College football's best QB in 2026? The seven top contenders

There is no settled QB1, however. Oregon’s Dante Moore enters with the cleanest résumé; Arch Manning still owns the most famous surname, and several challengers possess enough physical talent to gatecrash the argument.

Here are DAZN News' top seven NCAA college football quarterbacks and what each must prove this season.

Dante Moore, Oregon

Moore might have been the second quarterback selected had he entered the 2026 draft. Instead, he returns to Oregon after completing 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.

His accuracy, anticipation and pocket composure already look NFL-ready. The next step is demonstrating that he can create when protection breaks down and avoiding another untimely wobble like the one Oregon suffered against Indiana in the playoffs.

Arch Manning, Texas

Manning’s first full season as a starter was uneven, producing 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The encouraging part was his finish: 14 touchdowns against two interceptions over his final seven games.

The arm talent and athleticism are evident, but the name has occasionally carried the evaluation. To become QB1, Manning must improve his 62.3% career completion rate and play his best football against Texas’ strongest opponents.

CJ Carr, Notre Dame

Carr threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions during an excellent first season as Notre Dame’s starter.

His 9.4 yards per attempt underlined his ability to attack beyond the easy throws. Scouts will now want to see whether Carr can maintain that aggression after defensive coordinators have spent an offseason studying him.

Better work under pressure would turn a promising prospect into a plausible first overall pick.

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Few quarterbacks in this class can match Sellers physically. At 6ft 3in and 240lb, he is built like a tight end and can threaten every level of the field.

Unfortunately, his 2025 tape included 42 sacks, only 13 touchdown passes and a 4-8 record. South Carolina did him few favours, but Sellers must process faster, improve his accuracy and rediscover the running threat that made him so exciting in 2024.

Sam Leavitt, LSU

Leavitt led Arizona State to the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff in 2024, then saw his follow-up season ruined by a foot injury after seven starts.

Now healthy and operating in Lane Kiffin’s LSU offense, he has an ideal platform to showcase his mobility and improvisational ability.

The question is whether he can become more consistently accurate from the pocket after completing just 61.4% of his career passes.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Chambliss followed an unlikely route from Division II Ferris State to becoming an SEC star, passing for 3,937 yards and adding 527 on the ground in 2025. He is quick, inventive and dangerous once a play loses its original shape.

But at around 6ft, his size will be picked apart mercilessly. Another prolific season must therefore show that he can win on schedule, see the middle of the field and avoid relying upon escape artistry.

Darian Mensah, Miami

Mensah arrives from Duke after leading the ACC with 3,973 passing yards and helping the Blue Devils win their first outright conference title since 1962. His 34 touchdowns against six interceptions offer an impressive starting point.

Miami will provide better surrounding talent and much greater scrutiny. If Mensah can retain his vertical aggression while speeding up his decisions against pressure, he has the tools to climb rapidly towards the top of the board.

Watch every NFL and extensive NCAA College Sports coverage only on DAZN

The 2026 NFL season is nearly here, with a record nine international games, and Game Pass is the only place where you can catch every snap.

Features include American commentary throughout, plus RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, Multiview, and more, with prices starting at £179.99 per year or £18.99 per month.

And with extensive NCAA College Sports coverage available as a separate subscription and flag football available for free, DAZN remains your go-to for American football coverage.

Sign up for Game Pass on DAZN for full NFL coverage plus NCAA College Sports for the ultimate college sports experience.