It’s no secret that the 2022 quarterback class leaves a lot to be desired. Some analysts say they don’t believe there’s any in the class worthy of a top 10 selection. The good news is the 2023 quarterback class appears to be very strong, and if you are a fan of a team that has a need for the most important position in football, you may want to take note of these names.
An Early Look At The 2023 NFL Draft Quarterback Class
The Top Two
C.J Stroud, Ohio State
In our last exposure to C.J Stroud, he put on an absolute clinic against Utah in the Rose Bowl, with 573 yards and six touchdowns. The outstanding sophomore lit it up in the Big Ten last season with 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns to six interceptions, and a completion percentage of 72%. Stroud has one of the strongest arms in the nation and also showed that he can throw with great touch, especially on over-the-shoulder throws along the sideline. Stroud is currently the favorite to go first overall in 2023.
Bryce Young, Alabama
Despite the disappointing finish in the National Championship game, Bryce Young still put on a show in 2022 and could be in play to go first overall in 2023. Young really impressed in 2021 with his pocket awareness, deep-ball accuracy, and ability to make throws outside the pocket. His 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns were good enough for him to take home the Heisman honors for 2021.
The Next Tier
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rattler opened the 2021 season as the Heisman favorite and expected first overall pick in 2022, but his season went off the rails and led to being benched for Caleb Williams, and later transferring to South Carolina. Rattler’s arm stands out on tape, but he’ll need to work on being more disciplined and smarter with the football if he wants to stay in the round one conversation for 2023.
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (FL)
Tyler Van Dyke didn’t start 2021 as the starter, but after D’Eriq King suffered a season-ending injury, he was pulled into the action and performed extremely well. In only nine games, Van Dyke had 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. He has a cannon for an arm and also has the size that NFL teams will love at 6’4 224 pounds.
Jaren Hall, BYU
One of my top breakout candidates for the 2023 quarterback class, Jaren Hall‘s dual-threat ability makes him a very intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. Leading the Cougars to a 10-3 record, Hall threw for 2,583 yards, a 20-5 TD/INT ratio, and added 307 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Hall has everything you look for in a quarterback for today’s NFL, expect him to make some noise in 2023.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
Grayson McCall is an interesting prospect to watch in the 2023 quarterback class. He is a good athlete with decent size, but it’s difficult to fully evaluate him because of the scheme he was playing in at Coastal Carolina. He’s smart with the ball and sees the field very well, but there are questions on if he has the arm strength to be able to zip throws into tight windows. McCall never threw the ball more than 30 times in the 2021 season.
Will Levis, Kentucky
Will Levis definitely has his struggles with decision-making and working while under pressure, but the arm talent, athleticism, and size are absolutely there and a good season of improvement would do a ton to boost his draft status to a possible day one selection. Levis transferred to Kentucky from Penn State after they elected to stick with Sean Clifford.
Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
Phil Jurkovec was expected to come out in 2022, but after he missed a large portion of the season due to injury, he decided to return to Boston College for another season. Jurkovec has good size and arm strength, but his deep-ball accuracy, pocket awareness, and overall mechanics and footwork needs to improve.
Potential Risers
Anthony Richardson, Florida
The combination of pure arm talent and dual-threat ability makes Anthony Richardson a very intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. Richardson was thrown into the fire a bit last season with Florida, but he’ll get a fresh start with a new coaching staff. Richardson has the tools to be a top quarterback prospect, we just have yet to see it all clicking at once.
D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson
If this was written 8 months ago, DJ Uiagalelei would have been placed in the first tier, but after struggling throughout 2021, he’s left with a lot to prove in the 2022 season. Early reports out of Clemson’s spring training have said that Uiagalelei has been very impressive, with him dropping 15-20 pounds and making adjustments to his throw motion. Clemson’s training camp will be one to keep a close eye on, as Uiagalelei and 2022 five-star recruit Cade Klubnik are expected to battle it out for the starting job.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hendon Hooker made the right decision to return to Tennessee for a 6th season and hopes to build on a solid 2021 campaign where he posted 33 touchdowns to only three interceptions, as well as 620 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. If Hooker improves on consistency this season, he is a candidate to be a big-time riser, and scouts will definitely love his 6’4 220lb frame.
Jake Haener, Fresno State
A former 3-star recruit, Jake Haener originally committed to Washington before he transferred to Fresno State. He broke out in 2021 with 4,096 yards and 33 touchdowns to nine interceptions, he was eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft but elected to return to Fresno State for the 2022 season.
Haener has the ability to zip the ball into tight windows and has shown significant grit and toughness throughout his career. This is another guy that could rise up boards in what is looking like an extremely deep 2023 quarterback class.
Other Names to Keep an Eye On
Kedon Slovis, Pittsburgh
Jayden Daniels, LSU
Tanner McKee, Stanford
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest
Will Rogers III, Mississippi State
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Barring anything crazy, next years draft is probably going to start off with Young and Stroud in either order at the top.
The amount of growth and development I saw from Stroud from Week 1 to the Rose Bowl has me very excited for what he can do next year.