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For years, ESPN's Future Power Rankings were compiled through two primary streams: existing rosters and recruiting classes. The transfer portal has sent waves through both personnel pools, and made the exercise here -- sizing up the next three seasons -- even more challenging. No position has been transformed more by the rise of the portal than quarterback. Every December and January (and May) features a flurry of quarterback moves, and not just for clear-cut starting jobs. Both Texas and USC, for example, lost notable reserves to the portal -- Texas' Maalik Murphy to Duke and USC's Malachi Nelson to Boise State -- while not adding portal quarterbacks this winter. After great success with Auburn transfer Bo Nix, Oregon added two quarterbacks with starting experience in Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma) and Dante Moore (UCLA). Entire quarterback rooms have transformed, like Ohio State's, which lost starter Kyle McCord to Syracuse but added Will Howard (Kansas State) and Julian Sayin (Alabama), who join holdovers Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, and incoming recruit Air Noland. National champion Michigan, meanwhile, has a quarterback outlook that looks murky, at least in the short term. Texas (Quinn Ewers) and Alabama (Jalen Milroe) both return starters from CFP teams in 2023, but how do they project through the 2026 season? In Texas, there's this Manning guy you might have heard about who now will back up Ewers. To be clear, high school recruiting is still a factor in the quarterback rankings, but not as much as the track records of teams and coaches in developing standout quarterbacks. Coaches like USC's Lincoln Riley, Ohio State's Ryan Day and Texas' Steve Sarkisian should always remain in or around the top 10. Georgia's Kirby Smart didn't cut his teeth as a quarterback guru, but his team's recent success at the position has changed the outlook. Here's a link to last year's quarterback rankings. Now let's project the top 25 quarterback groups through the 2026 season.   1. Ohio State Buckeyes2023 ranking: 2
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Will Howard, senior (Kansas State transfer); Devin Brown, junior; Lincoln Kienholz, sophomore; Air Noland, freshman; Julian Sayin, freshman (Alabama transfer); Mason Maggs, junior; Chad Ray, senior Ohio State's rise to the top spot after a season when its quarterback play dropped off a bit -- at least by the standard of Day's previous signal-callers -- underscores the power of the quarterback portal. The Buckeyes went to the portal and addressed an immediate need by adding Howard, who helped Kansas State to a Big 12 championship in 2022. He had his best statistical season last fall (2,643 pass yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 9 rushing touchdowns). Howard gives Day and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly an experienced option who can reach another level as a passer while providing a solid run threat. Brown pushed back against suggestions he will transfer, and could push Howard or provide a very solid No. 2 option for the high-stakes 2024 season. Day and Kelly also have options for the future in Sayin and Noland, ESPN's Nos. 2 and 5 quarterback prospects in the 2023 class. Sayin signed with Alabama in December but transferred to Ohio State following the coaching change in Tuscaloosa. He should compete with Noland, who committed to the Buckeyes in April, as early as the 2025 offseason. Although Ohio State might not be able to realistically keep both young quarterbacks, the team has options through 2026 that most teams would crave.
 2. Texas Longhorns2023 ranking: 7
Returning starter: Quinn Ewers
On the roster (as of March 12): Ewers, redshirt junior; Arch Manning, redshirt freshman; Trey Owens, freshman; Cole Lourd, senior; Joe Tatum, junior Sarkisian has long been viewed as an elite quarterback coach, but his ability to affect the position as a head coach had been somewhat in doubt until last season. Ewers, a former ESPN No. 2 overall recruit, blossomed under Sarkisian in 2023. He had 3,479 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while completing 69% of his passes and eclipsing 300 yards against Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State (Big 12 championship game) and Washington (College Football Playoff semifinal). Ewers, who entered college by reclassifying for the 2021 season so he could attend Ohio State, has played two seasons in Austin and bypassed the NFL for one more with the Longhorns. He will enter the fall as a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate and a contender to be the top quarterback for the 2025 draft. Last season Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy backed up Ewers, and it seemed unlikely the Longhorns could retain both. Murphy, who backed up Ewers the past two seasons, entered the portal before the CFP semifinal and landed with Duke. Manning, ESPN's No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 class, completed 2 of 5 pass attempts in two games during his redshirt season. His Year 2 progress will be under the microscope, but he's poised to lead Texas' offense in 2025 and possibly beyond. The Longhorns signed ESPN four-star recruit Trey Owens in December and have a commitment from K.J. Lacey, the No. 52 overall recruit for the 2025 class.
