Best QBs in College Football as of Week 5: One QB stands alone at the top, but huge tier two of elite quarterbacks rising
Which QBs stand out so far based on the meaningful metrics?
The 2025 college football regular season is already a third of the way complete for many teams. Reality is beginning to take shape for top teams and players around the country. Most teams have had at least one “real” game so far, but there’s still plenty of time for seasons to change. And if they do (for better or worse), just like we outlined last week, it likely comes down to the quarterback position.
Which teams have the best quarterbacks ahead of Week 5 action? And can they be trusted to keep up their special play as the most important part of the schedule begins?
Prior to the season we outlined exactly what meaningful metrics can predict future quarterback success (in college and the NFL). It turns out, using the right metrics you can successfully identify who the best quarterbacks are and predict who will become great in the future. Using that 18-pronged predictive QB Efficiency Model, we’re going to take a look at who the best passers in college football are heading into Week 5. This list should change just a bit every single week as the “real” quarterbacks begin to isolate themselves from the pack, but let’s dive in to who the best passers are as of right now.
Best QBs in College Football heading into Week 5 via meaningful metrics
Tier 1 QBs
- Jayden Maiava, USC
Yes, you read that right. There is exactly one Tier 1 quarterback in college football right now and it’s Jayden Maiava of USC. Lincoln Riley is at it again with QB development and it looks like he might have the best quarterback in the country.
This is the second week in a row that Jayden Maiava has ranked first in yards per play, QBR, total adjusted net yards per attempt, passer rating, and pass EPA per play. There is no close second to the dominance that Maiava is putting on display thus far, but it seems that many simply aren’t watching his games because he still ranks outside the top five in Heisman Trophy odds.
Maiava has yet to play an extremely tough opponent just yet, but he is shredding the teams he has faced. Just this past Saturday, Maiava scored five total touchdowns, opening things up with his ground game (adding two scores there), and completed nearly 80% of his passes. Not only is he proving to be incredibly consistent, but the high moments and tough throws are something special to behold. The rest of college football has some catching up to do here.
Tier 2 QBs
- Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
- Taylen Green, Arkansas
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- Dante Moore, Oregon
- Demond Williams, Washington
- Josh Hoover, TCU
- Behren Morton, Texas Tech
- Ty Simpson, Alabama
Brendan Sorsby and Taylen Green have been nice stories so far, but neither likely stay up inside this Tier 2 range for long. Sorsby’s numbers are tough to even schedule-adjust properly considering how terrible Bowling Green and Northwestern State are on defense. His one game against Nebraska (a defense with a pulse) didn’t go great through the air, although his dual threat ability as a runner saved him. Taylen Green now has two games with multiple interceptions, so it’s only a matter of time before he reverts back to the player we’ve already seen three years in a row.
The real contenders to stay in Tier 2 or perhaps join Maiava atop the entire sport in this group are Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, Demond Williams, and Ty Simpson.
Mendoza and Indiana are on a mission to shut everyone up about the Hoosiers with a 14% touchdown rate on his passes. Dante Moore is already looking better than Dillon Gabriel last season with a bigger arm and greater accuracy to every level of the field–nearly leading the nation in completion rate over expected. Demond Williams and Ty Simpson still need to find success against better opponents, but both present underrated dual threat ability with 21% and 12% rushing yard market share respectively for their teams.
The real underdog that isn’t getting enough love in this tier is definitely Josh Hoover. He didn’t always look like a potential pro in prior seasons’ action, but his processing, ability to see the field, and high level play across extremely high volume is showing up every week now. He leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns per game for a reason. Don’t be surprised if he’s considered the clear top QB in the entire Big 12 very soon.
Tier 3 QBs
- Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
- Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
- Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
- Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- Chandler Morris, Virginia
- Jalon Daniels, Kansas
- John Mateer, Oklahoma
- Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
- Gunner Stockton, Georgia
- Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
- Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Tier 3 is the one that is going to cycle names in and out all season long. This group is full of quarterbacks with imperfect profiles due to one poor game, or that lack one particular aspect that allows them to join the elite in many cases. However, there are a few intriguing names who could rise and prove to be among the elite.
Marcel Reed has still started less than a full season’s worth of games, but he’s flashing real potential in the deep passing game. Plus his rushing upside is still as obvious as ever. Reed is averaging 15+ yards per completion and accounting for 30% of A&M’s rushing yards.
If Ole Miss keeps starting Trinidad Chambliss he might grow into one of the best passers in the game. The former Division-II national champion is posting the third highest mark in adjusted yards per attempt, and the seventh highest QBR this season.
John Mateer needs to get healthy, and quick, but both he and Carson Beck have proven enough resumes of production to get back to the top of the FBS ranks in terms of overall QB efficiency. They both need to watch it with the turnovers, but the high-level skills are there (and have been in previous seasons).
Last but not least, Julian Sayin might just have the highest ceiling among this entire tier. This former five star has posted absurd marks over the last few games across the board outside of the bad luck interceptions. When adjusting for drops and depth of target his adjusted completion rate is near 87%–almost unprecedented level of accuracy. He ranks first in completion percentage among FBS quarterbacks, third in passer rating just below Maiava and Mendoza, and third in yards per play–doing all of this as a first year starter. If he can add a little rushing value too? Sky is the limit.
These rankings will continue to shift as we gather more data on all these top passers from week to week, but this is where the best of the best in college football currently stand ahead of Week 5 action.
If you have any questions or comments make sure to reach out to me personally. I’ll be back with more College Football and NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
