What college football’s top 25 future quarterback power rankings? A look at the best quarterbacks of the next few years.
College football’s top 25 future quarterback power rankings. These are the quarterbacks that will be in the NFL in 2020. Read more in detail here: 2020 quarterback rankings.
In college football, the quarterback position has evolved into the tumultuous heart of an ever-changing sport.
Take a look at the quarterback future power rankings from last year. Spencer Rattler (now at South Carolina) and outstanding incoming freshman Caleb Williams helped Oklahoma reach the top of the list (now at USC with ex-Sooners coach Lincoln Riley). Returning starter Kedon Slovis (now at Pitt) and Jaxson Dart helped USC to third place (now at Ole Miss). No mention of Stetson Bennett IV, the quarterback who would lead the Bulldogs to their first national championship in 41 years, was made in my Georgia capsule, which focused on returning starter JT Daniels (who is presently in the transfer portal).
It’s becoming more impossible to project the quarterback position for even one year, much alone three. The challenge, on the other hand, is welcomed at Future Power Rankings HQ. Welcome to the fun, for those who are new to the series. I’ll be projecting the top 25 quarterbacks, offenses, defenses, and total teams for the following three seasons: 2022, 2023, and 2024 in the coming months. These are done in real time, depending on who is on each roster at the moment. However, with recruitment for 2023 and beyond beginning to take form, the rankings are being shaped with an eye toward the future. I also consider if athletes will join the NFL draft early or via the portal.
A returning starter is important in quarterback rankings, but a returning starter with numerous years of eligibility may be even more essential. At quarterback, depth is also important, but it is typically transitory. The rankings are mostly based on personnel, but coaching also plays a role, particularly when Riley and other talented QB mentors switched locations during the winter. Tennessee, Purdue, Maryland, and Ole Miss were among the teams who just missed the cut.
Let’s get this party started.
5th place in 2021 C.J. Stroud is a returning starter.
Scouting the Buckeyes: The quarterback position in 2021 has been a mystery for the first time since coach Ryan Day came in Columbus. After Stroud’s early season injury and a Week 2 home defeat to Oregon, the concerns became louder. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy nominee by the conclusion of the year, and he was setting records, particularly in the Rose Bowl, when he completed 80.4 percent of his throws for 573 yards and six touchdowns. In three of his last four games, Stroud completed more than 80% of his passes, and in his final five games, he threw for 2,165 yards. After throwing interceptions in each of his first three games, Stroud had only three picks in the last nine games, compared to 36 touchdown passes. He’s one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in his third season, which would make him the first Big Ten (and Ohio State) winner since quarterback Troy Smith in 2006.
Stroud will almost definitely go after the 2022 season, but Ohio State’s recruitment, as well as Day and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson’s prolonged presence, should allay any fears. After another season as Stroud’s main backup, Kyle McCord, ESPN’s No. 31 overall recruit in 2020, will be ready to take over. Ohio State acquired Devin Brown, ESPN’s No. 4 pocket passer and No. 80 overall talent for the 2022 class, despite quarterbacks Jack Miller and Quinn Ewers transferring out. Ohio State is expected to recruit another quarterback or two, and the team’s future seems to be assured beyond this season.
3rd place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
Scouting the Trojans: USC is in the top 3 for the third straight year, but the landscape of the program — and the quarterback position — has transformed in the past three months. Riley is undoubtedly the best quarterback developer in the country. Despite the fact that USC has never had problems attracting talented quarterbacks, it is poised to become a top destination for high school prospects and transfers. Williams, who reconnected with Riley after throwing for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns with four interceptions as a true freshman, was the greatest quarterback transfer prize of the winter for the Trojans. In Riley’s scheme, USC should receive two full seasons of Williams as quarterback, surrounded by a great bunch of pass-catching targets. Anything less of record stats, national accolades, and a top-3 NFL draft pick in 2024 would be a huge disappointment for Williams.
