The calendar has officially flipped to August and that means college football is around the corner.
With the 2023 season kicking off at the end of the month, teams are gearing up to make a run for the College Football Playoff and national championship glory, many led by star quarterbacks.
Whether it’s a fifth-year senior adding veteran experience, a sophomore looking to replicate first-year success, or a Heisman Trophy winner looking to continue his revival of a program, there’s no shortage of talent – or storylines – in this year’s quarterback group.
Here are the top five college quarterbacks to watch this season:
Caleb Williams, University of Southern California (USC)
Year: Junior
2022 stats: 4,537 yards passing, 42 touchdown passes, 5 interceptions, 382 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 87.6 QBR
Williams tore it up in the Pac-12 last season, closing out his first year at USC with a Heisman Trophy win while leading his squad to its best finish since 2017 with an 11-3 record.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder transferred from Oklahoma in 2022, following head coach Lincoln Riley to USC where he reignited the program while cementing himself as the top quarterback in the country.
Through 14 games played, Williams posted a 66.6 percent completion rate with his confident quick hands and creativity.
While Williams will be without his former top receiver Jordan Addison –– who was a first-round pick of the Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft –– this season, he’s got the raw talent to push USC to a playoff berth.
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Year: Sophomore
2022 stats: 4,321 yards, 38 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, 698 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 82.4 QBR
A freshman year as good as Maye had in the 2022 season may be hard to top.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback was the second player in history to win the ACC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year all in the same season.
Heading into his sophomore campaign, Maye is the undisputed starter after battling for the position with Jacolby Criswell in fall camp last year.
Maye’s elite throwing ability and big athletic build aided his accuracy on all three levels on the field, and his 698 rushing yards were ranked sixth among FBS quarterbacks.
Maye will be working with some new personnel on and off the field –– previous offensive coordinator Phil Longo was replaced with Chip Lindsey after he left for Wisconsin.
Maye will also have to find chemistry with a new group of receivers as Josh Downs and Antoine Green are now off to the pros.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Year: Fifth-year senior
2022 stats: 4,167 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 92 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 81.1 QBR
Penix has the type of comeback story that you can’t look away from.
A standout redshirt freshman at Indiana in 2019, Penix saw his numbers regress from a 69 percent completion rate his first year to 54 percent in 2021.
A knee injury in late 2020 didn’t help matters, but once healthy, Penix transferred to Washington to play for head coach Kalen DeBoer who was also the offensive coordinator at Indiana Penix’s freshman season.
Starting a full season for the first time, Penix led the Huskies to an 11-2 record after the squad finished 7-9 the last two years.
The quarterback has veteran experience, a high football IQ and good control in his targeting.
Penix chose to return to college this season with unfinished business after a career-best performance in his first stint with Washington.
Jordan Travis, Florida State
Year: Redshirt senior
2022 stats: 3,124 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 417 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 85.8 QBR
Travis arrived at FSU in 2019 after transferring from Louisville and his role has not always been clear.
The 6-foot-1, 212-pounder was initially considered more of a runner than a passer –– Travis had only 23 rushes and 11 passing attempts in four games before new head coach Mike Norvell came on for the 2020 season.
While Travis asked to change positions so he could play, the coaching staff, specifically offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, knew he could thrive as a passer and pushed him to believe it too.
Travis got to work and set multiple career-bests in the 2022 season including a 64 percent completion rate, 3,214 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns.
In his first year as the full-time starter, Travis rediscovered his touch with strong field vision and mechanics, and most importantly, got his confidence back.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Year: Junior
2022 stats: 2,719 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 306 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 79.1 QBR
While McCarthy’s name headlined Michigan football last season, he is entering his junior campaign as the undisputed starter for the first time in his collegiate career.
McCarthy claimed the starting role going into Week 3 last season after senior Cade McNamara went down with a knee injury and led the Wolverines to their second consecutive Big Ten title and CFP appearance.
McCarthy suffered a shoulder injury during the 2022 offseason but is coming into camp at fully healthy this year, bolstering his effectiveness on the field.
The 6-foot-3, 196-pounder is a dual-threat quarterback who sparked Michigan to an 11-2 record with his innate playmaking abilities.
McCarthy posted a 69 percent completion rate in his first six starts, and while he has room to grow in terms of accuracy, he is one of the best in the game.
