12 Most Prolific College Football Passers Returning In 2025

The 2025 college football season is set to kick off at the end of August. There are a number of storylines to follow, which include national championship contenders, key transfer portal additions, and coaching changes.

One of the more highly discussed topics as the season treks on will be Heisman trophy candidates. This year’s race is expected to be littered with high-profile quarterbacks.

Many of the favorites are returning this year after huge 2024 campaigns. Below is a list of the 12 most prolific passers coming back for another season of college football.

These signal callers were among the NCAA passing leaders a year ago, and they’ll look to again pace the nation in yardage this fall. Some are already household names. Others are less known. Will any hear their names called at the Heisman ceremony in New York?

12. John Mateer (Oklahoma Sooners)

Mateer was one of the top quarterback options available on the transfer market this offseason after opting to move on from Washington State.

He threw for 3,139 yards with the Cougars last year to go along with 29 touchdowns, which he’ll now take to Oklahoma.

11. Taylen Green (Arkansas Razorbacks)

Green started his career at Boise State before transferring to Arkansas last season. He shined as the starter in Year 1.

The quarterback threw for 3,154 yards, nearly doubling his production from the previous two campaigns.

10. Kevin Jennings (SMU Mustangs)

Jennings grabbed the keys to the offense last year and didn’t disappoint. The first-year starter threw for 3,245 yards to lead the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff.

He added 23 touchdowns to earn Third-Team All-ACC honors.

9. Drew Allar (Penn State Nittany Lions)

Allar is viewed as a top NFL Draft prospect due to both size and production. The Penn State passer recorded 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns year ago.

He’s hoping to lead the Nittany Lions back to the College Football Playoff in 2025.

8. Behren Morton (Texas Tech Red Raiders)

Morton is an under the radar name at Texas Tech, but he has the potential to lead the nation in passing next year.

He threw for 3,335 in just 12 games in 2024. That included four 300+ yard days topped by a 401-yard outing against Oklahoma State.

7. Owen McCown (UTSA Roadrunners)

McCown is another name that’s not top-of-mind when thinking about future NFL Draft picks, but he’s a college star.

The son of Josh McCown, the gunslinger left Colorado to play for UTSA where he threw for 3,424 yards last season.

6. Carson Beck (Miami Hurricanes)

Beck is entering his sixth NCAA season and was expected to be selected in this past NFL Draft before injury derailed his plans.

Still, he threw for 3,485 yards last year after leading the SEC in passing in 2023. He transferred to Miami in the offseason.

5. Rocco Becht (Iowa State Cyclones)

Becht is entering Year 4 with Iowa State after throwing for 3,505 yards as a third-year sophomore.

He now has back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons in Ames and is shooting for a third.

4. Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers)

Klubnik erupted for 3,639 passing yards last season to lead the Clemson Tigers to an ACC Championship.

He’s expected to be even better in 2025 and is currently considered a Top 3 Heisman candidate.

3. Chandler Morris (Virginia Cavaliers)

Morris will suit up for his fourth program in six seasons after transferring to Virginia.

The Cavaliers hope he can recreate success seen at his last stop where he threw for 3,774 yards and 31 scores with North Texas.

2. Josh Hoover (TCU Horned Frogs)

Hoover threw for 3,949 yards as a third-year sophomore last season at TCU. He led the Horned Frogs to nine wins.

Hoover ranked behind only Shedeur Sanders in Big 12 passing yardage a year ago.

1. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers)

Nussmeier is the lone 4,000-yard passer on this list, tallying 4,052 passing yards last year to rank 5th in the nation behind a quartet of pro draft picks.

The LSU star is widely considered a Top 3 Heisman candidate and eventual top NFL selection.