Ranking the Pac-12 Quarterbacks for 2023

Pac-12 Quarterbacks look to put on a dazzling display this Fall.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Article by WestCoastCFB

1. Caleb Williams (USC)

The 2022 Heisman Winner returns to the Trojans looking to become just the second player to ever win a second Heisman. Coming off a 4-8 season, Caleb Williams instantly elevated the Trojans to 11 wins and had USC on the cusp of a playoff appearance before falling to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship as the 4th ranked team in the country. Williams has totaled 63 touchdown passes to just 9 interceptions in his illustrious career while also rushing for 824 yards and 16 touchdowns.

2. Michael Penix Jr. (UW)

Penix Jr. started receiving attention too late to get serious Heisman consideration but he should be a strong contender in 2023. The Indiana transfer actually averaged more yards per play and more yards per game than Caleb Williams while also leading his team to 11 wins and a higher final ranking than the Trojans. If the Huskies reach the College Football Playoff, it will be because of the play of their star quarterback.

3. Bo Nix (Oregon)

Bo Nix always had the potential while at Auburn but never fully put it together until he transferred to Oregon. Nix was arguably the best quarterback in the Pac-12 until an injury against Washington hampered his throwing and rushing ability. In the final 3 games of the season, the former 5 star recruit managed just 10 carries for -2 yards. Don't discount Oregon with a healthy Bo Nix making some noise in the College Football Playoff conversation.

4. Cam Rising (Utah)

Rising will forever be a Utah legend for leading the program to Pasadena not once, but twice. A torn ACL has his health for 2023 in question but assuming he gets back to full strength, the Utes could find a way to three-peat as Pac-12 champs.

5. Jayden de Laura (Arizona)

Jayden de Laura is one of the best playmakers in the country when he's on. He can make seemingly impossible throws while escaping pressure. That talent also gets him in trouble at times when he tries to do too much rather than just throwing it away and living to play another down. With another year of experience under his belt, the lessons he's learned should make him a better quarterback and could have the Wildcats in a Bowl Game for the first time since 2017.

6. D.J. Uiagalelei (OSU)

Uiagalelei has had a disappointing start to his career after arriving at Clemson as the 2nd ranked recruit in the country according to 247. He gets a fresh chance in Corvallis but he will have to do it with substantially less talent around him compared to what he had with the Tigers. In 2022, the 6-4 QB compiled 22 touchdown passes, 7 interceptions and 545 rushing yards.

7. Cam Ward (WSU)

Ward came to WSU after a spectacular season at Incarnate Word where he tossed 47 touchdown passes. His adjustment to the Pac-12 was a little rough at times but through it all he was a dependable option at quarterback who showed elite promise. Expect Ward to improve as he adjusts and if he does he should put up some big numbers in Ben Arbuckle's offense.

8. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

Sanders will make a similar leap to what Cam Ward did as he goes from FCS to the Pac-12. At Jackson State, Sanders was simply dominant with 40 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions. He's the wildcard on this list who could end up at the top of this list or at the bottom.

9. Drew Pyne (ASU)

Pyne didn't transfer to ASU to sit on the bench after putting up a nice season at Notre Dame. The 5-11 QB threw 22 touchdown passes, 6 interceptions and had a 155.3 QB rating. He showed what he can do against Pac-12 defenses when he put up 318 yards and 3 touchdowns on USC and in 3 games against Pac-12 foes in 2022, he had 6 touchdown passes to 1 interception.

10. Dante Moore (UCLA)

UCLA hasn't named a starter yet and the battle for the QB position will play out through August but the bet here is that Dante Moore eventually assumes the position given his potential. The Bruins secured his commitment over Oregon by the promise of early playing time and after coming in as the #4 recruit in the country, Chip Kelly will be curious to see what he has. Freshman quarterbacks rarely dominate but Moore should hopefully provide glimpses of his potential in 2023.

11. Sam Jackson V (Cal)

The Cal offense has some serious potential to be exciting this season with the addition of playmaker Sam Jackson and new OC Jake Spatial who was Cal's OC previously in 2016 when they scored 37.1 points per game. Jackson played sparingly at TCU before transferring to Cal but is a true dual threat who should make Pac-12 defenses defend the run while trying to stop the Air Raid offense.

12. Ari Patu (Stanford)

Stanford begins a new era without David Shaw and while the future is bright for the program, there are a lot of unknowns and that starts with Ari Patu at quarterback who has attempted just 25 college passes while completing 14 of them.