There are a lot of great QBs in the G5 conferences. Some of these players have NFL potential, some are P5 transfers, and some are just great all around players. Here’s a spotlight of many names that often fly under the radar.
Dillon Gabriel – UCF
Gabriel is one of the top QBs in CFB not just the G5. He’s definitely a gun slinger and in his career he’s totaled 7,223 Passing yards, 61 TDs, and also rushed for 6 TDs. I’m interested to see how he fits with new head coach Gus Malzahn.
Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati
Ridder is an intriguing NFL Prospect. He has the size and arm strength to be a 1st round pick. In his career he’s totaled 6,905 Passing yards and 57 TDs, completing 61% of his passes. He’s also rushed for 1,825 yards and 22 TDs.
Malik Willis – Liberty
Willis is such a phenomenal athlete and QB. He proved last season that he can pass as well as run. He’s totaled 2,319 Passing yards and 21 TDs in his career, and rushed for 16 TDs. Don’t be surprised if he’s a 1st round NFL Draft selection.
Grayson McCall – Coastal Carolina
McCall shined last season as a Redshirt Freshman. The 2020 Sun Belt Player of the Year has thrown for 2,513 yards and 27 TDs in his career to just 3 INTs. He’s completing 69.3% of his passes and has also added 7 rushing TDs.
Dustin Crum – Kent State
Crum led Kent State to their first bowl win in program history in 2019. He’s a Dual Threat QB who has completed an outstanding 68.7% of his passes in his career. In his career, he’s thrown for 4,214 yards, 35 TDs, and rushed for 12 TDs.
Carson Strong – Nevada
Strong is possibly the most underrated G5 QB in the country. He’s a darkhorse 1st round option for next year’s NFL Draft. In his career, he’s thrown for 5,193 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Bailey Zappe – WKU
Zappe, a transfer from Houston Baptist, is an absolute GUN SLINGER! In his career, he’s thrown for 10,004 yards and 78 Touchdowns. Can’t wait to see how he does in CUSA.
Levi Lewis – Louisiana
Lewis returns in 2021 for his 5th season. The lefty has thrown for 6,286 yards and 54 TDs in his career with just 14 INTs. He’s also a running threat with 745 rushing yards and 9 TDs.
Layne Hatcher – Arkansas State
Hatcher split duties at QB with Logan Bonner last year. He should be in line for QB1 duties as long as he beats out Florida St transfer James Blackman. In his career, he’s thrown for 5,004 yards and 46 TDs, completing 63.5% of his passes.
Drew Plitt – Ball State
Plitt is back for his third season as starting QB. Last season, he led the Cardinals to a MAC championship. In his career, he’s thrown for 6,520 yards and 50 TDs, rushed for 12 TDs. Plitt and Ball State travel to PSU on September 11th.
Hank Bachmeier – Boise State
Bachmeier has potential to be one of the top G5 QBs in CFB. In his career, he’s thrown for 3,029 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 3 TDs.
Michael Pratt – Tulane
Pratt had a big season as a Freshman in 2020. He threw for 1,806 yards and 20 TDs and rushed for 8 TDs. Remember the name. Pratt has a bright future.
Nick Starkel – San Jose State
Starkel is one of the top returning QBs in the Mountain West. In his career, he’s thrown for 5,288 yards and 39 TDs. However, he is turnover prone with 23 INTs. Expect the sixth year QB to lead the Spartans to 8-10 wins in 2021.
Brady McBride – Texas State
McBride a former transfer gave the Bobcats’ offense a spark last season. He threw for 1,925 yards and 17 TDs, completing 61.3% of his passes.
Kaleb Eleby – WMU
Eleby is a really good player and one of the top QBs in the G5. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,791 yards and 22 TDs with just 5 INTs. He’s also a threat on the ground with 7 rushing TDs.
