Arch Manning to 'Baby Cam' Newton: Five elite college QBs to watch in 2025

A new college football season will begin Aug.

23, and as always, the elite quarterbacks will be in the white-hot spotlight.

Here are five QBs who bring a mix of talent, swagger and highlight-reel potential that can make them can't-miss TV: Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns After two seasons as backup to Quinn Ewers (a seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins), it is finally time for Manning to get his shine in the SEC.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder impressed in limited action last season, totaling 1,047 yards (939 passing, 108 rushing) and 13 touchdowns (nine passing, four rushing).

Manning has quite the billing to live up to following Ewers and because his uncles Eli and Peyton are among the greatest quarterbacks in SEC history.

Will he make an NFL team happy next year? "I do not expect Arch to be part of the 2026 NFL Draft, but it doesnt hurt to take an early look at what he showcased across 233 snaps of game tape in the 2024 season," NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay wrote in May 2025 .

"I did that over the weekend and came to the conclusion that the guy is loaded with talent.

More so than I originally thought while watching games during the season." Pro: The skillset and mental game are all there.

Con: One career start in an SEC game and just two starts in his collegiate career.

DJ Lagway, Florida Gators Lagway was one of the more highly acclaimed freshmen QBs last season, and he mostly lived up to the billing.

He appeared in 12 games, starting seven, and helped Florida win its last four games (including wins over ranked opponents LSU and Ole Miss).

Lagway (6-foot-3, 239 pounds) earned many media awards and is a huge reason why the Gators are ranked No.

19 in ESPN's post-spring Top 25 .

He must, however, work on the finer points of his game.

"He may have more arm talent than anyone else in college football but needs to fine-tune his footwork and accuracy," Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus wrote in February 2025.

Pro: Lagway led the country in deep-ball accuracy at 63.2% last season.

Con: He had turnover issues last season (nine interceptions) and completed only 59.9 percent of his passes .

Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Sun Devils Leavitt has already cemented himself as an Arizona State legend after taking the team to the second round of the College Football Playoff last season.

In 2024, he threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 443 yards and five TDs.

But his best weapon from last season, running back Cam Skattebo, is now with the New York Giants, so Leavitt may be asked to do much more this season.

"The redshirt sophomore's measurables 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds leave a lot to be desired for the NFL," wrote Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus in June 2025 .

"But once he loads up to throw the ball, his arm talent is apparent.

Pro: He has performed on the biggest of stages already, so facing major pressure should not be an issue.

Con: He lost his best offensive player and may have to rely on a passing game that can get erratic at times (61.7 completion percentage last season).

Sam Leavitt looks like he might have the DEADLIEST arm in college football after his recent training footage released.

Leavitt is seen throwing 50+ yards FLAT-FOOTED and 40+ yard missiles while on the run.

Several NFL scouts reportedly believe Leavitt is the most prolific QB...

pic.twitter.com/JPnxLwXNAR Nico Iamaleava, UCLA Bruins Iamaleava was the story of the college football offseason after his messy departure from Tennessee.

He landed back in his home state at UCLA and will look to get the Bruins back on the right track this season after 2024's 5-7 record.

UCLA has not won 10 games in a season since 2014 , but with one of the more favorable schedules in the Big Ten , that goal feels realistic with one of the more talented QBs in college football.

"Its a shame that Iamaleava will be known more this season for off-field headlines than on-field ability, because he has true NFL talent," Sikkema wrote for Pro Football Focus.

"He has good height at 6-foot-5, but a slender build at just 215 pounds (could lead to durability concerns).

He has long arms and a long wingspan, which creates a whipping throwing motion that really cranks up how fast his passes spin (like Michael Penix Jr.)" of the Atlanta Falcons.

Pro: Iamaleava has one of the strongest arms in the country, as shown by his ability to launch balls 60-65 yards downfield.

Con: We saw how he handled his situation in Tennessee.

Could leadership be a problem for the redshirt sophomore? LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks Perhaps the most gifted and talented QB on this list, Sellers has ability to produce a Heisman Trophy-caliber season.

Last year, in his first full season as a starter in the SEC, Sellers racked up 3,208 total yards (2,534 passing, 674 rushing) and 25 total touchdowns.

He's projected as a first-round draft pick (per CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson) should he decide to leave South Carolina after the season.

"Sellers is just incredibly raw," wrote Wilson.

"That said, there was a reason that every SEC edge-rusher I spoke to at the combine earlier this year described Sellers as the toughest QB they faced.

I got 'Baby Cam (Newton)' a lot as a descriptor, and when you watch Sellers play, it's easy to see why." With a No.

15 ranking in 247 Sports' transfer portal rankings and No.

18 in the site's recruiting rankings , South Carolina seems loaded.

With Sellers at the helm, the Gamecocks are in position for their first 10-plus-win season since 2013.

Pro: At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Sellers has massive frame that allows him to absorb hits and break out of potential sacks.

Con: Turnovers can be an issue (seven interceptions and three lost fumbles last season).

South Carolina capped off the regular season with a thrilling 17-14 win over in state rival Clemson.

LaNorris Sellers rushed for 166 yards and 2 TDs along with 164 yards passing! pic.twitter.com/u6QaSp1YIJ Any of these five QBs could make a run at the 2025 Heisman Trophy, and with superior season, each could have his team in the College Football Playoff.

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies.

He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan..

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