As we hit the preview portion of the 2025 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of which players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning quarterbacks in 2025.
NOTES:
- These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, pro potential, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
- FBS-to-FCS transfers will not be included
Best Returning FCS QBs
Quarterbacks with the potential to crack the Top 15 this fall but have a limited body of work: North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, Penn’s Liam O’Brien, South Dakota State’s Chase Mason, Southern Illinois’ DJ Williams, UIW’s Richard Torres, Western Carolina’s Taron Dickens.
15. Carter Peevy, Maine
14. Kekoa Visperas, Tennessee Tech (transfer from EWU)
13. Quincy Crittendon, Samford
12. Devin Farrell, Rhode Island
11. Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
10. Beau Brungard, Youngstown State
9. Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell
8. Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State
7. Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
6. Tommy Rittenhouse, Illinois State
5. Jaden Craig, Harvard
- Senior, 6-2, 215 pounds
- 2023: 7 games, 775 pass yards, 4 TDs, 2 INT, 135 rush yards, 7 TDs
- 2024: 10 games, 169/279, 2,430 yards, 23 TDs, 3 INT, 1 rushing TD
- No. 10 in FCS passing efficiency (158.8)
- PFF No. 24-graded FCS QB
- All-Ivy League Second Team
4. Victor Gabalis, Tarleton State
- Senior, 6-3, 210 pounds
- 2023 transfer from Utah Tech
- 2023: 11 games, 164/301, 2,492 yards, 18 TDs, 13 INT
- 2024: 12 games, 193/309, 2,883 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INT, 1 rushing TD
- No. 11 in FCS passing efficiency (158.3)
- PFF No. 10-graded FCS QB
- All-UAC Second Team
3. Sam Vidlak, SFA
- Senior, 6-1, 207 pounds
- 2024 transfer from Montana
- 2024: 9 games, 174/257, 2,387 yards, 27 TDs, 4 INT
- No. 3 in FCS passing efficiency (177.3)
- PFF No. 21-graded FCS QB
- All-Southland Second Team
- Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year
2. Aidan Bouman, South Dakota
- Senior, 6-5, 245 pounds
- 2022 transfer from Iowa State
- 2022: 6 games, 80/132, 892 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT
- 2022 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
- 2023: 13 games, 187/280, 2,551 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INT
- 2024: 14 games, 214/312, 2,959 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INT
- No. 5 in FCS passing efficiency (165.8)
- PFF No. 3-graded FCS QB
- All-MVFC Honorable Mention
1. Derek Robertson, Monmouth
- Senior, 6-2, 200 pounds
- 2024 transfer from Maine
- 2023 at Maine: 11 games, 258/404, 2,933 yards, 25 TDs, 13 INT
- 2023 All-CAA Honorable Mention
- 2024: 12 games, 283/435, 3,937 yards, 31 TDs, 6 INT
- No. 7 in FCS passing efficiency (161.8)
- PFF No. 4-graded FCS QB
- All-CAA First Team
- 6th in Walter Payton Award voting
- 4 All-American selections
