25 quarterbacks to watch during the 2023 college football season

Perhaps we're going out on a limb to kick off this list. Keep in mind though, Morris beat out Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan to start last season, then promptly injured his knee in the 2022 opener. Morris played only parts of two more games, and brings just 108 pass attempts and 901 passing yards, plus 36 rushing tries, over 12 career contests into this season. However, under first-year offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, Morris, should he hold off the surging Josh Hoover and Oregon State transfer Chance Nolan, has the ability to thrive. — if he can stay healthy, that is.

The key for Shough is to simply stay healthy in 2023. Between his time at Oregon and currently with Texas Tech, Shough has played in just 23 games over four seasons. Last year, his second with the Red Raiders, Shough missed six weeks with a shoulder injury that's been a recurring issue during his up-and-down collegiate career. However, he threw for 1,304 yards in seven contests, and returned to earn MVP honors of the Texas Bowl after throwing for 242 yards against Ole Miss in the 42-25 victory. 

With Mike Leach's passing, so too goes his Air Raid offense. However, there's reason to believe that Rogers can continue to add his name to the SEC record books under Kevin Barbay's expected balanced offense in 2023. Rogers is already the league's all-time leader in completions (1,129) and completion percentage (70.7). Meanwhile, with 10,689 career passing yards, it's possible Rogers takes over the SEC's top spot in that category, and would need a career-high 40 touchdowns this season to lead that slot, as well.

There might be an element of risk/reward when it comes to Leary. Yes, injuries (like a shoulder issue that ended his 2022 season after six games) plagued his four-season stay at North Carolina State. However, Leary also brings plenty of experience and leadership to the Wildcats' 2023 cause. In 30 career games, Leary has thrown for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns while being intercepted just 16 times. So, it's easy to see why there is genuine excitement surrounding Leary's presence in Lexington — assuming he can stay healthy.

Gabriel wasn't perfect during Oklahoma's disappointing 6-7 season from a year ago, his first as a Sooner. For the third time in his career, Gabriel threw for more than 3,100 yards (3,163) and tossed 25 touchdowns to just six interceptions in 2022. Dating back to his time at UCF, Gabriel has thrown for 11,200 yards and completed 61.2 percent of his passes, with 95 touchdowns and 20 interceptions through 38 collegiate games. From an individual standpoint, those numbers are pretty impressive — and could only look better. 

There is plenty of excitement at Oregon State following the program's first double-digit win season since 2006. Adding Uiagalelei to the mix only increases those expectations for 2023. The former Clemson quarterback transferred in after throwing for 5,681 yards with 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions — and rushing for 15 touchdowns — during three up-and-down seasons for the Tigers. However, most accounts coming out of the Beavers' camp is that Uiagalelei is comfortable and confident with his new surroundings. 

When it comes Clemson's success in 2023, much will depend on the progression of Klubnik, the touted recruit who was roughed up by Tennessee in the Orange Bowl last season in his first career start. The extent of Klubnik's college resume adds up to 697 passing yards, while going 61-of-100 with two touchdowns and three interceptions, spanning 10 games from 2022. So, obviously, the sample size is small. It's also important to note that Klubnik and the Tigers are working with new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who served in the same capacity at TCU. 

A Division II standout at West Florida, Reed enjoyed quite the first season on the FBS level for the Hilltoppers in 2022. Reed led the nation with 4,744 passing yards and tied for third with 40 touchdown passes. He also threw for 497 yards and four touchdowns in the New Orleans Bowl. Now, the 2022 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year returns to The Hill even though he was a hot commodity while testing the transfer-portal waters. Reed's presence leaves Western Kentucky as the preseason favorite in Conference USA.

The one-time preseason Heisman Trophy favorite at Oklahoma, Rattler seems content with things in South Carolina. After all, he helped the Gamecocks to eight wins in 2022 while throwing for 3,026 yards and 18 touchdowns. Of course, if Rattler is to build on that season and lead South Carolina to greater success in 2023, he'll need to cut down on the turnovers after throwing a career-high 12 interceptions in his first at the school. In 36 college games. Rattler has thrown for more than 7,621 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Texas-San Antonio has won 23 games the last two seasons while also winning back-to-back Conference USA titles. Quarterback Frank Harris (9,356 passing yards, 74 touchdown passes, 23 interceptions; 1,822 rushing yards, 24 TDs in 43 career games) was a big reason for that success. And, yes, he's back for a fifth season after setting personal bests last year for completions (328), passing yards (4,059), touchdowns (32) and passer rating (160.6). While Harris was the 2022 Conference USA MVP, he and UTSA take their act to the more competitive American Athletic Conference in '23.

Rising apparently can't get enough of playing college football. After throwing for 5,527 yards with 46 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and rushing for 964 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons, he'll be back for the two-time reigning Pac-12 champs. Now, exactly when Rising will be on the field for the 2023 season actually remains to be seen, as the underrated veteran is recovering from an ACL injury suffered during last season's Rose Bowl. Utah will again be tested off the bat while opening against Florida for a second consecutive season.

It might be "Prime Time" in Boulder, but the Buffaloes still must show they've improved enough to at least better their one-win total from 2022, let alone post the school's first winning campaign during a full season since 2016. The key to Colorado's success during Deion Sanders' first season in charge could be under center with his playmaking son. In two seasons at Jackson State, Shedeur Sanders threw for 6,963 yards, while completing 68.4 percent of his passes, with 70 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran for nine TDs while leading the program to a 23-3 mark in those two years. Now, we'll see if he can handle some prime-time competition.

