Ranking the Returning College Football Quarterbacks in 2026

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) throws a pass during the LA Bowl NCAA college football game against Boise State Dec. 13, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif.
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

There can be no analysis of college football betting odds that doesn’t involve college football quarterbacks. As anyone with even a passing knowledge of football can tell you, quarterback play is essential to winning and covering.

Fortunately, modern statistical analysis has granted us a bumper crop of metrics that evaluate quarterback play. 

While you may want to look at other numbers to supplement your handicapping, I find it best to start with reliable, baseline metrics like QBR. 

For your convenience, I have put together a chart of college football’s top quarterbacks returning for 2024, ranking them by adjusted Total QBR for this season’s performance.

College Football Quarterback Rankings (2026)

RankQuarterback2026 TeamTotal QBR (2025)
1Jayden MaiavaUSC91.2
2Julian Sayin Ohio State89.6
3Trinidad ChamblissOle Miss86.0
4Gunner StocktonGeorgia85.8
5CJ CarrNotre Dame82.7
6Devon DampierUtah82.0
7CJ BaileyNC State78.1
8Darian MensahMiami (FL)78.0
9Marcel ReedTexas A&M77.9
10Byrum BrownAuburn77.8
11Dante MooreOregon77.4
12Bear BachmeierBYU76.7
13Brad JacksonTexas State76.2
14Demond Williams Jr. Washington75.3
15Drew MestemakerOklahoma State74.4
16Josh HooverIndiana73.2
17Bryce UnderwoodMichigan73.0
18Anthony ColandreaNebraska71.7
19Noah FifitaArizona71.3
20Arch ManningTexas70.6

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Whether you’re a first-time bettor browsing spreads for SEC games, a casual fan building a moneyline parlay for early Saturday games, or a longtime diehard tracking over/under trends in windy games, there’s something for everyone.

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About the Author Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a senior writer for BetMGM who primarily covers college sports. He takes two things very seriously: board games and Las Vegas picks contests. He has previously written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports.

Chase Kiddy is a senior writer for BetMGM who primarily covers college sports. He takes two things very seriously: board games and Las Vegas picks contests. He has previously written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports.