Polarizing CFB QBs for 2023

College football is getting closer, but not close enough! Early into the summer, most teams have their rosters fortified, but it remains to be seen how the team will actually shape up on the field. When evaluating a team, it’s natural to start by looking at the QB position. In this article, I picked passers from each Power 5 conference that are worth looking out for in the 2023 season.

ACC

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Going into last season, I thought Cade Klubnik should’ve started over the incumbent starter, DJ Uiagalelei. That wouldn’t be the case initially, but Klubnik got more game action as the season went on. The overall stats aren’t great (697 passing yards, 4 total TDs, and 3 INTs), but there we flashes of greatness for Cade. The game that stuck out for him was against North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game, where he went 20-24 for 279 yards and 2 total TDs. With Uiagalelei gone (more on him shortly), Klubnik is the unquestioned leader of Clemson football. There will likely be some growing pains, as is to be expected from a young player, but the sky's the limit for this kid. He’s a dynamic, dual-threat QB that should have plenty of talent around him to help elevate his game. He may not rise to the level of former Clemson QB and #1 draft choice Trevor Lawrence, but Cade Klubnik has all the tools to be a star.

Big 12

Jalon Daniels, Kansas

After failing to make a bowl game for over a decade, the Kansas Jayhawks finally hit the six win threshold in 2022. The driving force for Kansas was QB Jalon Daniels, who had the team at 5-0 before getting injured against TCU in a heartbreaking loss. Before the injury, Daniels had thrown for 983 yards (196.6 per game), 11 passing TDs, 5 rushing TDs, and only 1 INT. After the injury, Daniels looked a little off to close the regular season, but still had respectable outings against Texas and Kansas State. Come bowl season, he went nuclear against Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl, throwing for 544 yards and accumulating 6 total TDs. He also threw 2 INTs, but Jalon was hardly the reason that Kansas lost 55-53 in the 3OT thriller. Going into 2023, Kansas is bringing back several of their top playmakers on offense, including RB sensation Devin Neal. With health permitting, the Jayhawks could have one of the most dynamic backfield tandems in the country with Daniels and Neal. I think Daniels will take another step forward in his 4th year in Lawrence; he will solidify himself as the best QB in the Big 12.

Big Ten

Cade McNamara, Iowa

After guiding Michigan to the College Football Playoff in the 2021 season, Cade McNamara lost the QB battle against former five star JJ McCarthy. McNamara proceeded to get injured after just three appearances and missed the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury. As a full-time starter at Michigan, McNamara played well, throwing for 2,756 yards, 15 TDs, and 6 INTs with a 64.2 completion percentage. He isn’t a superstar or Heisman contender, but he’s a steady presence behind center. Iowa has had some of the worst QB play over the last several seasons, including a 7 TD/7 INT ratio over the course of the 2022 season. The Hawkeyes consistently boast a nationally feared defense, but an inept offense. With Cade McNamara taking over, I feel much more optimistic about Iowa football. They might not win the National Championship, but I could see a Big Ten Championship Game berth if everything goes well.

Pac-12

DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State

As previously mentioned, DJ Uiagalelei is a former Clemson Tiger that has found a new home in Corvallis at Oregon State. Uiagalelei had overall solid numbers for the season (2,521 yards, 29 total TDs, 7 INTs, 62.1 CMP%), but he often fell flat in big moments. The eye test isn’t favorable for DJ, nor is his statline of 8 of 29 for 99 passing yards in Clemson’s showdown against rival South Carolina. At Oregon State, he’ll be with a team coming off of a great 10-3 season, despite poor QB play. I think it’s fair to predict that Uiagalelei will have somewhat similar stats to last season, at least in terms of TD/INT ratio and completion percentage. However, I don’t think he will be able to rise to the occasion and put the Beavers on his back. Can he perform against the Cal’s of the world? Absolutely. Can he perform against teams like Utah, Washington, and Oregon? I have my doubts. As a whole, I think DJ Uiagalelei is a fine QB, just far from the superstar he was hyped up to be.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Every other conference only has one QB mentioned, but I’m going to make a special exception in the Pac-12 for “Coach Prime” and add his son Shedeur Sanders into the mix. Sanders excelled as the starting QB at FCS Jackson State, throwing for 6,963 yards and 70 TDs over two seasons. Those numbers are incredible, but the level of competition at Jackson State pales in comparison to what Sanders will face in the Pac-12. Shedeur’s situation is strikingly similar to that of Cameron Ward’s, who threw for 6,908 yards and 71 TDs through two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word, before transferring to Washington State. Overall, Ward had a solid first season at Washington State (3,231 yards, 28 total TDs, 9 INTs), but there were many learning opportunities and growing pains as he transitioned to FBS football. I suspect Sanders will perform similarly, showing flashes of brilliance, but also struggling with a steep learning curve. One thing that Sanders has going for him is an influx of talent around him, headlined by USF transfer WR Jimmy Horn Jr. and freshman RB Dylan Edwards. Temper your Heisman expectations for Shedeur Sanders, but don’t be surprised if he puts forth a solid season.

SEC

Jalen Milroe/Ty Simpson/Tyler Buchner, Alabama

After years of QB stability, the Alabama Crimson Tide will have a battle for who will be the starting signal-caller. The last time Alabama had a similar QB controversy was in 2016, when Jalen Hurts emerged as a star over Blake Barnett. This time around, Jalen Milroe may be the favorite to win the job. Milroe was Bryce Young’s primary backup in 2022 and was thrust into the starting role for a few games when Young suffered a shoulder injury. The passing numbers leave quite a bit to be desired, as Milroe completed 31 of 53 passes for 297 yards, 5 TDs, and 3 INTs. What truly makes Milroe exciting is his rushing ability, as demonstrated by his 31 carries for 263 yards and 1 TD. The Crimson Tide have two four-star recruits in their 2023 recruiting class, Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan, but I’m not sure if they’ll make strong pushes for the starting role. Rather, I think second-year QB Ty Simpson will be the biggest threat to Jalen Milroe for QB1. Simpson only attempted a few passes as a true freshman last season, but was a five-star prospect in the 2022 cycle. Simpson is regarded as a stellar athlete that can make plays with his legs, but also boasts precision accuracy as a passer. In the winter, it appeared that this would mainly be a two-man competition. Alas, former Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner joined the Crimson Tide in the spring. Across two seasons in South Bend, Buchner played in 13 games and completed 67 of 118 passes (56.8 CMP%) for 949 yards, while throwing 6 TDs and 8 INTs. He also ran for 459 yards and 7 TDs, but his overall performance at Notre Dame left plenty to be desired. Alabama might not run the ball every play, but I think the 2023 team will resemble Nick Saban’s teams of the early 2010s with smash mouth football, thus taking pressure off of whatever QB emerges.

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