Joel Klatt re-ranks Top 10 college football quarterbacks entering Week 4

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt last made a list of his projected Top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2025 college football season back in the Spring. Now, four weeks into the regular season, Klatt has completely overhauled that list based on what he’s seen through the first several games.

Klatt shook up his list of college football’s top quarterbacks following a request for a reader, and didn’t let his Spring list impact his new ranking four weeks in. In fact, of his Top 10 quarterbacks in the Spring, only two were still on his new Top 10 list, which doesn’t include a trio of preseason Heisman Trophy favorites in Texas’ Arch Manning, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.

Instead, the two quarterbacks that were carried over from his previous Top 10 list lead his new list, and they’re both transfers: Oklahoma‘s John Mateer and Miami‘s Carson Beck.

Check out Joel Klatt’s new Top 10 quarterbacks list entering Week 4 of the 2025 season:

1. John Mateer, Oklahoma

The former Washington State transfer leads Klatt’s updated Top 10 list after landing at No. 3 on his Spring list. And that promotion is well-earned after leading the SEC with 944 passing yards and five touchdowns on an SEC-best 71 completions through three games. Mateer also has 161 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, providing the Sooners a valuable dual-threat playmaker at the position.

Klatt: “He goes out there and elevates the play of everybody around him. … If I had to hand in a Heisman ballot right now, it’d be John Mateer. I think he’s been the most impressive player, the best player, the most impactful player in college football through three weeks. He’s been terrific.”

2. Carson Beck, Miami

Beck moves up from No. 10 on Klatt’s Spring list to No. 2 after stepping right in at Miami and showing the talent that once had some projecting him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Beck leads the NCAA with a 79.3 completion percentage to go along with 812 passing yards and seven touchdowns to just two interceptions while leading the ‘Canes to Top 25 wins over Notre Dame and USF.

Klatt: “Looks great at Miami. … He has been terrific. And he’s changed, in a lot of ways, Miami. … Carson Beck, and that team, to me, the clear favorite in the ACC. … Carson Beck, on the prowl, playing really, really well.”

3. Dante Moore, Oregon

After redshirting behind Dillon Gabriel last season, the former five-star UCLA product has blown away the competition despite rarely playing into the fourth quarter of games. According to Klatt, of the 22 drives he’s played throught three games, Moore has led Oregon to 17 touchdowns and two field goals. Moore’s 78.1 completion percentage ranks second in the Big Ten through three games this season.

Klatt: “I think this guy is going to wind up in New York as a Heisman finalist. He can do it all. … He is accurate. He plays on the right timing and in the right rhythm and with the proper balance to throw the ball really well down the field. … He’s very smart, gets them into the right play constantly.”

4. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Since replacing Beck as the Bulldogs’ QB1 in last season’s Playoffs, Stockton has only excelled. Through three games, Stockton’s 70.8 completion percentage ranks fifth in the SEC, along with 721 passing yards and seven total touchdowns. But more impressively is his play in the clutch, including a fourth-down touchdown pass and subsequent two-point conversion to force overtime against Tennessee last Saturday.

Klatt: “The throws he made against Tennessee in crucial moments were spectacular. And when you do that, you earn you way onto lists like this. … Stockton was excellent. The fourth down throw — WOW! … It’s the calm that you provide your team in order to execute when panic can certainly enter the equation.”

5. Haynes King, Georgia Tech

While King might not have the stats of some of these other quarterbacks on this list, Klatt rounds out his Top 5 QBs with the dynamic Yellow Jackets dual-threat quarterback due in large part to his play in big games, including last Saturday’s Top 25 win over Clemson. Having played just two games, King leads Tech with 259 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with his 354 passing yards.

Klatt: “It’s what he does for his team, the belief his team has in him, and the warrior that he is running the football, man. … Give him the rock, and he leads them to victory. That’s what gets you on this list, performance, big stage performance.”

6. Tommy Castellanos, Florida State

The multi-time transfer quarterback has found a home in Tallahassee under new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, whose zone-read offense fits him like a glove. Klatt was especially impressed with how Castellanos backed up his preseason trash talk by leading the ‘Noles to a 31-17 update in the season-opener against Alabama.

Klatt: “His numbers are not going to blow you out of the water, … but, man, that performance against Alabama. … It’s just everything else that he did: providing the energy, the short-area quickness, his ability to be a threat in the run game, his ability to throw the football down the field. It clearly changed (FSU).”

7. Rocco Becht, Iowa State

A rare lifer at quarterback having played all four years for the Cyclones, Becht has simply gotten it done when called upon, including leading Iowa State to a 1-0 start in Big 12 play through four games. Becht’s 860 passing yards ranks third in the Big 12, along with seven passing touchdowns, on 65-percent passing this season.

Klatt: “Did not make my Top 10 in the Spring (but) he was right there. … Rocco’s certainly one of the 10 best performers so far of the season. … I love it when guys deliver like that, and Rocco is clutch. He’s a great leader.”

8. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

The former Appalachian State transfer by way of UCLA, Aguilar has gone from a relative afterthought in the Nico Iamaleava “trade” this Spring to a superstar gunslinger in Knoxville. Through three games this season, Aguilar ranks second in the SEC with 906 yards and nine touchdowns on 66.3-percent passing. That includes a season-high 371 passing yards and five total scores in Saturday’s loss to UGA.

Klatt: “He’s been terrific. Even in a loss to Georgia, he played an insane game against the Georgia Bulldogs. I’ve been incredibly impressed with what he’s done in that offense so far. I think he’s a great fit in that offense. They won the trade (of Nico Iamaleava). He’s a better fit.”

9. Jayden Maiava, USC

While he hasn’t gotten much national attention so far this season, Maiava has been sensational in his second season as the Trojans starting quarterback after supplanting Miller Moss late last season. Maiava’s 989 passing yards and 329.7 passing yards per game leads the Big Ten through three games, including a career-high 412 yards and four touchdowns against Georgia Southern.

Klatt: “Jayden Maiava has played spectacular football so far these first three weeks. … When you look at the statistical categories for quarterbacks around the country, Maiava is right up there 1, 2, or 3 in a lot of categories. … Maiava is playing really well, and he’s certainly earned a spot on this list.”

10. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Last but certainly not least on Klatt’s updated Top 10 quarterback list is the Buckeyes uber-talented redshirt freshman, a former five-star transfer from Alabama. Sayin’s 78.9 completion percentage leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally to go along with 779 passing yards and nine touchdowns to three interceptions while leading the defending CFP champions to a perfect 3-0 start.

Klatt: “I see it. It’s there. He (ranks second in) college football in completion percentage at 79-percent. He does play in rhythm. … He’s a very accurate passer. … And these are a lot of them big completions. He’s not just throwing screen passes for 79-percent, he’s throwing the football down the field.”