Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams and the top 10 returning college football quarterbacks in 2022

Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and the top 10 college football quarterbacks returning for the 2022 season.

The 2021 college football season was the most unpredictable year ever in terms of upsets. Top 25 teams dropped at an unprecedented rate as the country failed to produce reliable powerhouse contenders. Even the national champion Georgia Bulldogs couldn’t avoid a loss against Alabama before exacting their revenge.

The only constant is change as players graduate and transfer. The 2022 season is promising even if half the nation’s most recognizable and accomplished passers are gone. There will be a new gaggle of top producers to take the place of Kenny Pickett, Bailey Zappe, Carson Strong and Kaleb Eleby.

Of course, there will be new starters who will thrive. All eyes will be on Texas and Penn State as Quinn Ewers and Drew Allar take over. But we’ll worry about them when we actually get to see them play.

For now, we’re ranking the top-10 returning college football quarterbacks for 2022. These players have the blend of talent, production, and physical skill sets to be elite forces for their program. We’ll break down and preview what’s to come for each.

10. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest

The operator of the most unique passing attack in the FBS, Sam Hartman has a difficult challenge each week. The Demon Deacons run a bizarre delayed RPO scheme that relies heavily on intermediate and vertical routes to open up rushing lanes for their backs. It works because of their talent at receiver and Hartman’s ability to hit tight windows downfield.

The trade-off is a low completion percentage compared to his peers. Hartman only completed 58 percent of his passes over the last two seasons, but also racked up 39 touchdowns. He also had four games with a long pass of 64 yards or more. Few others in the nation can compete with those bombs.

Wake will only see stiff competition within their conference schedule next season, but make sure you check out Hartman for the experience. Few teams compensate for their limitations and adjust to their strengths as well as the Demon Deacons.

9. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

It’s not time to give up on Spencer Rattler yet. Projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft just one-year ago, Rattler fell from grace as the Oklahoma Sooners had a down year. No one could have guessed the big-armed passer would see his explosive plays drop significantly to the point where he’d be benched for someone even better.

Rattler quickly transferred to South Carolina after the season ended despite Oklahoma losing both Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams. New Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer recruited and coached Rattler previously. He’ll know exactly how to unlock what had Rattler beaming with potential not long ago.

Rattler wasn’t bad in his time on the field in 2021 but something felt off. His impressive 74.9 percent completion rate can’t make up for averaging 1.7 yards less per completion than he did in 2020. But it points to a skill set that at least makes him one of the higher baseline passers in the nation.

The best-case scenario is Rattler thrives in the SEC thanks to sound decision-making and great accuracy. He can elevate the program to a height we haven’t seen in several years.

8. Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Even if we knowingly accept that any Mike Leach quarterback will be productive, what Will Rogers is doing in the SEC was deemed impossible by many. Ranking second by three pass attempts, Rogers had an unusual burden placed upon his right arm compared to the vast majority of passers. He responded by leading the nation with his 73.9 percent completion rate and compiling an absurd 4,739 yards, 36 touchdowns and only nine interceptions.

Those numbers in the SEC were unheard of just a few years ago. Rogers is cerebral even if his average completion is under seven yards. The fact is Mississippi State has to be somewhat gimmicky in order to win at a higher level, and Leach favors short passes to running.

He won’t win many awards as far as physical stature, athleticism, or big plays, but Rogers is consistently great in his role. Outside of a clunker against Alabama in 2021, he was remarkably reliable as a sophomore. We look forward to seeing his next stage of development.

7. Tanner Mordecai, SMU

Another former Oklahoma quarterback to grace our list is Tanner Mordecai. In his first season at SMU, Mordecai showed off a quick release and strong arm to all levels of the field. The pocket passer completed just under 68 percent of his passes for 3,628 yards, 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

SMU’s quick underneath passing game devastated opponents throughout the year. He had just one sub-300 yard game in the Mustangs’ first eight games. By the second week of October, Mordecai amassed 24 passing scores and had taken zero sacks.

Cincinnati shut down SMU’s passing game, limiting Mordecai to only 66 yards on 26 attempts. Expect that game to be motivating for Mordecai and SMU in 2022. We could see this attack grow even more now there’s chemistry established and continuity.

6. Jake Haener, Fresno State

I’d argue the most pleasant development of 2021 was the individual growth of Fresno State senior Jake Haener. A good athlete who was accurate but not dynamic in his first season with the Bulldogs in 2020, Haener showed better arm strength and playmaking last year. He was so good that he planned on transferring back to Washington with his extra eligibility before returning to the Bulldogs.

