QB confidential: College coaches on Caleb Williams, Shedeur Sanders, Quinn

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

  • Elder WriterAug 12, 2023, 08:00 AM ET Close College football press reporter.
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
  • Graduate of Northwestern University.Every August, returning

quarterbacks around college football create exceptional interest, and the 2023 collection is no exception.Although the NFL draft claimed three quarterbacks in

the very first four choices– Alabama’s Bryce Young (No. 1, Carolina), Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (No. 2, Houston)and Florida’s Anthony Richardson (No. 4, Indianapolis)– a lot of star power go back to the college ranks. Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, the forecasted No. 1 pick for the 2024 draft, is back at USC. Likewise returning is North Carolina’s Drake Maye, pegged to fall no lower than No. 3 next spring.Williams headings a Pac-12 quarterback class that might be the most accomplished in league

history and includes Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix and Utah’s Webcam Increasing. The ACC’s quarterback collection might not jump out as much as its predecessor, but Maye and Florida State’s Jordan Travis lead a group that includes appealing intraconference transfers such as Brennan Armstrong(Virginia to NC State) and Phil Jurkovec(Boston College to Pitt). The general transfer market may not have popped as much as the one heading into the 2022 season, however Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman(Wake Forest) and Kentucky’s Devin Leary (NC State) are among the ones generating buzz going into the fall.During the spring and summer, I spoke to more than 20 head coaches and assistants from throughout the country to break down the strengths and weaknesses of the top returning quarterbacks. Here’s what they needed to say.Jump to: Pac-12|Big 10|ACC SEC|Huge 12|ND/others

Pac-12 Caleb Williams, USC: The 2022 Heisman winner drew high marks– unsurprisingly– from coaches, who kept in mind that his athleticism assisted USC handle a new scheme under coach Lincoln Riley and concealed some possible issues along the offending line. Williams had 10 rushing goals on 113 brings and regularly extended have fun with his legs.His mobility complemented a precise and respected passing output (4,537 backyards, 42 goals, 66.6% conclusions).”It’s the non-normal play, where Caleb is rushing and he’s looking down the field,”a Pac-12 protective planner said.”Suddenly, you have actually got everyone covered,

and after that the play breaks down or he scrambles and all of an unexpected, it’s a 60-yard gain. We counted 10 of those in numerous games.”Added another Pac-12 defensive organizer: “Everyone stated [USC] had an excellent O-line last year, but that’s just because Caleb could run.”