Phil Steele ranks top 10 quarterback units in college football

by:Nick Kosko•07/13/23•

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Phil Steele ranked the top 10 quarterback units in college football going into the 2023 season. Keep in mind, this is not just quarterbacks, but the rooms as a whole.

Some quarterback units are loaded going into the fall, such as the No. 1 team on the list. Others with seemingly three starters are lower on the list per Steele.

In the end, it’s all about who’s the starter and how far he can take his respective team. Below are Steele’s top 10 quarterback units in college football.

1. USC

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 02: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws a touchdown pass against the Tulane Green Wave in the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 02, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

This one is pretty self explanatory. Caleb Williams is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, the best quarterback in the country and the potential No. 1 overall pick.

Miller Moss is a former four-star in the Class of 2021 and No. 11 overall prospect and five-star Malachi Nelson (2023) is waiting in the wings.

Michael Penix Jr. is back for the Huskies for his final season. He revived his college career after transferring in from Indiana with a fantastic 2022 season. Some consider Penix Jr. the key to getting Washington a Pac-12 title.

Backup Dylan Morris is a former four-star and veteran of the game. But this hinges on Penix Jr. being one of the best in the country.

3. Oregon

EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks prepares to throw a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

Bo Nix, like Penix Jr., revived his career after a transfer. He broke out as a freshman at Auburn but went through a sophomore slump and never really recaptured that first year magic.

But in 2022, he looked like a Heisman caliber quarterback. Notice how the top three quarterbacks per Steele are all in the Pac-12? Loaded. The development of former five-star Ty Thompson will be key moving forward.

4. North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 03: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Drake Maye is another Heisman Trophy candidate and lit it up during this first year as the starter. It was a seamless transition from Sam Howell to Maye.

The depth doesn’t quite measure up to the above units, but Maye makes this position go. Can he supplant Williams as the NFL’s top pick next year?

5. Arkansas

ATHENS, GA – OCTOBER 02: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks rolls out to pass in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

KJ Jefferson is ready to run it back with the Razorbacks. It’ll be his final season and he’s earned some respect in the SEC. Will he break through with his best season?

Jacolby Criswell transferred in from North Carolina and is a former four-star. Arkansas is set up nicely with depth at No. 1 and 2.

6. Tennessee

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Joe Milton III #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Joe Milton takes over for Hendon Hooker full time and if the Orange Bowl is any indication, Milton is one of the better quarterbacks in the nation.

Nico Iamaleava is the five-star freshman and could be the primary backup this season. He was the No. 6 overall prospect in the Class of 2023, so Tennessee is set up nicely for the future.

7. South Carolina

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks to pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 30, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Spencer Rattler was one projected as a future No. 1 overall pick. But an up and down career at Oklahoma led him to a transfer to South Carolina. But he’s on the up and up going into his final college season.

Luke Doty is the experienced backup but behind him are freshmen LaNorris Sellers and Tanner Bailey.

8. Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – NOVEMBER 12: Will Rogers #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs throws the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during a game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Will Rogers can really sling it but can he replicate his performance from last season? Behind him is former Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright, who transferred in after last season.

But this quarterback group hinges on Rogers’ ability to sling it up and down the field.

9. Ole Miss

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) prepares to throw the ball during the first half of the TaxAct Texas Bowl college football game game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Ole Miss Rebels on December 28, 2022, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Logan Hannigan-Downs/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

This group is a little low compared to others’ projections of the group going into 2023. At this point, Jaxson Dart looks to be the starter once again despite the additions of Oklahoma State veteran Spencer Sanders and former highly touted recruit Will Howard (LSU).

It’s loaded depth but some wondered how Lane Kiffin would balance out all of the signal callers. Looks like it’s the Dart show.

10. LSU

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers scrambles during the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camping World Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Jayden Daniels is the man once again as he goes into his final season. But Garrett Nussmeier really pushed him in the competition this season. Some say the latter might be even better when he takes over next season. He’s only a redshirt sophomore after all.

But it’ll be Daniels that drives the car.