Which Pac-12 team is best set up for future success at the QB position?
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We know that the Pac-12 is expected to be one of the preeminent conferences in the nation this upcoming season when it comes to quarterback play. With reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams leading the way, you also have guys like Bo Nix, Michael Penix, Cam rushing, and DJ Uiagalelei taking center stage out west. It would be hard to find another conference in the nation that has as many projected stars among the starters.
While it’s clear that 2023 will not be a problem for passers in the Pac, we wanted to take a look at the future. Recently, ESPN released their Top 25 Future Quarterback Power Rankings, where they looked at the current landscape of passers, as well as the depth chart, incoming recruits, and propensity to land transfers at that position. A handful of Pac-12 teams were ranked prominently, but there were several other teams that got cut.
We wanted to take things a little bit further and flesh out where all of the Pac-12 teams stand when it comes to future QB production and success.
The Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies may be set up for success under center in 2023, but what does the future look like based on depth? The USC Trojans bring back a Heisman winner this year, but is the future just as bright in Los Angeles?
Let’s find out. Here are our Pac-12 Future QB Power Rankings.
Stanford Cardinal
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Depth Chart
Ari Patu
Career Stats: 6 Games | 14-for-25, 113 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Ashton Daniels
Career Stats: 5 Games | 5-for-6, 39 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Analysis
Quarterback situations often mirror the overall outlook for a team, and in the case of the Stanford Cardinal, it’s not a great outlook in any sense. With Tanner McKee on the move, it’s expected that Ari Patu will take over under new head coach Troy Taylor. Patu doesn’t have a load of experience, and neither does Ashton Daniels behind him. We’ll see, but it’s looking like this could be a multi-year rebuild for Stanford.
Colorado Buffaloes
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Depth Chart
Shedeur Sanders
Career Stats: 26 Games | 613-for-896, 6,963 yards, 70 TD, 14 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Drew Carter
Career Stats: 6 Games | 6-for-16, 38 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining:3 Years
Colton Allen
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Ryan Staub
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
Depending on how things play out for Shedeur Sanders this season in Colorado, the Buffaloes could definitely rise on the power rankings board quickly. However, it feels a lot like the Cameron Ward situation with Washington State last year — a former FCS player who had massive success at a lower level taking some time to acclimate to a higher level. Behind Sanders, there’s not much experience, though we’ve seen Coach Prime utilize the transfer portal well. However, when it comes to Colorado, it’s hard to look at the future as more than a year or two, because it’s likely that Deion Sanders will probably be on the move in a matter of time.
California Golden Bears
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Depth Chart
Sam Jackson
Career Stats: 5 Games | 6-for-6, 125 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Fernando Mendoza
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
There is rightfully some intrigue with Cal’s QB situation this year, bringing in TCU transfer Sam Jackson, a former 4-star recruit from the 2021 class who has shown some flashes in the past when given the opportunity. There is work to do when it comes to the future, though, with the only scholarship going to former 2-star Fernando Mendoza behind him on the depth chart.
Washington State Cougars
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Depth Chart
Cameron Ward
Career Stats: 32 Games | 887-for-1,390, 10,139 yards, 94 TD, 23 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
John Mateer
Career Stats: 1 Game | 2-for-2, 32 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Jaxon Potter
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
Cameron Ward had an incredible career with Incarnate Word, but as expected, took a little bit of time to transition to the Power 5 last year. However, Cougars fans should be excited about what he can bring to the table this year. Behind him, though, the future is murky for Washington State. John Mateer is a former 3-star who hasn’t had much of an opportunity to prove anything. They also signed 3-star QB Jaxon Potter in the 2023 class.
Arizona Wildcats
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Depth Chart
Jayden de Laura
Career Stats: 28 Games | 577-for-923, 7,369 yards, 53 TD, 26 INT
Eligibility Remaining:2 Years
Noah Fifita
Career Stats: 3 Games | 9-for-19, 128 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Brayden Dorman
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
I think that Arizona should be relatively confident with Jayden de Laura leading the way in 2023 and 2024, but they need to figure out what the plan is after that. There are guys on the roster like Brayden Dorman, who was a 4-star in the 2023 class, but we will need to see how good he is on the field before we can project confidence that the Wildcats can compete in the Pac-12 going forward.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Depth Chart
Drew Pyne
Career Stats: 15 Games | 181-for-287, 2,257 yards, 24 TD, 6 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Jaden Rashada
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Jacob Conover
Career Stats: 5 Games | 5-for-11, 45 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Bennett Meredith
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Daylin McLemore
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
We don’t quite know what we will get from Arizona State this year under Kenny Dillingham, but he will have a lot of options to choose from. Drew Pyne comes over from Notre Dame, and will likely be the starter immediately. The Sun Devils also got a signing from 4-star QB Jaden Rashada, who was the No. 6 QB in the 2023 class. It’s unclear how good they can be at the QB spot immediately, but with Dillingham leading the way, there should be confidence going forward.
