Ranking the Top Quarterback Units in the West for 2025

1. Arizona State Sun Devils

Sam Leavitt is the best QB in the West and one of the premier signal callers in the nation.

Sitting behind him is a sixth-year veteran with experience. Jeff Sims has started at both Nebraska and Georgia Tech and has appeared in 34 games over his career.

Sims is a luxury for the Sun Devils—should something happen to their All-American—a savvy sixth-year vet will not be easily rattled.

Michael “Butter” Tollefson is the future; the freshman was one of the top dual-threat prospects.

2. USC Trojans

Jayden Maiava is going to start for the Trojans.

But should they have to turn to true freshman Husan Longstreet, I don’t think there would be a drastic drop-off.

And that is good for a USC squad that has seen a lot of talent at the QB position in the last few years, but have also seen a lot of that talent leave to play elsewhere.

Sam Huard adds a veteran presence to the QB room and offers the Trojans three very capable signal callers for 2025.

3. UCLA Bruins

The arrival of Nico Iamaleava made the QB situation at UCLA a lot brighter.

Of course, the Bruins did not just get one Iamaleava, but two. Younger brother Madden also transferred from Arkansas.

Madden will most likely see a redshirt this season, and that is a testament to the depth of the Bruins at QB. While they have a true, bonafide starter now, something they may have been lacking last December, there never was a void of depth.

Luke Duncan will be the second option in 2025, and the sophomore would be able to step up. Beyond that, Henry Hasselbeck, and Pierre Clarkson make depth at the QB position a problem of the past for the Bruins.

4. Arizona Wildcats

Noah Fifita had a bit of a dip last year, but two years ago looked like one of the best passers in the nation.

Backing him up this season is Braedyn Locke who has seen plenty of big game action at Wisconsin. The Wildcats are loaded with experience at the top half of the depth chart.

The rest of the QB room will be made up by freshmen Sawyer Anderson, Luke Haugo, and Mason Bray.

Should the Cats have to go beyond Locke for a significant amount of time, there could be a steep learning curve, but among those top two at the QB spot, Arizona is just fine.

5. Utah Utes

Devon Dampier is an electric player. There may not be a more dynamic dual-threat QB in the nation.

Isaac Wilson saw a lot of action as a true freshman, and while he certainly struggled at times, he is a gifted passer and had glimpses of the potential he offers.

Behind those two is a lot of youth, and Byrd Ficklin may be the best of that group.

The Utes have a QB room with a lot of talent but also a lot of inexperience.

6. Boise State Broncos

Maddux Madsen might be the most underrated and overlooked QB in the nation. In 2023, he split time. Entering last year, no one thought he’d win the starting job.

He was extremely productive, but his backfield mate was one of the two best players in the nation, and he shined in anonymity.  Well, he’s still back there slinging it with the best of them.

Max Cutforth is a good passer, and should his number get called, the Broncos will be okay.  Jack Benson transfers in from Mt Sac while Kaleb Annett is a RS freshman who can spin the ball and extend plays with his legs.

There is a clear No. 1 on the depth chart in Boise, but the Broncos have a lot of depth in the QB room beyond the top spot.

7. Oregon State Beavers

Maalik Murphy is the clear No. 1 option for the Beavers, and while he has had his ups and downs during his college career, he might be one of the most talented QBs OSU has had in quite some time.

Beyond Murphy is Gabarri Johnson, who is a dual-threat QB who saw action on some packages last season, but only threw 29 passes. He could be a weapon in the ground game.

Kallen Gutridge and Tristan T’ia will battle it out for the third-string spot. T’ia is a highly touted recruit who could be in line to be the next starter for the Beavs, but not this season.

8. Washington Huskies

Demond Williams Jr. is set to run the show in Washington, and things could get really exciting.

Kai Horton will be the backup, and while he played sparingly in his four years at Tulane, he does have experience winning games. That experience would bode well for UW, should their dynamic dual threat starter miss some time.

Beyond those two, the depth is not there, but the promise is.

Dash Beierly and Treston McMillan are a pair of incoming freshmen with loads of talent and potential for the QB room on Montlake to be good for a long time.

9. Oregon Ducks

Dante Moore did not play much last season, but he learned at the side of current Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel.

At UCLA, Moore showed signs of brilliance but also played like a freshman with nine interceptions in nine games.

Austin Novosad also lacks a lot of experience but promises to make plays if called upon. Luke Moga and Akili Smith Jr. add depth to the position.

The Ducks offense has enough talent around them that it should continue to click no matter who is under center.

10. Colorado Buffaloes

We will see how things shake out between JuJu Lewis and Kaidon Salter for the starting spot in Boulder, and that is a competition that may not be decided for a while.

Whichever route the Buffs go, they should be in good shape, with a solid starter and backup.

Salter was a former CUSA MVP while at Liberty and a dual threat. Lewis was one of the most sought-after high school recruits last year and has a strong accurate arm. Salter’s experience may give him the edge early on.

Beyond those two, it is a drop off to Ryan Staub.

11. San Jose State Spartans

Walker Eget will be the starter this season so the Spartans are in good shape at QB. Eget was phenomenal for San Jose State last season and the offense should click with him at the helm this fall.

The future is also bright with Robert McDaniel joining the fold from UCLA with four years of eligibility, and a redshirt year to work with.

Xavier Ward is athletic and can make plays with his arm or legs but lacks much experience. Macloud Crowton is a bit undersized but put up huge numbers at the JUCO level.

12. Fresno State Bulldogs

E.J. Warner brings a ton of playing experience with him to Frenso, having been a starter at Temple and Rice since his freshman year.

Jaden Mandel and Carson Conklin give the Bulldogs options and depth under center.

Mandel is a dual threat with a strong arm. Conklin was an FCS Freshman All-American with Sacramento State last fall.

The Bulldogs have enough depth that they certainly have options at QB in 2025.