The 2025 regular season is in the books, and with it comes a clearer picture of where every Big Ten program stands at the sport’s most important position. From breakout stars to veteran stabilizers to quarterbacks still trying to find their footing, the conference offered no shortage of storylines. Here’s how every starter stacks up ahead of bowl season.
Disclaimer: The quarterback selected for each team is based on the player who recorded the most passing attempts during the season, not necessarily who the current starter is.
1. Fernando Mendoza - Indiana Hoosiers
2,758 yards, 32 TD, 5 INT
The Big Ten is top-heavy with two quarterbacks who will be in New York as Heisman finalists, likely the two favorites to win the award. You can't go wrong with either of them for the top spot, but this list will go with Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza had a stellar junior season for the Hoosiers, leading the entirety of college football in passing touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. He added six rushing touchdowns on the ground, as well. Most importantly, he has Indiana at 12-0 with a berth in Saturday's Big Ten Championship and subsequent College Football Playoff.
2. Julian Sayin - Ohio State Buckeyes
3,065 yards, 30 TD, 5 INT
Ohio State's Julian Sayin has a valid argument to be ahead of Mendoza, as he's outgained him in passing yards while leading the No. 1 team in the country since Week 1. Sayin also leads all of college football with a 78.9 completion percentage. He can easily cement himself as the conference's best if he comfortably outduels Mendoza on Saturday.
3. Dante Moore - Oregon Ducks
2,733 yards, 24 TD, 6 INT
Dante Moore arguably has the most talent in the Big Ten at quarterback, but his final stats puts him a tier below Mendoza and Sayin. Moore showed great command of the football, throwing just one interception to 14 touchdowns through September, and having a tremendous 27-of-30 passing day against Minnesota in late November. Moore can either declare for the NFL Draft and be a top-10 pick, or return to Eugene and earn another bag of NIL cash.
4. Jayden Maiava - USC Trojans
3,431 yards, 23 TD, 8 INT
Jayden Maiava was the Big Ten's leader in passing yards, but his touchdown volume didn't exactly match that production. Still, the Hawaiian junior showed that he was more than capable of being the captain of a high-octane offense, and had the Trojans ranked as high as No. 15 this season.
5. Demond Williams Jr. - Washington Huskies
2,850 yards, 21 TD, 8 INT
Like Washington's season as a whole, Demond Williams Jr.'s campaign was defined by electric highs and brutal lows. The sophomore was twice awarded with Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors, including after a game against Rutgers in which he threw for 402 yards and ran for 136. But in Washington's four losses, Williams struggled: going just 73-of-116 passing with only three touchdowns and six interceptions.
Overall, finishing with the fifth rank in the Big Ten is still a solid season to build off of, as it's the same spot he finished statistically in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage. Williams also was one of the conference's most dangerous dual-threats, rushing for 595 yards and six touchdowns.
6. Luke Altmyer - Illinois Fighting Illini
2,811 yards, 21 TD, 5 INT
Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer posted a similar passing stat line and win-loss record to Williams, but lacked the rushing production to beat out the Huskies signal-caller. In his last season of college eligibility, Altmyer had a similar year to his 2024 breakout campaign, although the Illini came away with one less win despite having realistic CFP hopes.