 3. Oregon Ducks2023 ranking: 10
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Dillon Gabriel, senior (Oklahoma transfer); Dante Moore, sophomore (UCLA transfer); Austin Novosad, redshirt freshman; Brock Thomas, redshirt freshman; Luke Moga, freshman; Ryder Hayes, freshman Bo Nix's record-setting two seasons in Eugene -- 8,101 pass yards, 74 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 74.9% completions, 20 rushing touchdowns -- made Oregon an even more attractive destination for experienced transfer quarterbacks. The Ducks added two big names this winter in Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore, who should carry the offense through 2026, possibly with others like Austin Novosad. Gabriel, who began his career at UCF, had 6,828 passing yards with 55 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions in two seasons at Oklahoma. His completion percentage soared to 69.3 in 2023, setting him up well for coordinator Will Stein's offense, which requires efficiency from the pocket. Gabriel also set career highs for rushing touchdowns (12), rushing yards (373) and carries (93) last season. Moore initially committed to Oregon out of high school before signing with UCLA, where he started five games as a true freshman with mixed results (1,610 pass yards, 11 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 53.5% completions). ESPN's No. 2 recruit in the 2023 class could sit behind Gabriel this fall, preserve a redshirt season, and retain three seasons of eligibility. Not surprisingly, Oregon lost Ty Thompson to the portal but so far has kept Novosad, a one-time Baylor recruit who was an ESPN 300 recruit in 2023. The Ducks also signed four-star prospect Luke Moga and have a 2025 commitment from Akili Smith Jr., ESPN's No. 84 recruit and son of the former Oregon star quarterback with the same name.
 4. Georgia Bulldogs2023 ranking: 4
Returning starter: Carson Beck
On the roster (as of March 12): Beck, senior; Gunner Stockton, redshirt sophomore; Ryan Puglisi, freshman; Collin Drake, junior; Sam Bush, redshirt freshman  Georgia didn't win a third consecutive national title in 2023, but the team continued to shine at quarterback, which has become a premier position under coach Kirby Smart. Carson Beck followed two-time national champion Stetson Bennett IV and delivered a spectacular first season as the Bulldogs' starter. He completed 74.2% of his passes for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Beck finished in the top 4 nationally in both passing yards and completion percentage, connecting on at least 65% of his attempts in every game. Like Ewers, he bypassed a crowded quarterback draft class for one more year in college, where a national title and a Heisman Trophy are certainly on the table. Beck could easily finish as Georgia's career leader in completion percentage and pass efficiency. Georgia's post-2024 outlook changed dramatically as Brock Vandagriff transferred to Kentucky and Dylan Raiola, ESPN's No. 11 overall recruit in 2024, flipped to sign with Nebraska. The Bulldogs still have a year to develop Gunner Stockton, ESPN's No. 110 recruit in 2022, who worked as Beck's backup during Orange Bowl preparation and had two touchdown passes against Florida State in Georgia's 63-3 romp. If Stockton doesn't make the necessary jump, Georgia would be an attractive portal destination for an experienced quarterback. After not taking a quarterback in the 2023 class, Georgia signed Ryan Puglisi, ESPN's No. 109 overall recruit for 2024.
 5. USC Trojans2023 ranking: 1
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Miller Moss, redshirt junior; Jayden Maiava, redshirt sophomore (UNLV transfer); Jake Jensen, redshirt junior; Gage Roy, junior USC didn't win a championship or make its first CFP appearance with quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Trojans then lost Malachi Nelson, ESPN's top-rated 2023 recruit and Williams' potential successor, to Boise State in the portal in mid-December. Still, the quarterback outlook remains solid, even as USC shifts conferences to the Big Ten this fall. Miller Moss capitalized on his chance to start the Holiday Bowl in place of Williams and lit up Louisville for 372 pass yards and six touchdowns, while connecting on nearly 70% of his attempts. As coach Lincoln Riley predicted after the game, Moss' play kept the top transfers away, and USC is set to go forward with the junior, who has performed well in limited opportunities. Some forget Moss was a top-40 recruit in 2021 and certainly capable of leading USC through the next two seasons. Moss isn't guaranteed the QB1 spot, though, especially after USC added UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava, who originally was headed for Georgia before reversing course. Maiava had 3,085 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last fall for the Rebels, who made a surprise run to the Mountain West title game. Like Moss, he has multiple seasons of eligibility remaining. USC also is set up well for 2025 and beyond as Julian Lewis, ESPN's top-rated recruit in the 2025, has committed to Riley.
 6. Alabama Crimson Tide2023 ranking: 5
Returning starter: Jalen Milroe
On the roster (as of March 12): Milroe, redshirt junior; Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore; Austin Mack, redshirt freshman (Washington transfer); Dylan Lonergan, redshirt freshman; Cade Carruth, junior Among the top items on Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer's to-do list as Nick Saban's successor is to ensure quarterback remains a significant strength for the program. Since 2018, Alabama ranks No. 3 nationally in passing yards average and No. 2 in total QBR. DeBoer inherits a distinct talent in Milroe, who overcame a tough start to the 2023 season and finished with 2,834 pass yards and 23 touchdowns, while adding 531 rushing yards and 12 scores. Milroe thrived with the deep ball, a signature element of DeBoer's Washington offenses with Michael Penix Jr. If Milroe can continue to refine his passing techniques, he should be a national awards candidate in what could be his final season with the Tide. Although Milroe can play two more seasons, Alabama's outlook for 2025 and 2026 changed, like many things around the program, with the departures of Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Eli Holstein (Pitt). Ty Simpson, who competed with Milroe and Tyler Buchner for the starting job last summer, remains on the roster for now. A former top-35 recruit, Simpson has 25 career pass attempts for the Tide but could be a good fit for DeBoer's offense. Austin Mack transferred from Washington to join DeBoer at Alabama, and could be in line to replace Milroe. Mack was a top recruit in the 2024 class before reclassifying to 2023 and spending last fall in Seattle. DeBoer's work with Michael Penix Jr. will make Alabama very appealing to transfer quarterbacks. His strategy with high school quarterbacks should be interesting to watch, too.
 7. Ole Miss Rebels2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Jaxson Dart
On the roster (as of March 12): Dart, senior; Walker Howard, sophomore; Austin Simmons, freshman; Deljay Bailey, freshman; Anthony Maddox, freshman; Braden Waterman, sophomore In hindsight, I should have included Ole Miss in last year's rankings, given the depth they had in the quarterback room as well as the coach (Lane Kiffin) leading the program. Kiffin added competition for Dart in the offseason and Dart delivered anyway, setting career highs for passing yards (3,364), touchdowns (23) and completion percentage (65.1), while reducing his interceptions total from 11 in 2022 to only five. Although his performances in losses to Georgia and Alabama raise some doubt about his ability in the biggest games, Dart finished with 379 yards and three touchdowns in a Peach Bowl win over Penn State. He will lead a very talented offense in his final season. Walker Howard, an ESPN top-50 recruit in 2022, is set to be in a reserve role for the second straight season after transferring from LSU. Howard could be the team's answer in 2025 and 2026, but Austin Simmons is very much in the mix, too. Simmons was a top-80 recruit in the 2025 class who flipped from Florida to Ole Miss and reclassified, joining the Rebels last season at age 17. He gives Ole Miss a dynamic dual-threat option when Dart departs. Ole Miss added ESPN 300 quarterback Anthony Maddox in the 2024 class and will remain an attractive transfer destination as long as Kiffin is there.
 8. LSU Tigers2023 ranking: 12
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Garrett Nussmeier, redshirt junior; AJ Swann, junior (Vanderbilt transfer); Rickie Collins, redshirt freshman; Colin Hurley, freshman Remember the Les Miles years, when LSU cycled through quarterbacks and the QB room held back the team from reaching its potential? Since 2019, LSU has produced two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, and ranks No. 2 nationally in passing during the span, trailing only USC. A program known better for defensive backs, running backs and wide receivers is now more entrenched at quarterback. Daniels' departure to the NFL will sting, but Garrett Nussmeier has patiently waited his turn and should get it this fall. Nussmeier, ESPN's No. 63 overall recruit in 2021, has two seasons of eligibility left. He shined in his first career start, against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, passing for 395 yards and three touchdowns in a come-from-behind win. LSU has some options behind Nussmeier in Rickie Collins and Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann. Collins, from Baton Rouge, is a former top-200 recruit who enters his second season in the program under Joe Sloan, the quarterbacks coach elevated to offensive coordinator after Mike Denbrock's departure to Notre Dame. Swann had 2,731 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in two seasons at Vanderbilt, and started all six of the games he played in 2023. LSU signed ESPN four-star recruit Colin Hurley in the 2024 class and has a 2025 commitment from Bryce Underwood, ESPN's No. 2 recruit in the class.
 9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish2023 ranking: 13
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Riley Leonard, senior (Duke transfer); Steve Angeli, redshirt sophomore; Kenny Minchey, redshirt freshman; C.J. Carr, freshman; Dylan Devezin, junior As the expanded CFP era begins, Notre Dame needs the quarterback spot to become a consistent strength. The Irish have been good at quarterback and great at times, but rarely elite. This winter could be a turning point, though, as Notre Dame added a splashy transfer in Riley Leonard and brought back Denbrock as offensive coordinator. Denbrock, who begins his third stint as a Notre Dame assistant, oversaw the nation's top offense last season at LSU, and helped quarterback Jayden Daniels to a Heisman Trophy. Notre Dame hopes Leonard is an upgrade from Sam Hartman, who feasted on decent to poor defenses but wasn't a difference-maker against top competition. Leonard shined for Duke in 2022 -- 2,967 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 699 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns -- before an ankle injury cut his season short. After undergoing tightrope surgery on his ankle, Leonard is ready to lead Notre Dame in 2024. The Irish seemingly have insurance behind Leonard, who has only one full season as a starter. Steve Angeli enters his third season in the program and carries sophomore eligibility. Angeli, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, certainly could step in for the Irish in 2025 and 2026. But he will be pushed by C.J. Carr, ESPN's No. 36 recruit in the 2024 class, and the grandson of longtime Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. The Irish also have Kenny Minchey, a top-200 prospect in 2023, and have a 2025 commitment from Deuce Knight, a dual threat ranked as ESPN's No. 123 recruit.
 10. Arizona Wildcats2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Noah Fifita
On the roster (as of March 12): Fifita, redshirt sophomore; Brayden Dorman, redshirt freshman; Cole Tannenbaum, redshirt sophomore Arizona didn't have a bad quarterback situation entering 2023 with Jayden de Laura returning for his third season as a Pac-12 starter, alongside coach Jedd Fisch and others. Both de Laura and Fisch are gone from Tucson, and Arizona is headed to the Big 12 this summer, but the team's quarterback outlook is excellent. Fifita, a three-star recruit from California in 2022 who had mostly regional offers, blossomed after stepping in for the injured de Laura in Week 3. He won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors after leading Arizona on a seven-game winning streak to end the season, tying the longest in team history. Fifita completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,869 and 25 touchdowns, while never throwing more than one interception in a game and recording five games with three touchdown passes or more. The redshirt sophomore must adjust to a new coaching staff led by Brent Brennan and featuring Dino Babers, the former Syracuse and Bowling Green coach, as offensive coordinator. Fifita once again will be throwing passes to standout receiver Tetairoa McMillan. He could lead the offense through 2026. Depth is an immediate concern, although Arizona has retained Brayden Dorman, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2023 who initially entered the portal in January after Fisch's departure to Washington. The team lost Demond Williams Jr., an ESPN 300 recruit for 2024, to Washington. Brennan's post-Fifita approach will be important, especially in the portal.
 11. Oklahoma Sooners2023 ranking: 3
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Jackson Arnold, sophomore; Casey Thompson, senior (Florida Atlantic transfer); Michael Hawkins, freshman; Brendan Zurbrugg, freshman; General Booty, junior; Jacob Switzer, junior Oklahoma enters a transition season in 2024, not only with its league (Big 12 to SEC) but at the quarterback spot, where Jackson Arnold is set to take over for Dillon Gabriel, who had 6,828 passing yards and 55 touchdowns in two seasons with the Sooners. Arnold, ESPN's No. 3 recruit in the 2023 class, played sparingly behind Gabriel until the Alamo Bowl, when he had 361 passing yards and two touchdowns but also three interceptions in a takeaway-filled loss to Arizona. He has a big arm and dual-threat ability, which should help him in an offense now overseen by Seth Littrell, the former Oklahoma fullback and North Texas coach. Arnold should carry OU's offense through at least the next two seasons, but his adjustment to the SEC will be interesting to monitor. The Sooners lost veteran reserve Davis Beville to a transfer, but gained veteran Casey Thompson, the son of former OU quarterback Charles Thompson. Casey Thompson will begin his seventh season in college after earlier stops at Texas, Nebraska and Florida Atlantic, starting games at all three. If healthy, Thompson (5,338 passing yards, 52 touchdowns) gives the Sooners key short-term depth. The team brings in two quarterback recruits in four-star Michael Hawkins from Texas and three-star Brendan Zurbrugg from Ohio. OU also has a 2025 commitment from Kevin Sperry, ESPN's No. 130 recruit in the class.
 12. Tennessee Volunteers2023 ranking: 8
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Nico Iamaleava, redshirt freshman; Gaston Moore, senior; Jake Merklinger, freshman; Navy Shuler, senior; Ryan Damron, redshirt freshman Since coach Josh Heupel arrived, Tennessee ranks No. 3 nationally in scoring and eighth in total QBR. The Vols are going through a quarterback change for the second straight season, but Heupel's recent track record with quarterbacks, both at Tennessee and elsewhere, suggests little to no backsliding. His next task is maximizing the talent of Nico Iamaleava, the prized recruit from California who appeared in five games last season, accounting for four touchdowns (3 rush, 1 pass) against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Iamaleava, ESPN's No. 23 recruit in the 2023 class, still has all four seasons of eligibility left. Veteran reserve Gaston Moore returns to Knoxville, although he has only 17 career pass attempts in college. Navy Shuler also is back for a final season. Despite the excitement about Iamaleava as a multiyear option, Tennessee has continued to recruit well at quarterback. Freshman Jake Merklinger is enrolled early and on campus, giving the Vols an ESPN top-200 recruit from Georgia. Tennessee also has a 2025 commitment from in-state standout George MacIntyre, ESPN's No. 57 prospect in the class. Heupel's offense will continue to be a major selling point for quarterbacks in high school and in the portal.
 13. Florida State Seminoles2023 ranking: 9
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): DJ Uiagalelei, senior (Oregon State transfer); Brock Glenn, redshirt freshman; Luke Kromenhoek, freshman; Dylan McNamara, redshirt sophomore; Trever Jackson, freshman; Michael Grant, redshirt freshman  No quarterback proved to be more important to his team in 2023 than Jordan Travis, who positioned Florida State for its first CFP appearance since 2014, only to fracture his leg in the penultimate regular-season game. Travis' injury kept FSU out of the CFP, despite a 13-0 record and an ACC title, and the offense clearly missed him down the stretch. The room has changed after backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker transferred to Southern Miss and A.J. Duffy, a former ESPN top-60 recruit, transferred to San Diego State. The Seminoles made a portal push for a quarterback and, after pursuing Cam Ward and others, ended up with DJ Uiagalelei, who returns to the ACC after a solid season at Oregon State. Uiagalelei started in 2021 and 2022 at Clemson and brings 8,319 career passing yards, 57 touchdowns, 24 rushing touchdowns and 27 interceptions to Tallahassee. The short-term key is whether FSU coach Mike Norvell can maximize Uiagalelei's big arm and other physical gifts. The post-2024 quarterback outlook might not take shape for a bit. Brock Glenn, who started the ACC title game and the Orange Bowl and completed 37.3% of his attempts as a true freshman, is the team's only returning scholarship quarterback from the 2023 team. Incoming freshman Luke Kromenhoek, ESPN's No. 159 recruit for 2024, is viewed by some as the team's quarterback of the future. The biggest benefit for Florida State at quarterback is Norvell, whose success in developing the position and overseeing a fun offense will always give the program some appeal.
 14. Utah Utes2023 ranking: 14
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Cam Rising, senior; Brandon Rose, sophomore; Luke Bottari, senior; Isaac Wilson, freshman; Macloud Crowton, junior (Moorpark transfer) Technically, Utah doesn't return its starter from 2023, but it will have the man who led the team to consecutive Pac-12 titles back on the field. Cam Rising's lingering knee issues following ACL surgery prevented him from playing last season, but he's back for a seventh college season and sixth at Utah. Rising's toughness and big-game ability, not to mention his production -- 5,572 passing yards, 46 passing touchdowns, 953 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns -- make Utah an immediate contender in the Big 12, which it joins this summer. The only short-term concern is his health, especially after Utah lost veteran backup and 2023 starter Bryson Barnes to the transfer portal, along with Mack Howard and former ESPN top-100 recruit Nate Johnson. Sophomore Brandon Rose enters his third season in the program, but has yet to see the field in a game after taking a medical redshirt in 2023 because of an injury in a preseason scrimmage. Rose might have secured the backup spot last season if not for the injury. Senior Luke Bottari, who led the offense in the 2023 regular-season finale, gives Utah another veteran option in the short term. Utah's long-term outlook appears solid with Isaac Wilson, an ESPN four-star prospect, already enrolled and set for spring practice. The team also has a 2025 commitment from ESPN 300 recruit Wyatt Becker.
 15. Kansas Jayhawks2023 ranking: 22
On the roster (as of March 12): Daniels, junior; Cole Ballard, redshirt freshman; Mikey Pauley, redshirt sophomore; Isaiah Marshall, freshman; Jack Jackson, redshirt junior; Ben Easters, redshirt junior; TJ Crews IV, redshirt freshman The Jayhawks have a mostly favorable quarterback outlook but one with question marks, none bigger than Daniels' health. After earning second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and being named Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Daniels was limited to only three games because of back problems that began during preseason camp and continued during the season. He also dealt with a shoulder injury last spring. But Daniels in November announced his return for the 2024 season, and he could play through 2025. He will need to adjust to a new primary coordinator in Jeff Grimes, who comes over from Baylor, although coach Lance Leipold and Jim Zebrowski, the team's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, remain. If healthy, Daniels gives Kansas a truly electric quarterback who brings an efficient passing approach and the ability to gash defenses with his legs. Kansas won't have Jason Bean as an incredible insurance option any more, which creates some anxiety given Daniels' injury history. Instead, the Jayhawks will turn to Cole Ballard, who logged significant snaps against Kansas State and Texas Tech last season as a true freshman, and has four seasons of eligibility left. Isaiah Marshall, an ESPN three-star recruit, has enrolled early and will go through spring drills. Leipold has noted redshirt freshman Mikey Pauley's improvement late last season, and Pauley should factor into the post-Daniels plans.