Although USC returns Miller Moss, a top-40 recruit in the 2021 class who participated in the season finale last year, the team’s short-term worry is depth. Will Moss be able to start in 2024 if he waits until then? Malachi Nelson, ESPN’s No. 2 overall talent for the 2023 class, has committed to USC. Riley should be able to use the portal to acquire depth even if Williams remains on the roster.
4th place in 2021 Bryce Young is a returning starter.
Alabama returns the Heisman Trophy winner in Young, who has lived up to his billing as a top-5 national recruit out of California so far. In his debut season as Alabama’s starting quarterback, Young displayed playmaking, composure, and performance, finishing second in both passing yards (4,872) and passing touchdowns (47). In all but one game, he threw multiple touchdown passes, with three or more in ten of them. After some failures in the CFP and against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, the great aspect is that he still has potential to improve. Young has the ability to be more efficient at times, and with a good group of receivers and tight ends, he should be able to take another step forward. A second season under seasoned playcaller Bill O’Brien, who, somewhat shockingly, is back at Alabama, could help him.
Young, like Stroud, is anticipated to leave Alabama after his third season and be a contender for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft. With Paul Tyson’s move to Arizona State, the immediate depth took a knock, but as long as Young remains healthy, the room’s concerns will surface in 2023 and 2024. Incoming freshman Ty Simpson, ESPN’s No. 2 pocket passer and No. 33 overall talent in the 2022 class, had seven pass attempts and 15 rushes in four games last season, and Alabama added him. Simpson, like Young, should be able to push for considerable playing time in his sophomore season.
12th place in 2021 Haynes King is a returning starter (partial)
Scouting the Aggies: Like so many other aspects of coach Jimbo Fisher’s program, the quarterback position seems to be on the rise in the coming years. In King, who started 2021 as QB1 until suffering a season-ending leg fracture in Week 2, and former LSU starter Max Johnson, the Aggies have at least two skilled and intriguing alternatives for 2022. Fisher chose King, a top-50 national talent in the 2021 class, as his quarterback, and if healthy, he may be a multiyear leader for the offense. King has a lot of quickness and deception, and he resembles some people of a larger Johnny Manziel. Johnson, on the other hand, did not come from LSU to sit on the bench. In 2021, the left-handed quarterback threw for 2,815 yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions, and he might prosper in a more stable scenario under Fisher.
Things get really interesting beyond King and Johnson. Texas A&M adds in-state prep star Conner Weigman, ESPN’s top-rated quarterback and No. 26 overall recruit in the 2022 class. Although both King and Johnson have multiple years of eligibility left, Weigman could emerge as Texas A&M’s quarterback of the future. Texas A&M also has a commitment from Eli Holstein, ESPN’s No. 59 junior prospect. Bottom line: Fisher and the Aggies will have plenty of options through the 2024 season, even though there will be some attrition.
6th place in 2021 Stetson Bennett is a returning starter.
Scouting the Bulldogs: Even after a national championship and with a returning starter in Bennett, Georgia’s quarterback situation is always intriguing. Coach Kirby Smart’s squad isn’t as dependent on the quarterback as others, but Bennett came through in the playoffs when his team needed him in the fourth quarter against Alabama. After throwing for 2,862 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season, Bennett should have a victory lap sort of season this autumn. He’ll be working with coach Todd Monken once again, and he has the Georgia locker room’s trust and respect. However, Brock Vandagriff and others are likely to press him.
Vandagriff, the No. 37 overall recruit in the 2021 class according to ESPN, spent last year observing and learning from Bennett and JT Daniels, but he likely sees 2022 as his breakout year. Carson Beck, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2020 who saw limited play in four games last season, joins him in Georgia’s quarterback room. Gunner Stockton, ESPN’s No. 5 dual-threat quarterback and No. 109 overall recruit in the 2022 class, joins the Bulldogs as well. Georgia is still in the race for Arch Manning, one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects in recent memory and the class’s top prize.