Chris Reynolds – Charlotte
Reynolds is a fifth year QB who has thrown for 5,042 yards and 36 TDs in his career and rushed for 7 TDs. Reynolds has some key weapons to throw to like WRs Victor Tucker and Cameron Dollar. Expect a big 2021 season from him.
DJ Mack – ODU
The Virginia native Mack transfers back home from UCF. In his career, he’s thrown for 838 yards 7 TDs and rushed for 516 yards with 9 TDs. Mack is the best overall QB on the Monarchs roster. I’d be surprised if he didn’t start.
Logan Bonner – Utah State
Bonner following HC Blake Anderson over from Arkansas State was a HUGE pickup for Utah State. In his career, he’s thrown for 3,166 yards 30 TDs with just 9 INTs. He’s also rushed for a touchdown.
Tanner Mordecai – SMU
Mordecai is a transfer from Oklahoma, and he’s just a Sophomore. In his career, he’s thrown for 639 yards and 4 TDs while completing 71.4% of his passes. He has big potential.
Clayton Tune – Houston
Clayton Tune is a gunslinger. In his career, he’s thrown for 4,376 yards and 34 TDs and rushed for 550 yards with 8 TDs. Tune needs to cut down on his turnovers (21 career INTs) and improve his completion percentage of 57.7% in 2021.
Holton Ahlers – ECU
Ahlers is a veteran who’s thrown for 7,099 yards and 51 TDs. He’s also rushed for 1,060 yards and 13 TDs in his career.
Grant Wells – Marshall
Wells shined in 2020 as a Freshman. He threw for 2,091 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 2 TDs. He has good pocket awareness and poise for a young player.
Chevan Cordeiro – Hawaii
Cordeiro is only a sophomore and has already proven himself as a legit QB. In his career, he’s thrown for 3,374 yards and 28 TDs, completing 61% of his passes. He’s also a threat on the ground, rushing for 10 TDs.
Jake Bentley – South Alabama
What a journey it’s been for Bentley, the former South Carolina starter and Utah QB will play his final season for Kane Wommack and the Jaguars. In his career, he’s thrown for 8,409 yards 61 TDs and rushed for 9 TDs.
Jake Haener – Fresno State
Haener, the UW Transfer, averaged 336.8 passing yards per game last season. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,128 yards and 15 TDs, completing 65% of his passes. He’s also added 3 rushing TDs. Expect a big 2021 season from him.
Terry Wilson – New Mexico
Wilson transfers to the Lobos from Kentucky, where he was a solid starter for the Wildcats. In his career, he’s thrown for 3,436 yards and 20 TDs, while completing 65% of his passes. He’s also a running threat with 1,015 yards and 10 TDs.
Grant Gunnell – Memphis
Gunnell transfers in from Arizona, where he played pretty well. In his career, he’s totaled 1,864 Passing yards and 15 TDs, completing 66.5% of his passes. Expect him to do well for Memphis and find WR Calvin Austin III for 10+ TDs.
Bailey Hockman – MTSU
Hockman transfers in from NC State. In his career, he’s totaled 2,634 yards and 14 TDs and rushed for 3 TDs. He will do well in the CUSA for the Blue Raiders.
Preston Hutchinson – EMU
If you watched EMU play last season, you realized how spectacular Hutchinson was. He’s a Dual Threat who’s passed for 2,124 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 10 TDs in his career. Remember the name!
Gunnar Watson – Troy
Watson has completed 69.3% of his passes in his career which is really good. He’s only a sophomore and has already thrown for 2,275 yards and 16 TDs in his career.
Cornelious Brown IV – Georgia State
Brown is one of the most underrated QBs in the G5. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,408 yards 17 TDs and added 316 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. The Panthers are one of those teams who could get a big Sun Belt upset in 2021.
Tyler Johnston III – UAB
Johnston III the sixth year veteran has thrown for 4,429 yards and 35 TDs in his career and rushed for 5 more. Johnston has to battle for the starting QB job, but his leadership and consistency should help him.