 16. Penn State Nittany Lions2023 ranking: 15
Returning starter: Drew Allar
On the roster (as of March 12): Allar, junior; Beau Pribula, redshirt sophomore; Ethan Grunkemeyer, freshman; Jaxon Smolik, redshirt freshman; Karson Kiesewetter, redshirt freshman; Jack Lambert, redshirt freshman Coach James Franklin's tenure has reached a key juncture, as his program is still searching for its first CFP appearance. To take that step, Penn State will need more from the quarterback spot this fall and in the coming years. Allar, ESPN's No. 51 overall recruit in 2022, had some good moments in his first season as a starter but struggled mightily in Penn State's three losses -- to Ohio State, Michigan and Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. He had 25 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, but rarely attacked downfield and couldn't find consistent accuracy, completing fewer than 50% of his attempts in five contests. Franklin fired coordinator Mike Yurcich after a 24-15 home loss to Michigan, and brought in Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas. Allar, who has three seasons of eligibility left, could benefit from Kotelnicki's innovative system but must deliver in big moments. If Allar ultimately doesn't pan out, things will get interesting. Franklin touted Beau Pribula as a true contender for the starting job last offseason, and the redshirt freshman provided a spark on the ground with 329 yards and six touchdowns. Pribula also had four passing touchdowns in limited opportunities. Incoming freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer also carries some intrigue, as he rose from mid-level prospect to No. 76 overall in ESPN's 2024 recruiting rankings. Penn State also has a 2025 commitment from three-star recruit Bekkem Kritza.
 17. Missouri Tigers2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Brady Cook
On the roster (as of March 12): Cook, senior; Drew Pyne, redshirt sophomore (Arizona State transfer); Harold Blood Jr., senior (Southern transfer); Sam Horn, sophomore; Aidan Glover, freshman; Tommy Lock, junior Eliah Drinkwitz landed the Missouri coaching job at age 36 largely because of how he could develop quarterbacks. After three seasons of most unremarkable quarterback play, Drinkwitz delivered last fall with Cook, who had 3,317 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, only 5 interceptions and a rating of 157.2, the third best in team history. Cook had nine games with 200 or more passing yards and continued to hurt defenses with his legs. He has 904 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter. After Missouri's No. 8 finish, Cook can help the Tigers push for a CFP spot in his final season. There are some questions with immediate depth and for the long-term outlook, after reserves Gabarri Johnson (Oregon State) and Jake Garcia (East Carolina) both transferred. But Missouri recently added Drew Pyne, a transfer from Arizona State who struggled with injuries last season but went 8-2 as a starter at Notre Dame earlier in his career. Pyne, an ESPN 300 recruit back in 2020, will have three seasons of eligibility left and can back up Cook this season before entering the mix to start. Missouri also added Harold Blood Jr., a transfer from Southern University, but will need to fast-track incoming freshman Aidan Glover, an ESPN three-star recruit who enrolled early.
 18. Miami Hurricanes2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Cam Ward, senior (Washington State transfer); Reese Poffenbarger (Albany transfer) Jacurri Brown, redshirt sophomore; Emory Williams, sophomore; Riply Luna, redshirt freshman; Aristides Angelo Jr., redshirt freshman; Joe Borchers, redshirt freshman; Judd Anderson, freshman Mario Cristobal's Miami program is, in many ways, the truest test of Future Power Rankings and the model's trustworthiness. At its core, FPR is shaped by personnel, and the teams that get the best players appear regularly in these lists. Cristobal and the Hurricanes have had no trouble collecting talent. They landed what many consider the biggest prize of this year's quarterback transfer market in Cam Ward, the Washington State standout who initially declared for the NFL draft before deciding to play for Cristobal at the U. The problem for Cristobal so far is translating the individual pieces into team success, as Miami is just 12-13 overall and 6-10 in ACC play during his first two seasons leading his alma mater. Ward, who started his career at FCS Incarnate Word, had 6,966 passing yards and 48 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington State. He brings 13,874 career passing yards and 119 touchdown passes to Miami, and should fit in perfectly with coordinator Shannon Dawson's version of the Air Raid. The competition to back up Ward will be interesting, as Albany transfer Reese Poffenbarger joins Miami after recording an FCS-leading 3,614 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. He has two seasons of eligibility left. Miami also brings back Emory Williams, who appeared in five games last season, and Jacurri Brown, a top-200 recruit in the 2022 class. The team has a 2025 commitment from three-star recruit Luke Nickel.