Ranking for 2021: 13 Tyler Van Dyke is a returning starter.
Scouting the Hurricanes: As the Mario Cristobal era begins, there are many reasons for Miami supporters to be enthusiastic, and the quarterback position is at the top of the list. Despite the fact that the Hurricanes never truly recovered in 2021, they identified their future quarterback in Van Dyke, a confident redshirt freshman who tossed for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in barely two months as the starter. In each of Miami’s last six games (five wins), Van Dyke, ESPN’s No. 3 pocket passer in the 2020 recruiting class, surpassed 300 passing yards with three or more touchdowns, earning him ACC Rookie of the Year honors. He’ll have to adapt to a new coach in Cristobal and a new playcaller in offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, but Miami’s offense has high aspirations for the future. Van Dyke could possibly head the offense until 2023, but a similar performance this fall will put him on the NFL draft radar.
Jake Garcia, ESPN’s No. 23 overall prospect in the 2022 class, provides solid insurance behind Van Dyke, at least for the time being. Garcia had a promising season until suffering a season-ending foot injury in September. While his unusual journey to Miami implies he won’t be back for a year or two, anything may happen. The Hurricanes keep reserve Peyton Matocha and add Jacurri Brown, the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the 2022 class according to ESPN. Miami should have no issue enticing good quarterbacks from high school or the gateway since Cristobal and Gattis are both outstanding recruiters.
1st place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
Scouting the Sooners: A slide from the top was unavoidable following the losses of Williams, Rattler, and Riley, but the quarterback situation in Norman remains stable. New coach Brent Venables brought in offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who was instrumental in luring UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel and Lebby worked together at UCF in 2019, when the rookie quarterback averaged 15.5 yards per completion (fourth nationally) and led an attack that ranked second in yards (540.5 ypg) and seventh in scoring (43.4 ppg). Gabriel was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country in his first two seasons, with virtually identical throwing yardage (3,653 and 3,570) and touchdown totals (29 and 32). Under Lebby’s tutelage, he should grow and be able to lead OU into the 2023 season.
If Gabriel is merely a temporary fix, Oklahoma will aim to the future with Nick Evers, the No. 7 pocket passer and No. 165 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class, according to ESPN. This autumn, Evers’ progress under Lebby will be crucial for 2023 and 2024. Jackson Arnold, ESPN’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and No. 41 overall junior prospect, has committed to Oklahoma. Transfer quarterbacks will find the institution to be an intriguing choice as well.
9th place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
2 Related
Scouting the Longhorns: Texas A&M boasts the most loaded quarterback room in the state, but Texas has the most interesting collection. The Longhorns’ primary contenders — Hudson Card, Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy — all carry freshman or sophomore eligibility. Whoever emerges from the offseason competition could guide coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense through 2023, and possibly beyond. The spotlight is undoubtedly on Ewers, who returns home after skipping his senior season of high school to attend Ohio State, where he arrived late, pocketed NIL dollars and didn’t attempt a pass. Ewers was one of the more decorated high school quarterback prospects in recent years, and could be a natural fit to operate Sarkisian’s system.
Card started the 2021 season as the starting quarterback and profited from a year under Sarkisian’s tutelage. He graduated from Austin’s Lake Travis High School as ESPN’s No. 40 overall recruit in the 2020 class, placing him just below Ewers. Card must handle Ewers’ hoopla around the Texas program, but he also has a chance to outperform him and get the job. Murphy is an ESPN 300 prospect from California who will likely serve as a nice autumn insurance option.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Devin Leary is a returning starter.
Scouting the Wolfpack: In this year’s quarterback rankings, NC State had the largest jump. Although Leary might continue to command NC State’s offense for two more years, he should enter the NFL if he repeats his 2013 performance of 3,433 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. In 2021, Leary had a strong finish, throwing four touchdown passes in four of his last five games. NC State might have its best squad under coach Dave Doeren’s watch, and Leary will once again be directing playcalling duties for veteran playcaller Tim Beck. After Aaron McLaughlin just joined the transfer portal, NC State might turn to Ben Finley if Leary does not return in 2023.
