Now that eight teams remain in the College Football Playoff, it’s even easier to identify the top passers in the country. With that in mind, let’s rank the remaining QBs from No. 1 to No. 8.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
One could make a case for Oregon QB Dante Moore or Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, but it’s difficult to argue against 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza. He may be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
“Mendoza is a quick decision-maker who understands the game at a high level,” wrote CBS Sports’ Mike Renner, who ranked Mendoza as his No. 1 prospect on his updated big board. “His ability to attack tight windows and operate from tight pockets makes you feel good about his floor in the NFL.”
This season, Mendoza has tossed an FBS-leading 33 touchdown passes and led the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten title since 1967. No. 1 Indiana (13-0) needs him to deliver more Heisman-worthy moments against No. 9 Alabama (11-3) in the CFP quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN).
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Under seventh-year head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have produced elite QBs, like C.J. Stroud (now with the Houston Texans). Sayin, however, may be the most accurate passer the QB guru has coached.
Through 13 games, Sayin has completed an FBS-leading 78.4% of his passes. That clip puts him on pace to break former Oregon QB Bo Nix’s FBS record for completion percentage in a season (77.4% of his passes in 14 games in 2023).
Sure, Sayin benefits from throwing to star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but the QB has helped the WR raise his game. Smith is averaging 90.5 receiving yards per game after logging 82.2 last season. Expect the dynamic WR-QB tandem to keep powering the Buckeyes (12-1) against Miami (11-2) in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m. ET.
3. Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore, a sophomore, hasn’t decided whether he’ll enter the draft or stay at school. He certainly looked NFL-ready in the first round of the CFP against James Madison. In a 51-34 win over the Dukes, he completed 19-of-27 passes for 313 yards, four TDs and two interceptions.
“It was on full display,” TNT Sports analyst/former New York Giants WR Victor Cruz said of Moore’s talent postgame. “We understood that he was the No. 1 QB in this draft class.”
Moore will face one of his most challenging matchups against No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day at noon ET (ESPN). The Red Raiders rank third in the FBS in points allowed (10.9). If the star leads No. 5 Oregon (12-1) to a win, more QB-needy teams will want him to consider turning pro.
4. Ty Simpson, Alabama
In a 34-24 victory over Oklahoma in the CFP, Simpson completed 18-of-29 passes for 232 yards and two TDs. In a postgame news conference, he thanked critics for writing him and the team off during a late-season slump.
Alabama lost two of its last four games before the CFP. During this stretch, Simpson threw five TDs and four interceptions.
Simpson — who’s tied for seventh in the FBS in TD passes (28) — building off the win would remind fans he remains among the top QBs in the country. It would also give Alabama a chance to win its 19th national championship.
5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Chambliss, a transfer out of Division II Ferris State, hasn’t looked overwhelmed in his first season in the FBS. The QB replaced Austin Simmons as the team’s starter after he suffered an ankle injury in a 30-23 Week 2 win over Kentucky. In 13 games, Chambliss has piled up 27 TDs (19 passing and eight rushing) and 3,804 yards (3,298 passing and 506 rushing).
Despite losing HC Lane Kiffin to LSU before the CFP, Chambliss looked sharp in a 41-10 win over Tulane on Saturday, completing 23-of-29 passes for 282 yards and one TD.
The No. 6 Rebels (12-1) will face No. 3 Georgia (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Chambliss’ perseverance and playmaking ability give the team a chance to shock the Bulldogs.
6. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Like former Bulldogs QB Stetson Bennett IV, who won national titles in 2021 and 2022, Stockton isn’t the most talented QB, but he gets the job done. Through 13 games, he has amassed 3,133 yards (2,691 passing and 442 rushing) and 31 TDs (23 passing and eight rushing).
He also suits a Georgia team that prides itself on its work ethic. Stockton grew up in Tiger, Georgia, where he raised Black Angus cattle on his family’s farm. That helped him land an NIL (name, image and likeness) deal with The Dairy Alliance.
7. Carson Beck, Miami
Beck has salvaged his career at Miami after transferring from Georgia this offseason. Through 13 games, he has completed a career-high 74.5% of his passes for 3,175 yards, 26 TDs and 10 interceptions.
Beck lacks mobility, one key reason he’s ranked lower than the aforementioned passers. He has rushed for just 33 yards this season.
Texas Tech’s defense, which features star linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey, has carried it to the CFP. Morton, however, has proved to be the game manager the Red Raiders need.
Through 11 games, he has thrown for 2,643 yards and 22 TD passes. Just as important for Texas Tech is that he doesn’t turn the ball over. Morton has tossed just four interceptions this season.
