CBS Sports projects top ACC quarterback over Texas’ Arch Manning in 2025

Now that the 2025 College Football season has come to a close with the Ohio State Buckeyes winning the College Football Playoffs in a 34-23 result over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, all the attention now shifts to next season with odds already out on the 2026 champion. With that also comes other predictions, such as top players per position and which teams could break out by next season.

In a recent list shared by CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford, he took his shot at predicting the Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2025 with a mix of returning starters as well as transfers who might find themselves in a better situation come next season. 

One of the top names heading in the 2025 season will be Texas quarterback Arch Manning, as the nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli will now take sole control of the starting role with the Longhorns. While there’s an expectation Arch will be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation next year, Crawford made a bold claim that a certain ACC star will take the top spot over him.

With Arch coming in at third on his Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2025 list, he has the top spot going to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. Coming off a breakthrough season with the Tigers, Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and added seven more on the ground to help lead Clemson to an ACC Championship and appearance in the 12-team College Football Playoffs.

While those numbers will be difficult to replicate, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has helped develop two first-round quarterbacks in recent years, Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson. Opting to not enter early for the 2025 NFL Draft, another season of like 2024 for Klubnik could see him beating out Arch for the top quarterback in 2026.