There are plenty of standout quarterbacks across the Power Four conferences, but the high-level play in Conference USA often goes unnoticed. Heading into Week 9, here’s a ranking of the best signal-callers in the conference.
12) Malachi Nelson, UTEP
PFSN College QBi: 65.9 (D)
Malachi Nelson, once a five-star recruit in the 2023 class who committed to USC out of high school, has yet to live up to expectations. After a slow start at UTEP this season, the team benched him in favor of Skyler Locklear.
It’s unclear whether Nelson will see the field again for the Miners in 2025. Considering he ranks as the 168th quarterback in all of college football this season according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric, it doesn’t seem likely.
11) Keyone Jenkins, Florida International
PFSN College QBi: 67.1 (D+)
Keyone Jenkins has struggled as a passer this season, completing 105 of 165 attempts for 959 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions. That performance is why he ranks as the 158th quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
2025 marks his third season as FIU’s starting quarterback, and it’s been his worst so far. He has the talent to turn things around, but at the moment, he’s not playing up to the standard fans have come to expect.
10) Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee
PFSN College QBi: 67.3 (D+)
Nicholas Vaitatto is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football. 2025 marks his sixth season at Middle Tennessee. He hasn’t put up terrible numbers this season, throwing for 1,392 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
Still, with a 1-5 record, zero rushing yards, and a 61.1% completion rate, he hasn’t been a game breaker. He ranks as the 157th quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
9) Blake Baker, Louisiana Tech
PFSN College QBi: 67.4 (D+)
Blake Baker has been definitively average in his sophomore season at Louisiana Tech. He’s only started four games this year but hasn’t produced impressive numbers, throwing for 649 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while adding 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
He rarely turns the football over, and his rushing ability makes him exciting, but he’s not an elite quarterback. According to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric, he ranks 156th in the country among all signal-callers.
8) Gavin Wimsatt, Jacksonville State
PFSN College QBi: 68.3 (D+)
Gavin Wimsatt has never been much of a passer in his college career, and that has held true this season. In five starts, he’s thrown for 593 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but he’s been effective on the ground, adding 236 rushing yards and four scores.
Wimsatt splits playing time with Caden Creel, which partly explains his modest numbers, but he hasn’t been exceptional at Jacksonville State. He ranks as the 153rd quarterback in the country in PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
7) Logan Fife, New Mexico State
PFSN College QBi: 69.9 (D+)
Logan Fife has put up impressive numbers this season, throwing for 1,514 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions across six starts. However, with a completion rate of just 56.5%, it’s understandable why he’s ranked as the 144th quarterback in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
6) Hunter Watson, Sam Houston State
PFSN College QBi: 71.5 (C-)
Hunter Watson has struggled as a passer for Sam Houston in 2025. He’s thrown for just 915 yards through six games with five touchdowns and three interceptions. However, his rushing ability adds upside, as he’s added 211 yards and two scores on the ground.
Watson sits right in the middle of the pack among Conference USA quarterbacks, ranking as the 128th signal-caller in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
5) Ethan Vasko, Liberty
PFSN College QBi: 71.7 (C-)
Ethan Vasko has had a mix of strong and inconsistent performances for Liberty this season. In six starts, he’s thrown for 1,185 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 192 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
If he could improve his accuracy and limit turnovers, he’d rank much higher, but with a 59.1% completion rate and five interceptions, he is the 126th-best quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
4) Amari Odom, Kennesaw State
PFSN College QBi: 72.2 (C-)
Amari Odom started three games this season before suffering an injury, but he’s reportedly expected to return soon for Kennesaw State. In those starts, he threw for 754 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, adding 162 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
If he returns to full health, Odom has the talent to finish as the best quarterback in the conference. So far this season, he ranks as the 121st quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
3) Maverick McIvor, Western Kentucky
PFSN College QBi: 72.3 (C-)
Western Kentucky’s offense has a long history of putting up big passing numbers, and this season is no different. Maverick McIvor has thrown for 1,863 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
McIvor has struggled in a few areas, mainly with turnovers and averaging less than one yard per carry on the ground. Still, overall, he’s been solid, ranking as the 120th quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
2) Jacob Clark, Missouri State
PFSN College QBi: 72.7 (C-)
Jacob Clark has done a strong job leading Missouri State in the program’s first year in the FBS. He’s thrown for 1,195 yards in five starts with eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, he’s delivered in the moments that matter most, helping Missouri State reach an impressive 3-3 record after moving up from the FCS this season. He ranks as the 119th quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
1) Nick Minicucci, Delaware
PFSN College QBi: 77.5 (C+)
The best quarterback in Conference USA this season is Delaware’s Nick Minicucci. Like Jacob Clark, Minicucci has led the Blue Hens to a 3-3 record in the program’s first season in the FBS.
In his five starts, he’s thrown for 1,801 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 141 yards and seven scores on the ground. He’s easily been the top quarterback in the conference, ranking as the 72nd signal-caller in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.