College Football Playoff (CFP) Quarterback Rankings: What You Need to Know
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) approaches, the spotlight is on the quarterbacks who will be leading their teams into the most critical games of the season. Here’s a deep dive into the top quarterbacks, highlighting their strengths, challenges, and what makes them stand out.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is unequivocally the top quarterback in the CFP rankings, and for good reason.
- "What I appreciate most is his quick trigger," says Dane Brugler. Gabriel's ability to make swift decisions and deliver accurate passes is a hallmark of his game[5].
- "Gabriel has a great feel for route timing in relation to coverage, which allows him to eliminate things quickly and fire passes without overthinking." This skillset makes him a formidable opponent on the field[5].
- With 3558 passing yards and 28 touchdowns this season, Gabriel is just 795 yards away from breaking the FBS career passing record held by Case Keenum (19,217)[5].
Social Media Post:
"Dillon Gabriel is the clear No. 1 QB in the CFP With his quick trigger and impeccable route timing, he's a force to be reckoned with. Just 795 yards away from breaking the FBS career passing record #CFP #OregonDucks #DillonGabriel"
Drew Allar, Penn State
Drew Allar is a young quarterback with immense potential, but he faces significant challenges.
- "He has an elite ability to handle things like a professional at the age of 20 or 21. It’s really pretty uncommon," praises Andy Kotelnicki. However, Allar has struggled in the biggest games of his career so far[5].
- Despite his high ceiling, Allar's performance in critical games will be under scrutiny.
Social Media Post:
"Drew Allar's ceiling is incredibly high, but he's struggled in big games. Can he turn it around in the CFP? #CFP #PennState #DrewAllar"
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Kurtis Rourke is known for his precision and decision-making.
- "It’s NFL-level accuracy," says Greg McElroy. Rourke's ability to slice up defenses with his accuracy and quick decision-making is unparalleled when he has sound protection[5].
- With 2827 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, Rourke has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks this season[1].
Social Media Post:
"Kurtis Rourke's accuracy is on an NFL level If protected, he could be unstoppable. #CFP #IndianaHoosiers #KurtisRourke"
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers is a high-risk, high-reward quarterback.
- "When he’s good, he is the best. When he isn’t, he’s a bust." Ewers has dealt with injuries and inconsistency this season, but his potential is undeniable[5].
- With 2665 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency is key[1].
Social Media Post:
"Quinn Ewers is a high-risk, high-reward QB. When he's on, he's unbeatable. Can he stay consistent in the CFP? #CFP #TexasLonghorns #QuinnEwers"
Will Howard, Ohio State
Will Howard has been a resilient and effective leader for Ohio State.
- "There’s plays he’ll want back in that game, but one thing about Will is he has a positive mindset and he’s very resilient," says Ryan Day. Howard finished the regular season with a strong passer rating and QBR[5].
- With 2860 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, Howard has been one of the top performers in the country[1].
Social Media Post:
"Will Howard's resilience is key for Ohio State. With a strong passer rating and QBR, he's a contender in the CFP. #CFP #OhioState #WillHoward"
Kevin Jennings, SMU
Kevin Jennings brings an edge and a knack for making plays.
- "When he plays, you can feel that edge he has," says Rhett Lashlee. Jennings is known for his ability to make plays under pressure[5].
- His dynamic performance could make him a breakout star in the CFP.
Social Media Post:
"Kevin Jennings is the ultimate wild card for SMU. His edge and ability to make plays could make him a breakout star in the CFP. #CFP #SMUMustangs #KevinJennings"
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Riley Leonard is a dual-threat quarterback with impressive ground skills.
- "We’ve got to know where the ball is going. We’ve got to get it out of our hand, and we’ve got to be confident in doing that," says Mike Denbrock. Leonard leads all Playoff quarterbacks with 721 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground[5].
- His ability to convert key third-and-longs with his passing will be crucial.
Social Media Post:
"Riley Leonard is a force on the ground for Notre Dame. Can he convert key third-and-longs with his passing? #CFP #NotreDame #RileyLeonard"
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt is known for his intelligence and toughness.
- "He’s just one of the most conscientious young guys I’ve ever been around, and we’ve been around some pretty smart ones," praises Marcus Arroyo. Leavitt's conscientious approach and willingness to take contact make him a valuable asset[5].
Social Media Post:
"Sam Leavitt is a smart and tough QB for Arizona State. His conscientious approach could make a difference in the CFP. #CFP #ArizonaState #SamLeavitt"
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Cade Klubnik has shown improvement but faces consistency issues.
- "One, he’s got better situational awareness, so that’s helpful. Two, I think he’s stronger," says Greg McElroy. However, Klubnik's performance can be hot and cold, affecting Clemson's offense[5].
Social Media Post:
"Cade Klubnik has improved his situational awareness and strength, but consistency is key for Clemson in the CFP. #CFP #ClemsonTigers #CadeKlubnik"
Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
Nico Iamaleava has immense potential but faces the challenge of consistency.
- "If you said that Iamaleava would be the first overall pick in the 2026 or ‘27 NFL Draft, I’d believe you." However, asking him to reach his potential multiple times at the end of his redshirt freshman season is a tall order[5].
Social Media Post:
"Nico Iamaleava has immense potential, but can he deliver consistently in the CFP as a redshirt freshman? #CFP #TennesseeVolunteers #NicoIamaleava"
Maddux Madsen, Boise State
Maddux Madsen faces a tough test as teams focus on stopping Boise State's star runner.
- "Teams are going to load up to stop Jeanty and put pressure on Madsen to make some plays." Madsen is a tough and willing runner himself, with five touchdowns on the ground and only three interceptions this season[5].
Social Media Post:
"Maddux Madsen faces a tough test as teams focus on stopping Boise State's star runner. Can he rise to the challenge in the CFP? #CFP #BoiseState #MadduxMadsen"
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Gunner Stockton showed toughness and mobility in Georgia's SEC title game win.
- "The kid played just tough as nails," says Kirby Smart. Stockton's mobility gave the Bulldogs a spark against Texas[5].
Social Media Post:
"Gunner Stockton showed toughness and mobility in Georgia's SEC title game win. Can he lead the Bulldogs to a national title? #CFP #GeorgiaBulldogs #GunnerStockton"
These quarterbacks bring a mix of talent, resilience, and determination to the CFP, making each matchup a thrilling spectacle. As the playoffs unfold, their performances will be under the microscope, and only time will tell who will emerge as the champion.
SEO Optimization Tips:
- Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords like "College Football Playoff," "CFP quarterbacks," "Dillon Gabriel," "Quinn Ewers," etc., to improve search engine visibility.
- Meta Description: Write a compelling meta description that includes the main keywords and entices readers to click on the article.
- Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure the content and highlight key points.
- Internal and External Linking: Link to other relevant articles or official sources to enhance credibility and user experience.
- Optimize Images: Use descriptive alt tags and file names that include target keywords for all images.
Professional and Humanized Tone:
- Personal Quotes: Include direct quotes from coaches and analysts to add a personal touch and credibility.
- Engaging Language: Use catchy and creative language to keep readers engaged.
- Detailed Statistics: Provide detailed statistics and achievements to give readers a comprehensive understanding of each quarterback's performance.
By combining these elements, you can create an article that is not only informative but also highly engaging and optimized for search engines.
