There are great football players at all levels of college football. Often times people focus only on P5 teams and ignore the rest. However, there are tons of talented G5 players. Many will go on to the pros. Here are the top G5 QBs in the country.
1. Brady White – Memphis
White is one of the top returning QBs in CFB in 2020. In his career at Memphis, he’s 515-813 (63%) for 7,310 yards and 59 TDs. He’s also added 5 rushing TDs. His top target Damonte Coxie returns in 2020, so expect another big season.
2. Zac Thomas – Appalachian State
Thomas is one of my favorite QBs in CFB. He’s a proven winner and helped Appalachian State beat UNC and South Carolina last season. In his career, he’s thrown for 4,790 yards and 49 TDs, while completing 62.6% of his passes. He’s also rushed for 989 yards and 17 TDs.
3. Shane Buechele – SMU
Buechele threw for 3,929 yards and 34 TDs last season, and added 2 more TDs on the ground. He’s one of the top returning QBs in all of CFB and should throw for 30+ TDs again this season in a high powered SMU offense.
4. Dillon Gabriel – UCF
Gabriel had a magnificent Freshman season in 2019. He threw for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns, while only throwing 7 Ints. On the ground he added 4 rushing TDs. Expect him to continue to develop and have another big season in 2020.
5. Chris Robison – FAU
Robison returning is great news for Willie Taggart and the Owls. He has thrown for 6,241 yards and 40 TDs in his career and rushed for 5 more TDs. Robison should put up big numbers with a WR corp that is vastly underrated.
6. Dustin Crum – Kent State
Crum is the top returning QB in the MAC in 2020. Last season he completed 69.3% of his passes, while throwing for 2,625 yards and 20 TDs with just 2 INTs. Crum also added 707 rushing yards and 6 TDs in 2019.
7. Layne Hatcher – Arkansas State
Alabama Transfer Layne Hatcher stepped in last season as a Freshman when Logan Bonner was injured and earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. He threw for 2,946 yards and 27 TDs, completing 65.8% of his passes.
8. Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati
Ridder has thrown for 4,609 yards and 38 TDs and rushed for 1,233 yards and 10 TDs in two seasons. Ridder dealt with many injuries in 2019 and his numbers declined from 2018. If healthy in 2020, Ridder and Cincy will be a force in the AAC.
9. Holton Ahlers – ECU
Ahlers is one of the best QBs that people don’t talk about enough. In two seasons he’s thrown for 5,172 yards and 33 TDs and rushed for 951 yds and 12 TDs. He’s a Dual Threat who could lead ECU to some big upsets in 2020. Remember the name!
10. Asher O’Hara – MTSU
My love for MTSU QBs continues. I was a huge Brent Stockstill fan and now I’m on the O’Hara train. Last season, he threw for 2,616 yards and 20 TDs, while rushing for 1,058 yards and 9 touchdowns.
11. Levi Lewis – Louisiana
Lewis is one of the most underrated QBs in college football. Last season, he passed for 3,050 yards and 26 TDs with only 4 INTs. He also added 3 TDs on the ground. With Lewis at QB, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ragin Cajuns win 10+ games again.
12. Hank Bachmeier – Boise State
As a True Freshman last season, Bachmeier threw for 1,879 yards and 9 TDs while adding 1 rushing TD. He also led the Broncos to a W vs FSU. He’s got a lot of potential and should improve his numbers in 2020 as a sophomore.
13. Chris Reynolds – Charlotte
If you don’t know the name, write it down! Last season Reynolds led the 49ers to 7 wins and I’d be surprised if they didn’t win 7-9 this year. He threw for 2,564 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for 6 TDs as well.
14. Donald Hammond III – Air Force
Hammond is a rare option QB who can also light you up through the air. He has 1,939 passing yards and 18 TDs in his career. On the ground, he has 924 rushing yards and 22 TDs, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
15. Anthony Russo – Temple
Russo is 15-8 as a starter and he’s put up some big numbers for the Owls. He’s thrown for 5,424 yards and 35 TDs with 5 rushing TDs in his career. His biggest problem is inconsistency, as he’s thrown 26 INTs.
16. Jack Abraham – Southern Miss
Abraham is a gun slinger. It’s crazy to think he only has 9 more TDs than INTs in his career b/c he’s completed 70.1% of his passes (498-710). He’s thrown for 5,843 yards and 34 TDs in his career, but he does have the 25 INTs, too.
Just Missed
Shai Werts – Georgia Southern
Werts enters his fourth year as the starting QB. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,715 yards and 26 TDs with just 6 INTs. He’s an elusive runner who has 2,363 rushing yards with 23 TDs. Never count out GA Southern with Werts at QB.
Isaiah Green – Marshall
In two seasons, Green has passed for 4,897 yards and 30 TDs, while rushing for 416 yards and 6 TDs. Green has struggled with being consistent and has 21 INTs in two seasons. If he cuts down on turnovers, the Herd could win C-USA.
