Ranking college football’s 25 best QB situations over the next three seasons

When the previous edition of the future power rankings launched on March 3, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic had not yet affected college football.

After a season unlike any other, the sport is looking forward to returning to some sense of normalcy. But the effects of the pandemic linger in many areas, including player eligibility, a key component in shaping the power rankings. For those new to this series, the power rankings survey the next three seasons — 2021, 2022 and 2023 — and assess the top 25 teams for quarterback, offense, defense and overall team strength. Since the 2020 season didn’t count against any player’s eligibility, all non-seniors could play at least two more seasons. This could dramatically change how some teams are evaluated at quarterback or with overall units.

I will evaluate non-seniors based on the likelihood of them returning for 2022 (and 2023). Predicting transfers is even trickier but also part of this process. While these lists always are based on personnel — both current rosters and recruits — coaching plays an increasingly important role, especially at quarterback. I doubt we’ll see teams like Oklahoma (Lincoln Riley), Ohio State (Ryan Day), Florida (Dan Mullen) or Alabama (pick an offensive coordinator) ever fall below No. 10, at least not for any extended period.

Let’s get started with this year’s rundown.

2020 ranking: 5
Returning starter: Spencer Rattler

Scouting the Sooners: After a two-year gap, Oklahoma returns to the top of the quarterback rankings. (Just to be clear, Sooners fans, OU is Quarterback U — I don’t write the headlines for my stories.) Although OU in 2020 didn’t have a Heisman Trophy winner or finalist at quarterback for the first time since 2015, the future looks bright at the position. Rattler passed for 3,031 yards with 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions as a redshirt freshman, completing 67.5% of his attempts and finishing 11th nationally in passer rating (172.6). He was first-team All-Big 12 and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.

Rattler technically could go to the NFL after 2021, but he seems like a decent candidate to play two more seasons under Riley. The Sooners are set up well behind him after signing Caleb Williams, ESPN’s top-rated dual-threat quarterback and No. 16 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class. OU also added Penn State transfer Micah Bowens, an ESPN 300 quarterback from 2020.

2020 ranking: 1
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Tigers: When Trevor Lawrence was sidelined because of COVID-19, freshman D.J. Uiagalelei started in his place, and against Notre Dame he passed for 439 yards — the most the Irish have ever allowed — in an overtime loss. In total, Uiagalelei passed for 781 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in his two starts for Lawrence, showing incredible poise while making a variety of throws. He’s a massive QB (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) with a huge arm, and he has a very promising future. Uiagalelei will lead Clemson’s offense for at least two more seasons and become an immediate Heisman contender this fall.

Clemson has sophomore Taisun Phommachanh, an ESPN 300 quarterback in the 2019 class, in reserve behind Uiagalelei. The team also signed Bubba Chandler, a four-star 2021 prospect from Georgia. The only potential concern here could be who plays quarterback in 2023.

2020 ranking: 3
Returning starter: Kedon Slovis

Scouting the Trojans: Despite decommitments from coveted recruits Bryce Young and Jake Garcia in recent years, USC is still set up well at quarterback through the 2023 season. And while projecting anything for USC beyond 2021 is tricky — head coach Clay Helton occupies the hottest of seats — the QB outlook is bright. Slovis didn’t replicate his record-setting freshman year (3,502 pass yards, 30 touchdowns) during a shortened 2020 season, but he still completed 67% of his attempts for 1,921 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. A third season under coordinator Graham Harrell, whose offense is extremely quarterback-friendly, should benefit Slovis, who could carry the position through 2022.

USC has also received a nice boost in recruiting. The Trojans signed two of ESPN’s top seven pocket passers in the 2021 class in Jaxson Dart and Miller Moss, both of whom have top-40 overall ratings (Dart is 19, Moss is 39). USC also has a 2022 commitment from Devin Brown who, like Slovis, is a lightly recruited prospect from the Phoenix area.

2020 ranking: 4
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Crimson Tide: Since 1999, Alabama has produced three of the four non-quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy in wide receiver DeVonta Smith and running backs Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry. But Alabama also is enjoying the best stretch of quarterback play in team history, recording 9,105 pass yards and 91 touchdown passes over the past two seasons. Quarterback has become a premier position in Nick Saban’s program and doesn’t figure to drop off despite another playcaller transition. Steve Sarkisian is off to Texas, but Saban hired former Houston Texans and Penn State coach Bill O’Brien — an elite quarterback coach — as his replacement. Young, who watched Mac Jones help Alabama to a national title, will step in as the presumed starter for at least the next two seasons and possibly through the entire evaluation period.

