The Top Five Signal‑Callers
The Big Ten is shaping up for an explosive season, and early projections have already begun to spotlight the conference’s most promising quarterbacks.
Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks tops the list, having posted 2,733 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. His efficiency and poise under pressure have earned him the No. 1 spot in the conference rankings.
Close behind is Julian Sayin of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who compiled 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. The sophomore’s blend of accuracy and mobility makes him a dual‑threat in the Buckeyes’ high‑octane offense.
Jayden Maiava of the USC Trojans follows at third, with 3,431 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Trojans’ revamped passing attack leans heavily on his arm strength and quick release.
Demond Williams Jr. of the Washington Huskies holds the fourth spot, having thrown for 2,850 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His steady progression suggests he could be the catalyst for a resurgence in Seattle.
Josh Hoover of the Indiana Hoosiers rounds out the top five, posting 3,697 yards, 23 touchdowns and ten interceptions in 2024, after a season that also saw him eclipse 3,472 yards and 29 scores the year before. The emergence of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ starter in the previous campaign, adds depth to the room and hints at a competitive quarterback room.
Coaches such as Lincoln Riley at USC and Curt Cignetti at Indiana are already shaping game plans around these arms, while veteran players like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate provide additional weapons. At the same time, Will Howard’s experience at Ohio State and the defensive schemes of Miami Hurricanes and TCU could influence how these quarterbacks are utilized across the conference.