ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranked every Power Four QB through Week 5. Here’s how the Big Ten quarterbacks stack up in the updated list.
The 2025 college football season is somewhere between a quarter and a third of the way done, depending on how many games each team has played as well as the postseason outlook for those who are destined for more beyond the regular season. And any team that has higher aspirations needs solid, if not spectacular, quarterback play.
Of course, there's a lot more than that that comes into play. Running games, defensive play, and special teams prowess all play into team success. But still, quarterback is the most important position in college football, and ESPN's resident advanced stats guru Bill Connelly ranked all of the Power Four QBs through Week 5. And the Big Ten happens to be somewhat top-heavy when it comes to QB play.
With that in mind, here is how they all rank against each other according to ESPN, as well as their overall rank.
18. Preston Stone, Northwestern Wildcats
ESPN rank: 67th (of 68)
Total QBR: 22.1
Pass Yds: 656
Rush Yds: 15
Total TDs: 4
17. Billy Edwards Jr. & Danny O'Neil, Wisconsin Badgers
ESPN rank: 62nd
Total QBR: 36.2
Pass Yds: 753
Rush Yds: 138
Total TDs: 6
16. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA Bruins
ESPN rank: 58th
Total QBR: 54.6
Pass Yds: 788
Rush Yds: 252
Total TDs: 5
15. Mark Gronowski, Iowa Hawkeyes
ESPN rank: 57th
Total QBR: 46.9
Pass Yds: 636
Rush Yds: 200
Total TDs: 10
14. Drew Allar, Penn State Nittany Lions
ESPN rank: 55th
Total QBR: 48.4
Pass Yds: 763
Rush Yds: 86
Total TDs: 6
13. Malik Washington, Maryland Terrapins
ESPN rank: 48th
Total QBR: 53.2
Pass Yds: 1,038
Rush Yds: 26
Total TDs: 10
12. Ryan Browne, Purdue Boilermakers
ESPN rank: 44th
Total QBR: 55.6
Pass Yds: 1,036
Rush Yds: 131
Total TDs: 8
11. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota Golden Gophers
ESPN rank: 42nd
Total QBR: 66.8
Pass Yds: 958
Rush Yds: 5
Total TDs: 8
10. Bryce Underwood, Michigan Wolverines
ESPN rank: 38th
Total QBR: 77.3
Pass Yds: 733
Rush Yds: 185
Total TDs: 5
9. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State Spartans
ESPN rank: 33rd
Total QBR: 78.8
Pass Yds: 868
Rush Yds: 225
Total TDs: 11
8. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ESPN rank: 30th
Total QBR: 72.5
Pass Yds: 1,399
Rush Yds: 86
Total TDs: 11
7. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska Cornhuskers
ESPN rank: 25th
Total QBR: 77.2
Pass Yds: 1,137
Rush Yds: 29
Total TDs: 11
6. Luke Altmeyer, Illinois Fighting Illini
ESPN rank: 15th
Total QBR: 84.8
Pass Yds: 1,183
Rush Yds: 106
Total TDs: 13
5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN rank: 11th
Total QBR: 82.2
Pass Yds: 987
Rush Yds: 17
Total TDs: 10
4. Demond Williams Jr., Washington Huskies
ESPN rank: 9th
Total QBR: 87.0
Pass Yds: 951
Rush Yds: 283
Total TDs: 8
3. Dante Moore, Oregon Ducks
ESPN rank: 5th
Total QBR: 83.0
Pass Yds: 1,210
Rush Yds: 131
Total TDs: 14
2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Hoosiers
ESPN rank: 4th
Total QBR: 82.1
Pass Yds: 1,208
Rush Yds: 132
Total TDs: 18
1. Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans
ESPN rank: 1st
Total QBR: 93.4
Pass Yds: 1,587
Rush Yds: 80
Total TDs: 15
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Big Ten quarterback rankings after Week 5: ESPN advanced stats
Category: General Sports
