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Five-stars Arch Manning (Texas), Malachi Nelson (USC), Dante Moore (UCLA) and Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) headline the quarterbacks in college football’s 2023 recruiting class.

They form as talented a top four as we have seen in years, but that doesn’t guarantee playing time — particularly for Nelson, who will be competing against Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

This quarterback class might not be as deep as those in recent years, particularly at the dual-threat position, but there are still several hidden gems and refined passers who could make a statement this fall.

We are seeing high school signal-callers arrive on campus ready to compete for on-field reps and for the right to move up the depth chart. Last year, for example, Conner Weigman and Cade Klubnik saw their share of significant playing time for Texas A&M and Clemson, respectively.

We break down the top 10 quarterbacks in the 2023 class and examine their strengths, the depth charts they are walking into and predict how likely they are to earn playing time early.

Jump to:
Alabama | ASU | Clemson
K-State | OU | Tennessee
Texas | UCLA | USC

2023 ESPN 300 ranking: 1

Scouting report: Nelson is a talented thrower who has a smooth, fluid and quick delivery. He’s poised and accurate with his throws downfield. He can change arm angles and make plays on the move, and while he’s not an elite runner, he does possess good mobility.

USC’s QB outlook for 2023: Nelson will be competing with redshirt sophomore Miller Moss, also a former ESPN 300 quarterback, for the backup job behind defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Nelson might be the more naturally talented player, but Moss has knowledge of Lincoln Riley’s scheme and experience in his corner.

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San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

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San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

San Jose State wide receiver Danny Scudero, the leading receiver in FBS this season, will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in January, he announced Friday.

The 5-foot-9, 174-pound redshirt sophomore caught 88 passes for 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season with the Spartans, becoming a semifinal for the Biletnikoff Award and earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.

Scudero is expected to be one of the more coveted wide receivers available when the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2 and has two more seasons of eligibility remaining.

Scudero spent two years at Sacramento State before transferring to San Jose State after the 2024 season. He broke out with 189 receiving yards to open the season against Central Michigan and surpassed 100 yards in five more games, including a career-high 215 and two touchdowns against Hawaii.

Scudero’s 88 receptions ranked fourth-most in FBS, and he leads all receivers this season with 16 catches of 30 or more yards.

The Spartans produced the No. 14 passing offense in FBS this season but went 3-9 in their second year under coach Ken Niumatalolo.

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Kitchens out as OC after Heels offense slumps

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Kitchens out as OC after Heels offense slumps

North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, with the school announcing the departure of both assistants after a 4-8 season in Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”

North Carolina’s offense was one of the worst in the country, ranking 119th in the FBS in scoring (19.3 PPG) and 129th in total offense (288.8 YPG).

The Tar Heels had special teams issues coming down the stretch too, notably with Duke running a fake field goal to set up a late winning touchdown and NC State successfully running a fake punt for a first down the following week.

Kitchens, who served as Cleveland Browns coach in 2019, had been with the Tar Heels since 2023 and was the interim coach for their Fenway Bowl loss at the end of the 2024 season. Belichick was hired as the new head coach earlier that month.

Priefer was a longtime NFL special teams coach who followed Belichick to Chapel Hill but lasted just one season on the job.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sources: Iowa St. QB Becht has shoulder surgery

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Sources: Iowa St. QB Becht has shoulder surgery

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht underwent labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder Thursday, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Becht played the majority of the season with a partial labrum tear and using a harness on the shoulder. He was diagnosed with the injury after the Cyclones’ loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 4. He also dealt with an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder late in the season, which he is recovering from.

Sources said Becht is expected to make a full recovery in the upcoming months as he weighs decisions about his future. The quarterback is expected to consider a return to Iowa State or entering the transfer portal.

Longtime Cyclones coach Matt Campbell left the school earlier this month to become Penn State‘s coach. The Cyclones hired Washington State‘s Jimmy Rogers as his replacement.

Becht, a junior this season, threw for 2,584 yards with 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He has totaled 9,274 yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in three-plus seasons at Iowa State.

Iowa State went 8-4 this season but opted not to play in a bowl game after Campbell’s departure.

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