Rated as ESPN’s top pocket passer and No. 5 overall player in the 2020 class, Young is a natural playmaker with a big arm and excellent instincts despite a smaller frame at 6 feet, 194 pounds. Alabama also has some insurance with Jalen Milroe, an ESPN 300 recruit in the 2021 class, and redshirt sophomore Paul Tyson.

2020 ranking: 2
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Buckeyes: For the first time in Ohio State’s storied history, quarterback is a premier position in the program. Day’s presence alongside offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has placed a major emphasis on developing elite quarterbacks. Justin Fields will become the second Ohio State quarterback in three years to become an NFL first-round draft pick, after none since Art Schlichter in 1982. Fields undoubtedly leaves a massive short-term void — he had 5,373 pass yards and 63 touchdowns in just two seasons as a Buckeye — but with Day and Wilson still around, the position is stable. C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller both have four years of eligibility left and will compete to succeed Fields. Stroud, ESPN’s No. 2 pocket passer in the 2020 class, is the more decorated prospect, but both enter a truly open competition this spring.

Don’t discount Kyle McCord, ESPN’s No. 5 pocket passer and No. 31 overall player in the 2021 class. Ohio State also flipped Texas commit Quinn Ewers, ESPN’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 class, and he is potentially the Buckeyes’ most decorated quarterback recruit ever. Day is stockpiling talent, and Ohio State remains a top transfer spot for QBs after Fields’ success.

2020 ranking: 11
Returning starter: JT Daniels (partial)

Scouting the Bulldogs: Projecting Georgia’s quarterback outlook is one of the trickiest and most significant parts of this annual exercise. The Bulldogs clearly haven’t made the same jump at quarterback as some of their regional competitors (Alabama, Florida, Clemson, briefly LSU). But there’s enough evidence to be genuinely optimistic about the position during the next three seasons. Coordinator Todd Monken has provided an upgrade, and his offense surged once Daniels returned from a knee injury. Daniels passed for 1,231 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions during Georgia’s final four games of 2020, as he completed 67.2% of his attempts and averaged more than 10 yards per completion. Daniels is a redshirt junior, but he likely would head to the NFL with a strong 2021 season.

If Daniels departs, Georgia is well positioned through recruiting. The Bulldogs signed ESPN 300 quarterback Carson Beck in 2020, and flipped Oklahoma commit Brock Vandagriff, whom ESPN rates as the No. 6 pocket passer and No. 37 overall player in the 2021 class. Georgia also has a commitment from Gunner Stockton, ESPN’s No. 41 overall junior prospect.

2002 ranking: 9
Returning starter: Sam Howell

Scouting the Tar Heels: If this were a one-year projection, UNC might top these rankings. Howell has been that good during his first two seasons as a Tar Heel, passing for 7,227 yards and 68 touchdowns while completing 64.4% of his attempts. Clemson’s Lawrence had only 66 touchdown passes in his first two college seasons. Howell has eclipsed 200 pass yards in all but three career games, including every contest in 2020. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior is thriving under coordinator Phil Longo and should deliver big numbers again this fall, especially if UNC can reload around him. Howell is already generating buzz for the 2022 NFL draft and likely will be among the top quarterbacks on the board.

Assuming Howell is not back in 2022, UNC could turn to Jacolby Criswell, an ESPN 300 quarterback in the 2020 class who saw limited action in six games this past season. The Heels also just signed Drake Maye, ESPN’s No. 9 pocket passer and No. 47 overall player in the 2021 class.

2020 ranking: 8
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Gators: There are few guarantees in college quarterback play, but Mullen’s success with player development is pretty close to a sure thing. Kyle Trask, who did little in his first three seasons in Gainesville before becoming a Heisman finalist in 2020, is just the latest quarterback to blossom under Mullen’s watch. Trask is gone, and Emory Jones, Mullen’s first quarterback recruit at UF, will have the best chance to start this fall and possibly in 2022. Jones has 613 career passing yards and seven touchdowns, as well as 514 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, providing Florida more of a true dual threat. A mini concern with him is accuracy, as his completion percentage has dropped each year despite limited overall action (86 career attempts).

