As the month of June rolls in, the slow time of the year-round football calendar is upon us. We wait, idly by, for the beginning of fall camps in August to kickoff the 2023 college football season.
There is plenty to be excited about this season, with the debut of the new Big 12 conference and the final season of USC & UCLA in the Pac-12. It’s also the final year of the four-team playoff era in college football, as the playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024. And as always, fans are looking for who will be the next breakout quarterback.
Last year, Michael Penix Jr put himself on the map with a big season at Washington & Max Duggan led TCU to the national championship game. Anthony Richardson rocketed up draft boards to become the no. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Who will be the signal-caller to make a leap and become a household name in 2023? Like we did last year, let’s highlight some of the more under-the-radar passers in college football. Here’s five college quarterbacks you NEED to know in 2023.
Five Quarterbacks You Need To Know in 2023
Jalon Daniels (Kansas)
Daniels had a mini-breakout last season when he led the Jayhawks to a 5-0 start before suffering an injury against TCU. Jalon Daniels is one of the most dynamic athletes at the quarterback position in all of college football. He scored 25 touchdowns in just nine games, 18 through the air and seven on the ground.
Daniels returns with the chance to get Kansas a winning-record in 2023 and, perhaps, cause problems in the new Big 12 conference race. The Jayhawks were putting up big time offensive numbers with Daniels under center and that should continue into next season.
Jalon Daniels doesn’t have the size or arm of an elite college quarterback, or NFL draft prospect, but he’s got more than enough talent to do big things this season. Daniels will be one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch this upcoming season.
Jordan Travis (Florida State)
Travis is probably the best quarterback that isn’t being discussed enough. Jordan Travis led the Seminoles to a 10-win season, while throwing for 3214 yards and scoring 31 total touchdowns. His 91.7 offensive PFF grade in 2022 was third among all qualifying quarterbacks.
Travis started his career at Louisville, before heading south for the past four seasons. After finally putting it all together last season, he will look to build upon that to put himself among the best quarterbacks in college football.
Jordan Travis is a strong athlete with the tools to succeed at the position. He’s not Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, but in my opinion he is being overlooked among college passers. This could be the season he earns respect and recognition for his game.
Tanner Mordecai (Wisconsin)
One of my honorable mention picks for last year’s list, Mordecai had a great 2022 season at SMU before he joined new head coach Luke Fickell at Wisconsin. Fickell will look to bring a high-powered offense to Madison, and is relying on Tanner Mordecai to deliver. And, boy, can he deliver!
In two seasons at SMU, he threw for 7152 passing yards and 72 touchdowns while completed over 66% of his passes. Now back at the Power Five level, can Mordecai leave a lasting impression on college football?
One of the most underrated transfer quarterbacks this offseason, Mordecai can put himself on the map with a big season in the Big Ten. With the help of Luke Fickell, can he prove he’s good enough to be an NFL quarterback?
Riley Leonard (Duke)
Leonard had a great debut as a first-year starter for the Blue Devils last season. He threw for 2967 yards, while passing for 20 touchdowns and rushing for 13 touchdowns. He helped Duke improve from 3-9 in 2021 to a 9-4 record last season.
Who says that Duke can’t compete in the ACC this season? With Riley Leonard at the helm, I am buying in. He’s got room to grow as a passer, but in just his third season he’s got plenty of time to improve. 2023 could be the breakout year he needs to put himself on the the radar of NFL teams. It doesn’t hurt that Daniel Jones has finally showed promised at the next level with the New York Giants.
Michael Pratt (Tulane)
We have to include a Group of Five quarterback who deserves some recognition on the national level. Last year, we had Jake Haener from Fresno State on the list. He was selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft in April. This year’s pick is Michael Pratt, the signal-caller for the Green Wave.
The third-year starter led Tulane to a 12-win season, an AAC title and a NY6 berth (and win over USC). He returns to repeat as the top of the G5, especially with the departures of UCF, Cincinnati & Houston to the Power Five level. Pratt is a gamer, who threw for over 3000 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He also added 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Tulane will miss the electric Tyjae Spears behind Pratt in the backfield, but they’re a force to be reckoned with this season. A second New Year’s Six bowl appearance could elevate his profile and, perhaps, lead him to be selected in next year’s NFL draft.
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