12. Tyler Mizzell/ Keldric Luster (Ball State)
Ball State's starting quarterback will be either Tyler Mizzell or Keldric Luster, but let's be honest: whoever it is will be the worst quarterback Ohio State will face this upcoming year. This isn't a diss to either player; they just can't compare to the other quarterbacks on OSU's loaded schedule.
11. Hank Brown/Jeremy Hecklinski (Iowa)
The Hawkeyes' quarterback battle pits two quarterbacks against each other with different skills, as Hank Brown is your prototypical pro-style quarterback, and Jeremy Hecklinski thrives off using his mobility, escapability, and gunslinger mentality.
Both can be good for Iowa, but it isn't guaranteed because both players lack experience: only Hank Brown has started a game, and Jeremy Hecklinski has played only a handful of garbage-time snaps. These two already aren't the most talented and have some of the least experience, which is why they're ranked this way.
10. Dru DeShields (Kent State)
2025 Stats:Â - 2,030 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 3 interceptions - 36 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns
Last season, Dru DeShields ranked third in the nation in yards per completion, showcasing the ability to push the ball downfield while keeping it out of harm's way, which is a rare trait. Now his main weakness is his efficiency, as he completed only 56.7% of his passes.
Now, while DeShields' numbers are nice, he plays in the MAC. That is why, even though I love his game, he can't be anywhere but the bottom tier of this list.
9. Katin Houser (Illinois)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,300 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 6 interceptions - 9 rushing touchdowns
Katin Houser doesn’t have many standout traits, but he has ideal size, a strong arm, and mobility that make him a threat. His best qualities are his game management and football IQ, which come from his being a seasoned vet
These aspects of his game give this Illinois offense a much higher floor than it otherwise would. Still, his lack of any real standout abilities gives him a much lower ceiling than others on this list, which is why Houser is ranked right where he is.
8. Aidan Chiles (Northwestern)
2025 Stats:Â - 1,392 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 3 interceptions - 227 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns
Over the course of his career, Aidan Chiles has shown the arm and mobility many teams search for. Still, those qualities were overshadowed by his struggles to read defenses and poor decision-making. While he has improved, these struggles remain present.Â
Regardless, Adrian Chiles can still be a tremendous threat to OSU because Chip Kelly is his playcaller and has a history of curating offenses that help athletic quarterbacks. Chip Kelly can emphasize Chiles' strengths while mitigating his weaknesses, but that isn't guaranteed.
7. Anthony Colandrea (Nebraska)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,459 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 9 interceptions - 649 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
Anthony Colandrea was last year's Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, showcasing his ability to thrive out of structure, killing teams whenever he got outside of the pocket, a skill tough few have.
On paper, Colandrea looks like big trouble for the Buckeyes, but questions remain that need to be addressed, like: Can his style of play translate to Big Ten football? If it does, this ranking is foolish; if not, he won't be one of OSU's biggest threats.
6. Bryce Underwood (Michigan)
2025 Stats:Â - 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 9 interceptions - 392 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns
Bryce Underwood's freshman year wasn't impressive, but it wasn't completely his fault. While he does deserve blame, the coaching staff did him no favors. This supports my belief that many of his issues can be fixed by the addition of Head Coach Kyle Whittingham.Â
Underwood is quite possibly the most talented quarterback on this list who can look the part if he is coached better. Last year, there were plenty of instances of poor mechanics costing Michigan games. If Underwood is corrected, he could be the threat to Ohio State he promised to be, but last season was so up and down for him; I have to see proof before I believe.
5. Malik Washington (Maryland)
2025 Stats:Â - 2,963 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 9 interceptions - 303 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns
During Malik Washington's freshman season, he showcased rare arm talent, natural touch, and effortless deep‑ball mechanics. This arm, combined with his freakish athleticism, points to a quarterback who can take over a game however he pleases. Â
Unlike fellow freshman Bryce Underwood, who showed minimal flashes, Washington showed more and was productive while carrying a much heavier load, which is why he's ranked higher.
I am very high on Malik Washington and would like to place him higher, but I can't because everyone above Washington has more proven production at a high level, unlike Washington. If his flashes become a constant occurrence, he will be a devastating threat to the Buckeyes.
4. Josh Hoover (Indiana)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,472 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions - 2 rushing touchdowns
Josh Hoover and Indiana are a beautiful match on paper: he is the nation's most productive returning quarterback and is coming off his best year, running an offense similar to Indiana's. That is why Hoover is this high on my list: I believe he will thrive in Bloomington.
The main downside to his game that hurts his ranking is turnovers, which can't continue, and I don't expect it to. Given he will not be carrying a heavy load, as all Indiana will ask of him is to be the best version of himself within the parameters of the offense, which will help mitigate the turnovers. If that happens, Hoover can lead Indiana to yet another victory over OSU.
3. Jayden Maiava (USC)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,711 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions - 157 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns
Last year, Jayden Maiava's numbers and film vastly improved as his arm looked better, he cut down on turnovers, and his pocket presence improved. He showed us just the type of quarterback he can be when his mental talent matches his physical.
Now, even with these improvements, he still has some weaknesses. Maiva still tends to get stuck on his first read and, while he has a nice physical frame, his running skills seem pretty limited based on what he has shown us. These are a few of the factors that keep him from being at the top of this list. Still, even with that, he can pick you apart on any given Saturday, and he is one that the Buckeyes will need all hands on deck for when they travel to USC.
2. Dante Moore (Oregon)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions - 2 rushing touchdowns
If we are being honest, if Dante Moore were in this past year's NFL draft, he would be my number one pick and just might be mine for this upcoming draft as well. Last season with the Ducks, Moore showed arm talent that jumps off the page, along with great improvisational skills and the ability to throw from many different arm angles.Â
Ultimately, he should be OSU's biggest threat, but I want to see him use his legs more, as he needs to use them enough so that his mobility is seen as a real threat. If Moore shows a willingness to run, then we are looking at the best quarterback and offense in College Football that can come into the Shoe and give the Buckeyes major headaches. These things could happen regardless, but unlocking his mobility could make it worse.
1. Arch Manning (Texas)
2025 Stats:Â - 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 7 interceptions - 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
While last season didn't go exactly as planned for Arch Manning, I believe he benefited immensely from it, as it gave him a season's worth of knowledge that will help him play more freely and at his own pace. He'll have more control over the line of scrimmage and give Steve Sarkisian the ability to run his full offense truly.
Now, the reason I have Arch first is that he showcased how explosive and dangerous he can be with his legs, two things that Dante Moore has yet to show us. In a college setting, these traits make him far more dangerous and will give the Buckeyes more fits. Arch Manning can truly be the bane of Ohio State's existence in their early-season showdown in a way I don't think anyone else can replicate or match.
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