Florida has some insurance with Anthony Richardson, a Gainesville native and ESPN 300 recruit in the 2020 class who played in four games as a true freshman. The Gators also signed two 2021 quarterbacks in Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, ESPN’s No. 58 overall player in the class, and four-star Jalen Kitna. Both have enrolled early and will play this spring.

2020 ranking: 6
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Longhorns: Texas is a complicated job — among the most complicated in college football — but the school hired Sarkisian for a simple reason: to upgrade the offense and especially quarterback play. If the Longhorns want to catch and ultimately overtake Oklahoma, they will need more from their signal callers. Four-year starter Sam Ehlinger is gone, having left an important legacy at his hometown school. He produced incredible numbers (11,436 pass yards, 94 touchdowns), but ultimately not enough championships. At Alabama, Sarkisian reaffirmed his skills as a playcaller and quarterback guru, especially with Jones in 2020. He now inherits an unproven but talented quarterback room, headlined by Casey Thompson and Hudson Card.

Thompson, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2018, finally got his chance to impress in the Alamo Bowl and played almost flawlessly (8-of-10 passing, 170 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions). He could be the answer through the next two or three seasons, although he’ll have to hold off Card, ESPN’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and No. 40 overall player in the 2020 class. Ewers’ flip to Ohio State no longer stings as much after Texas landed a commitment from Maalik Murphy, ESPN’s No. 2 quarterback and No. 16 overall recruit in the 2022 class.

2020 ranking: 16
Returning starter: Brock Purdy

Scouting the Cyclones: This is a great time to be a Cyclones fan. The team won its first New Year’s Six bowl in January, finished No. 9 in the final Associated Press poll and signed coach Matt Campbell to a new contract through the 2028 season. Plus, Purdy returns for a fourth year as ISU’s starting quarterback and should enter the Heisman discussion this fall. Purdy’s career numbers are staggering: 8,982 pass yards, 62 touchdowns, 66.1% completions. His consistency also jumps out, as his completion percentage has stayed between 65.7 and 66.6 each season. Purdy gives ISU a strong chance at its first Big 12 championship and a once-unthinkable CFP appearance.

The question is what happens in 2022 after Purdy (presumably) moves on. Hunter Dekkers, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2020, backed up Purdy as a freshman and is set to do so again. After the 2021 season, the 6-3, 234-pound Dekkers will compete with another big quarterback in Aidan Bouman (6-foot-6, 242 pounds), who also earned an ESPN 300 grade in the 2020 class.

2020 ranking: 18
Returning starter: Dillon Gabriel

Scouting the Knights: Gus Malzahn is a big name who has competed at the highest levels and engineered dynamic offenses. The question is whether he can regain his fastball on offense, which he lost the past few years at Auburn, and capitalize on one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Gabriel led the FBS in passing (357 YPG) last season and finished second in total offense (373.9 YPG). He threw 32 touchdowns against only four interceptions on 413 attempts, and generated similar passing totals from an excellent debut season in 2019. Despite 7,223 career pass yards and 61 touchdowns, Gabriel is a strong candidate to play four years in the right offense, so he could carry UCF’s offense through the 2022 season. While his social media changes after Malzahn’s name emerged created a panic among UCF fans, he’s staying put for now.

Quadry Jones, who played sparingly as Gabriel’s backup, also returns for his fourth season at the school, and Parker Navarro, a three-star recruit from Arizona, enters his second season. UCF signed Mikey Keene, another three-star prospect from Arizona, in the 2021 class, and Malzahn should make the school an attractive transfer destination for quarterbacks.

2020 ranking: 13
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Aggies: Four-year starter Kellen Mond is gone, taking with him team records for passing yards (9,429), passing touchdowns (71) and other key categories. But coach Jimbo Fisher’s work in developing Mond, who seemed stuck midway through his career but finished strong, suggests the quarterback position is in good shape through 2023. Haynes King and Zach Calzada both have four years of eligibility left. King, who appeared in two games last season, was ESPN’s No. 3 dual-threat quarterback and No. 46 overall player in the 2020 class. Calzada was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class.

Fisher’s quarterback recruiting continues to improve, as Texas A&M signed another ESPN 300 player, dual-threat Eli Stowers, in the 2021 class, and has a commitment from ESPN 300 junior Conner Weigman. The group is unproven at the college level but talented. Fisher’s track record bodes well for Texas A&M, which is also appealing for quarterback transfers.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: D’Eriq King

Scouting the Hurricanes: Miami’s improvement on offense and at quarterback in 2020 drove the team’s overall uptick in performance. Coordinator Rhett Lashlee had an immediate impact along with King, the Houston transfer who energized Miami’s offense with both his arm and legs. King passed for 2,686 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he added 538 rush yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 130 carries. He completed more than 64% of his attempts and set a school record for single-season quarterback rushing. King tore his ACL in Miami’s bowl game — the same knee where he tore a meniscus in 2018 — but is expected back for the start of the 2021 season. His response from surgery and rehab largely will shape Miami’s outlook on offense.