Finley, a former three-star recruit from Phoenix, has been a backup for the last two years. M.J. Morris, a three-star dual-threat prospect in the 2022 class, was also recruited by NC State. Lex Thomas, a three-star junior, has also committed to the team. NC State supporters laud the Wolfpack’s illustrious quarterback heritage, and the Wolfpack might be on the verge of another strong run under Doeren and Beck.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Cade McNamara is a returning starter.
Scouting the Wolverines: Improved quarterback performance wasn’t the most important factor in Michigan’s turnaround from 2-4 in 2020 to a Big Ten championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2021, but it definitely helped. McNamara, who appeared in a few games in 2020, led a run-heavy attack to success (2,576 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions). Under co-coordinators Matt Weiss (quarterbacks coach in 2021) and Sherrone Moore, he has numerous years of eligibility remaining in a system that shouldn’t alter too much. The greater concern is whether McNamara, a relatively unknown recruit, can retain his starting spot over J.J. McCarthy, who was largely utilized in a situational capacity last season. McCarthy, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback on ESPN and the No. 25 overall athlete in the 2020 recruiting class, is coach Jim Harbaugh’s highest-rated quarterback prospect.
Michigan should be set for at least the next two seasons if McCarthy wins the position and fulfills his potential as a playmaker. McNamara might possibly lead the club until 2023. Alan Bowman, who had 5,060 passing yards and 33 touchdowns at Texas Tech before transferring, provides some short-term insurance for the Wolverines. Michigan also signed three-star recruit Jayden Denegal and ESPN 300 prospect Alex Orji.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Sean Clifford is a returning starter.
Scouting the Nittany Lions: I was stunned by some Penn State fans’ apathy over Clifford’s comeback. Clifford made significant progress last season, and he led an offense that never ran the ball successfully. Although his troubles with accuracy showed up at times, he had 3,107 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He had to battle with injuries as well. Despite this, he enters 2022 as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, with 7,839 passing yards and 62 touchdowns in 33 starts. Clifford should provide adequate production for the offense if Penn State improves on the offensive line and at running back.
Drew Allar, the most highly anticipated Penn State quarterback prospect since Christian Hackenberg, is the underlying cause for the outpouring of support for Clifford. In the 2022 class, Allar is ESPN’s No. 2 pocket passer and No. 50 overall prospect. He’ll be in charge of the PSU offense in 2023 and 2024, if not sooner. Remember Christian Veilleux, who guided Penn State to a victory against Rutgers last season. In four-star recruit Beau Pribula, a native of York, Pennsylvania, Penn State acquired a second quarterback in the 2022 class.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Will Rogers is back in the starting lineup.
Scouting the Bulldogs: The Mike Leach effect is under way in Starkville. After a solid freshman season, Rogers delivered a record-setting sophomore performance in Leach’s Air Raid offense. He led the nation in completion percentage (73.9) and topped the SEC chart in passing yards per game (364.5), ahead of Alabama’s Young. Rogers broke some of Dak Prescott’s team records, finishing with 4,739 pass yards and 36 touchdowns. He completed at least 60% of his pass attempts in every game and eclipsed 70% nine times. The question is whether Rogers will play one or two more seasons for Mississippi State. If it’s the latter, and if he stays healthy, Mississippi State could challenge Alabama and Texas A&M for the SEC’s best quarterback outlook.
After playing little behind Rogers in 2021, Chance Lovertich is returning for his last season. Sawyer Robertson, ESPN’s No. 56 overall recruit in 2021, is the most intriguing non-Rogers subplot. How long will Robertson have to wait for a chance to play in Leach’s scheme in Starkville? In the 2022 class, Leach signed another Texas quarterback recruit, four-star talent Braedyn Locke. Because of its system, Mississippi State will continue to be a desirable destination for quarterbacks.
