Four QBs under the most pressure to step up in Week 5

As the 2026 college football season approaches Week 5, several players have yet to live up to the expectations placed on them coming into the campaign. Which quarterbacks need to step up this weekend to improve their stock?

1. QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Sellers and the Gamecocks are 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play ahead of a Week 5 showdown against No. 24 Kentucky. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound quarterback hasn't played well for the Gamecocks this season. Sellers has tossed for 833 yards and six touchdowns, along with four interceptions and a QBR of 59.1. 

Sellers' struggles even date back to last season, as he completed only 60.8% of his passes along with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. 

The inconsistency from Sellers has continued even after the hiring of new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. Sellers absolutely needs a strong performance this weekend, win or lose. 

2.  QB Jayden Maiava, USC

Yes, Maiava has tossed for 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns along with only two interceptions thus far. However, the Trojans have played below-average competition such as San Jose State, Fresno State and Louisiana at this juncture. Over the past two weeks, however, the Trojans have played two consecutive in-conference foes in Rutgers and Oregon. Maiava had difficulties in both matchups. 

The Trojans were 21-point favorites against the reeling Scarlet Knights, but Rutgers gave USC all it could handle in a 42-35 victory. Maiava had a QBR of 69.1 and completed just 62.1% of his passes. In a home loss against the Ducks last weekend, Maiava completed only 54.8% of his passes and tossed for two touchdowns and an interception. 

Maiava is without a doubt one of the better pass throwers in the country, but the 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback must bounce back when the Trojans welcome Washington on Saturday.

3.  QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M 

Reed and the Aggies have had a disastrous start to the season. The Aggies sit at 2-2 with both losses coming from SEC rivals in LSU and Kentucky in one-sided beatdowns. 

Reed has completed just 55.4% of his passes along with six touchdowns, four interceptions and a QBR of 50.4. Moreover, the 22-year-old is completing 5.7 yards per pass attempt, which is a career-low. 

The Aggies promoted former wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins to its offensive coordinator position, but the Aggies offense has struggled to produce explosive plays and find a rhythm consistently. 

Reed and the Aggies are over two-touchdown favorites when it hosts Arkansas this weekend. 

4. QB Ashton Daniels, Florida State 

Florida State transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels is in his final year of eligibility, and he hasn't played up to the standard at this point. Daniels has tossed for 928 yards along with six touchdowns and five interceptions thus far. Moreover, the former Stanford quarterback has completed just 59.8% of his passes. 

Daniels and the Seminoles sit at 2-2, with both losses having come against ranked teams in Alabama and SMU. Daniels completed a combined average of 55.4% of his passes along with three touchdowns and three interceptions across those two matchups.

Can Daniels improve his performance in his final season of college football, starting with UVA this weekend?