CBS Sports releases updated Top 25 QB Power Rankings ahead of College Football Week 1

CBS Sports released its updated Top 25 QB Power Rankings ahead of Week 1 of the 2025 college football season. Guys like Rocco Becht (Iowa State) and Avery Johnson (Kansas State) are already on the list with a game under their belts though.

So, how does the rest of the QB field stack up? Well, we’re here to break it all down just days away from our first full slate.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the top QBs in the country first. We start at the top over in the ACC!

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Klubnik comes into the 2025 season as the top QB across all college football. We got a small sample size from Week Zero, but Klubnik will be in action this weekend.

It’ll be a big test against LSU, but coming off a career year, the Tigers quarterback could save his best for last. He has No. 1 overall pick potential.

2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – © Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Nussmeier is another QB that is on the Heisman shortlist, among the favorites of course. He’ll go head to head, sort of, with Klubnik this weekend.

Heck, both could play well and these rankings from CBS wouldn’t shift. But for now, he’s the second best quarterback in America.

3. Drew Allar, Penn State

Allar had some NFL buzz last season, but the Penn State QB elected to return for his final season. Penn State is running it back in hopes of winning a national championship.

Can they do it? Allar will be a big reason why or not for certain. But, he’s got a cannon for an arm, the size and all of the physical tools to be one of, if not the best, quarterback in college football.

4. Arch Manning, Texas

Manning has a lot less game experience than the top three, but we’ve seen the flashes. He can be an elite QB, but it’s still a wait and see approach with the Longhorns’ signal caller.

He’s got the name, the tools and the hype. Maybe too much hype through no fault of his own. Now it’s on Manning to prove it against Ohio State to open the season.

5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

quarterback-julian-sayin-confirms-nick-saban-retirement-main-reason-flip-from-alabama-ohio-state — Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Speaking of Texas-Ohio State, the Buckeyes have Sayin under center at QB. He takes over for national champ Will Howard, now of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sayin came from Alabama a couple of years ago and has developed and bided his time as a backup. In Ryan Day’s system, he should succeed. Especially with wea[ons like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate!

6. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Sellers is a tantalizing talent at QB and he showcased that in 2024. Now, he’s got more pressure to deliver for a South Carolina team that just missed out on the playoffs last year.

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Sellers is a dual threat, so good luck stopping him. He’s firmly in the top 10 to start the 2025 season.

7. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

Leavitt had himself a fine season last year, helping the Sun Devils win the Big 12 and get to the College Football Playoff. The question is, can the ASU QB do it again?

Leavitt’s got the talent and the moxie, that’s for sure. It’ll help that he has Jordyn Tyson to throw to again this year.

8. DJ Lagway, Florida

Lagway is a little unproven based on his freshman season. But to be fair, he came in after an injury to Graham Mertz and then was hurt himself at times.

But Lagway has all the talent in the world and the biggest question is if the Florida QB took the next step going into his sophomore year. CBS seems to think so as they have him in the top 10 ahead of the start of the season.

9. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Mateer took his dual threat QB abilities from Washington State to Oklahoma this offseason. It gives the Sooners quite the playmaker under center.

But, he has a lot of pressure considering Brent Venables needs a big year in his fourth season. Otherwise, the seat gets hotter and Mateer’s preseason Heisman buzz could disappear. Still, it might be more likely to see him rise up CBS’ list.

10. Josh Hoover, TCU

Hoover’s a guy not many are talking about when it comes to QB rankings or the best quarterbacks in the land. He makes CBS’ top 10 list going into the season.

Don’t forget, Hoover threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season and had 27 touchdowns. Even going up against Bill Belichick Week 1, he might give the defensive mastermind some fits.