 19. Michigan Wolverines2023 ranking: 6
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Alex Orji, redshirt sophomore; Jack Tuttle, senior; Jayden Denegal, redshirt sophomore; Jadyn Davis, freshman; Davis Warren, redshirt junior Former Michigan coach and one-time Wolverines quarterback Jim Harbaugh called J.J. McCarthy the greatest quarterback in team history, and he might be right. McCarthy went 27-1 as Michigan's starter -- the best winning percentage by a college quarterback since Toledo's Chuck Ealey went 35-0 from 1969 to 1971 -- and helped the team to two Big Ten titles and its first national championship since 1997. His departure to the NFL leaves a significant void, especially since Michigan has yet to add a transfer portal quarterback. The outlook for 2024 is hazy, and I struggled with where to slot the defending national champions. Michigan got some good news in February as Jack Tuttle was granted a seventh season of eligibility. He has nine career starts from his time at Indiana but just one start since the 2021 season. Tuttle will compete with redshirt sophomores Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal, junior Davis Warren and incoming freshman Jadyn Davis, who rated as ESPN's No. 166 overall recruit but dropped from No. 35 the last time I did these rankings. The 6-foot-3, 236-pound Orji was used as a changeup running quarterback last season, and could be in line to replace McCarthy if he accelerates his development as a passer. The Wolverines also have a 2025 commitment from ESPN 300 quarterback Carter Smith. Michigan has too much to offer to backslide significantly at quarterback, but the team's personnel approach under coach Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell will be fascinating.
 20. Kansas State Wildcats2023 ranking: 17
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Avery Johnson, sophomore; Jacob Knuth, sophomore; Blake Barnett, freshman; Kellen Simoncic, senior (Washburn transfer) That Kansas State could lose starter Will Howard and standout playcaller Collin Klein, and still remain in the rankings, underscores the program's solid trajectory. The sting of Howard's departure was blunted by the return of Avery Johnson, who dazzled in limited work as a true freshman. Johnson, ESPN's No. 77 recruit in the 2023 class, averaged 5.7 yards per carry with seven touchdowns, while adding 479 passing yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He fits the dual-threat mold of Klein, Howard, Skylar Thompson and other Kansas State standout quarterbacks. Johnson has familiarity with Conor Riley, the offensive line coach promoted to offensive coordinator. Coach Chris Klieman also brought in veteran Matt Wells as co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Johnson will lead the offense for at least two more -- and possibly all three -- seasons being evaluated here. The concern with Kansas State is depth. Sophomore Jacob Knuth, a transfer from Minnesota, didn't see the field last season. Kansas State adds Blake Barnett, an ESPN three-star recruit from Colorado. The team also has a 2025 commitment from Dillon Duff, a three-star recruit from St. Louis. Kansas State's biggest long-term challenge will be maintaining the quarterback recruiting and development trajectory that Klein truly accelerated.
 21. SMU Mustangs2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Preston Stone
On the roster (as of March 12): Stone, redshirt junior; Kevin Jennings, redshirt sophomore; Keldric Luster, redshirt freshman; Tyler Aronson, freshman; Clyde Pittman, redshirt freshman; William Fierro, redshirt freshman; Charlie Fiser, redshirt sophomore; Maddox Fuller, redshirt freshman SMU is in a fascinating spot overall, coming off its first league title since 1984 but also returning to a major conference as an ACC member, beginning with the 2024 season. The Mustangs make the jump with a proven quarterback in Stone, who had 3,197 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions before suffering a broken leg in the team's regular-season finale. Stone has two seasons of eligibility left and should continue to thrive under coach Rhett Lashlee, especially if he can bump up his accuracy a bit (59.9% completions in 2023). He led the AAC and finished 13th nationally in pass efficiency with a 161.3 rating. Kevin Jennings filled in for Stone and helped SMU beat Tulane in the AAC title game, recording career highs in both pass yards (203) and rushing yards (63) in his first college start. He gives Lashlee another solid option with three seasons of eligibility left. Keldric Luster is also back with four seasons of eligibility, and SMU adds three-star recruit Tyler Aronson from Florida. The team also has a 2025 commitment from ESPN 300 prospect Keelon Russell, a dual-threat from Duncanville, Texas. Lashlee's history with quarterbacks, both as an ACC coordinator at Miami and now as a head coach, indicates good things are ahead at the quarterback spot.
