Top four college football quarterbacks with the highest QBR set to return for the 2023 season are identified.
The fourth is Jordan Travis from Florida State with a QBR of 85.3. As the most experienced QB in the Atlantic Coast Conference, he is predicted to claim the title of “Player of the Year” owing to his skills and his team’s command. Travis set his career high in the previous season with 24 touchdown passes and an average of 9.1 yards per attempt. Additionally, he secured seven touchdowns through a total of 417 yards rushing, marking his third consecutive year achieving this figure. Not only does Travis run when necessary, but he also employs well-aimed maneuvering.
Next is Caleb Williams from University of Southern California (USC) with a QBR of 86.5. As a defending Heisman winner, Williams is renowned for his powerful and accurate throw. Besides, the five-star recruit presents remarkable agility with a 36.5-inch vertical leap and 4.1 shuttle time. Similar to previous Alabama QB Bryce Young, Williams’ keen understanding of the pocket and his run strategy makes him a comprehensive threat. He tends to generate time rather than yards in the ground game.
Bo Nix from Oregon is the second, flaunting an impressive QBR of 87.0. Uncommon amongst fifth-year quarterbacks, Nix’s talent aligns with the hype surrounding him. The successor of three seasons at Auburn before emerging as one of the standout performers for the Ducks in 2022, Nix looks set to deliver another standout year following last season’s career-best statistics (3,593 yards passing, 510 yards rushing). Given his dual-threat potential and quintessential role in a Playoff-contending team, Nix is a strong preseason Heisman candidate.
The top of the list features Jalon Daniels from Kansas, standing out with an unrivaled QBR of 90.0. Daniels’ excellent performance in his last season with the Jayhawks made it clear that he was one of the best in playing within the system and leveraging his skill set. Daniels’ exceptional performance on third downs led the Jayhawks to lead the Big 12 in third-down conversion rate (50.6%). Daniels’ notable 544-yard passing performance in the bowl loss against Arkansas could be a stepping-stone to becoming one of the strongest at his position.