But the Hurricanes are also set up well beyond 2021 thanks to a recruiting uptick. In 2020, Miami signed Tyler Van Dkye, ESPN’s No. 3 pocket passer and No. 110 overall player. The Hurricanes also landed Jake Garcia, the onetime USC commit and ESPN’s No. 23 overall player in the 2021 class, who completed his prep career at two Georgia high schools because of California’s COVID-19 restrictions.

2020 ranking: 10
Returning starter: Spencer Sanders

Scouting the Cowboys: Sanders and the Pokes’ offense didn’t explode like some expected in 2020, as an experienced and talented defense propelled Oklahoma State to an 8-3 record and a No. 21 final ranking. But a strong finish from Sanders resulted in a passing-yards total (2,007) that mirrored his freshman year (2,065), despite playing two fewer games. He also had the same completion percentage (62.8). Oklahoma State can still expect a big jump from Sanders in 2021, his second consecutive season under playcaller Kasey Dunn. Him returning to lead the offense in 2022 also wouldn’t be a huge surprise, as Sanders is a bit undersized (6-1).

Oklahoma State has some insurance with Shane Illingworth, who filled in for an injured Sanders last season and has four years of eligibility. Illingworth, ESPN’s No. 7 pocket passer in the 2020 class, came off the bench to help Oklahoma State beat Tulsa and went 2-0 as the team’s starter. The Pokes also recently landed a commitment from ESPN 300 junior Garret Rangel.

2020 ranking: 15
Returning starters: Myles Brennan, TJ Finley, Max Johnson (all started games in 2020)

Scouting the Tigers: The 2020 season set alarms off about LSU’s long-term viability as an elite program, but quarterback wasn’t among the main areas of concern. LSU had an expected drop-off from Joe Burrow but still averaged 312.2 pass yards per game, fourth in the SEC and 15th nationally. Coach Ed Orgeron is hoping to recapture the playcalling magic from Joe Brady by hiring two of his proteges, Jake Peetz and DJ Mangas, to oversee the offense in 2021. LSU will have a true competition this offseason between Brennan, a fifth-year player, and sophomores Johnson and Finley. If Brennan wins the job, he likely would guide the offense only through this coming fall after putting up decent numbers in limited action in 2020 (1,112 pass yards, 11 touchdowns, three interceptions).

The experience Finley and Johnson both gained after Brennan’s abdominal injury should help LSU’s long-term outlook, even if Brennan beats them out for the top job in 2021. Johnson was impressive in late-season wins against Florida and Ole Miss, combining for 674 pass yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. LSU also just signed Garrett Nussmeier, ESPN’s No. 14 pocket passer and No. 63 overall player in the 2021 class. And the team holds a commitment from in-state prospect Walker Howard, ESPN’s No. 30 overall junior and No. 3 dual-threat QB.

2020 ranking: 7
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Fighting Irish: Like Sam Ehlinger, Ian Book was a multiyear starter with excellent numbers (8,948 pass yards, 72 touchdowns) who might not be fully appreciated until he’s gone. And, like Texas, Notre Dame needs to upgrade at quarterback to truly challenge for a national title despite two CFP appearances in the past three years. Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan likely will be Notre Dame’s short-term answer. Coan, who had a foot injury before the 2020 season and then transferred to Notre Dame in January, started 18 games at Wisconsin. He’s extremely efficient as a 68% career passer, with a team-record 236 completions and an 18-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2019. The question is whether he can take Notre Dame’s offense to an elite level, which he didn’t really do at Wisconsin.

