The 2025 college football season could be one of the most wide-open fields in recent memory, at least in terms of national championship contenders.
Sure, teams like Ohio State and Texas are among the favorites, along with the usual suspects such as Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Notre Dame, but with every team listed above projected to have a new starting quarterback, even the preseason favorites have questions to answer.
With that in mind, here are five quarterbacks who will define the 2025 college football season and the national title chase.
Arch Manning, Texas
The Heisman favorite, at least according to oddsmakers like FanDuel, completed 67.9% of his passes last season, throwing nine touchdown passes compared to two interceptions. He also scored four rushing touchdowns.
Manning has had as much hype surrounding him as any college football quarterback in recent memory. The bar is high, but so are the expectations.
This season is national title or bust for Texas. The Longhorns’ defense will be elite. The running game should be, too, and there is talent everywhere.
It will be up to Manning to get the Longhorns over the national championship finish line after consecutive semifinal defeats.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Outside of Caleb Downs, Sayin, the No. 1 overall quarterback in the 2024 class, could prove to be the most important transfer portal addition for the Buckeyes in 2024.
Will Howard was huge. He helped lead Ohio State to the national title, but Sayin could start for the next three or four years.
He’s a redshirt freshman, but if he lives up to the hype (Jeremiah Smith should help), Ohio State could easily go back-to-back.
Drew Allar, Penn State
One of the national title contenders without a new starting quarterback is Penn State, as Drew Allar, a former five-star recruit, decided to come back for his senior season.
Allar, like head coach James Franklin, is criticized for his lack of success in big games. Yet, Allar started three College Football Playoff games last season, winning two before Penn State was knocked out by Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
Over the past two seasons, Allar has thrown 49 touchdowns compared to just 10 interceptions. He added six rushing touchdowns last season (302 yards) and can beat you with his legs, as well as his arm.
Allar took a step forward last season, especially throwing the ball down the field, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt compared to just 6.8 in 2024.
However, if Penn State, which loaded up in the portal, is going to win it all, Allar needs to take another step forward.
Dante Moore, Oregon
The Ducks are another national title contender with an unproven quarterback.
Moore started his career at UCLA before taking a season to redshirt behind Dillon Gabriel. The Detroit native has an elite arm. He’s more of a pocket passer but he won’t have No. 1 target Evan Stewart.
Oregon doesn’t lack for weapons, though. Moore should succeed, and if he does, the Ducks will have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
The Texas native might be the most underrated quarterback in college football. He’s started and won two ACC championships. He also threw 36 touchdown passes last season (six interceptions). That’s 55 TDs over the past two seasons.
Klubnik passed for 259 yards per game last season compared to 218 as a sophomore. He took a big leap. If he is even better in 2025, Clemson, a dark-horse national title contender, could recapture its former glory.
The combination of an elite quarterback and elite defense worked for the Tigers before. It could work again.
