College football's quarterback rankings are always a hot topic, and the 2026 season promises to be no different. With the transfer portal and the NFL Draft in full swing, the landscape is shifting, and the battle for the top spot is far from over. As an expert commentator, I'm here to break down the rankings and offer my insights on the quarterbacks who are making waves.
One name that immediately stands out is Dante Moore of Oregon. Moore's decision to return to the Ducks for another season is paying off, as he's surrounded by a deep and talented group of receivers. With a new offensive coordinator, Moore is poised to surpass his impressive totals from last season and guide the Ducks deep into the postseason. In my opinion, Moore's improved supporting cast is the key to his success, and he's already climbing the rankings.
Another quarterback who is making waves is Arch Manning of Texas. Manning's foot injury last season didn't stop him from finishing with over 3,500 total yards and 36 combined touchdowns. With Texas bolstering its supporting cast and addressing Manning's foot issue through surgery, he's got a real shot at becoming the first member of his family to win the Heisman Trophy. I think Manning's redemption story is one to watch, and he's already making waves in the rankings.
College football's top breakout star of 2025, Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss, is back for more in 2026. Pairing with elite running back Kewan Lacy, Chambliss is poised for another monster season after winning a legal battle to play one more year. I think Chambliss' legal victory is a fascinating development, and he's already climbing the rankings.
Darian Mensah of Miami is another quarterback who is making waves. Mensah finished second in the FBS and first among Power Four quarterbacks with 3,973 passing yards last season at Duke. Now at Miami, he'll have stud sophomore receiver Malachi Toney in his arsenal, and I think he's got a real shot at matching his Duke numbers. In my opinion, Mensah's move to Miami is a strategic one, and he's already making an impact in the rankings.
Julian Sayin of Ohio State is another quarterback who is making waves. The knock on Sayin's debut campaign is that he didn't play well in the postseason, but I think he's got several redemption opportunities in 2026. With five of the top 16 teams in the AP preseason poll on the Buckeyes' schedule, I think Sayin is poised for a big year. In my opinion, Sayin's ability to bounce back is a fascinating development, and he's already making an impact in the rankings.
CJ Carr of Notre Dame is another quarterback who is making waves. Carr ranked third nationally in yards per attempt at 9.4 during an impressive redshirt freshman season. But after nice showings in losses to Miami and Texas A&M, the opposing defenses were largely horrendous. I think Carr's performance against strong defenses is a fascinating development, and he's already making an impact in the rankings.
USC's Jayden Maiava is another quarterback who is making waves. Maiava started in style by completing 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns while running for another in USC's Week 0 thrashing of San Jose State. I think Maiava's performance is a fascinating development, and he's already making an impact in the rankings.
Indiana's Josh Hoover is another quarterback who is making waves. Hoover is the active passing yards leader in FBS, and I think he's got the potential to be an all-time great. In my opinion, Hoover's success is a fascinating development, and he's already making an impact in the rankings.
These quarterbacks are just a few of the many who are making waves in the 2026 college football season. With the transfer portal and the NFL Draft in full swing, the landscape is shifting, and the battle for the top spot is far from over. I think these quarterbacks are poised to make an impact, and I'm excited to see how the season unfolds.