The more intrigue here could be beyond 2021. Brendon Clark and Drew Pyne both are familiar with coordinator Tommy Rees’ offense and have multiple years of eligibility left. And much-anticipated recruit Tyler Buchner is finally on campus. Buchner, ESPN’s No. 7 pocket passer and No. 41 overall recruit in the 2021 class, has long been pegged as Notre Dame’s quarterback of the future.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Grayson McCall

Scouting the Chanticleers: The best thing about the mullet party on the teal turf is that it doesn’t have to end after a historic 2020 season. Coach Jamey Chadwell isn’t leaving Coastal Carolina just yet after receiving a new contract through 2027. But the real long-term excitement surrounds McCall, who technically retains four years of eligibility after an incredible redshirt freshman season for the Chanticleers. McCall, not rated by ESPN in the 2019 recruiting class, completed 69% of his passes for 2,488 yards with 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions as Coastal Carolina went 11-1 and finished No. 14 in the final AP rankings. He was a finalist for the Manning Award and finished fifth nationally in pass efficiency.

There are some unknowns here, especially how long Chadwell sticks around, but McCall is positioned to lead Coastal Carolina’s offense through at least the next two seasons. Like McCall, the Chanticleers’ other quarterbacks weren’t elite recruits. But after a breakthrough season, Coastal Carolina is becoming a more appealing destination for QBs.

2020 ranking: 12
Returning starter: Sean Clifford

Scouting the Nittany Lions: Clifford and Penn State would just as soon forget the 2020 season, which started off poorly for both the team and its top quarterback. Penn State went 0-5 for the first time in team history, and Clifford completed the stretch with eight interceptions, at least one in each contest. Although he performed much more efficiently during a season-ending four-game win streak, a reset was in order. Coach James Franklin fired coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca after only one season and hired Mike Yurcich, the former Texas and Oklahoma State offensive coordinator, who also coached Fields at Ohio State in 2019. Yurcich’s track record with quarterback bodes well for Clifford, a fifth-year player who will likely lead the offense for only one more season.

Will Levis‘ transfer means Ta’Quan Roberson, an ESPN 300 recruit in the 2019 class, likely will be the primary backup in 2021. Short-term depth is a concern for PSU, but the team signed four-star recruit Christian Veilleux in the 2021 class and has a commitment from ESPN 300 junior Beau Pribula.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Matt Corral

Scouting the Rebels: Like other head coaches on this list, Lane Kiffin has established himself as one of the best identifiers and developers of quarterbacks. His work with Corral in 2020 only added to his reputation. Corral, who showed promise in four starts as a redshirt freshman in 2019, took off in Kiffin’s offense last fall. He completed nearly 71% of his pass attempts for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 10.2 yards per completion. Although he threw 14 interceptions, 10 of those came in just two games. If Corral removes the nightmare performances, he should be an outside Heisman candidate in 2021, especially since he’s a gifted runner, too. Corral technically has three years of eligibility left but could jump to the NFL with a strong 2021 campaign.

Ole Miss gets the versatile John Rhys Plumlee for at least another season and likely longer, and it just signed Luke Altmyer, ESPN’s No. 118 overall recruit in the 2021 class. But Kiffin is the program’s biggest selling point for the future, both for recruits and quarterback transfers seeking a fresh start in a fun offense.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Scouting the Bruins: Anyone who caught the Pac-12’s abridged season noticed the improvement at UCLA, especially on offense. Perhaps the bamboo is about to sprout in Westwood under Chip Kelly. Thompson-Robinson has fought through the lows and seems poised for a big 2021 campaign. After failing to complete 60% of his passes in his first two seasons, DTR showed much better accuracy last fall (65.2%), while tossing 12 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. His rushing total also jumped to 306 yards despite playing in only five games. UCLA also has a great No. 2 option in Chase Griffin, who didn’t back down against Pac-12 champion Oregon and threw four touchdown passes in the season finale against Stanford. Griffin, who made his name as a 13-year-old ball boy at the Elite 11 competition, could be UCLA’s long-term answer at quarterback.

UCLA added Washington quarterback transfer Ethan Garbers, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2020. The Bruins also have the 6-6 Parker McQuarrie, also an ESPN 300 prospect from the 2020 class, and signed four-star Kajiya Hollawayne in the 2021 class.

2020 ranking: 19
Returning starter: None

Scouting the Ducks: Things got weird with Oregon’s quarterback situation toward the end of the season, as Anthony Brown replaced Tyler Shough in both the Pac-12 title game (win) and Fiesta Bowl (loss). Shough said after the bowl game that he intended to return, but entered the transfer portal earlier this month and announced this week he was joining Texas Tech. That leaves Brown, who started three seasons at Boston College, two of which were cut short by injuries. Brown performed well in very limited action (15 of 23 pass attempts, 164 yards) in coordinator Joe Moorhead’s offense, but he brings experience. He will compete with Jay Butterfield, an ESPN 300 quarterback in the 2020 class who redshirted in the fall.

