Spring football begins in earnest across the country following Spring Break. The state of Texas is primed for another memorable yar at the FBS level in 2024 with the Longhorns joining the SEC and new coaching staffs at Texas A&M, Houston and UTEP. UTSA begins a new chapter without long-time quarterback Frank Harris as rival Texas State appears set for a Sun Belt title run. The Lone Star State is home to 13 FBS programs. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will rank the 10 best players at each position starting with quarterback. 

1. QUINN EWERS, TEXAS 

2023 review: 3,479 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INT, 69.04%; 5 rushing TDs 

Ewers led the Longhorns to a Big 12 championship and into the College Football Playoff for the first time in history. He’s now started 22 games in his two-year Texas career and enters year three as the incumbent starter in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. His 3,479 passing yards were fifth-most in school history. A reloaded wide receiver room should ease his transition into SEC play. 

2. PRESTON STONE, SMU 

2023 review: 3,197 passing yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, 59.88%; 4 rushing TDs 

When healthy, no quarterback in Texas was more productive than Stone in 2023. He started 12 games and led the AAC in passing efficiency with a 161.3 rating. The former four-star recruit was a key cog in the Mustangs’ first conference championship since the early 1980s, even though he was sidelined with injury in the win over Tulane. His continued progression is important for SMU’s success as new members of the ACC. 

3. DEQUAN FINN, BAYLOR 

2023 review: 2,657 passing yards, 22 TDs, 9 INTs; 63.41%; 563 rushing yards, 7 TDs (Toledo) 

We won’t hold it against you if Finn is an unfamiliar name to most college football fans in Texas because the MAC isn’t necessarily must-watch television. Baylor fans should be excited about his addition, however. All Finn did in his career at Toledo was throw for 7,074 yards and rush for 1,840. His 25 rushing touchdowns are the most in school history. He threw for at least 2,000 yards and ran for 500 more in three seasons as a Rocket. He’ll fit in nicely into new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s offense. 

4. CONNER WEIGMAN, TEXAS A&M 

2023 review: 979 passing yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs, 68.91%; 2 rushing TDs

Injuries are the only thing holding Weigman back from a breakout campaign. The hope in Aggieland is that a new offensive coordinator and a better offensive line keeps the former five-star prospect upright and on Kyle Field. Weigman is an accurate passer who avoids interceptions. He’s also more mobile than credited. 

5. JORDAN McCLOUD, TEXAS STATE 

2023 review: 3,657 passing yards, 35 TDs, 10 INTs; 8 rushing TDs (James Madison)

Texas State salvaged a potential quarterback scare with the late addition of the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.  McCloud dazzled in his one year as the starting quarterback of James Madison after stops at Arizona and USF. He’s a dual-threat who should shine in G.J. Kinne and Mack Leftwich’s offense. 

6. BEHREN MORTON, TEXAS TECH 

2023 review: 1,757 passing yards, 15 TDs, 8 INT, 62.1%; 4 rushing TDs

Injuries have hampered Morton’s development in Lubbock, but he enters an offseason as the sure-fire starting quarterback for the first time in his college career with Tyler Shough gone. He’s shown flashes of brilliance over the last two seasons despite some inconsistent play. More practice snaps, added athleticism at wide receiver, and a better offensive line should help Morton reach his four-star potential in 2024. 

7. JOSH HOOVER, TCU

2023 review: 2,206 passing yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs, 62.08%; 2 rushing TDs

Hoover took over for Chandler Morris in mid-October of the 2023 season and never looked back. He threw for 439 yards and four touchdowns in his first start. He passed for at least 300 yards in TCU’s final four games. He’ll need to cut down on the interceptions after recording one in five of his six starts last year. 

8. DONOVAN SMITH, HOUSTON 

2023 review: 2,801 passing yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs, 64.5%; 428 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Smith was solid in his first year as the starter in Houston. He’ll be engineering a new offense with Willie Fritz taking over for Dana Holgorsen. He’ll also be without Matthew Golden, who transferred to Texas. 

9. CHANDLER MORRIS, NORTH TEXAS 

2023 review: 1,532 passing yards, 15 TDs, 9 INT, 65.52%; 3 rushing TDs (TCU) 

A fresh start should help Morris, who lost the starting job at TCU to Max Duggan in 2022 and Josh Hoover in 2023. A step down a level into the American Conference might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Head coach Eric Morris should get the most out his new quarterback. 

10. EJ WARNER, RICE 

2023 review: 3,076 passing yards, 23 TDs, 12 INTs, 57.52% (Temple)

Replacing JT Daniels isn’t’ an easy task, but Warner has the pedigree to try. The son of a former NFL legend, Warner was excellent last season at Temple. He’ll know the conference.