestern – Aiden Chiles, 6’4”, 220 pounds. 2023-25 stats: 4,116 yards, 27 TDs, 14 Int’s, 61.3% completion rate. 531 yards rushing, 12 TD. Stats compiled over 30 games, 9 at Oregon State, 21 at Michigan State. Chiles seemed like an odd fit for David Braun’s offense, then Chip Kelly was hired as the new OC and things became even more baffling. Looking from the outside in, it immediately appears to be a – win big or lose big proposition. Chiles has always shown promise but didn’t seem to get better under Jonathan Smith, throwing 14 interceptions in 21 games. The hope is Kelly’s up-tempo system will complement Chiles’s abilities. Kelly has the pieces to put around his QB and if Chiles responds under Kelly big things could happen. But from what we’ve seen lately from, Kelly, the Kelly-Chiles combo will either be a triumph or disaster.
15. Michigan State – Alessio Milivojevic, 6’3”, 223 pounds. 2025 stats: 1,267 yards, 10 TDs, 3 Int’s, 64.2% completion rate. -59 yards rushing, 1 TD. Stats compiled over 9 games. Milivojevic goes into his third season as a Spartan after starting the last four games of last season. He impressed new HC Pat Fitzgerald and opponents alike with his toughness and decision-making last season. He matched starter Aiden Chiles statistically, each playing in nine games, and each throwing 10 TDs and 3 Int’s. He passed for 125 yards less but had a better completion percentage with 64.3%. Compared to Chiles, his rushing stats look bad but one must consider he was sacked 14 times in four games. It could be a long season for Milivojevic as his supporting cast lacks experience.
16. Iowa – Jeremy Hecklinski, 5’11”, 188 pounds. 2025 stats: 2 attempts, 2 completions, 8 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s, 100% completion rate. 6 yards rushing, 1 TD. Stats compiled over 2 games. Info on Hecklinski is slim to none as he is unproven at the college level. What we do know is, he had a successful senior year of high school at Marietta, Georgia, passing for 3,835 yards and 50 TDs while rushing for 58 yards and 3 TDs while leading his team to a 14-1 record and a state title game. Iowa OC Tim Lester calls him the “gunslinger” type, while scouting reports call him a “new-age gunslinger.” He sounds like an unproven Diego Pavia. Iowa can only hope so, if not, they’ll fall back on Hank Brown, who can also be described in one word – unproven. Ferentz could once again be relying heavily on his defense and kicking game this season.
17. Rutgers – Dylan Lonergan, 6’2”, 210 pounds. 2023-25 stats: 2,060 yards, 12 TDs, 5 Int’s, 67.5% completion rate. -37 yards rushing, 1 TD. Stats compiled over 13 games, 3 at Alabama, 10 at Boston College. It was anticipated that AJ Surace, who has been groomed for the position, would start at QB for Rutgers in 2026, however, Dylan Lonergan joining the team give the Scarlet Knights a true QB competition. As of now, I’m calling Lonergan the starter simply due to experience. OC Kirk Ciarrocca has a strong running game and one of the best WRs in Rutgers history (KJ Duff, 60 catches, 1,084 yards, 7 TDs) to work with in making Lonergan’s life easier. Lonergan fits right in with Rutgers game plan – rock fight.
18. Purdue – Ryan Browne, 6’4”, 220 pounds. 2025 stats: 2,153 yards, 9 TDs, 10 Int’s, 58.9% completion rate. 206 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 12 games. HC Barry Odom brought in 50 transfers in 2025 and now adds 29 for the 2026 season. Consistency will be the Boilermaker’s biggest challenge. Can that many new faces mesh and give Browne the supporting cast he needs to be successful. The offensive line and running back positions are both in question, and Brown’s receivers are also unproven without a clear number one. It’s expected Browne will build on last season and post better numbers, but with so many gaps at key positions, 6-6 would be a remarkable season for Odom and his Boilermakers.

Next Man Up

I based my rankings mostly on experience, Big Ten Experience, and what I’ve seen from each. 1 through 10 have game savvy, but several of the 11 through 18 have little to none.