The real intrigue in Duck Country surrounds incoming freshman Ty Thompson, ESPN’s No. 67 overall player in the 2021 class. Thompson certainly projects as Oregon’s long-term answer, although Butterfield will have a say in how things play out. But the combination of experience (Brown), young talent (Thompson and Butterfield) and an excellent playcaller suggest Oregon can overcome the short-term surprise of Shough’s departure.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starters: Skylar Thompson, Will Howard (both started games in 2020)

Scouting the Wildcats: K-State took a step back recordwise in coach Chris Klieman’s second season, but the program’s outlook at quarterback is extremely solid. Thompson returns for his sixth year after a Week 3 shoulder injury cut his 2020 season short. He has made 30 career starts and generated 5,021 pass yards and 1,083 rush yards, while lifting Kansas State to huge wins, including consecutive triumphs against Oklahoma. If Thompson stays healthy, Kansas State should rebound in his final season. Howard gained valuable experience in 2020 in relief of Thompson. While the true freshman had some struggles, he should benefit from another year in the system (and playing behind Thompson).

The team’s long-term outlook also improved with the signing of Jake Rubley, ESPN’s No. 4 pocket passer and No. 27 overall recruit in the 2021 class. As long as Rubley and Howard are willing to be patient behind Thompson this fall, one should emerge as the team’s long-term answer at quarterback.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starter: Dylan Morris

Scouting the Huskies: Washington returns to the quarterback rankings despite having quite a few unknowns. The Huskies played only four games in 2020, and while Morris showed some promise, he still has more to prove in John Donovan’s offense. Morris showed better accuracy as the season went along and averaged 11 yards per completion in the finale against Stanford. Washington has had some success with undersized quarterbacks (Jake Browning), and the 6-foot Morris should be the first option for at least the 2021 season. The Huskies also added some insurance with Colorado State transfer Patrick O’Brien, who passed for 2,803 yards during the 2019 season.

But the real excitement surrounds incoming freshman Sam Huard, ESPN’s top-rated quarterback and No. 15 overall recruit in the 2021 class. The son of former Huskies quarterback Damon Huard and nephew of former Huskies quarterback Brock Huard is positioned to lead Washington’s offense sooner than later.

2020 ranking: Not ranked
Returning starters: Aidan O’Connell, Jack Plummer (both started games in 2020)

Purdue is still waiting for the spike it expected after awarding coach Jeff Brohm a contract extension in 2019 — the team is 6-12 the past two seasons. But the passing game and quarterback play, Brohm’s specialty, sets up well during the next few years. Purdue brings back both Aidan O’Connell and Jack Plummer, who each have multiple years of eligibility left. The two split starts in 2020 and combined to average 309 pass yards per game, firing 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions on 261 attempts, while completing 67.4% of their passes. O’Connell, who won the starting job in training camp last season, has a slight edge entering 2021 with 15 career pass touchdowns. But Plummer will be a factor, and Purdue has good overall depth at the position.

Michael Alaimo, ESPN’s No. 4 pocket passer and No. 116 overall player in the 2020 class, comes off a redshirt season and should be a factor soon. Purdue also has UCLA graduate transfer Austin Burton, who didn’t see the field last year, but completed 68.8% of his attempts in limited work with the Bruins in 2019.

2020 ranking: 21
Returning starter: Malik Cunningham

I debated whether to include Louisville after an unquestionably down season in 2020. Cunningham’s performance mirrored the team’s, but mainly with turnovers, as he threw 12 interceptions and lost three fumbles. Louisville finished 124th nationally in giveaways (24). He will need a much cleaner 2021 season, but he also has 4,682 pass yards and 42 touchdowns in two seasons under coach Scott Satterfield. Cunningham’s accuracy actually went up last fall to 64.1% completions. He’s a candidate to lead the offense through two more seasons. Veteran backup Evan Conley also returns, although he played much more in 2019 than 2020.

Louisville also adds two transfers in Luke McCaffrey (Nebraska) and Shai Werts (Georgia Southern). Werts, a four-year starter in Georgia Southern’s option offense, is listed as a quarterback/wide receiver and likely will be used only in situational packages in 2021. McCaffrey is more interesting, an electric athlete with multiple years of eligibility left who must make major strides to show he can pass the ball effectively at this level. Satterfield’s work with the former ESPN 300 prospect will be really interesting.