20th place in 2021 Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a returning starter.
Scouting the Bruins: While UCLA’s offense and quarterback position did not achieve the total breakthrough that some had projected for 2021, the offensive and quarterback position did make significant progress. Thompson-Robinson had his greatest season as a Bruin, throwing for 2,409 yards and 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions while also setting career highs in running yards (609) and rushing touchdowns (six) (9). Although UCLA was in the running for Oklahoma’s Williams and temporarily added UCF’s Gabriel as a transfer, DTR’s return for a fifth season should keep the position stable until 2022. UCLA has a chance to win its first Pac-12 South Division championship since 2011. The Bruins have a favorable schedule and an experienced offensive backfield.
The challenge for Chip Kelly and UCLA in 2023 and 2024 is to build on the offense’s success with less-experienced quarterbacks. Ethan Garbers, a Washington transfer who recorded 51 throw attempts last year, and fourth-year quarterback Chase Griffin provide strong backup for Thompson-Robinson. Garbers was a top 300 recruit in the 2020 class according to ESPN. In 2020 (Parker McQuarrie) and 2022 (Justyn Martin), UCLA signed ESPN 300 quarterback prospects, as well as four-star recruit Kajiya Hollawayne in 2021. Although all of the quarterbacks are unlikely to return, Westwood’s depth should be a strength.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Cameron Rising is a returning starter.
Scouting the Utes: Despite Kyle Whittingham’s incredible stability, forecasting the quarterback position is always a risky proposition. With a few exceptions, Whittingham’s Utes aren’t recognized for their quarterback performance. With Andy Ludwig as offensive coordinator, there is finally some consistency, and Rising returns after guiding Utah to its first Pac-12 title and first Rose Bowl participation. Despite not starting the 2021 season as Utah’s starter, Rising took over and excelled, throwing for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions, ranking sixth nationally in total QBR (84.2). Utah’s offense will most likely be led by the Texas transfer until the 2023 season.
Behind Rising, the Utes have Ja’Quinden Jackson, a Texas transfer who was ranked No. 34 in ESPN’s 2020 recruiting class. It will be fascinating to see how Utah utilizes and develops Jackson. Bryson Barnes, a walk-on for the Utes, had some Rose Bowl heroics against Ohio State and might see his role grow. Nate Johnson, ESPN’s No. 4 dual-threat quarterback and No. 92 overall prospect for the 2022 class, might be Utah’s most likely successor to Rising.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Payton Thorne is a returning starter.
Scouting the Spartans: In Thorne’s first season as the starter, MSU increased its win total from two to eleven and finished eighth in the country following a Peach Bowl victory. Thorne will most likely continue to lead the offense for another two seasons, but a significant stride forward this fall will place him on the NFL draft radar. In 2021, he established a single-season touchdown pass record with 27 and was second in overall offense (3,421 yards) and third in passing yards at Michigan State (3,240). Even after losing Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State could be quite effective on offense again if he can improve his accuracy a little.
Coach Mel Tucker has Katin Houser, a four-star prospect from California with excellent size and arm strength, lined up as Thorne’s replacement. Houser, who came on college at the age of 17, will have at least one year, if not two, to mature. MSU has some insurance in the form of second-year quarterback Hamp Fay, and it shown last year that it can acquire transfers if necessary.
15th place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
Scouting the Tigers: The presence of transfer Jayden Daniels, a three-year starter at Arizona State, gave another element to an interesting quarterback scenario on Sunday. Under new coach Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, Daniels joins veteran Myles Brennan and promising young quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard. The aim for LSU is to combine Daniels’ efficiency from last season (17 touchdown passes, just two interceptions) with his mobility from the previous season (710 rushing yards, six touchdowns). However, Daniels and Brennan, who recovers from a series of injuries after showing some promise early in 2020, are the team’s only short-term possibilities. Despite the initial hype around Daniels’ signing, LSU’s quarterback prospects beyond 2022 should be fascinating to follow. Will Nussmeier and Howard be able to compete again next spring?
