Mountain West Quarterback Rankings for 2025

2. Walker Eget, San Jose State
Eget opened the 2024 season as San Jose State’s No. 2 quarterback but eventually took over the top spot and finished with 2,504 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. The California native tossed four scores in a win over Stanford and threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-21 loss to Boise State. Additionally, Eget’s yards per attempt (7.6) tied for second among Mountain West signal-callers, while his completions of 40-plus yards (eight) tied for fourth. San Jose State’s spread-and-shred offense led the conference in passing attempts (552) last season, so Eget will have plenty of chances to throw the ball in ‘25. The interception total (10) was a little high for a first-time starter and new weapons must emerge at receiver. If the concern level about both of those areas are minimized, Eget will rank among the top Group of 5 signal-callers. 

4. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State
Colorado State’s passing attack wasn’t as prolific last season (219.5 yards a game) as it was in 2023 (306.5 a contest). With receiver Tory Horton sidelined for the bulk of the year, along with an improved ground game, shifting away from the passing attack made sense for coach Jay Norvell. However, the Rams need the ‘23 version of Fowler-Nicolosi (3,460 yards and 22 touchdowns) this fall after his numbers dipped to 2,796 yards and 14 scores last season. The Texas native needs to do a better job at taking care of the ball (27 interceptions over 539 career attempts, but the talented junior could be poised for a step forward with another offseason to work under Norvell and coordinator Matt Mumme.

6. Bryson Barnes, Utah State
Barnes has one of the best background stories in college football and could cap his career in ‘25 with All-Mountain West honors. After working on a family farm raising pigs and earning the nickname “The Pig Farmer,” he started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Utah. Barnes played a key role for the Utes from 2021-23, throwing for 2,025 yards and 17 touchdowns and adding 391 yards and three scores on the ground. The Utah native also led the Utes to huge wins over Florida and USC during the ‘23 campaign. In nine games at Utah State last year, Barnes threw for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 530 yards and five scores on the ground. The senior may not wow anyone with his arm talent. However, his rushing ability and steady play through the air should thrive in coordinator Kevin McGiven’s scheme. 

7. Micah Alejado, Hawaii
The next breakout quarterback in the Mountain West could come in Honolulu this year. Alejado shined for Hawaii in his first career start on Nov. 30 against New Mexico last season, torching the Lobos for 469 yards and five scores through the air and adding 54 rushing yards in a 38-30 victory. After working as the backup to Brayden Schager last year and taking a redshirt season by playing in just four games, Alejado is ready to handle the full-time starter role. Although New Mexico’s defense struggled in ‘24, the performance in the season finale was potentially a sign of things to come for the Las Vegas native in Hawaii’s run-and-shoot attack.

9. Jayden Denegal, San Diego State
Improving an offense that averaged only 21.3 points a contest last season is the No. 1 priority for coach Sean Lewis in his second year at the helm. Lewis dipped into the portal for two options, as Denegal (Michigan)and Bert Emanuel Jr. (Central Michigan) joined the team this spring. Denegal ranked as the No. 19 quarterback by 247Sports in the 2022 signing class but only received snaps in six games in ‘23. The California native completed four of five throws for 50 yards and a score and added 10 more yards on the ground in his limited playing time. At 6-foot-4, Denegal has the size and arm strength to help make Lewis’ high-powered offense click in ‘25. Emanuel’s development is worth monitoring this fall. The son of former NFL receiver Bert Emanuel, rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games at Central Michigan. However, the passing ability remains a work in progress.

11. Kaden Anderson, Wyoming
Although Wyoming finished 3-9 in coach Jay Sawvel’s debut, the program showed some progress in November. Anderson’s play was a key cog in that stretch. The redshirt freshman guided the Cowboys to a 49-45 win over New Mexico with 342 passing yards and three scores and threw for 116 yards and a touchdown before leaving the Nov. 23 game against Boise State due to injury. The Texas native played in nine contests overall, finishing ‘24 with 955 yards and six touchdowns through the air with 49 yards and two scores on the ground. The sample size is small, but Anderson has a few promising tools to develop this offseason.

12. Josh Johnson, Air Force
Air Force’s quarterback situation for 2025 took an unexpected turn in the spring when Quentin Hayes was removed from the roster. Hayes had a strong finish to the ‘24 campaign and was a key cog in the Falcons’ projected improvement this fall. With Hayes off the team, Johnson and Liam Szarka are expected to battle for the starting nod. Johnson played in six contests last year, rushing for 94 yards over 14 carries and completing six of 14 attempts for 126 yards. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun usually finds a way to push all of the right buttons to keep the ground attack firing on all cylinders in Colorado Springs. The guess here is Johnson or Szarka will perform just fine in the Falcons’ scheme to get this team back in a bowl in ‘25.