Top 20 College Football QBs Graded After Week 3
After Week 3 of the 2026 college football season, a weekly report card graded the top 20 quarterbacks on a star‑based opponent scale and letter grades, then reshuffled the rankings. The report highlighted standout performances, struggles, and the impact of matchups against ranked teams.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Every Tuesday, a weekly report card evaluates the nation’s top 20 college football quarterbacks, grading their Week 3 performances and re‑ranking them for the next assignment. Using a 1‑5 star system based on The Athletic’s FBS rankings, the report assigns letter grades (A‑F) that feed into the next week’s lineup.
Week 3 Highlights
- Anthony Colandrea (Nebraska) – 15‑of‑21, 195 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 4 carries, 19 yards, 1 TD; 5‑star opponent (North Dakota). Finished 68.8% complete, 692 yards, 8 TD, 1 INT. Grade: B.
- Bear Bachmeier (BYU) – 12‑of‑16, 227 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries, -3 yards; 5‑star opponent (Colorado State). Grade: C.
- Sam Leavitt (LSU) – 16‑of‑27, 158 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 17 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD; 5‑star opponent (Ole Miss). Grade: C.
- Dante Moore (Oregon) – 19‑of‑23, 280 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT; 1 carry, -3 yards; 5‑star opponent (Portland State). Grade: A.
- Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) – 26‑of‑49, 236 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 10 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD; 3‑star opponent (Kentucky). Grade: D.
- Conner Weigman (Houston) – 27‑of‑38, 282 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 13 carries, 56 yards; 4‑star opponent (Texas Tech). Grade: B.
- Kevin Jennings (SMU) – 24‑of‑35, 222 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 9 carries, 35 yards; 4‑star opponent (Louisville). Grade: F.
- Lincoln Kienholz (Louisville) – 14‑of‑23, 177 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 12 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD; 4‑star opponent (SMU). Grade: A.
- Rocco Becht (Penn State) – 11‑of‑19, 212 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 3 carries, -7 yards; 5‑star opponent (Buffalo). Grade: A.
- Austin Simmons (Missouri) – 10‑of‑19, 91 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 2 carries, 3 yards; 5‑star opponent (Troy). Grade: D.
- Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State) – 18‑of‑26, 251 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT; 8 carries, 33 yards; 4‑star opponent (South Carolina). Grade: A.
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State) – 18‑of‑22, 241 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 2 carries, -6 yards; 5‑star opponent (Kent State). Grade: A.
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) – 33‑of‑48, 363 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries, 2 yards, 1 TD; 5‑star opponent (LSU). Grade: A.
- CJ Carr (Notre Dame) – 18‑of‑24, 234 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 3 carries, 9 yards, 1 TD; 3‑star opponent (Michigan State). Grade: B.
- Josh Hoover (Indiana) – 18‑of‑24, 273 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 2 carries, 2 yards; 5‑star opponent (Western Kentucky). Grade: A.
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia) – 10‑of‑13, 147 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 7 carries, 97 yards; 2‑star opponent (Arkansas). Grade: A.
- Devon Dampier (Utah) – 22‑of‑32, 253 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 10 carries, 34 yards; 5‑star opponent (Utah State). Grade: B.
- Arch Manning (Texas) – 17‑of‑33, 164 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 9 carries, 50 yards; 3‑star opponent (UTSA). Grade: B.
- Jayden Maiava (USC) – 20‑of‑32, 277 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 3 carries, 9 yards; 5‑star opponent (Rutgers). Grade: B.
Methodology and Impact
The report uses a 1‑5 star scale tied to The Athletic’s FBS rankings: 5 stars for top‑10 teams, 4 stars for ranks 11‑40, 3 stars for 41‑70, 2 stars for 71‑100, and 1 star for 101‑138 or FCS opponents. Each quarterback’s Week 3 stats, opponent quality, and game result are combined to assign a letter grade. These grades influence the next week’s top‑20 list, rewarding consistency against tough competition and penalizing poor performances or losses.
What’s Next?
With Nebraska’s 3‑0 start, the Cornhuskers face their first real test on the road against Michigan State this Saturday. LSU’s Sam Leavitt will look to rebound after a loss to Ole Miss, while Oregon’s Dante Moore will seek to maintain his high‑scoring pace against a weaker opponent. The rankings will shift as the next report card rolls in, especially if top quarterbacks like Colandrea or Taylor continue their strong play.
Key facts
- Top 20 QBs graded on a star‑based opponent scale and letter grades
- Dante Moore and Lincoln Kienholz earned A grades after dominant wins
- Sam Leavitt and Kevin Jennings received low grades after interceptions
- Nebraska’s 3‑0 start sets up a tough road test against Michigan State
- The grading system informs next week’s rankings and national perception
Why it matters
The report offers a concise, data‑driven snapshot of quarterback performance, helping fans and analysts gauge talent, consistency, and readiness for high‑stakes games.
Frequently asked questions
How are the star ratings determined?
Stars reflect the opponent’s rank in The Athletic’s FBS list: 5 stars for top‑10 teams, 4 stars for ranks 11‑40, 3 stars for 41‑70, 2 stars for 71‑100, and 1 star for 101‑138 or FCS teams.
What does a letter grade signify?
The letter grade (A‑F) summarizes a quarterback’s overall Week 3 performance, factoring passing and rushing stats, turnovers, game outcome, and opponent quality.
Sources
- [1] bleacherreport.com — originally reported as “Report Card Grades for Top 20 College Football QBs after Week 3”
