Ranking the Pac-12 Quarterbacks for 2022

Cam Rising looks to take Utah back to the Rose Bowl

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Article by WestCoastCFB

1. Caleb Williams (USC)

USC may have become the team to beat in the Pac-12 when they landed Caleb Williams as a transfer from Oklahoma. Williams was a 5 star recruit who dominated CFB as a Freshman in 2021 with the Sooners. The dual threat overtook Spencer Rattler as OU's QB and led them to an 11 win season and a #10 finish in the AP Poll. During the Freshman's prolific debut season, Williams racked up 21 touchdown passes, 442 rushing yards and a 169.6 QB rating. With Williams now in the fold, Lincoln Riley has a great shot at reaching the CFP Playoffs once again in 2022 or 2023.

2. Cam Rising (Utah)

Cam Rising became the starting QB for the Utes after Charlie Brewer announced he would transfer after being benched against San Diego State. Rising was the spark the Utah offense needed and he led the program to it's first Rose Bowl in history and a 10 win season. Rising has an extremely bright future and threw for 20 touchdowns, ran for 499 yards and had a 146.7 QB rating.

3. Cameron Ward (WSU)

WSU was one of the biggest winners in the transfer portal this offseason when they surprisingly landed one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Ward has an incredibly strong arm and makes ridiculous throws that could make him a QB to watch for the 2023 NFL Draft. During his 2021 season at Incarnate Word, Ward had 4,648 yards, 47 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

4. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA)

Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 2nd Team All-Pac-12 in 2021 and is back again to lead the Bruins to another prolific season on offense. As a recruit, DTR was ranked 36th nationally and was tasked with starting as a Freshman. His first 2 years had their ups and downs and drew some criticism from fans, but now he has proven to be one of the best QB's in the conference. During his 2021 campaign, the UCLA star compiled 21 touchdown passes, 6 interceptions, 611 rushing yards and a 153.4 QB rating.

5. Jayden de Laura (Arizona)

Jayden de Laura shocked many when he announced he was transferring just a few weeks after an Apple Cup victory over the Huskies. While Arizona struggled in 2021, Fisch has been hard at work reeling in talented recruits and transfers and the addition of de Laura gives the Wildcats a realistic shot at a bowl. During de Laura's sophomore campaign for WSU in 2021, he totaled 23 touchdown passes, 9 interceptions and a 144.7 QB Rating.

6. Jayden Daniels (ASU)

Jayden Daniels was once seen as a potential first round pick after stellar seasons as a Freshman and Sophomore but a disastrous Junior season has hurt his stock. The 2021 campaign ended with Daniels throwing 10 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a 136.2 QB rating. Can Daniels get back on track and get back to living up to his lofty recruiting ranking?

7. Tanner McKee (Stanford)

The Cardinal have become an NFL factory when it comes to QB's and McKee could be the next in line. As a recruit, McKee was ranked 46th nationally but then ended up on the bench behind Davis Mills before getting his shot in 2021. While Stanford struggled this past season, McKee flashed some nice tools and could be in line to improve dramatically. His upside is huge and he's better than his 2021 stat line of 15 touchdown passes, 8 interceptions and a 138.8 QB rating.

8. Bo Nix (Oregon)

Bo Nix was once one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the country as a high schooler. The Alabama native was rated a 5 star recruit and decided to stay home to play for the Auburn Tigers to the delight of their fans in 2019. Nix flashed the ability to make spectacular plays and that led to him being a 3 year starter, but he eventually began to draw the ire of fans as he failed to improve. During his college career, Nix has 39 touchdown passes, 16 interceptions, 869 rushing yards, and a 126.2 QB rating.

9. Chance Nolan (OSU)

Chance Nolan deserves a ton of praise for getting the Beavers to a bowl game for the first time since 2013. With that said, his performance during the final 9 games of the season was inconsistent. Nolan racked up 9 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions during the first 4 games and then followed that with just 10 touchdown passes the rest of the way while throwing 8 interceptions.

10. Michael Penix (UW)

Penix is the wildcard here. Under DeBoer in 2019, Penix looked amazing while compiling a QB rating of 157.6. Without DeBoer, Penix has been fairly mediocre in both 2020 and 2021. If DeBoer can work his magic, Penix should be higher on this list and would likely rank at least 7th. For his career, Penix has 29 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions, and a 132 QB rating.

11. Jack Plummer (Cal)

Plummer has the look of an NFL quarterback at 6-5 220 and brings plenty of experience to Berkeley after playing in 17 games at Purdue. With Garbers off to the NFL, Plummer will likely get the start for the season opener and should keep the Golden Bears competitive and in the bowl hunt. Through his career, Plummer has 26 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a 136.3 QB rating.

12. Brenden Lewis (Colorado)

Colorado's offense was so bad in 2021, that it's hard not to pin it on QB play. Lewis struggled mightily most of the season but did show some flashes of solid play such as his performance against Oregon when he threw for 3 touchdown passes without any interceptions. There is some upside here but at the moment Lewis ranks 12th.