Biggest Regrets from The Athletic’s 2025 College QB Rankings

The 2025 college football season’s just getting started, but already, some preseason predictions look shaky. Especially when it comes to college quarterback rankings, things are not quite lining up as expected.

The Athletic recently explored this in detail, highlighting how regrets and second thoughts about those rankings are surfacing after just two weeks. Some quarterbacks got too much hype, others not enough—classic early season chaos.

Early Season Regrets: A Closer Look at Quarterback Rankings

As the weeks roll on, it’s pretty clear some preseason quarterback rankings missed the mark. Take Arch Manning, for example.

He landed at No. 10 before the season, but his early games haven’t exactly justified the hype. Sure, it’s a tiny sample size and the competition hasn’t been fierce, but most folks expected a bit more from him right out of the gate.

Lagway’s Struggles Highlight Florida’s Challenges

Lagway from Florida is another guy under the microscope. He was ranked fifth, and while he’s got obvious talent, he’s looked raw in the first couple games.

His numbers—342 passing yards, four touchdowns, one pick, and a 74.5% completion rate—aren’t bad. Still, his off-target pass rate sits at 17.6%, putting him 105th nationally.

Florida’s loss to USF really brought those issues to light. It’s hard not to wonder if the team can make the most of their chances with these growing pains.

Dampier Shines at Utah

On the bright side, Devon Dampier at Utah has turned heads after transferring from New Mexico. People doubted his passing, but he’s put those worries to bed, at least for now.

He’s thrown for 398 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and boasts a 79.2% completion rate. Dampier’s dual-threat skills look legit, but his upcoming matchup against Texas Tech will really show what he’s made of.

Quarterbacks Who Have Surprised

While a few quarterbacks have stumbled, others are making waves. Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati and Maddux Madsen from Boise State weren’t expected to do much, but they’ve shown they belong on the field.

Byrum Brown from USF is another surprise. He’s led his team to two top-25 wins, even though there were worries about his health before the season.

Chiles and Brown: Unexpected Stars

Michigan State’s Chiles and USF’s Byrum Brown have both been impressive. Chiles has thrown for 386 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions so far.

His game against Boston College, where he racked up five touchdowns, really stood out. Meanwhile, Brown’s athleticism and sharper passing have helped USF get off to a hot start.

The Struggles of Gronowski and Iamaleava

Not everyone’s had it easy. Iowa’s Gronowski, who put up big numbers at South Dakota State, has only managed 127 passing yards in two games.

UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava is having a tough time, too. With a shaky offensive line and not much help from his teammates, it’s tough to judge what he can really do.

The Role of Supporting Casts

Quarterbacks rarely succeed alone. Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin are both thriving, and having a strong supporting cast definitely helps.

On the flip side, guys like Iamaleava and Maalik Murphy at Oregon State are struggling, and it’s hard not to blame the lack of support around them.

John Mateer: A Consistent Performer

One quarterback who’s really lived up to the hype is John Mateer. He started the season ranked fourth in the preseason.

Mateer has shown steady performance, leading Oklahoma to a crucial win against Michigan. He racked up 270 passing yards, 74 rushing yards, and three touchdowns.