 22. Washington Huskies2023 ranking: 11
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Will Rogers, senior (Mississippi State transfer); Demond Williams Jr., freshman (Arizona transfer); Dermaricus Davis, freshman; Teddy Purcell, junior; Camdyn Stiegeler, sophomore Washington is resetting after a coaching change, as the team gets set to enter the Big Ten. Michael Penix Jr. is gone after two record-setting seasons on Montlake, culminating with the Maxwell Award and a No. 2 finish in Heisman voting. Washington also lost promising young quarterback Austin Mack to former coach Kalen DeBoer and Alabama, and veteran reserve Dylan Morris to James Madison. But Jedd Fisch, who replaced DeBoer, has shown he can stabilize and elevate the quarterback spot. Washington received a huge boost when Will Rogers, the prolific Mississippi State transfer, opted to remain with the team after briefly entering the portal. Rogers set 29 records at Mississippi State, including passing yards (12,315) and touchdowns (94). He also set SEC completion records for single season (505 in 2021) and career (1,264). Although his numbers dropped in 2023, while operating a different offense after the death of former coach Mike Leach, Rogers has a chance to regenerate under Fisch, despite the unit's key personnel losses. Fisch also brought in Demond Williams Jr., an ESPN 300 recruit who had committed to him at Arizona and transferred following the coaching change. Washington retained Dermaricus Davis, a 2024 recruit with good size at 6-foot-5. The team has two quarterback commitments for 2025 in Jackson Kollock and Dash Beierly, both three-star recruits. Fisch has proven to be effective in both identifying high school quarterback talent and targeting notable players in the portal. Some initial turbulence is possible, but Washington should soon be on a solid quarterback trajectory.
 23. South Florida Bulls2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Byrum Brown
On the roster (as of March 12): Brown, sophomore; Bryce Archie, sophomore; Israel Carter, redshirt freshman; Marcelis Tate, freshman; Murdolph Jones, freshman; Ryan Bolduc, sophomore Only two FBS quarterbacks recorded at least 3,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in the 2023 regular season. One won the Heisman Trophy. The other is Brown, a breakout star for a rapidly ascending program under coach Alex Golesh. Brown set single-season team records for passing yards (3,292), passing touchdowns (26), completion percentage (64.6) and completions (276), while finishing No. 8 nationally in both total offense (315.5 ypg) and points responsible for (17.4 ppg). Despite interest from other teams, Brown elected to remain with USF and has three seasons of eligibility left. After South Florida made its first bowl appearance since 2018, he should have the Bulls in the AAC title mix this fall. Bryce Archie, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, appeared in seven games as Brown's backup last season. He's back with three seasons of eligibility left. The Bulls also got a nice boost for their depth when Israel Carter returned after briefly entering the portal. Carter, a three-star recruit from California, should be in the mix whenever Brown finishes up. South Florida signed three-star recruit Marcelis Tate in December and will remain an appealing destination for recruits and transfers as long as Golesh is there.
 24. Clemson Tigers2023 ranking: 20
Returning starter: Cade Klubnik
On the roster (as of March 12): Klubnik, junior; Christopher Vizzina, freshman; Trent Pearman, sophomore; Colby Shaw, freshman  Clemson comes off its first four-loss season since 2011, and is still waiting for a big boost in quarterback efficiency and overall offense under coordinator Garrett Riley. Still, Klubnik showed snippets of promise, especially in November wins against Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Clemson must help him with better protection from the offensive line and more options at wide receiver. But Klubnik, a top-30 recruit in 2022, has enough familiarity with Riley's system to take a significant step this coming season. He also could lead the offense through 2025. Last fall, Klubnik completed 63.9% of his passes for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in his first season as the starter. Christopher Vizzina, ESPN's No. 42 overall recruit in 2023, could push Klubnik and see a bigger role as a redshirt freshman. He's seemingly in line to take over whenever Klubnik moves on, unless coach Dabo Swinney adjusts his approach toward targeting big-name quarterback transfers. The Tigers didn't sign a quarterback in the 2024 class but have a commitment from 2025 prospect Blake Hebert, ESPN's No. 157 recruit.
 25. Louisville Cardinals2023 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: None
On the roster (as of March 12): Tyler Shough, senior (Texas Tech transfer); Brady Allen, redshirt sophomore; Pierce Clarkson, sophomore; Harrison Bailey, senior; Sam Vaulton, junior; Travis Egan, sophomore; Sam Young, junior I considered several teams for the final spot, including Memphis, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky and Florida, but Louisville could be on the cusp of a big quarterback surge. Coach Jeff Brohm got Louisville to the ACC title game in Year 1 despite somewhat shaky quarterback play, which ended up being exposed in the postseason. Still, Brohm's background in both playing and coaching quarterbacks suggests the position will become a team strength very soon. Louisville got a veteran transfer in Tyler Shough, who went 12-4 as a starter at Texas Tech and Oregon. The key with Shough is health, as injuries sidetracked his promising tenure at Texas Tech. He's entering his seventh college season and once backed up Justin Herbert with Oregon. Given Shough's injury history, Louisville certainly will need options for 2024 and beyond. Brady Allen enters his second season under Brohm after following him to Louisville from Purdue, where he arrived as ESPN's No. 204 overall recruit in the 2022 class. The Cardinals also have Pierce Clarkson, an ESPN four-star recruit in 2023, who enters his second season with the program. Brohm signed three-star prospect Deuce Adams out of Texas in the 2024 class, and has a 2025 commitment from three-star Mason Mims from Alabama.
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