Ranking the top 15 college football starting quarterbacks for 2023

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 02: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans stands in the pocket during the third quarter of the PAC-12 Championship football game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Utah Utes won 47-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

This might seem a little high for Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, yet, by the end of the season, this ranking will make a lot of sense.

McCarthy threw 22 touchdown passes last season in his first as a starter for the Michigan Wolverines. He also ran for five scores.

Yes, the Fiesta Bowl wasn’t his best moment. He threw two interceptions but also passed for 343 yards and accounted for more than 400 total.

Cut out the mistakes and it would have been a legendary performance. That’s going to be the goal in 2023 and for most of last season, McCarthy was elite at avoiding mistakes. He only threw three interceptions in the first 13 games and also flashed his elite arm down the stretch.

Michigan’s run-heavy offense damps down his stats. Yet, Jim Harbaugh has pledged more balance and if the Wolverines unleash McCarthy, he’ll be a legitimate Heisman contender. I also think he’ll be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

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