Kelly’s quarterback room management, along with that of coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan, will determine whether or not LSU gets the most out of this bunch. Nussmeier was ESPN’s No. 63 overall recruit in the 2021 class, and is the son of legendary collegiate offensive coach Doug Nussmeier. As a true freshman, he started the majority of LSU’s game against Arkansas and attempted 57 passes. Howard, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is ESPN’s No. 3 dual-threat quarterback prospect and No. 41 overall athlete in the 2022 class. He enrolled for the spring semester.
2nd place in 2021 D.J. Uiagalelei is back as a starter.
Scouting the Tigers: Clemson was going to drop in the rankings after a season in which it did not reach the CFP or produce anywhere near normal levels at quarterback. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an excellent team retain both its head coach and starting quarterback while also facing as many questions as Clemson does in 2022. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott finally took a head-coaching job, and coach Dabo Swinney replaced him with quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter, a former Clemson QB who has overseen the position since 2015. Uiagalelei, who looked well in limited play as a freshman but threw more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) past season and was 97th nationally in total QBR, will be the focus of Streeter’s efforts (43.2). Uiagalelei has good size, arm strength, and a slimmer build, but he has to regain his confidence in order to lead a unit with fewer guarantees than normal.
Expect Clemson to go with Cade Klubnik, ESPN’s top-ranked dual-threat quarterback and No. 28 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, if Uiagalelei stagnates or regresses. Early in spring practice, the Austin, Texas native made an impact, and he might provide Clemson with the playmaking boost it needs. Hunter Johnson, an ESPN top-25 prospect who began his career with the Tigers before spending five frustrating seasons at Northwestern, has returned to Clemson as a graduate transfer.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Luke Doty is a returning starter (partial)
South Carolina’s quarterback situation has swiftly changed under Shane Beamer, who started the Shane Beamer era with Zeb Noland, a graduate assistant weeks before, as the starting quarterback due to injury. South Carolina’s quarterback room seems to be set for the foreseeable future after stitching things together during the season. Rattler, whom Beamer knew from his time at Oklahoma in 2019 and 2020, was one of the transfer portal’s major rewards. Despite losing his starting position in the middle of last season, Rattler still put up respectable stats (74.9 percent completions, 11 touchdowns) and will be eager to redeem himself with a new squad in a new league. Rattler, the No. 29 overall recruit in the 2020 class according to ESPN, has the potential to lead South Carolina’s offense for many seasons, but a great fall performance will likely push him into the NFL draft.
South Carolina also has depth, as Doty, who started games in both 2020 and 2021, is back for his third season. South Carolina’s fight to replace Rattler might be shaped by his recuperation from foot surgery. Colten Gauthier has been on campus for a time, while Tanner Bailey and Braden Davis, two ESPN 300 quarterback prospects for 2022, have committed to South Carolina. Davis is ESPN’s No. 7 dual-threat prospect, while Bailey is the No. 5 pocket passer. While any quarterback is unlikely to remain in Columbia, Beamer will have alternatives to command the offense until 2024.
21st place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
Scouting the Ducks: Quarterback development will be a significant early focus for Oregon’s new coaching staff, which includes offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Despite all of Cristobal’s accomplishments in Eugene, Oregon has never been able to consistently produce top quarterback performance, which is a must for returning to the CFP. The quarterback fight this spring might have an influence on the next several seasons, as Auburn transfer Bo Nix joins holdovers Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield in vying for the position. Nix, who worked with Dillingham at Auburn in 2019, has three years of starting experience, but has had inconsistent outcomes. Along with Dillingham, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year, although his passing stats remained stagnant and his running numbers never completely increased. Oregon will be in excellent condition for at least one season if Nix can build on his increased accuracy from 2021 and become a reliable player in a new scheme.
