USA Today shakes up Top 10 QB rankings ahead of Week 4 of college football

Going into the season, there was a completely different group of quarterbacks expected to thrive than those who have taken over the sport. That’s why USA Today has shaken up its Top 10 QB rankings in college football ahead of Week 4.

USA Today is looking at QBs in college football this season, based on what they’ve done so far this season. That’s trying to put aside preseason expectations and potential. Of course, some of those quarterbacks expected to do well have slipped up, leaving room for new and intriguing names to make their way onto the ranking.

With all of that in mind, here’s a look at USA Today’s Top 10 QB rankings. To start, USA Today turned its attention to the ACC and Coral Gables.

1. Carson Beck, Miami

Carson Beck is an experienced quarterback in college football who transferred to Miami this past offseason. There, he followed a first overall pick and was tasked with taking the Hurricanes to heights they haven’t reached in decades. So far, he’s been able to do that too.

The Hurricanes have started 3-0 on the season, including a pair of wins against ranked teams in the AP Top 25 when they met. During that time, Beck has completed 79.3% of his passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns to two interceptions. He also has 26 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Oklahoma needed to hit the reset button on offense after 2024. That included bringing in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and his QB, John Mateer. Quickly, he’s hit the ground running, and it’s no surprise USA Today is so high on him.

The Sooners have jumped out to a 3-0 start, including a win over Michigan. Now, they’re ready for SEC play with Mateer currently very well. He’s completing 67.6% of their passes for 944 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns.

3. Dante Moore, Oregon

The Oregon Ducks are on their third starting QB in three seasons. It appears they have their third excellent starting QB in as many seasons. Certainly, USA Today is very high on Dante Moore.

Oregon has opened the season 3-0, along with a win in Big Ten play. Dante Moore has been phenomenal for that. He’s completing 78.1% of his passes for 657 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. Moore has also rushed for 34 yards.

4. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia won this season of eligibility in court, and he’s making the most of it. Along with grabbing headlines with the potential for further legal action, he’s become a figure in Nashville, interacting with Theo Von and making Vanderbilt the best it’s been in some time.

Vanderbilt has made some noise early in the season, including a blowout win over South Carolina amid a 3-0 start. While Pavia continues to make news off the field, he’s also been great on it. Pavia is completing 73.5% of his passes for 645 yards and seven touchdowns to two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 129 yards.

5. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

As a true freshman QB last season, Dylan Raiola got Nebraska to its first bowl game since 2016. Now, he’s trying to make the Cornhuskers a threat in the Big Ten. It’s early, but it’s also easy to see that Nebraska is on the right track.

Now, Nebraska has opened the season 3-0. Expect the competition to kick up now that Big Ten play is on the way with Michigan. Still, it’s been good so far, with Raiola completing 76.6% of his passes for 829 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s done that without any interceptions and 19 rushing yards.

6. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

After winning the national championship last season, Ohio State needed to hit the reset button thanks to roster turnover. That included at the QB position, where Julian Sayin ended up winning the job. A redshirt freshman, this has been his first significant playing time and he’s already been impressive.

Ohio State is sitting at 3-0 on the season. That includes a massive win in Week 1 over Texas. In that time, Sayin is completing 78.9% of his passes for 779 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.

7. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana shocked everyone with a run to the College Football Playoff last season. Now, they’re trying to repeat, but they’re doing it with a new signal caller under center. Fernando Mendoza has taken over as the QB there and USA Today likes what they’ve seen.

Indiana opened the season 3-0, though they’ve yet to see a Power Four opponent. Now, they’re being thrown into the deep end against Illinois to open Big Ten play. Still, Mendoza has taken care of business. He’s completing 72.4% of his passes for 708 yards and nine touchdowns. He hasn’t thrown an interception and has 72 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

8. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Gunner Stockton was thrown into action late last season when Carson Beck went down with an injury. He’d come in and help the Bulldogs win the SEC Championship Game but lose in the CFP. He’d go into the offseason needing to win the job and did. Now, he’s established himself as a top QB in the game today.

Georgia is coming off a thrilling win over Tennessee to push them to 3-0. Now, Stockton sits at a 70.8% completion percentage. That’s with 721 yards and four touchdowns and without an interception. He’s also rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

9. Jayden Maiava, USC

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley almost always has elite QB play. That appears to once again be the case in 2025 with Jayden Maiava. Once an overlooked recruit, now USA Today has him ranked among its top QBs in the game.

The Trojans moved to 3-0 on the season by beating Purdue in their first Big Ten game. In that time, Maiava has completed 68.6% of his passes for 989 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. He’s also rushed for 24 yards and two touchdowns.

10. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

It was an eventful offseason for Joey Aguilar. He left App State for UCLA. However, when the Nico Iamaleava situation went down at Tennessee, he also landed at UCLA, forcing Aguilar out. So, he’d land at Tennessee in a QB trade that seems to have worked out fine for the Volunteers.

Tennessee lost a great game to Georgia, dropping the Volunteers to 2-1. It’d be hard to blame Aguilar for that, though. Aguilar is completing 66.3% of his passes for 906 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also has 26 yards and another touchdown on the ground.