The 2023 NFL Draft could have quarterbacks selected with the top two picks.
A lot can change in a year, however.
Alabama's Bryce Young, the Heisman 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, is one of those quarterbacks. He'll have competition from Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, who is the early Heisman favorite heading into 2022.
There also will be a few surprises. Consider that the quarterback we had ranked No. 2 this time last year, Spencer Rattler, has transferred to South Carolina. He's back on our watchlist for 2023, along with some other intriguing quarterback prospects.
Sporting News breaks down the top 10 quarterbacks for 2023:
MORE: Big board of top 50 players in 2023 NFL Draft
1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Stroud (6-3, 215) has good size, and he settled in as the starter for Ohio State last season after a shaky start. He passed for 4,435 yards, 44 TDs and six interceptions, and he's getting reps with a roomful of NFL-caliber receivers. There is a stigma about Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL, but it's too early to judge until Justin Fields and Stroud have settled in as starters at the next level.
2. Bryce Young, Alabama
Young (6-0, 194) is the defending Heisman Trophy winner. He passed for 4,872 yards, 47 TDs and seven interceptions as a first-year starter. Young's size will continue to be debated, but his play-making skills within Alabama's were always on display, and he should learn from last year's two-game set with Georgia at the end of the season. Young will follow Tua Tagovailoa (2020) and Mac Jones (2021) as Alabama's next first-round pick at the position.
3. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rattler (6-1, 200) transferred from Oklahoma after being benched for Kaleb Williams, but he found a new home with South Carolina. Given how highly-visible that transition was, it's easy to forget how efficient Rattler can be. He completed 70.1% of his passes with 40 TDs and 12 interceptions while averaging 8.9 yards per attempt. The SEC spotlight will give Rattler more than enough chances to prove he's worthy of a first-round pick.
4. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
Jurkovec (6-5, 226) played in just six games last season because of a wrist injury, but the Notre Dame transfer has been a productive quarterback for Jeff Hafley the last two seasons at Boston College. He's passed for 24 TDs and nine interceptions the last two years and averaged 6.4 yards per carry with five rushing TDs last season. Jurkovec needs to improve his accuracy to push into that first round.
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
There is a lot to like about Hooker (6-4, 218), who paired well with first-year coach Josh Heupel at Tennessee. Hooker finished with 2,945 yards, 31 TDs and just three interceptions. The Virginia Tech transfer added 600-plus rushing yards for the second straight season. Hooker's experience is a plus. No. 1 pick Peyton Manning (1998) is the last Tennessee quarterback to be drafted in the first three rounds. Hooker can change that.
6. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
McCall (6-3, 200) is the Group of 5 star quarterback who has produced the last two seasons for the Chanticleers. He opted to stay at Coastal Carolina instead of transferring to a Power 5 school, too. The "winner" label is applicable. McCall is 20-2 as a starter, and he's passed for 5,386 yards, 54 TDs and six interceptions the last two seasons. NFL teams are going to like McCall's toughness. He's averaged 103 rushing attempts with 11 TDs. This is the 2023 version of Desmond Ridder, and that could make McCall a surprise first-round pick if there is a run on quarterbacks.
7. Anthony Richardson, Florida
Here is the quarterback who could either skyrocket or plummet on this board within the next year. Richardson (6-4, 236) has Cam Newton's size, and he'd offered flashes of that talent in small doses. He had 529 passing yards on 38 completions last season, and he added 401 rushing yards on 7.9 yards per carry. The big-play threat is there, but Richardson still needs to become a more efficient passer. That could happen with first-year coach Billy Napier.
8. Will Levis, Kentucky
Levis (6-3, 222) took advantage of the transfer from Penn State to Kentucky last season. Levis had 2,826 yards, 24 TDs and 13 interceptions. He completed 76.2% of his passes with two TDs and no interceptions against Georgia, and that's the game film NFL scouts will look at most. Levis is efficient, and he should improve in his second tour of the SEC. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen left for the NFL, but Kentucky backfilled that position with 49ers assistant quarterback coach Rich Scangarello. Levis needs to cut down on the interceptions, but he'll get a shot on Day 2.
9. Kedon Slovis, Pitt
Slovis (6-3, 205) was No. 3 on this list last year, but he slipped after a disappointing junior season with USC. Slovis has NFL size, and despite the ups and downs he averaged 2,525 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions per season. He gets a fresh start with Pitt, and he should develop a connection with a first-round receiver in Jordan Addison. Slovis likely will be a Day 2 pick.
10. Jake Haener, Fresno State
Haener (6-1, 195) passed for 4,096 yards, 33 TDs and nine interceptions for the Bulldogs last season, and he played well on the road in Pac-12 showcases against Oregon and UCLA. Haener briefly entered the transfer portal when Kalen DeBoer took the Washington job, but he returned and will have a year with coach Jeff Tedford, who has helped develop six first-round quarterbacks.