Under Dillingham, Thompson and Butterfield will also have a new start in their quest for the top post. Thompson, a top-70 national recruit in 2021, came to Oregon as the Ducks’ quarterback of the future. He has a strong arm and can effectively strike from the pocket. The concern is how he’ll respond if Nix or Butterfield get the job and he’s forced to sit out another season. Butterfield is frequently overlooked, despite the fact that he has spent more time on campus than any previous Oregon quarterback. In 2020, he was also an ESPN 300 recruit. Will he, however, be a good match for Dillingham and Lanning’s vision?
16th place in 2021 Starter who is returning: none
Scouting the Irish: If this were a one-year forecast, Notre Dame would likely miss out. However, the club has recruited enough youthful talent at quarterback to give fans reason to be optimistic about the future. Following Ian Book, Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan proved to be a fine addition, but many Notre Dame supporters have been waiting for this moment, when Tyler Buchner might take the reins. In the quarterback-heavy 2021 class, ESPN ranked Buchner as the No. 8 pocket passer and No. 41 overall recruit. Buchner showed signs of his playmaking abilities as a true freshman, averaging 7.3 yards per carry with three running scores. Drew Pyne, who had 30 pass attempts and two touchdowns last season, will fight for the starting job. Pyne was a top 300 recruit in the 2020 class according to ESPN. Despite the coaching change, Notre Dame kept offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who is familiar with both Pyne and Buchner.
Regardless matter who wins the starting position, he or she should be in charge of the offense until at least 2023. However, with incoming freshman Steve Angeli and others, Notre Dame will need to add depth. Angeli, a native of New Jersey, is the No. 8 pocket passer and No. 178 overall recruit in the 2022 class, according to ESPN. Notre Dame’s 2023 recruitment is off to a strong start under coach Marcus Freeman, but the school has yet to get a quarterback pledge. Following Coan’s performance, the Irish might turn to the gateway for a quarterback.
14th place in 2021 Spencer Sanders is a returning starter.
Scouting the Cowboys: Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose an Oklahoma State team that is coming off a 7th-place finish and returns a three-year starter in Sanders. The Cowboys are deserving of their spot, but their strategy for success in 2021 — a top-5 defense — will affect how they’re seen in the coming years. Sanders has had remarkable performances in each of his first three seasons, and he is now in his fifth season as the Big 12’s most accomplished quarterback. In each of the last three seasons, he has over 2,000 passing yards, and his 2021 running stats are expected to be similar to those of 2019, when he was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Sanders, on the other hand, has had some blips, with double-digit interception totals in two of his three seasons. Despite this, he will continue to lead and anchor the Pokes offense in fall.
What happens once Sanders departs Stillwater is the issue here. Shane Illingworth, Sanders’ longtime backup, went to Nevada last month, leaving Garret Rangel and others to battle behind him. Rangel was a top 300 recruit in the class of 2022, according to ESPN. His progress this spring will be crucial, but he has a chance to succeed Sanders. Gunnar Gundy, the son of Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, and fellow walk-on Peyton Thompson are both on the roster. The club is expected to acquire a quarterback in the 2023 draft, as well as be on the lookout for transfers.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked KJ Jefferson is a returning starter.
Scouting the Hogs: There are multiple reasons to think Arkansas’ comeback will continue under coach Sam Pittman, and Jefferson is at or near the top of the list. In his first full season on the field, he broke through, completing almost two-thirds of his throw attempts for 2,676 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He was 19th in the country in overall QBR (76.7), and he led the Razorbacks in both running attempts (146) and rushing yards (76.7). (664). Jefferson is still eligible for many seasons, and few would be shocked if he continues to lead Arkansas’ offense until 2023. The return of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles adds to the enthusiasm around Jefferson and the offense as a whole.
