The Big Ten lost several of its top quarterbacks to the NFL this offseason, leaving many unproven but talented prospects ready to step into elevated roles in 2025.
Ranking the top quarterback rooms in the conference requires heavy projection, as few players have seen significant playing time. Still, hopes are high that many new arrivals, whether through recruiting or the transfer portal, will be able to live up to the hype.
Here’s a ranking of all 18 quarterback rooms in the Big Ten heading into the season.
18: Purdue
The Boilermakers finished dead last in the conference last season with a 1-11 record, and optimism remains low heading into the fall. Behind center, Ryan Browne is expected to step into the starting role after seeing time as a backup last season. In 2024 he recorded 43 completions on 76 attempts for 532 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Though his overall numbers are decent, he struggled against top competition. Against Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State, Browne went just 12-for-28 for 133 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Behind him are several unproven players with few college snaps and low recruiting pedigrees, with Malachi SIngleton, an Arkansas transfer, expected to win the backup role. Overall, there are too many unproven players on a team that struggled heavily last season to warrant a higher ranking.
17. Minnesota
Another former Big Ten West team holding down the rear, Minnesota lost Max Brosmer, who was solid during his lone season with the Golden Gophers, to the NFL. Heading into 2025, redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey, who only has five career pass attempts, is the projected starter. Behind him are redshirt sophomore Dylan Wittke and redshirt senior Emmett Morehead from Old Dominion, neither of whom boast impressive resumes.
16: Wisconsin
Three quarterbacks recorded snaps for Wisconsin last season, and none of them are returning in 2025. Instead, Wisconsin added Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., who’s all but guaranteed the starting role. Edwards was the starter for the Terrapins last season, completing 273 of 420 passes for 2,881 yards with a 15-9 touchdown-interception ratio. However, the Badgers pass significantly lass than Maryland, so it’s likely Edwards’ numbers decrease this season from what was already a mediocre 2024 campaign. Wisconsin also brought in transfers Danny O’Neil from San Diego State and Hunter Simmons from Southern Illinois, but neither are particularly intriguing. It’s likely the Badgers’ offensive woes continue for another season.
15. Iowa
Iowa believes it has finally secured a capable quarterback in transfer Mark Gronowski, who excelled over five seasons at FCS powerhouse South Dakota State. Ironically, Gronowski faced the Hawkeyes in 2022, completing 10 of 26 passes for 87 yards in a forgettable 7-3 Iowa victory, sealed by two safeties and a field goal – dubbed a “gentlemen’s touchdown.” While Gronowski dominated FCS competition, his performance against top-tier teams remains unproven, casting doubt on his ability to elevate Iowa’s historically underwhelming quarterback play.
14. Maryland
The Terrapins secured a big win on the recruiting trail with the addition of highly coveted 4-star Malik Washington, who was considered the No. 10 quarterback in the 2025 class per the 247Sports composite rankings. With Edwards off to Wisconsin, it opens the door for Washington to start as a true freshman. Behind him, Justyn Martin transferred in after serving as UCLA’s backup last season. The talent is obviously there, but Washington is unproven and inexperienced, as are many of the other quarterbacks in the room, making it hard to rank the Terrapins any higher.
13. Rutgers
Athan Kaliakmanis is back for his fourth season in the Big Ten and second at Rutgers after transferring in from Minnesota. Last season he went 213-for-395 for 2,696 yards and 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Though his numbers weren’t anything special, he’s a proven commodity with years of starting experience, which is more than most Big Ten teams have at this stage. Behind him, sophomore AJ Surace is expected to hold down the backup role. Though he hasn’t seen any playing time, Surace was a 4-star recruit, providing optimism for his ability to contribute in the future.
12. Northwestern
Preston Stone lost his starting role at SMU to Kevin Jennings before hopping in the portal and arriving at Northwestern. Though his career with the Mustangs ended on a sour note, Stone produced solid numbers across four seasons at SMU, totaling 267 completions on 450 attempts for 4,030 yards, 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Stone may not be one of the most talented quarterbacks in the conference, but he’s a proven commodity. Behind him is Jack Lausch, who started for the Wildcats last year, providing an experienced backup option.
11. Michigan State
Aiden Chiles followed coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to Michigan State last offseason before earning the starting role in East Lansing. He produced solid numbers, with 2,415 yards on a 59.6% completion rate, but threw nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns. If Chiles can take better care of the ball, he’ll be a solid starter for a rebuilding program looking to return to a bowl game.
