The dust has (mostly) settled from the spring transfer portal and we’re less than 100 days until kickoff of the 2024 season. As the calendar turns to June, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football takes stock at each position room at the 13 FBS programs to provide a feel for how each stack up relative to conference strength. We provide explanations for our top five and then list 6-13 below starting with the quarterback room.

QUARTERBACK ROOMS 

1. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

The players: Quinn Ewers (Jr.), Arch Manning (Soph.), Trey Owens (Fr.) 

The outlook: This one feels like a slam dunk. The Longhorns suit up two former five-star recruits at the quarterback position in Ewers and Manning, while adding a hot shot freshman who excelled in the spring game in Owens. Ewers is a third-year starter who can become the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by living up to those five-star expectations in 2024. Everyone is ready to see what Manning is as a collegiate, but his spring game performance only added to the hype. 

2. SMU MUSTANGS 

The players: Preston Stone (Jr.), Kevin Jennings (Soph.), Keldric Luster (Fr.) 

The outlook: If not for Ewers, Stone is the most proven commodity at the quarterback position in the state of Texas despite a history with injuries. His leg injury last year allowed Jennings to play in big games – including the AAC championship win over Tulane. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee feels like both players can lead the Ponies to success in the ACC. Luster isn’t far behind. 

3. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

The players: Conner Weigman (Soph.), Jaylen Henderson (Jr.), Marcel Reed (Fr.) 

The outlook: Recruiting dorks like me continue to pound the table for Weigman and his stints as the starting quarterback in College Station help the notion that he’ll be a star if he can stay healthy. He was hurt late in his high school career and the bug has followed him to Aggieland. Weigman is the starter when healthy because of that upside, but new head coach Mike Elko knows that Texas A&M can win with Henderson or Reed at quarterback. We love Reed’s upside in Collin Klein’s offense. 

4. TCU HORNED FROGS 

The players: Josh Hoover (Soph.), Ken Seals (Jr.), Hauss Henjy (Fr.) 

The outlook: Hoover threw for at least 300 yards in five of his six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023, including 400-plus yard performance against BYU and Baylor. Sonny Dykes & Co. believe his talent and moxie are what the Horned Frogs lacked after Max Duggan’s departure. Seals is a former Texas high school standout with SEC experience. Henjy is one of the top true freshman quarterback prospects in football. 

5. BAYLOR BEARS 

The players: Dequan Finn (Sr.), Sawyer Robertson (Jr.) 

The outlook: Finn was the MAC Player of the Year a year ago and should fit nicely into new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s scheme. He’s a dual threat who makes plays off script when required. Robertson has ability and experience. 

BEST OF THE REST 

6. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

Adding the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year in Jordan McCloud is a huge boost. The depth is talented but unproven. 

7. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 

If Behren Morton’s health was a 100 percent guarantee, we’d move the Red Raiders into the top five. 

8. HOUSTON COUGARS

New offense should help Donovan Smith and we’re fans of the Zeon Chriss addition. 

9. NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN

Chandler Morris should flourish in the AAC with Eric Morris calling plays. 

10. RICE OWLS 

The addition of E.J. Warner from Temple keeps the Owls in bowl contention. 

11. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

It is a new day in San Antonio with Frank Harris no longer behind center. Owen McCown and Eddie Lee Marburger split snaps in the spring. 

12. UTEP MINERS 

Scotty Walden offenses rarely struggle to gain yards, so we believe Cade McConnell and/or Skyler Locklear is poised for success. 

13. SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS

Jase Bauer and Hunter Watson were added through the portal to improve the position.