After reserve Kade Renfro tore his ACL in December, the team’s short-term depth is a worry. Renfro’s availability for the start of the season might be impacted. Arkansas will rely on Lucas Coley, an ESPN four-star prospect in the 2021 class, as a backup if Jefferson is unable to remain healthy. It’ll be intriguing to watch who Arkansas signs at quarterback in 2023, as well as how active the club is in the quarterback transfer market.
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Sam Hartman is a returning starter.
Wake Forest makes their FPR debut not just due of Hartman, but also because of an exceptional quarterback track record. John Wolford, Jamie Newman, and now Hartman’s quarterback streaks have paralleled the team’s historically successful run under coach Dave Clawson and underappreciated coordinator Warren Ruggiero. In 2021, Hartman led the Demon Deacons to the ACC Atlantic Division championship, throwing for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, as well as 11 running touchdowns. Despite starting games in each of the previous four seasons, Hartman redshirted in 2019 and will get the COVID year in 2020. As a result, it’s feasible, if improbable, that he’ll continue to lead Wake Forest’s offense until the 2023 season. He’s thrown for 9,266 yards in his career.
The challenge will be replacing Hartman, but Wake Forest has proved that it is capable of doing so in the past. Michael Kern is returning to assist Hartman once again, and he might be in the running to succeed him in 2023. Mitch Griffis, a four-star recruit in the 2020 class according to ESPN, is another contender. Griffis’ brother, Brett, was listed as a three-star recruit for 2022, and Wake Forest might possibly go to the portal for 2023 and 2024.
17th place in 2021 Grayson McCall is a returning starter.
Scouting the Chanticleers: McCall has been the face of Coastal Carolina’s amazing ascension to back-to-back 11-win seasons, with Jameel Chadwell. Although McCall pondered transferring in December before declaring his return, both the coach and the quarterback are returning for the 2022 season. As a third-year starter, McCall provides Coastal Carolina with terrific leadership and production if the portal door is completely closed, which some coaches doubt. In the previous two seasons, he has 5,361 passing yards, 53 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 71% of his throws. Last season, the two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year was ninth in the country in QBR (81.5) and completed more than 70% of his passes seven times. After the 2021 season, he had throwing arm surgery and missed spring practice.
McCall might still return to Coastal Carolina for numerous seasons, which appears improbable but would improve the team’s prognosis until 2023. In 2019, he redshirted and might be eligible for a COVID season in 2020. This autumn, veterans Bryce Carpenter and Jarrett Guest are battling for the job of backing up McCall. Carpenter, who is in his last season, has started six games this year and two last year. Ty Lyles, a redshirt freshman, might be McCall’s long-term replacement. In Coastal Carolina’s spring game, he scored three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).
Ranking for 2021: Not ranked Jaren Hall is a returning starter.
Scouting the Cougars: BYU has gone 21-4 in the last two seasons, is poised to join the Big 12 in 2023, and returns a talented quarterback in Hall. In ten games as a replacement for Zach Wilson in 2021, Hall completed 63.9 percent of his throws for 2,583 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions for a passer rating of 63.9 percent. With three running touchdowns and an average of five yards per carry, he should continue to develop under offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. Hall is in his fourth season in Provo, but he still has two years remaining on his eligibility. Will he be BYU’s starting quarterback in Big 12 play? If not, the Cougars have Jacob Conover, ESPN’s No. 5 pocket passer and No. 109 overall prospect in the 2019 class, as a solid backup. Conover, a third-year freshman, seems to be in position to take over as Hall’s backup this season. Will Conover, even if it’s in 2024, wait his time to replace Hall? He would be very beneficial to BYU if he stayed.
Cade Fennegan, a transfer from Boise State, and Sol-Jay Maiava, an ESPN three-star prospect in the 2020 class, are two more alternatives for the Cougars. In his lone substantial experience at the collegiate level, Fennegan played for Boise State against BYU in 2020, throwing for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Roderick, who worked with Tanner Mangum and Wilson, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2021 NFL draft, has a good track record at BYU.
Related Tags
- top 25 college football
- ncaa football standings
- who is the best qb of all time