Oregon State Beavers
Depth Chart
DJ Uiagalelei
Career Stats: 35 Games | 515-for-861, 5,681 yards, 36 TD, 17 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Ben Gulbransen
Career Stats: 11 Games | 127-for-203, 10 TD, 5 INT
Eligibility Remaining:3 Years
Aiden Chiles
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Analysis
I think that Oregon State fans should feel pretty great about where they stand right now. With DJ Uiagalelei coming to town for 2023, and potentially 2024 as well, they should feel like they can compete in the Pac-12. There has also been a ton of positive buzz about 4-star QB Aiden Chiles, who they signed as the No. 12 QB in the 2023 class. Head coach Jonathan Smith is a known commodity when it comes to coaching QBs, and he’s certainly got a lot of talent to work with.
UCLA Bruins
Depth Chart
ESPN Future QB Power Rank: 16th
Dante Moore
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Collin Schlee
Career Stats: 22 Games | 181-for-303, 2,460 yards, 16 TD, 5 INT
Eligibility Remaining:2 Years
Ethan Garbers
Career Stats: 11 Games | 57-for-88, 599 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT
Eligibility Remaining:2 Years
Analysis
In 2023, it feels like UCLA has one of the highest ceilings and lowest floors in the Pac-12. There’s the chance that 5-star QB Dante Moore, the No. 3 QB and No. 4 overall player in the 2023 class, takes over instantly and is a dynamic player. They could also go with Kent State transfer Collin Schlee, who has impressed before, but never at this level. Both could also struggle right away. Regardless of what happens this season, though, it’s clear that the Bruins have to like where they sit going into the future with Moore at the helm.
Utah Utes
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Depth Chart
ESPN Future QB Power Rank: 14th
Cameron Rising
Career Stats: 27 Games | 456-for-711, 5,572 yards, 46 TD, 14 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Brandon Rose
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Nate Johnson
Career Stats: 4 Games | 1-for-1, 16 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 4 Years
Analysis
Cam Rising is one of the several players in the Pac-12 this year who decided to come back for one more season when they could have easily decided differently, setting up what is expected to be such an exciting season. While the Utes are set with Rising in 2023, there are some relative unknowns going forward. Nate Johnson was the No. 16 QB in the 2022 class, so it seems likely that he ends up taking over next season, but the Utes could also try to go into the transfer portal to find more competition.
Washington Huskies
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Depth Chart
ESPN Future QB Power Rank: 11th
Michael Penix Jr.
Career Stats: 33 Games | 704-for-1,130, 8,838 yards, 60 TD, 23 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Dylan Morris
Career Stats: 22 Games | 29-for-489, 3,497 yards, 19 TD, 16 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Austin Mack
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Analysis
Michael Penix is another player who decided to run it back for one more year in the Pac-12 when he could have easily decided to head on to the NFL. With a second year of Penix, the Huskies’ offense should be lethal in 2023. There are some questions going forward in Seattle, though. The Huskies have Dylan Morris, who has proven to be capable before, and they also signed Austin Mack, the No. 16 QB in the 2023 class, but we will have to wait and see how dynamic those players can be in the future. Washington’s QB future took a bit of a hit when 4-star QB Luke Keinholz, the No. 11 QB in the 2023 class, decommited and signed with Ohio State instead.
Oregon Ducks
Depth Chart
ESPN Future QB Power Rank: 10th
Bo Nix
Career Stats: 47 Games | 922-for-1,466, 10,844 yards, 68 TD, 23 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Ty Thompson
Career Stats: 10 Games | 18-for-35, 159 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Eligibility Remaining:3 Years
Austin Novosad
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Analysis
The Ducks got a huge boost when Bo Nix announced in December that he was going to return to Eugene for one more year of college football. Had he not come back, Oregon would likely have gone to the transfer portal in order to find someone who could compete with Ty Thompson and potentially take over the QB1 role. Instead, they now have a Heisman contender under center, while both Thompson and Austin Novosad can continue to develop and get ready for the QB1 battle in 2024. The Ducks are also in the mix to land 5-star QB Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class.
USC Trojans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Depth Chart
ESPN Future QB Power Rank: 1st
Caleb Williams
Career Stats: 25 Games | 469-for-711, 6,449 yards, 63 TD, 9 INT
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Miller Moss
Career Stats: 6 Games | 20-for-27, 233 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Eligibility Remaining:3 Years
Malachi Nelson
Career Stats: None
Eligibility Remaining:4 Years
Analysis
The USC Trojans are set up in a great spot for the present, and it looks like they will be in a great spot going forward as well. Not only do they return the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at QB with Caleb Williams, but they also signed Malachi Nelson in 2023, the No. 5 QB and No. 12 overall player in his class. It often gets overlooked that USC also has Miller Moss, the No. 12 QB from the 2021 class, and they currently are thought of as the favorite to land 5-star QB Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class. When you’ve got Lincoln Riley as your head coach, there should never be a concern about the quarterback position.
