This list from the College Football Network includes some QBs Tulsa will face in the upcoming season....
Two seasons ago, the USF Bulls QB had 809 rushing yards (ranked seventh in the FBS) and 11 touchdowns, while having 4.49 yards after contact.
One standout feature, however, is his rushing ability. The fresh UCLA quarterback ranked 22nd in college football with 1.65 EPA rushing per game in 2024 while using his legs to record 358 rushing yards and 3.91 yards after contact.
Likely the full-time starter heading into 2025, expect those numbers to increase dramatically in Troy Calhoun’s offense.
Now the starter in Philadelphia, his rushing ability is expected to be further unlocked under K.C. Keeler, who will look to make the most of McCoy’s natural athleticism.
The former three-star recruit from Texas had 775 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 157 attempts, including a career high 151 rushing yards against Oregon State, where he led the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.
Having only started three games in 2024, Barnes is now the starter for the Aggies and is expected to build on his rushing numbers, including 3.15 EPA rushing per game and a total of 530 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Nevertheless, if Sorsby can be more consistent in 2025, he has the dual-threat ability to make plays happen. The 6’3”, 228-pound quarterback averaged 4.3 yards per rush with a third-down conversion rate of 46.7% last year.
During the 2024 season, Sluka had 39 rushes for 253 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per rush while having one of the highest third-down rush conversion rates of 63.6%. Furthermore, the transfer portal addition also averaged 6.43 yards after contact and has the ability to elevate the James Madison program if he wins the starting job.
Now moving to Boulder to play under Deion Sanders, Salter will be looking to establish himself among the elite rushing quarterbacks in the sport, after a decline in production last season, which saw his average yards per rush fall from 6.7 to 5.1.
However, his first-down and third-down conversion percentages increased, and his yards per contact grew from 3.46 in 2023 to 4.10 in 2024.
Now transferring to play under Bill Belichick with the North Carolina Tar Heels, he could be asked to lean more heavily on his rushing ability as the dual-threat quarterback averaged 274.7 yards of total offense in 2024.
25) Byrum Brown, USF
This may be a projection, but if Byrum Brown can return to anywhere near his 2023 best after suffering an injury last season, he could again be one of college football's most productive rushing quarterbacks.Two seasons ago, the USF Bulls QB had 809 rushing yards (ranked seventh in the FBS) and 11 touchdowns, while having 4.49 yards after contact.
24) Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Nico Iamaleava has been one of the standout offseason storylines, as the SEC starter has uprooted himself and moved back home to play at the UCLA Bruins. Whichever side of the fence you land on in the off-field story, the former Tennessee Volunteer needs to show more in 2025 if he is to take the next step in his development.One standout feature, however, is his rushing ability. The fresh UCLA quarterback ranked 22nd in college football with 1.65 EPA rushing per game in 2024 while using his legs to record 358 rushing yards and 3.91 yards after contact.
23) Quentin Hayes, Air Force
The first service academy quarterback on this list, Quentin Hayes, had 466 rushing yards and seven touchdowns from under center in 2024. He also accumulated 42 first downs and a third-down rushing conversion rate of 62.5%. His 2.17 EPA rushing per game in 2024 ranked 13th in the country in just six starts.Likely the full-time starter heading into 2025, expect those numbers to increase dramatically in Troy Calhoun’s offense.
22) Gevani McCoy, Temple
Gevani McCoy has transferred to the Temple Owls, expecting to be the starter in 2025. The former FCS standout had 2.25 EPA rushing per game with the Oregon State Beavers last year (12th in the nation) on his way to putting up 328 yards and five touchdowns on 59 attempts, while averaging 4.33 yards before contact and 4.52 after.Now the starter in Philadelphia, his rushing ability is expected to be further unlocked under K.C. Keeler, who will look to make the most of McCoy’s natural athleticism.
21) Brendon Lewis, Memphis
Brendon Lewis transfers from the Nevada Wolfpack to the Memphis Tigers for the 2025 season as one of the most productive rushers from under center last year.The former three-star recruit from Texas had 775 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 157 attempts, including a career high 151 rushing yards against Oregon State, where he led the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.
20) Bryson Barnes, Utah State
After playing three seasons with the Utah Utes, Bryson Barnes transferred instate to the Utah State Aggies in 2024 and continued to show his ability under center, especially when using his legs. He now holds the single-season rushing record in Logan after rushing for 193 yards and one touchdown against the San Diego State Aztecs in November 2024.Having only started three games in 2024, Barnes is now the starter for the Aggies and is expected to build on his rushing numbers, including 3.15 EPA rushing per game and a total of 530 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
19) Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Brendan Sorsby had 447 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground in 2024, averaging a score on every 11.67 rushing attempts. The Cincinnati Bearcats' passer started the season strong, leading his team to a 5-2 record. However, some rocky performances down the stretch led to the Beacats falling away in an intense Big 12 championship race.Nevertheless, if Sorsby can be more consistent in 2025, he has the dual-threat ability to make plays happen. The 6’3”, 228-pound quarterback averaged 4.3 yards per rush with a third-down conversion rate of 46.7% last year.
18) Matthew Sluka, James Madison
Matthew Sluka is back in college football after a high-profile departure from UNLV. He rejoins his former head coach at Holy Cross, Bob Chesney, who will be looking to unlock the dual-threat quarterbacks' rushing potential further.During the 2024 season, Sluka had 39 rushes for 253 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per rush while having one of the highest third-down rush conversion rates of 63.6%. Furthermore, the transfer portal addition also averaged 6.43 yards after contact and has the ability to elevate the James Madison program if he wins the starting job.
17) Hunter Watson, Sam Houston
Hunter Watson was the focal point of the Sam Houston Bearkats' rushing attack in 2024, leading the team with 647 yards and nine touchdowns. His 39 first downs, alongside his 48.6% third-down rushing percentage, showcase the 6’3”, 210-pound quarterback's ability to bail his team out, proven by his 1.44 EPA rushing per game.16) Kaidon Salter, Colorado
Kaidon Salter averaged 1.56 EPA rushing per game in 2024, ranked 23rd in the country among quarterbacks. It shouldn’t come as a surprise. The former Liberty quarterback has 2,000+ rushing yards in his four seasons in Lynchburg, including 1,089 in 2023.Now moving to Boulder to play under Deion Sanders, Salter will be looking to establish himself among the elite rushing quarterbacks in the sport, after a decline in production last season, which saw his average yards per rush fall from 6.7 to 5.1.
However, his first-down and third-down conversion percentages increased, and his yards per contact grew from 3.46 in 2023 to 4.10 in 2024.
15) Gio Lopez, North Carolina
Gio Lopez saw 45.6% of his rushing attempts go for first downs in 2024, the most in the FBS. The former South Alabama Jaguars passer only had 83 rushing attempts but made the most of his legs, running for 463 yards and seven touchdowns, including a long of 50 yards.Now transferring to play under Bill Belichick with the North Carolina Tar Heels, he could be asked to lean more heavily on his rushing ability as the dual-threat quarterback averaged 274.7 yards of total offense in 2024.
