While it's almost hard to believe, the 2023 regular season in college football is nearing its close with Week 11 on the horizon.
One of the biggest topics of discussion has been the quarterback class and pure competitiveness between several prospects who show NFL starting upside. The 2022 class was stacked, but in some aspects, this one has the potential to match it or to be even better.
Here's a look at where the top college quarterbacks stand with Week 10 in the books:
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1. Bo Nix, Oregon
Level of competition aside, Nix put on one of the best performances we've seen out of a college quarterback all year long when the Ducks blew out Cal on Saturday.
This isn't the same Bo Nix who took the field at Auburn — that hasn't been the case since he saw a change of scenery and his success serves as one of the greatest testaments to the implementation of the transfer portal.
Nix is an all-around prospect who will appeal to several NFL teams with a toolbox that includes pro-level arm talent, the ability to make plays in and out of structure with a solid amount of mobility and consistency as a passer even under duress.
Evaluating every aspect, from a tangibles and intangibles perspective, there's a clear argument for Nix at QB1 after Week 10.
Latest game stats: vs. Cal (W, 63-19), 29-38 passing, 4 TD, INT, 2 rush TD
2. Caleb Williams, USC
Williams is a rare player with the ability to do some things on the field that practically no other quarterback at the college level can, but Lincoln Riley and Co. have far from given him the defense to match. That much particularly showed through in a heartbreaking loss for the Trojans against the Huskies, ruining any remaining opportunity to compete for a national title.
While Williams once again delivered at a high level, he has not been entirely perfect this season, throwing three interceptions in the 48-20 upset loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 14. It's also worth noting that while it hasn't been talked about nearly as much as what he brings to the table from a tangibles perspective, Williams' negative body language has been noticeable any time USC has performed poorly this season, bringing up questions about character concerns.
It would be shocking to see Williams go anywhere outside of the top three quarterbacks selected in the NFL Draft, but as the season has progressed, it's not unreasonable to believe another college passer could be taken before him.
Latest game stats: vs. Washington (L, 52-42), 27-35 passing, 3 TD, rush TD
3. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix was ultimately the quarterback to get the last laugh as he and the Huskies went head-to-head with the Trojans on Saturday in a shootout that ended just shy of 100 total points.
The former Indiana quarterback has shown immense improvement since he transferred over to rejoin Kalen Deboer, and it's made all of the difference in the world.
Penix has still had some struggles in recent games, but there's no denying he was solid in his most recent showing, continuing to reflect his year-over-year improvement mechanically and as a passer while staying healthy.
Latest game stats: vs. USC, (W, 52-42), 22-30 passing, 256 yards, 2 TD, INT, rush TD
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4. Drake Maye, UNC
Maye has not received adequate support from his supporting cast game-in, game-out, something that's paid both he and the Tar Heels no favors.
The quarterback himself, though, has still been playing at a high level despite some risky throws that scouts would like to see eliminated from his game a bit more moving forward.
Outside of that, though, Maye still has far more to like that outweighs the downside, between his NFL-ready frame, arm strength, velocity on throws and impeccable ball placement.
Latest game stats: vs. Campbell (W, 59-7), 16-23 passing, 4 TD
5. Jayden Daniels, LSU
LSU did not have its best game against Alabama, but Daniels should not be the one to shoulder the blame for Tigers' shortcoming in the contest. If anything, some of LSU's struggles may be casting a shadow that's slowing Daniels' campaign for the Heisman Trophy, even if he's given the team a chance in every contest.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Daniels in his time at Arizona State was whether or not he was going to be consistently effective at scoring through the air, despite his impressive mobility. By the end of his last season, he was all but written off as a passer by many.
It's safe to say he's completely rebounded in Baton Rouge, scoring a combined 44 passing touchdowns over the last two seasons in comparison to the 32 passing touchdowns he scored over three seasons at Arizona State.
Latest game stats: vs. Alabama (L, 42-28), 15-24 passing, 219 yards, 2 TD, INT
6. JJ McCarthy, Michigan
McCarthy has become a bit of a polarizing prospect among draft gurus, with some calling him "overrated" and viewing him as more of a game-manager type.
His slight build at 6-3, 203 pounds is also something that has been called into question, though that is something that can be worked on and there are quarterbacks of similar types who have had successful NFL careers.
One thing to consider is how much Michigan's scheme itself is making McCarthy look like a game manager, considering some of the big-time throws we've seen out of him in his time as the starter for the Wolverines.
Latest game stats: vs. Purdue (W, 41-13), 24-37 passing, 335 yards
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7. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders turned some heads at Jackson State and he and his father made history in Mississippi, but he's seen his name in the headlines far more often since the move over to Colorado.
The Buffaloes got off to a hot start that hasn't exactly been sustained, but Sanders still holds his own as one of the top signal-callers in the nation between his high level of accuracy, anticipation and ability to take care of the football. It has also become clear Sanders has been playing through injury lately, as he told reporters after the game against the Bruins.
Colorado has some work to do as a team, though, to snap its three-game losing streak.
Latest game stats: vs. Oregon State (L, 26-19), 24-of-39 passing, 245 yards, 2 TD, INT
8. Riley Leonard, Duke
Leonard has shown a tremendous amount of upside as a true dual-threat quarterback who has been an integral part of Duke turning its program around, but he's been hampered by injury that's clearly affected his level of play and has now sidelined him indefinitely.
It would not be surprising if Leonard misses the remainder of the season after Mike Elko announced he would be out "extended time."
There's a lot to like about Leonard as a player who brings just about everything one would want as a first or second-round prospect, we just may have to wait until next season to see it again.
Latest game stats: vs. Louisville (L, 23-0), 9-of-23 passing, 121 yards, 0 TD, INT
9. Jordan Travis, Florida State
Travis and his Seminoles have not been in the headlines quite as much as the beginning of the season when he was surrounded by Heisman attention, but that does not mean they have not been playing at a high level.
The team has still yet to lose a game all season, and Travis has been one of the key cogs in the machine there (well, a lot more than that).
He is now the only active player in the country and the first in program history to total seven rushing touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. With Travis at the helm, the Seminoles have totaled no less than 268 passing yards through their past four games.
Latest game stats: vs. Pitt (W, 24-7), 22-36, 360 yards, TD
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10. Michael Pratt, Tulane
From practically unknown to one of the key factors in bringing Tulane from lowly 2-10 team to New Year's Six bowl champion, Pratt has been one of the best stories in college football.
And now he's getting credit where credit is due. That being said, Pratt did not look fully like himself for a long stretch after sustaining a knee injury in Week 1 against South Alabama. Pratt struggled with accuracy issues and was notably limited on the ground, though all of that seems to have changed with time as he's come in the clutch for Tulane both through the air and on the ground in its past two games.
Based on the product he's put on the field, it's clear his downward turn was related to what was ailing him. Everything he's got going as a decisive passer who can get the job done at all levels of the field and well as run the ball smartly, while cutting down on recklessness, has been on display.
Latest game stats: vs. East Carolina (W, 13-10), 16-25 passing, 213 yds, TD
