Arch Manning to ‘Baby Cam’ Newton: Five elite college QBs to watch in 2025

A new college football season will begin Aug. 23, and as always, the elite quarterbacks will be in the white-hot spotlight.

Here are five QBs who bring a mix of talent, swagger and highlight-reel potential that can make them can’t-miss TV: 

Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns

After two seasons as backup to Quinn Ewers (a seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins), it is finally time for Manning to get his shine in the SEC.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder impressed in limited action last season, totaling 1,047 yards (939 passing, 108 rushing) and 13 touchdowns (nine passing, four rushing).

Manning has quite the billing to live up to following Ewers and because his uncles Eli and Peyton are among the greatest quarterbacks in SEC history.

Will he make an NFL team happy next year?

“I do not expect Arch to be part of the 2026 NFL Draft, but it doesn’t hurt to take an early look at what he showcased across 233 snaps of game tape in the 2024 season,” NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay wrote in May 2025. “I did that over the weekend and came to the conclusion that the guy is loaded with talent. More so than I originally thought while watching games during the season.”

Pro:  The skillset and mental game are all there.

Con: One career start in an SEC game and just two starts in his collegiate career.

DJ Lagway, Florida Gators

Lagway was one of the more highly acclaimed freshmen QBs last season, and he mostly lived up to the billing. He appeared in 12 games, starting seven, and helped Florida win its last four games (including wins over ranked opponents LSU and Ole Miss).

Lagway (6-foot-3, 239 pounds) earned many media awards and is a huge reason why the Gators are ranked No. 19 in ESPN’s post-spring Top 25. He must, however, work on the finer points of his game.

“He may have more arm talent than anyone else in college football but needs to fine-tune his footwork and accuracy,” Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus wrote in February 2025.

Pro: Lagway led the country in deep-ball accuracy at 63.2% last season.

Con: He had turnover issues last season (nine interceptions) and completed only 59.9 percent of his passes.

Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Sun Devils

Leavitt has already cemented himself as an Arizona State legend after taking the team to the second round of the College Football Playoff last season.

In 2024, he threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 443 yards and five TDs. But his best weapon from last season, running back Cam Skattebo, is now with the New York Giants, so Leavitt may be asked to do much more this season.

“The redshirt sophomore’s measurables — 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds — leave a lot to be desired for the NFL,” wrote Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus in June 2025. “But once he loads up to throw the ball, his arm talent is apparent.

Pro: He has performed on the biggest of stages already, so facing major pressure should not be an issue.

Con: He lost his best offensive player and may have to rely on a passing game that can get erratic at times (61.7 completion percentage last season).