10. UCLA
Despite being located in one of the best regions for quarterback talent, UCLA has struggled to attract top gunslingers to campus through recruiting. Instead the Bruins pounced for Nico Iamaleava in the spring portal window, who had an ugly breakup with Tennessee after an NIL-related fallout. Iamaleava was a 5-star recruit and the No. 3 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, and while he showed flashes with the Volunteers, he fell short against better competition and finished with average stats. If the Bruins can unlock Iamaleava’s full potential, he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the country, but he still has much to prove.
9. Michigan
It’s unclear whether true freshman phenom Bryce Underwood, a former 5-star, or Mikey Keene, the Fresno State transfer, will win the starting job heading into the fall. Keene is a proven commodity, logging over 1,000 pass attempts with multiple years starting. He posted big passing numbers in a pass-happy Bulldogs offense, but his touchdown-interception ratio kept him from being a truly great quarterback. If he wins the starting job, he’ll likely be a serviceable starter, but if Underwood wins, the Wolverines’ ceiling rises significantly.
8. Nebraska
Flipping Dylan Raiola from Georgia was a major recruiting win that sent shockwaves across college football. In his first season on campus, the former 5-star was handed the reigns and produced solid numbers while guiding the Cornhuskers to a bowl appearance and win. Taking the next step in his development will require better decision-making, but Raiola provides a solid floor and could take a leap forward, becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the conference
7. Illinois
Luke Altmyer is back for year five in college football and year three with the Fighting Illini. He’s steadily improved throughout his career but has consistently struggled against better competition. His overall numbers were solid in 2024, completing 211 of 347 pass attempts for 2,717 yards and a 22-6 touchdown-interception mark, his outings against Oregon, Penn State and Michigan weren’t pretty. Some are projecting a big season for Altmyer, but until he can perform against better defenses, he won’t be one of the Big Ten’s best.
6. Indiana
Curt Cignetti dipped into the transfer portal once more for a quarterback and reeled in Fernando Mendoza from Cal. What Mendoza lacks in physical traits and arm strength he makes up for with smart decisions and a tough mentality. Mendoza fits the stereotypical game manager mold and brings two years of starting experience to Bloomington, but he also has certain limitations and will be facing a higher caliber of defense in 2025.
5. Ohio State
The Buckeyes hit on Will Howard out of the transfer portal last season but will now turn to a first-year starter, with blue-chip recruits Julian Sayin and Lincoln Keinholz battling for the starting role. Sayin is the favorite to land the role and was ranked as a 5-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class per the 247Sports composite rankings. He originally committed to Alabama but transferred to the Buckeyes in the winter portal window. Though he’s unproven, Sayin is viewed as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country, at least on paper.
4. USC
Jayden Maiava took over for USC midway through last season after Miller Moss was benched. Though his play wasn’t necessarily an improvement over Moss’, it served as an opportunity for the then-sophomore to gain valuable experience after the Trojans’ College Football Playoff hopes were dashed. Though he threw some untimely turnovers, Maiava closed last season with big numbers against Notre Dame and Texas A&M – two tough defenses. With quarterback guru Lincoln Riley leading the way, it’s likely Maiava will continue that success and be among the best in the conference this season.
3. Oregon
Dante Moore ranked as a 5-star recruit and the No. 3 quarterback in the 2023 cycle, per the 247Sports composite rankings. He committed to UCLA and earned the starting role, but struggled to adjust to the college level and completed only 53.3% of his passes with 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions. In an interesting move, he opted to transfer to Oregon and sit behind Dillon Gabriel for a year, using the opportunity to learn from his mistakes and prepare for his second stint as a starter. Now, Moore is hoping to live up to his recruiting hype with a star-studded offense and elite signal-caller.
2. Washington
Though Washington fell short of expectations last season, quarterback Demond Williams was a bright spot for the Huskies in his limited playing time. After taking over the starting job for the last two weeks of the season, Williams completed 43 of 52 passes for 575 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. Those games against Oregon and Louisville. With a strong finish to 2024 as just a true freshman, the hype is building for what Williams can do in 2025.
1. Penn State
Over three seasons at Penn State, Drew Allar has steadily progressed, leading the Nittany Lions to two successful seasons as a starter. Despite challenges in high-stakes games, he ranks among the nation’s top quarterbacks in avoiding turnovers while showing increased downfield aggression. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with a rocket arm, Allar possesses elite physical tools for success. In his first year under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, he made significant strides, guiding Penn State to the semifinals. Entering 2025, Allar is a proven leader in college football with the potential to become the nation’s best quarterback.