Haener’s slight 6-foot-1,195-pound frame isn’t intimidating. But as he completed 67 percent of his passes for almost 4,100 yards and 33 touchdowns, he quickly carried one of the nation’s top offenses. He maximized a talented group of receivers and rusher, nearly pulling off a massive upset of Oregon in Week 2, and beating No. 13 UCLA in Week 4.

Haener could’ve jumped to the NFL this offseason but is now the top senior in college football. His newfound swagger is game-changing for a Bulldogs program that desperately needed to luck into a star. Haener has a giant stage against USC in Week 3 next year to improve his national standing.

5. Caleb Williams, TBD

The most shocking development of 2021 was easily how Caleb Williams relieved Rattler and proved to be a more effective playmaker. The first true freshman on the list is now in the transfer portal, largely assumed to be joining Lincoln Riley at USC. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound dual-threat would be the best talent the program has seen at quarterback since Matt Leinart.

Williams plays freely but not recklessly. He consistently keeps his eyes downfield as he moves the pocket with ease. And he owns a howitzer on his shoulder, able to hit targets 60 yards downfield.

He does lack experience, as evidenced by his benching in November before returning to finish the season as a starter. Some of this ranking is from sheer talent and projection. His emergence was that startling to have someone with seven starts over more veteran producers.

Williams could be Riley’s next No. 1 overall pick if his development is as linear as Baker Mayfield’s and Kyler Murray. Williams is more physically gifted than Rattler and doesn’t have the same mental block that seems to prohibit the latter from achieving more. We could see our sixth and fifth-rated passers face-off in Week 3 next year if Williams indeed joins USC.

4. Brennan Armstrong, Virginia 

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong had a few glimpses of brilliance as a sophomore in 2020 when he broke through as a starter for the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder returned to campus a different playmaker in 2021, though, posting eye-popping numbers for a team that has relied upon dual-threat quarterbacks over the last decade.

Armstrong is a tremendous downfield thrower and made Virginia a weekly must-watch. His epic battle with North Carolina’s Sam Howell featured 554 yards and four scores. The next week, Armstrong totaled 407 yards and two touchdowns.

How Armstrong can top a year with 4,444 yards on 65 percent completions and 31 touchdowns remains to be seen. Regardless, he is clearly the top talent in the ACC at the position entering 2022. His explosive downfield throwing will propel his name into nationwide recognition and award races.

3. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

Though he may not boast the volume stats of his peers, make no mistake that Grayson McCall is as valuable to the Chanticleers as any quarterback in the country. His unrivaled efficiency is reflected in his 73 percent completion rate on an incredible 11.9 average yards per completion, and 27-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Not one of his peers can compare to those numbers.

Everything McCall does is smooth and easy. He has a solid release and excellent touch all over the field. He’s forgotten amongst the big-time quarterbacks because he’s at a Group of Five school and attempted 30 passes only once all year. He’d be a Heisman contender if he were at a more pass-heavy Power Five school.

We’ll see McCall and Armstrong face off mid-November next year in what could be a preview of future NFL starters. They couldn’t play more differently, but nonetheless are enjoyable. Hopefully, Coastal Carolina puts more on McCall’s plate so we can see his star shine brighter.

2. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

After a rocky start in Columbus that had fans wondering if C.J. Stroud was really the best of their touted quarterback room, Stroud hit a massive developmental curve after his passing shoulder fully healed. The freshman had to overcome slow starts in the first half against Minnesota, Oregon, and Michigan as nerves got the best of him. But his peaks against Michigan State, Purdue and Utah in the Rose Bowl were as good as anyone in the nation.

Stroud has all of the physical tools to be the best quarterback in the country. His touch can be excellent, and he is consistently good on short passes. Expectations were insanely high after Ohio State had just produced Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields, and Stroud looked the part after settling in.

The numbers for Stroud were silly in Ryan Day’s system filled with 5-star receivers. His 4,435 yards, 71.9 percent completion rate, 44 touchdowns and six interceptions may not be repeated but Stroud’s ceiling is much higher than what he showed for portions of 2021. Consistent accuracy and confidence can elevate him to the top spot in 2022.

1. Bryce Young, Alabama

Where else would the Heisman Trophy winner land but No. 1?

The Alabama star sophomore ranked second in the nation in yards and touchdowns in his first season as a starter. The dynamic pocket passer showed off a tremendously strong arm and great accuracy to all parts of the field. There was never a doubt he was a superstar from the opening snap against Miami.

Young’s lean frame allows him to stay bouncy and avoid sacks effectively despite his penchant for extending plays. He can get better at knowing when to take what he can and not over-extending, but his instinct is an asset. Alabama is terrifying with another gifted downfield passer under center.

The National Championship game was his worst of the year as pressure reigned down all game long. However, my guess is Young will come back much better for the adversity. And that could make Alabama nearly invincible in 2022.

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