Returning Quarterbacks: 8 Under-the-Radar Names to Note

This offseason, names like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Quinn Ewers will dominate news cycles. In the words of the Mad Titan Thanos, "Dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same." These words were in reference to the Texas quarterback battle, an oft-overlooked bit from the blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War.

Instead of dipping back into the dried up well that is the six big-name QBs returning to campus this fall, we're going to shed light on some lesser-known names. Don't be surprised if many – if not all – become household names by the time December rolls around.

You might want to jot these names down.

Riley Leonard, Duke

For the past several years, Duke has pumped out quality quarterbacks, most recently Riley Leonard. In 2021, the second-year threw for 20 touchdowns and added another 13 on the ground while throwing just six interceptions. Duke turned in a quality 9-4 season, capped by a convincing bowl win over UCF.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils lose out on ACC divisions this year and must now contend with Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina for a spot in the conference championship. While an ACC title is unlikely under Leonard, he should have another immensely productive year and Duke may contend for their second 10-win season in school history.

Taylen Green, Boise State

In Week 5 of his sophomore season, Green wound up the starting QB for Boise State. The Broncos fired their offensive coordinator and, in turn, incumbent starter Hank Bachmeier hit the transfer portal. Green stepped in and immediately turned the Boise State offense around. Before his arrival, the Broncos averaged 22 points per game; under Green, they averaged 32.5.

Despite playing in the Mountain West, Green may end up a coveted NFL prospect in the not-too-distant future. He stands 6-foot-6 and can run the daylights out of the football. In nine starts (plus some time Week 1 against Oregon State), Green combined for 24 touchdowns and threw just six interceptions. Boise State won seven of nine games after he took the reigns.

Seth Henigan, Memphis

Memphis never seems to be without quarterback talent for long. First-round draft pick Paxton Lynch was succeeded by Riley Ferguson (who threw 70 touchdowns in two years), who was succeeded by 10,000-yard passer Brady White who now gives way to Seth Henigan. Seriously, Memphis might be the QB factory people talk about the least.

In each of his first two seasons, Henigan threw for at least 3,300 yards, including eclipsing 3,500 yards in 2022. He added 22 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and Memphis finished 22nd nationally in scoring (35.3 points per game).

Michael Pratt, Tulane

Pratt led his team to a top-10 finish and a dramatic Cotton Bowl win over USC and somehow still flies under the radar. Teammate Tyjae Spears deservedly sucked up much of the spotlight, leading to Pratt becoming a secondary note for the Green Wave nationally.

The third-year QB threw 27 touchdowns to only five interceptions – truly elite numbers nationally. He entertained the NFL and transfer portal, but decided to return when Tulane extended head coach Willie Fritz. Spears is off to the NFL and this offense now becomes solely Pratt's show.

Diego Pavia, New Mexico State

Pavia became a folk hero to the dozens of people who tuned into the Quick Lane Bowl the day after Christmas. He established himself as one tough son of a gun against Bowling Green, picking up tough yardage and clutch first downs with little to no regard of his own wellbeing. In conjunction with head coach Jerry Kill, New Mexico State won their first ever bowl game.

Pavia's back this year with several more interested eyes on him. The Aggies move to Conference-USA starting in 2023 where Pavia and New Mexico State may contend for a conference title given all the departures. Even if NMSU goes 3-9, Pavia is going to be one exciting player to watch.

Jayden de Laura, Arizona

In his first year in Tucson, de Laura helped improve Arizona from the 124th scoring offense (17.2 ppg) to 48th (30.5 ppg). The Washington State transfer rose up in the Air Raid system, which was questioned by some as to whether he would translate to UA very well.

Turns out, he was a great fit for the Wildcats in 2022, passing for nearly 3,700 yards and 25 touchdowns. Granted, the interceptions have to come down in 2023 – he threw 13 of those – but the foundation is set in Arizona for a really fun team again. Top receiver Dorian Singer left for USC, but this offense always seems to have a talented receiver up their sleeve, this time in Jacob Cowing.

Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

After the Bailey Zappe record-breaking season ended in 2021, many threw out their attention on Western Kentucky. They lost OC Zach Kittley to Texas Tech and the one-year wonders were dead to rights.

Or, maybe they weren't.

WKU turned in another electric season under OC Ben Arbuckle, who took West Florida (D2) transfer Austin Reed and turned him into the nation's leading passer. Reed hit the portal after the season, but was talked into returning into the southernmost Bowling Green in the FBS, where he threw for almost 500 yards and four TDs in the New Orleans Bowl against South Alabama.

C-USA is the Hilltoppers' for the taking after the top of the conference left for the American. Though Arbuckle is also gone (Washington State), his protégé, Drew Hollingshead, will likely lead Reed to another 4,500+ yard year.

BERT EMANUEL JR. 🚨

He somehow stays up and takes it 87 yards to tie the game! pic.twitter.com/H29PtSvZN4
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 10, 2022

Bert Emanuel Jr., Central Michigan

Remember the time a 6-foot-3 freshman ran for nearly 300 yards in a single game last year? No? Maybe that's because the game went down on a Wednesday night in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

This kid is all sorts of unbelievable on the ground, taking the MAC by storm in November. His passing needs serious work – he attempted just eight passes in four games – but Central Michigan might be able to run Emanuel Jr. 25 times a game like they're playing Madden. He has SEC-level rushing ability and we might see this kid turn into a superstar this year.

He flies so under the radar, that I couldn't find a licensed photo of him to use. The play is better, anyway.

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