College Quarterbacks to Watch This Weekend
With the Patriots near the bottom of the league heading into week 6 and potentially needing a new quarterback. It’s time to take a look at some of the most exciting college quarterbacks that are playing this weekend.
TEMPE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws a 29-yard touchdown reception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
USC Trojans (+2.5) @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish 7:30 pm on NBC
Caleb Williams is one of the most talked about QB prospects in recent memory, winning the Heisman trophy in 2022 he’s only continued to build his resume. This weekend, he leads an undefeated USC team into South Bend looking to upset the Irish. As a Patriots fan it’ll be tough to get Williams as he’s projected to be the #1 pick in the draft and there are some pretty bad teams in the NFL this year.
He’s still worth monitoring though, as he’s compared to Patrick Mahomes for his ability to evade pressure in the pocket and make big throws on the run. Williams biggest knock might be his size, he’s listed at 6’1, but that might come into question at the NFL combine.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 02: Sam Hartman #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee State Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 02, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Sam Hartman: the Notre Dame QB is another top QB prospect, but his journey has been much different than Williams’. Hartman spent 2018-2022 at Wake Forest, making second and third team all ACC while he was there. I’m not as high on Hartman as some mostly because of his age (24) and his ceiling, I don’t see him continuing to get better and grow as a quarterback at the next level. He could be a serviceable NFL QB, but I wouldn’t reach for him in the first round if I’m the Patriots.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies warms up before the Valero Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at the Alamodome on December 29, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Oregon Ducks (+3.0) @ Washington Huskies
Bo Nix: has a similar journey to Sam Hartman, Nix spent 2019-2021 with the Auburn Tigers getting off to a great start, winning the Iron Bowl as a freshman but only ended up amassing a 21-13 record at Auburn. Nix’s biggest problems at Auburn were his decision-making at times and not elevating those around him as much as you’d like to see.
It wasn’t all on Nix, though, he had a weak offensive line and the head coach clearly had issues with him. As reports were that Nix was all but forced out of Auburn after suffering an injury against Mississippi State. Nix has reinvented himself in the up-tempo Oregon offense, going 10-3 last season. He leads the Ducks into Washington with a 5-0 record this season. Nix is closer to Hartman in terms of NFL future in my mind, than he is Caleb Williams or Michael Penix but he’s still a guy worth taking a look at if you’re the Patriots.
Michael Penix Jr.: My favorite of the 4 quarterbacks (yes, including Caleb Williams) is Michael Penix Jr. Penix checks every box in what you’re looking for in a franchise QB. He’s 6’3 can move in and out of the pocket and has a rocket for an arm. Washington is one of the most loaded teams in the country and should make a run at the college football playoff. Penix went 11-2 last season, throwing for 31 TDs and 8 interceptions.
This season, Penix has been on fire, leading the Huskies to a 5-0 record with an astounding 16 touchdowns and 2 interceptions to this point. Penix finished 8th in Heisman voting last season and won the AP comeback player of the year. I expect him to be much higher in the Heisman voting this year and for his name to be one of the first read at the NFL draft next spring. If the Patriots really want to start over, I think Penix would be the perfect guy to do it with.