Jarren Williams – USF
Williams transfers to the Bulls from Miami. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,204 yards and 19 TDs and rushed for 1 TD. Williams will compete for the starting job this fall.
Brett Gabbert – Miami OH
Brett is the brother of Bucs QB Blaine and was the 2019 MAC Freshman of the Year. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,795 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 3 TDs.
Todd Centeio – Colorado State
Centeio is a transfer from Temple who threw for 207 yards and 1 TD last season for the Rams. In his career, he’s totaled 820 Passing yards 8 TDs with just 2 INTs. He’s also a threat rushing with 327 yards and 1 TD.
Jacob Sirmon – CMU
Sirmon is a Washington Huskies Transfer and former 4
recruit. He’s 6’5″ with a big arm and could develop into one of the top QBs in the MAC this season, if he wins the starting job.
Daniel Richardson – CMU
Richardson impressed me last season as a Freshman. He threw for 714 yards and 4 TDs and rushed for 1 TD. He will compete with Washington transfer Jacob Sirmon for QB1.
Frank Harris – UTSA
Harris is a Dual Threat who is one of the most underrated QBs in the G5. In his career, he’s totaled 2,116 Passing yards and 15 TDs, completing 66% of his passes. He’s also rushed for 9 TDs in his career.
Luke Anthony – Louisiana Tech
Anthony had a good season in 2020 throwing for 1,479 yards and 16 TDs, and he rushed for 1 TD. Expect the Senior to have a big 2021 season.
Austin Aune – North Texas
Aune has some experience, he’s thrown for 1,786 yards and 14 TDs in his career with just 4 INTs. He needs to improve on his 55.3 completion percentage in 2021.
Kyle Vantrease – Buffalo
Vantrease is a Senior leader for the Bulls. In his career, he’s thrown for 2,894 yards and 17 TDs and rushed for 10 TDs.
Chase Brice – Appalachian State
Brice had a rough 2020 season for Duke, throwing 15 INTs and just 10 TD passes. He transfers to Appalachian State where he has more playmakers to work with like WRs Corey Sutton and Thomas Hennigan. Expect a better 2021 season.
Baylor Romney – BYU
Romney has thrown for 1,008 yards and 8 TDs in his young career, completing 65% of his passes. Romney is only a sophomore, and he’s projected to be the opening day starter.
Kurtis Rourke – Ohio
Rourke threw for 386 yards 3 TDs with 0 INTs in 2020 as a Freshman. He’s the brother of Nathan who was a sensational QB for the Bobcats. Kurtis has the potential to be just as good.
Kato Nelson – Akron
Nelson has 5,138 Passing yards and 34 TDs in his career and 2 rushing TDs. He needs to work on his accuracy, completing just 52.4% of his passes. But he’s definitely a senior leader for the Zips.
Rhett Rodriguez – ULM
Rodriguez follows his dad Rich to the Warhawks, transferring over from Arizona. In his career, he’s totaled 578 Passing yards and 3 TDs.
Carter Bradley – Toledo
Bradley is just a sophomore but he looks poised to take over as QB1 for the Rockets. In his career, he’s thrown for 1,405 yards and 10 TDs and rushed for 1 TD. He needs to cut down on INTs (7) and improve his completion percentage of 53.5.
Justin Rogers – UNLV
Rogers the former TCU Horned Frog has a ton of potential for the Rebels. In 2020, he threw for 161 yards and 1 TD. He was a highly touted recruit who’s a Dual Threat.
Haaziq Daniels – Air Force
Daniels rushed for 297 yards and 3 TDs last season and passed for 433 yards and 3 TDs. He is expected to be QB1 come this fall.
Rocky Lombardi – NIU
Lombardi was the starter for Michigan State and has thrown for 1,902 yards and 11 TDs in his career. The biggest negatives for him are 14 INTs & a 47.9 completion %. The step down in competition will benefit him.
