Braden Atkinson Leads the Nation in Passing Yards
Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson paces all players nationwide with 21 passing touchdowns alongside a passing average of 373.7 yards per contest, as per CBS Sports. The former zero-star prospect who spent 2025 playing for Mercer at the FCS level is outproducing every other signal-caller in the country. According to CBS Sports, the prior quarterback to maintain a higher per-game yardage average through an entire campaign was 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
See ya ✌️@Braden_Atkinson ➡️ @jlegree24 for a 71 yard TD to open the half 🔥 📺 @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/5r8SIKaUFU
Atkinson built those numbers against tough early competition. He opened the year against Big 12 contenders Houston and Texas Tech, throwing for nearly 800 yards across two losses. Since then, he has guided the Beavers to four straight wins. Over the past two weeks alone, Atkinson threw for 836 yards, 10 touchdowns, and zero interceptions in blowout victories over San Diego State and Colorado State.
Darian Mensah Holds the Top Spot in Miami
While Atkinson climbs the national charts, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah maintains the No. 1 position in this week’s CBS Sports Quarterback Power Rankings. Mensah leads the nation in passing efficiency, completion percentage at 84.2%, and EPA per dropback. The Duke transfer is one of just four Power Four quarterbacks who have attempted at least 100 passes without an interception, and he set new ACC records for consecutive completions earlier this season.
Atkinson sits directly behind Mensah at No. 2 in the latest rankings. Following a streak where he became just the fourth FBS signal-caller of the 21st century to register back-to-back games with 400 passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero picks, the standout Beaver collected his third Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week citation. His top target, Jesse Legree, leads the nation with 12 touchdown grabs and 932 receiving yards.
Arch Manning Slides Following Oklahoma Loss
Atkinson’s rise stands in sharp contrast to the slide of Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The former five-star prospect tumbled in this week’s rankings after throwing a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter of the Longhorns’ loss to Oklahoma, according to CBS Sports.
Other notable signal-callers shifted positions. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss totaled 16 touchdowns through five games, heading into a matchup with Missouri and quarterback Austin Simmons. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr held at No. 4, ranking fourth nationally with 19 completions of 25+ yards ahead of a top-10 showdown against BYU. Georgia’s Gunner Stockton rounded out the top five after surviving a 20-17 win over Alabama.