Most Underrated Quarterbacks In College Football For 2026
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In this episode of Irish Breakdown, hosts Brian and Trev dive into the 2026 college football quarterback landscape, focusing on two contrasting lists: the five most underrated and the five most overrated quarterbacks. The discussion centers on players who are underappreciated due to conference bias, past struggles, or lack of flashy stats, despite strong production and leadership. Key names include Connor Wegman of Houston, Kevin Jennings of SMU, Noah Fafita of Arizona, John Mateer of Texas State, and Devin Dampierre of Utah—each praised for their dual-threat ability, resilience, and under-the-radar impact. The hosts also spotlight DeMond Williams of Ohio State and Gunnar Stockton of Georgia, arguing that their consistent playoff success and championship pedigree are undervalued in mainstream rankings. A major theme is the disconnect between perception and performance, with many quarterbacks being overlooked not because they’re bad, but because they play in less hyped conferences or don’t fit the 'elite' physical or narrative mold. The episode concludes with a passionate defense of Malik Washington of Maryland, a true freshman phenom whose talent and production are grossly undervalued in national rankings.
Underrated quarterbacks often play in less hyped conferences like the Big 12 or AAC, which limits their national exposure despite strong production.
Past struggles—like poor performances in high-profile games—can unfairly overshadow a quarterback’s overall body of work, as seen with Kevin Jennings and Connor Wegman.
Dual-threat quarterbacks with high rushing totals and leadership qualities (e.g., Devin Dampierre, DeMond Williams) are frequently undervalued in traditional rankings.
Experience in the playoffs and conference championships—like Gunnar Stockton’s back-to-back SEC title runs—should carry more weight in evaluating quarterback value.
Talent and production don’t always translate to national recognition; Malik Washington’s 2,963 passing yards as a true freshman on a struggling team is a prime example.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction: The Underrated vs. Overrated QB Debate
The hosts introduce the episode's focus: analyzing the most underrated and overrated college football quarterbacks for 2026. They clarify that the lists are not ranked and are based on perception, not objective rankings. They emphasize that 'underrated' doesn't mean 'bad,' but rather 'underappreciated' relative to media hype and national attention.
Connor Wegman: The Houston Comeback Story
“He was not very good in 2024 at Texas A&M... but he was basically done. He came in against New Mexico State, went 2-5 and threw a pick and transferred. And I think there was – and he was a guy that I thought was going to end up being a really good quarterback. And I just don't think he handled the moment well.”
Kevin Jennings: From Overrated to Underrated
“He's one of the only quarterbacks coming back at the power four level that have playoff experience and conference championship game experience. That's a very short list, and that's something that I don't think is beating Wade too much with Kevin Jennings.”
Noah Fafita and John Mateer: The Big 12 Hidden Gems
The hosts discuss Noah Fafita of Arizona, a 5'10" quarterback with a 9-4 record and improved stats in 2024, who’s underrated due to his size and inconsistent performances against top teams. John Mateer of Texas State is praised for his strong start to 2024 before a hand injury derailed his season, with the hosts believing he’s a dark horse Heisman candidate in 2026.
Devin Dampierre and DeMond Williams: Dual-Threat Powerhouses
“He averaged 8.7 yards per pass attempt, which ranks him 15th tied by the way with Dante Moore. And, and, uh, And then also rushed for 611 yards and six touchdowns.”
“If Malik Washington would have gone in the portal this offseason, he'd be looked at very differently, in my opinion, than he is now playing for Maryland. I think this kid is a big time talent.”
“There shouldn't be a list, in my opinion, if we're comparing what they've done at the collegiate level so far of what Josh Hoover or what Sam Levitt have done versus what Gunnar Stockton has done. There shouldn't.”
“He's one of the only quarterbacks coming back at the power four level that have playoff experience and conference championship game experience. That's a very short list, and that's something that I don't think is beating Wade too much with Kevin Jennings.”
Hosts
Trev
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Brian
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Connor Wegman
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Kevin Jennings
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Gunnar Stockton
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John Mateer
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Malik Washington
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Devin Dampierre
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Noah Fafita
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ESPN
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