Sean Chambers – Wyoming
Chambers has dealt with injuries in his career, but when healthy, he makes plays. He’s thrown for 1,187 yards and 10 TDs and rushed for 894 yards and 12 TDs. He needs to improve his 46.3 completion %, but amazingly he’s only thrown 3 INTs.
Levi Williams – Wyoming
Williams has thrown for 1,220 yds and 4 TDs in his career and also has 8 rushing TDs. The biggest issue is his accuracy. He has 5 INTs and has only completed 49.4% of his passes. If he can work on that, he can compete for the starting job.
Desmond Trotter – South Alabama
Trotter showed a lot of potential last season and impressed me in quite a few games. In his career, he’s totaled 2,737 Passing yards and 19 TDs completing 62.6% of his passes. He’s also added 2 rushing TDs in his career.
Tyhier Tyler – Army
Tyler will have to battle for the starting QB job, but he did prove himself last season. He led the Black Knights with 578 rushing yards and also had 5 TDs.
Christian Anderson – Army
Anderson was the Black Knights starter last season, but injuries limited him and he only started five games. In his career, he’s totaled 845 rushing yards and 8 TDs and 350 Passing yards and 2 TDs.
Jack Zergiotis – UConn
In 2019 as a Freshman Zergiotis threw for 1,782 yards and 9 TDs but also had 11 INTs. Zergiotis is only a sophomore and has had plenty of time to develop his game. I’m interested to see how he’s developed since 2019.
Max Bortenschlager – FIU
Bortenschlager has thrown for 1,806 Passing yards and 13 TDs in his career and rushed for 2 TDs. He’s an experienced veteran who came back for an extra year.
Re-al Mitchell – Temple
Mitchell an Iowa State Transfer threw for 233 yards and 1 TD in 2020. He’s a Dual Threat who also rushed for 114 yards.
Michael Johnson Jr – FAU
Johnson Jr transfers in from Penn State and his father is the Offensive Coordinator for the Owls. Johnson Jr is a former 4-star and has excellent wheels. I’m interested to see how developed he is passing the ball in 2021.
Trey Lowe III – Southern Miss
Lowe is a transfer from West Virginia. He’s thrown for 435 yards and 2 TDs in his career and rushed for 125 yards and 1 TD.
Bryson Lucero – UAB
Lucero threw for 969 yards, 7 TDs, and 8 INTs in 2020. He’s only a Sophomore, but he showed potential last season. He could be a really solid QB, if he cuts back on the turnovers.
Tyler Lytle – UMass
Lytle transferred in from Colorado. He’s 6’5′ 220 lbs and has a ton of upside. In his career, he’s only thrown for 68 yards, but expect head coach Walt Bell to develop him into a solid starter.
Matt McDonald – Bowling Green
Bowling Green hopes the Boston College transfer McDonald can give them solid play at QB. In his career, he’s thrown 3 TD passes, but has only completed 46.6% of his passes and has 6 INTs.
Jalen Mayden – SDSU
Mayden, a transfer from Mississippi State, could be a dynamic QB for the Aztecs. The former 4 is a Dual Threat who could be one of the top QBs in the Mountain West this season.
JoVoni Johnson – Rice
Johnson is just a Freshman, but has a lot of potential for the Owls. Johnson started two games last season. In his career, he’s thrown for 322 yards, 2 TDs, and rushed for 2 TDs.
Nick Tronti – FAU
Tronti has thrown for 1,085 yards and 8 TDs in his career and rushed for 4 TDs. The Junior will compete with Penn St transfer Michael Johnson Jr for the starting job.
Jonah Johnson – NMSU
Johnson is a JUCO Transfer who has a big arm, and he’s also a capable threat on the ground. NMSU went 2-10 in 2019, but depending on the play of Johnson, I could see them winning 3 or 4 games.
Gavin Hardison – UTEP
The Miners need Hardison to step up big this season and improve on his career completion percentage of 51.9%. In his career, he’s totaled 1,754 passing yards and 6 TDs with 5 INTs.
