Photo Credit: Big Ten Conference
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The Big Ten enters 2026 with plenty of quarterback talent. The conference also enters the season with 18 teams. Several quarterbacks have legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations. Ohio State and Oregon lead the conference quarterback conversation. However, several other signal-callers could challenge them. These rankings consider production, experience, talent, and projected impact. I also considered each quarterback’s potential within his team’s offense. Here is my ranking of all 18 projected Big Ten starting quarterbacks.
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Sayin enters 2026 as the Big Ten’s top quarterback. He enjoyed an outstanding first season as Ohio State’s starter. Sayin completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards. He also threw 32 touchdown passes during the 2025 season. Those numbers helped him finish as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Sayin also earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. Now, he returns alongside superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith. That combination could make Ohio State extremely difficult to defend.
- Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore nearly entered the NFL Draft after an impressive 2025 campaign. Instead, he chose to return for another season. That decision makes Oregon one of the conference’s biggest threats. Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. He also completed 71.8% of his attempts. The Ducks reached the College Football Playoff semifinals with Moore leading the offense. He now enters 2026 as a major NFL prospect.
- Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Williams could become the Big Ten’s biggest breakout star. He completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards last season. He also threw 28 touchdowns. Additionally, Williams rushed for 611 yards and six touchdowns. His dual-threat ability creates serious problems for opposing defenses. Washington needs him to perform better against elite conference opponents. If he does, Williams could challenge Moore and Sayin.
- Josh Hoover, Indiana
Hoover faces tremendous pressure at Indiana. He replaces Fernando Mendoza, who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy. However, Hoover brings plenty of experience to Bloomington. He threw for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. His career totals include 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns. Turnovers remain the biggest concern. Hoover threw 24 interceptions during his last two seasons. Still, Indiana has shown it can maximize transfer quarterbacks.
- Jayden Maiava, USC
Maiava quietly produced one of the Big Ten’s best seasons. He threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025. He also completed 65.8% of his passes. His 91.2 QBR led the nation. That production earned him third-team All-Big Ten recognition. USC also added more talent around him. Therefore, Maiava could become a serious national award candidate.
- Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Iamaleava enters his second season at UCLA. His first season produced mixed results. Still, his athletic ability remains extremely intriguing. He completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,928 yards. He also threw 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Iamaleava added 505 rushing yards and four touchdowns. New coach Bob Chesney could unlock another level from him.
- Rocco Becht, Penn State
Becht gives Penn State an experienced quarterback. He followed new head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State. That familiarity could help the Nittany Lions immediately. Becht threw for 9,274 yards and 64 touchdowns during his Iowa State career. He also won Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Penn State enters a new era under Campbell. Becht provides an experienced leader for that transition.
- Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Underwood remains one of college football’s most intriguing young quarterbacks. The former five-star recruit started as a true freshman last season. He showed flashes of the talent that made him a top recruit. Underwood threw for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 392 yards and six touchdowns. However, he threw nine interceptions. Michigan’s new coaching staff must help him become more consistent.
- Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska
Colandrea arrives at Nebraska after a tremendous season at UNLV. He won Mountain West Player of the Year in 2025. Colandrea threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also rushed for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns. His improvisational ability could transform Nebraska’s offense. Now, the biggest question involves his transition to Big Ten competition.
- Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
Lindsey enters his second season as Minnesota’s quarterback. He threw 18 touchdown passes as a freshman. He also added four rushing touchdowns. Most importantly, Lindsey finished his season extremely well. He accounted for eight touchdowns without an interception after November began. Improving his pocket awareness remains important. Big Ten defenses will challenge him with stronger pass rushes.
- Malik Washington, Maryland
Washington enters 2026 with considerable expectations at Maryland. He has an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable conference starter. However, he lacks the production of the quarterbacks above him. Maryland will need Washington to develop quickly. His performance could determine the Terrapins’ offensive ceiling.
- Colton Joseph, Wisconsin
Joseph gives Wisconsin an intriguing quarterback option. He brings athleticism and playmaking ability to the Badgers. However, questions remain about his consistency. Wisconsin needs improved quarterback play to compete with the conference’s top programs. Joseph has an opportunity to provide that improvement.
- Katin Houser, Illinois
Houser takes over Illinois’ quarterback position after transferring into the program. He brings experience and physical talent to the Fighting Illini. However, his production must improve for Illinois to take another step. The Big Ten schedule will provide plenty of opportunities. Houser could quickly climb these rankings with strong performances.
- Aidan Chiles, Northwestern
Chiles brings experience and athletic ability to Northwestern. He previously showed flashes of his potential at Michigan State. However, consistency has remained an issue. Northwestern needs Chiles to make better decisions under pressure. His mobility gives the Wildcats an important offensive weapon.
- Alessio Milivojevic, Michigan State
Milivojevic enters 2026 with significant expectations. Michigan State needs stability at quarterback after recent struggles. Milivojevic will have opportunities to establish himself quickly. However, he remains behind several experienced Big Ten quarterbacks. Strong early performances could change that perception.
- Dylan Lonergan, Rutgers
Lonergan gives Rutgers an intriguing young option. He transferred into the program after beginning his career at Alabama. His talent provides plenty of optimism for the Scarlet Knights. Still, Lonergan must prove himself as a full-time starter. Rutgers will need steady quarterback play throughout conference competition.
- Ryan Browne, Purdue
Browne enters the season with an opportunity to lead Purdue. He brings experience from his previous college stops. However, he remains one of the conference’s bigger question marks. Purdue needs him to establish consistency quickly. That will prove difficult against the Big Ten’s strongest defenses.
- Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinski, Iowa
Iowa represents the biggest quarterback uncertainty among these teams. The Hawkeyes could turn to Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinski. Neither quarterback carries the proven production of the conference’s top players. Iowa traditionally relies heavily on defense and the running game. Therefore, its quarterback may not need huge statistics. Still, consistent passing could make the Hawkeyes much more dangerous.
The Big Ten Has Serious Quarterback Depth
The Big Ten’s quarterback picture looks extremely competitive entering 2026. Sayin and Moore sit at the top after outstanding 2025 seasons. Williams also has the talent to challenge both quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Maiava and Hoover bring proven production. Iamaleava, Becht, and Underwood provide plenty of intrigue. The conference also features several young quarterbacks with significant upside. That depth matters because the Big Ten remains loaded with elite teams. Ohio State and Oregon occupy the top two spots in the preseason AP poll. Indiana also enters the season ranked sixth. Eight Big Ten teams appear in the preseason AP Top 25. That creates several quarterback matchups with major playoff implications. Ultimately, Sayin earns the top spot entering the season. Moore sits close behind after another spectacular year. However, the rankings could change dramatically by November. The Big Ten has too much quarterback talent for anything else.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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