1. Oregon – Dylan Riola, 6’3”, 240 pounds. 2024-25 stats: passed for 4,819 yards, 31 TDs, 17 Int’s, 69.1% completion rate. 152 yards rushing, 0 TDs. Stats compiled over 22 games at Nebraska.
2. Nebraska – TJ Lateef, 6’1”, 200 pounds. 2025 stats: 904 yards, 5 TDs, 1 Int’s, 60.2% completion rate. 120 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 7 games.
3. Indiana – Grant Wilson, 6’3”, 218 pounds. 2025 Stats: 1 attempt, 1 completion, 5 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s. 2023-24 stats: 2,656 yards, 21 TDs, 11 Int’s. 338 yards rushing, 5 TDs over 14 games at Old Dominion.
4. Michigan – Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, 6’2”, 200 pounds. 2022-25 stats: passed for 6,938 yards, 38 TDs, 29 Int’s, 60.2% completion rate. 51 yards rushing, 3 TDs. Stats compiled over 31 games at Colorado State.
5. Northwestern – Nicco Marchiol, 6’2”, 235 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 1,462 yards, 10 TDs, 7 Int’s, 62.3% completion rate. 341 yards rushing, 4 TDs. Stats compiled over 23 games at West Virginia.
6. Washington – Elijah Brown, 6’2”, 205 pounds. 2025 stats: 829 yards, 4 TDs, 2 Int’s, 58.3% completion rate. -96 yards rushing, 0 TDs. Stats compiled over 9 games at Stanford.
7. Wisconsin – Deuce Adams, 6’2”, 204 pounds. 2024-25 stats: 112 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s, 71.4% completion rate. 34 yards rushing, 0 TDs. Stats compiled over 7 games at Louisville.
8. Michigan State – Cam Fancher, 6’2”, 207 pounds. 2021-25 stats: 5,627 yards, 27 TDs, 23 Int’s, 60.3% completion rate. 1,292 yards rushing, 9 TDs. Stats compiled over 37 games, 25 at Marshall, 9 at Florida Atlantic, and 3 at UCF.
9. Maryland – Devin Kargman, 6’3”, 225 pounds. 2022-25 stats: 1,159 yards, 8 TDs, 6 Int’s, 49.3% completion rate. -107 yards rushing, 0 TDs. Stats compiled over 16 games at Kent State.
10. Iowa – Hank Brown, 6’4”, 215 pounds. 2023-25 stats: 642 yards, 7 TDs, 4 Int’s, 61.6% completion rate. 7 yards rushing, 1 TDs. Stats compiled over 8 games, 5 at Auburn and 3 at Iowa.
11. Penn State – Alex Manske, 6’3”, 217 pounds. 2025 stats: 5 attempts, 4 completions, 28 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s. 33 yards rushing, 1 TD. Stats compiled over 3 games at Iowa State.
12. Ohio State – Tavien St. Clair, 6’4”, 230 pounds. 2025 stats: 2 attempts, 0 completions. 0 rushes.
13. USC – Sam Huard, 6’1”, 210 pounds. 2025 stats: 1 attempt, 1 completion, 10 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s. 0 attempts rushing.
14. Illinois – Boyd Carson, 6’0”, 190 pounds. 2025 stats: 0 attempts, 0 completions. 0 rushes.
15. UCLA – Madden Iamaleava, 6’3”, 195 pounds. 2025 stats: 0 attempts, 0 completions. 0 rushes.
16. Rutgers – AJ Surace, 6’2”, 205 pounds. 2025 stats: 9 attempts, 4 completions, 58 yards, 2 TDs, 0 Int’s. -5 yards rushing, 0 TD. Stats compiled over 2 games.
17. Minnesota – Max Shikenjanski, 6’2”, 185 pounds. 5 attempts, 4 completions, 80 yards, 1 TD, 0 Int’s. -2 yards rushing, 1 TD. Stats compiled over 2 games.
18. Purdue – Evans Chuba, 6’4”, 220 pounds. 2025 stats: 0 attempts, 0 completions, 0 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int’s. 0 yards rushing, 0 TDs. Transferred to Purdue from Washington State.

 1-2 Results

1. Oregon – Dante Moore & Dylan Raiola, the best one-two punch in the Big Ten.
2. Indiana – Josh Hoover & Grant Wilson. Land at number two because of what Cignetti has done with QBs.
3. Nebraska – Anthony Colandrea & TJ Lateef. An unquestionably high ranking, but this is due to Colandrea’s ceiling and Lateef’s being what I view as number 2 of the backups.
4. Michigan – Bryce Underwood & Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Underwood takes a step forward and Fowler-Nicolosi flies under the radar.
5. Ohio State – Julian Sayin & Tavien St. Clair. No doubt in Sayin’s talent, St. Clair has talent but is unproven as a leader.
6. Penn State – Rocco Becht & Alex Manske. No one in the Big Ten has more experience than Becht. Manske still needs to prove himself.
7. Washington – Demond Williams & Elijah Brown. This ranking is low considering William’s talent. Brown will only see the field if William’s head isn’t right.
8. USC – Jayden Maiava & Sam Huard. Maiava has Heisman potential, Huard has the pedigree but hasn’t had an opportunity to show it.
9. Wisconsin – Colton Joseph & Deuce Adams. This is the best QB duo Fickell has had since arriving at Wisconsin.
10. Northwestern – Aiden Chiles & Nicco Marchio. The pair has played 53 games between them.
11. Maryland – Malik Washington & Devin Kargman. Kargman’s stats and talent don’t match Washington’s.
12. UCLA – Nico Iamaleava & Madden Iamaleava. I question if Madden is the best backup available or if there is still some residual nepotism carrying over.
13. Michigan State – Alessio Milivojevic & Cam Fancher. Unknows that HC Pat Fitzgearld likes.
14. Illinois – Katin Houser & Boyd Carson. People are high on Houser, but Boyd has no history.
15. Iowa – Jeremy Hecklinski & Hank Brown. This could be an either or. Either way, it means an unproven unknown at QB.
16. Minnesota – Drake Lindsey & Max Shikenjanski. Lindsey’s is young and promising, no one knows who Shikenjanski is, including me.
17. Rutgers – Dylan Lonergan & AJ Surace. Coaches love Surace, however, Lonergan’s Boston College experience wins for now.
18. Purdue – Ryan Browne & Evans Chuba. Browne is growing, Chuba is inexperienced and neither has enough weapons around him.

The Big Ten is deep at QB with the top 14 capable of starting for multiple Power Four teams. This was no easy task and I’m sure some of you will not agree with me on my assessments, but I feel good with most of them. If you disagree, feel free to share your own rankings with me.

GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

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