As of early August, McCord had not even officially won Ohio State's fall practice quarterback competition with Devin Brown and Tristan Gebbia. However, he makes the most sense , considering he has the most game experience in an Ohio State uniform of anybody currently on the roster. Then again, that totals parts of 12 games over two seasons, in which McCord went 41-of-58 for 606 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, not to mention he'll play behind a stellar offensive line and has star skill-player talent in TreVeyon Henderson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka to make him look good. 

Another quarterback who probably deserves more attention than he's received. However, among returning quarterbacks in the SEC over the past two seasons, nobody has compiled a better passer rating than Jefferson's 164.9. Spanning the 2021 and '22 campaigns, Jefferson has thrown for 5,324 yards, while completing 67.7 percent of his passes, and 45 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He's also rushed for 1,304 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the Razorbacks to a 16-8 record and back-to-back bowl victories. 

Posting a 12-2 mark, winning the American Athletic Conference title and stunning USC in the Cotton Bowl, Tulane is coming off its best season in two decades. Pratt (7,187 yards, 68 touchdowns, 21 interceptions; 861 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns in 34 career games), who threw for more than 3,000 of those yards and just five interceptions, while scoring 10 TDs on the ground, was obviously a big reason for that success. So, what does he have for an encore? For starters, Pratt should be considered an outside preseason Heisman Trophy contender, and the Green Wave favorites to repeat as AAC champs.

Arch Manning might be the long-term future of Longhorns football, but the present belongs to Ewers. The former elite high school prospect, who left Ohio State for Austin, threw for 2,177 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games last season, and is the man of the moment under center at Texas, and his coaches, teammates, and even Texas fans appear to be fine with that for the time being. Now, it's up to Ewers himself to prove everybody right and perform at a high level to hold on to the job that he's earned.

Milton has a chance to earn some serious Heisman Trophy consideration now that he is again a starting college football quarterback. This will be Milton's sixth season of college football, but he's only thrown for 2,540 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions spanning 30 games with Michigan and Tennessee. He threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns to help beat Clemson in the Orange Bowl, which has led many Volunteers fans to believe that the 2023 squad, under Milton's direction, can challenge for an SEC title — and perhaps more.

Coming off a season where he threw for 2,719 yards with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, plus rushing for 306 yards and five more scores, McCarthy is ready to lead Michigan to its shot at a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. Perhaps the only question now is if McCarthy can get the Wolverines over the hump, into the national title game and win it all? Experience, comfort and confidence on are McCarthy's side. It's now a matter if that all helps McCarthy, and the Wolverines, further progress. 

Add LSU to the list of resurgent perennial powers looking to regain elite national glory this season. At the middle of the cause is the versatile Daniels (2,913 passing yards, 17 touchdowns; 885 rushing yards, 11 rushing TDs in 2022), who made quite the splash during his first season in Baton Rouge after three at Arizona State. Daniels helped the Tigers to 10 wins, which included victories at Florida, Auburn and Arkansas and over Alabama at home to claim the SEC East crown. In 2023, it appears nothing less than a national championship run will be acceptable with Daniels leading the way. 

The Irish might have hit the jackpot with Hartman's transfer. Now, does that put Notre Dame in a good position to again challenge for a College Football Playoff spot? Well, that obviously remains to be seen. Hartman, who had his moments of Heisman Trophy consideration in the past at Wake Forest, gets a shot with more eyes watching at Notre Dame.  According to STATS Perform, since 2018, no active player has thrown for more yards than Hartman's 12,967 — or threw more touchdowns (110) — spanning 48 career games.

Travis did not live up to his early-career hype — beginning at Louisville, then here with Florida State. However, after throwing for 1,539 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021, Travis finally tasted some bona fide, sustained success while recording 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2022 — when Florida State went 10-3 to post its first winning season since 2017. The Seminoles have high expectations for 2023, and Travis must be the center of attention for this storied program to continue its resurgence.

In 2019, Nix was one of the most hyped freshman quarterbacks in Auburn history. However, things didn't work out as planned for Nix, who threw just 39 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Tigers. But, when he landed at Oregon last season, Nix was one of the most interesting stories in college football. Showing off his overall athletic ability, Nix set career highs for passing attempts (409), completions (294), touchdowns (29) and passer rating (165.7), all while totaling personal bests on the ground with 510 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last season not only provided a resurgence to Nix's collegiate career, but if he enjoys similar success in 2023, then he could have a real future in the NFL. 

Writing one of the great comeback stories in college football, Penix proved he could still play at an elite level last season. Two ACL tears and other injuries kept Penix from being a true star at Indiana. However, he made the most of his return to action with Washington in 2022. Penix ranked among the top five nationally in passing yards (4,641) and completions (362), while throwing for 31 touchdowns and being sacked just eight times. If Penix can stay healthy, the Huskies are a legitimate Pac-12 title contender — and he could be one of the first QBs taken in the 2024 NFL draft.

To no real surprise, Maye was named ACC Preseason Player of the Year. After all, Maye is the reigning ACC Player of the Year. He earned that honor from 2022 by ranking fourth in the nation with 4,321 passing yards, plus throwing 38 touchdowns up against only seven interceptions. Showing that he's a versatile athlete, Maye also rushed for 698 yards and seven touchdowns, ll coming during his first full season as a starter for the Tar Heels, who should again boast one of college football's most potent offenses. 

Is Williams the guy capable of being the guy to join Archie Griffin as the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy (1974-'75)? Maybe, but the pressure will follow the Trojans star around for most, if not all, of the 2023 season, mainly because it would seem tough to duplicate — or exceed — just how impressive Williams' 2022 performance was while he recorded 4,537 passing yards and 42 touchdowns and throwing just five interceptions. He also ran for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns. We'll see if Williams can truly handle the hype.