CFB 26 Quarterback Tier List Update-Ranking the Best QBs in College Football
At the core of this tier list is a simple philosophy: mobility matters more than ever, but elite releases and discounted abilities can still push certain pocket passers into top-tier status. With that in mind, let's dive into the rankings.
Tier List Philosophy Update
Before evaluating new cards, there's an important shift in how the tiers are structured.
Previously, the gap between S, A, and B tiers felt inconsistent.
However, after testing newer quarterbacks, the structure now looks like this:
S Tier: Elite playmakers with top mobility, great releases, and game-breaking abilities
A Tier: High-end starters with one clear weakness (usually release or mobility)
B Tier: Solid quarterbacks who are viable but not meta-defining
C Tier: Average cards with limited impact
D Tier: Below-average options that struggle in competitive play
F Tier: Outdated or unusable quarterbacks
One major takeaway this season is that mobile quarterbacks dominate gameplay more than ever, especially in pocket escape scenarios and broken play situations.
Re-Evaluating Older Cards
Some older quarterbacks still hold value, while others have fallen off sharply due to power creep.
Standout Legacy Cards
Cam Newton remains an S-tier QB thanks to elite release and mobility balance
Cordell Stewart is arguably even stronger due to top-tier movement mechanics
Keenan Reynolds still holds S-tier status due to his scrambling ability and play extension
CJ Bailey, however, drops in value and is now closer to A-tier rather than elite S-tier
Key Insight
Movement-based quarterbacks are still meta, especially those with strong QB jukes and pocket escape tools. Even players who don't traditionally use mobile QBs are forced to acknowledge their effectiveness in-game.
New Quarterback Rankings
1. Deuce Knight (94 OVR)-D Tier
Deuce Knight enters the meta as a fast but limited quarterback.
Key Stats:
93 Speed / 92 Acceleration
95 Throw Power
90 across all accuracies
High 3/4 release (10)
Abilities:
Gold Dot (4 AP)
Off-platform throwing capability
Evaluation
While usable, Deuce Knight struggles to stand out in a stacked QB meta. His mobility is solid, but his lack of elite traits and average release push him into D tier, with potential to reach C tier after upgrades.
2. Miller Moss (95 OVR)-D Tier
Miller Moss is a classic pocket passer with limited mobility.
Key Stats:
91 Speed / 90 Acceleration
95 Throw Power
90 COD
3/4 release
Abilities:
Discounted Dot ability (2 AP)
Silver ability stack options
Evaluation
Moss is a stable pocket QB but lacks the mobility needed to compete in the current meta. He remains stuck in D tier, useful but not impactful in high-level gameplay.
3. Owen McAul (96 OVR)-F Tier
Owen McAul is a clear downgrade compared to most modern quarterbacks.
Key Stats:
90 Speed
93 Throw Power
Weak release
Limited mobility ceiling
Evaluation
Despite some ability discounts, McAul lacks the traits necessary for competitive play. He lands firmly in F tier, offering little value over other options.
4. Evan Simon-D Tier
A slightly more balanced quarterback with decent stats across the board.
Key Stats:
92 Speed / 93 Acceleration
96 Throw Power
Good accuracy spread
High 3/4 release
Abilities:
Gold Dot (4 AP)
Gold resistance options
Evaluation
Simon is usable but unremarkable. He sits in the lower-middle range of quarterbacks, making him a D-tier option.
5. Colt McCoy (97 OVR)-D Tier (Top End)
Colt McCoy offers slightly better passing consistency than most D-tier QBs.
Key Stats:
92 Speed
97 Throw Power
Strong accuracy ratings across the board
Over-the-top 14 release
Evaluation
McCoy's release is decent and usable, but his lack of elite mobility keeps him from breaking into higher tiers. He is a high D-tier quarterback, just below true meta relevance.
6. Taylen Green-A Tier
Taylen Green represents the first true elite-tier upgrade in this list.
Key Stats:
96 Speed / 95 Acceleration
96 Throw Power
Strong accuracy across the board
High 3/4 release (main weakness)
Abilities:
Gold Dot (2 AP)
Gold Off-Platform (2 AP)
Magician ability for improvisation
Evaluation
Green thrives because of his elite mobility and improvisational ability. His only major weakness is his release timing. Despite that, he earns a strong A-tier placement, acting as a bridge between mid-tier and elite quarterbacks.7. Joe Montana (Standard)-B Tier
A technically sound quarterback with strong passing traits.
Key Stats:
93 Speed / 94 Acceleration
98 Throw Power
Over-the-top 16 release (elite tier)
Evaluation
Montana is consistent but not explosive. He fits comfortably in B tier, offering reliability without game-breaking mobility.
8. Joe Montana (LTD)-A Tier (Top)
The LTD version improves slightly across the board.
Key Stats:
94 Speed / 94 Acceleration
Strong passing accuracy
Same elite release style
Evaluation
Despite improvements, Montana still lacks elite scrambling ability. He lands at the top of A tier, but not quite S tier due to mobility limitations.
9. CJ Carr-C Tier
CJ Carr is a balanced but unexciting quarterback.
Key Stats:
93 Speed
98 Throw Power
High 3/4 release
Evaluation
Carr is serviceable but lacks standout traits, placing him in C tier.
10. Josh Hoover-B Tier
Josh Hoover is a surprisingly strong mid-tier quarterback.
Key Stats:
94 Speed / 94 Acceleration
97 Throw Power
Over-the-top 16 release
Evaluation
Hoover stands out due to his release quality and solid mobility, earning him a strong B-tier position.
11. Dante "Gould" Culpepper-A Tier
A powerful dual-threat style QB with strong stats.
Key Stats:
96 Speed / 96 Acceleration
98 Throw Power
Solid accuracy ratings
Abilities:
Gold Dot (2 AP)
Magician (3 AP)
Evaluation
Culpepper plays similarly to Taylen Green but with slightly better passing traits. He sits comfortably in A tier, just short of S tier.
12. Jaden Maiava (98 OVR)-A Tier
A highly balanced quarterback with strong ability synergy.
Key Stats:
95 Speed / 95 Acceleration
98 Throw Power
Evaluation
Maiava is consistent, versatile, and reliable. He belongs in A tier, with arguments for higher placement depending on playstyle.
13. Jaden Maiava (99 OVR)-S Tier
The upgraded version becomes one of the strongest QBs in the game.
Abilities:
Gold Dot (1 AP)
Gold Magician (3 AP)
Gold Off-Platform (1 AP)
Evaluation
This version thrives due to elite ability discounts and mobility. He earns a solid S-tier ranking, especially for aggressive players.
14. Dan Marino-S Tier (QB1 Contender)
Dan Marino stands at the top of the meta for pure performance.
Key Stats:
95 Speed
98 Throw Power
Elite high 3/4 release (top-tier animation)
Abilities:
Gold Dot (2 AP)
Gold On-Time Passing
Excellent pocket tools
Evaluation
Marino is the most complete quarterback in the game. While not the most mobile, his pocket movement and release speed make him S-tier QB1 material.
15. Julian Sayin-S Tier (Bottom)
Julian Sayin rounds out the elite group.
Key Stats:
95 Speed
97 Throw Power
90 COD
Strong release animation
Evaluation
Sayin earns S tier due to mobility and ability balance, but sits at the lower end compared to Marino and top-tier S quarterbacks.
Final Thoughts
The College Football 26 quarterback meta is defined by one major truth: mobility and improvisation win games. While elite pocket passers like Dan Marino still dominate structured offenses, dual-threat quarterbacks continue to shape the competitive landscape.