18. Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinski, Iowa
17. Ryan Browne, Purdue
16. Dylan Lonergan, Rutgers
15. Alessio Milivojevic, Michigan State
14. Aidan Chiles, Northwestern
13. Katin Houser, Illinois
12. Colton Joseph, Wisconsin
11. Malik Washington, Maryland
10. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
Drake Lindsey put together an encouraging freshman season at Minnesota and enters 2026 looking to take another step forward. Lindsey threw 18 touchdown passes while adding four scores on the ground and tossing only six interceptions across 389 attempts.
9. Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska
Anthony Colandrea arrives at Nebraska after taking his game to another level during his lone season at UNLV. The former Virginia quarterback won Mountain West Player of the Year after throwing for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for another 649 yards and 10 scores.
His ability to improvise and create outside the pocket gives Matt Rhule a much different option than former starter Dylan Raiola. If Colandrea’s success translates to the Big Ten, he could provide the spark Nebraska has been searching for offensively.
8. Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Bryce Underwood entered Michigan with enormous expectations and showed flashes of his five-star potential while starting as a true freshman. He finished 2025 with 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 392 yards and six scores on the ground.
Myerberg believes Michigan’s new coaching staff could help unlock another level from the talented sophomore. With offensive coordinator Jason Beck now working with him, Underwood has an opportunity to make a significant jump during his second season in Ann Arbor.
7. Rocco Becht, Penn State
Penn State is beginning a new era under Matt Campbell, and Rocco Becht gives the Nittany Lions an experienced quarterback who already understands what his new coach wants offensively. Becht followed Campbell from Iowa State after throwing for 9,274 yards and 64 touchdowns during his career with the Cyclones.
He also earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2023 before continuing to develop into a proven starter. That familiarity should help Penn State’s transition as Campbell attempts to immediately compete in the Big Ten.
6. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Nico Iamaleava’s first season at UCLA produced mixed results, but another opportunity awaits under new Bruins coach Bob Chesney. Iamaleava completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 appearances last season.
He also showed his dual-threat ability by leading UCLA with 505 rushing yards while scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Chesney produced one of the nation’s highest-scoring offenses at James Madison last season, giving Iamaleava a chance to showcase more of his talent in 2026.
5. Jayden Maiava, USC
Jayden Maiava might not receive the same national attention as some of the other quarterbacks in the Big Ten, but his production speaks for itself. The USC standout threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns last season while completing 65.8% of his passes and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.
He also led the nation with a 91.2 QBR as the Trojans leaned heavily on his arm. With Lincoln Riley adding more talent around him, Maiava has an opportunity to climb even higher if USC returns to College Football Playoff contention.
4. Josh Hoover, Indiana
Josh Hoover faces one of the toughest assignments in college football after transferring to Indiana to replace Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. However, the former TCU quarterback brings plenty of experience after throwing for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns during his career with the Horned Frogs.
Hoover produced 3,472 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025 before entering the portal. Turnovers remain something to monitor after he threw 24 interceptions over the past two seasons, but Curt Cignetti has enjoyed tremendous success with transfer quarterbacks in Bloomington.
3. Demond Williams, Washington
Demond Williams Jr. could be one of the Big Ten’s biggest breakout stars during the 2026 season. The Washington quarterback completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards and 28 touchdowns last year while establishing himself as one of the conference’s most productive young signal-callers.
He also provides another dimension with his legs after rushing for 611 yards and six touchdowns. Myerberg believes the next challenge is producing against elite competition after Washington struggled offensively in losses to Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon last season.
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
Dante Moore could have entered the 2026 NFL Draft as one of its top quarterback prospects, but instead elected to return to Oregon for another season. Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 71.8% of his passes last year, helping lead the Ducks all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Now, he enters 2026 as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft. One major hurdle remains, as Myerberg pointed toward Moore throwing three interceptions across Oregon’s two losses to Indiana last season.
1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Julian Sayin sits atop Myerberg’s Big Ten quarterback rankings after putting together a remarkable first full season as Ohio State’s starter. Sayin completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, eventually finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist and earning third-team AP All-America honors.
He now gets another season throwing to superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith, giving Ohio State one of the most dangerous combinations in college football. With Arthur Smith taking over as offensive coordinator, Sayin has a chance to improve on those numbers and make another run at the Heisman Trophy.
