Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates a play against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay/AP Photo/Eric Gay
During the first weeks of the college football season, some quarterbacks at Texas universities fell short of the hype surrounding them as they entered the season, while others emerged as pleasant surprises.
Preseason expectations can be a blessing for some and a heavy burden to carry for others.
While Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), Will Hammond (Texas Tech) and Arch Manning (Texas) have fallen short, others have emerged as unexpected bright spots.
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Here’s a look at the season so far for quarterbacks at Texas programs:
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) drops back to pass against Miami during the first half of the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Karen Warren/AP
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Reed has been inconsistent as the Aggies have struggled to a 3-2 start.
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In Week 4 against LSU, Reed looked noticeably off, completing just 10 of 26 passes for a meager 106 yards. LSU’s pass rush was relentless, sacking him four times, but Reed’s individual performance still left much to be desired. Last week, in a 34-7 victory over Arkansas, Reed threw for 170 yards, completing 13 of 19 passes with no touchdowns.
Through Week 5, Reed has 908 passing yards, completing 85 of 149 attempts (57%), with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Reed is 74th in passing yards, tied for 73rd in passing touchdowns, tied for 93rd in interceptions and 77th in QBR, with a 54.6 rating.
Texas A&M’s next game is Saturday against the Missouri Tigers.
Will Hammond, Texas Tech
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Texas Tech sits atop the Big 12 with a 5-0 record. Nonetheless, Hammond has had a difficult season. Through the first four games, Hammond’s cumulative statistics are:
– Completions/attempts: 97/142
– Completion percentage: 68.3%
– Passing yards: 1,102
– Passing touchdowns: 5
– Interceptions: 5
Hammond called his Week 4 game against Sam Houston “the worst football game of my life,” despite Texas Tech’s 49-14 blowout victory. He had a disastrous stretch in the second quarter, throwing an interception on each of three consecutive offensive possessions.
Although he finished the game completing 17 of 29 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, Hammond was hard on himself.
In Week 5, Texas Tech defeated Colorado 29-7. Hammond threw for 136 yards and one touchdown, completing 17 of 26 passes.
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Through five games, Hammond has thrown five touchdown passes and five interceptions. He is tied for the most interceptions in the Big 12.
Hammond became Tech’s starting quarterback after high-profile transfer Brendan Sorsby left the program amid an NCAA gambling investigation.
He is 49th in passing yards, tied for 90th in touchdown passes, tied for 111th in interceptions and 54th in QBR (61.2).
Texas Tech’s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against Arizona State.
Arch Manning, Texas
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The Longhorns (4-0) are No. 1 in the nation, but Manning has not received rave reviews for his individual performance.
The biggest on-field criticisms of Manning have been his inconsistent passing accuracy and slow reactions in the pocket, which have kept him from getting the ball out quickly and from avoiding sacks.
In Week 4, the Longhorns earned a hard-fought 20-17 road win over the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers, but Manning faced scrutiny after completing 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards and an interception while taking six sacks.
The Longhorns had a bye week, and Saturday they will face the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.
Through four games, Manning has completed 73 of 115 passes (63.5%) for 862 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His ESPN QBR is 64.6, which ranks 48th nationally.
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He is ranked 83rd in passing yards, tied for 58th in passing touchdowns and tied for 70th in interceptions.
Manning is eligible for the 2027 NFL draft but some have advised him to stay with the Longhorns for another year to refine his skills.
“I believe he should come back for another year. When guys are ready to go to the NFL, playing college football looks easy for them,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III said in a recent interview with Colin Cowherd.
Kevin Jennings, SMU
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) walks off the field after winning an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Kevin Jennings has been instrumental in helping the Mustangs maintain a 4-1 record and remain undefeated at home.
In Week 4 against Missouri State, Jennings threw for 464 yards and became SMU’s career passing leader.
Through Week 5, Jennings has completed 117 of 156 passes (75%) for 1,588 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. He ranks third nationally in passing yards, is tied for sixth in passing touchdowns and is tied for 111th in interceptions. His ESPN QBR is 78.2, which ranks 26th.
SMU’s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against the Virginia Cavaliers.
Jaden Craig, TCU
TCU is 2-3, but quarterback Jaden Craig has put together a strong individual performance while leading the Horned Frogs’ offense.
Through five games, Craig has completed 108 of 157 passes (68.8%) for 1,400 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He ranks 12th nationally in passing yards, tied for 42nd in touchdown passes, tied for 93rd in interceptions and 81st in QBR, with a 53.6 rating.
TCU’s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against Baylor.
Conner Weigman, Houston
Through five games, Weigman has completed 91 of 135 passes (67.4%) for 1,186 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. He ranks 36th nationally in passing yards, tied for 21st in touchdown passes, tied for 12th in interceptions and 20th in QBR, with an 80.6 rating.
With Weigman at quarterback, Houston has been outstanding on third down. The Cougars have converted 40 of 61 third-down attempts (65.6%) through five games, the best rate in the nation.
Houston ranks second in scoring offense and fourth in total offense in the Big 12.
Houston’s next game is Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats.
Owen McCown, UTSA
Through five games, McCown has completed 103 of 151 passes (68.2%) for 1,010 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He ranks 62nd nationally in passing yards, tied for 58th in passing touchdowns, tied for 45th in interceptions and 108th in ESPN QBR, with a 40.4 rating
The Roadrunners have a 4-1 record in the AAC. McCown has already secured his place in UTSA’s record books as the starting quarterback for each of the first three bowl wins in program history.
Watched A LOT of QB’s the past 2 years, UTSA QB Owen McCown may be the best I’ve seen. No idea how he’s been flying under the radar but he is a PRO. Poise in the pocket, anticipation, accuracy, timing, foot work, arm angles, you name it! And was only a sophomore! 🎥 > Everything pic.twitter.com/wofdBz9vM0
— BIP’s List (@BIPsList) July 10, 2025
Tayven Jackson, North Texas
Through five games, Tayven Jackson has completed 119 of 167 passes (71.3%) for 1,519 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He ranks fifth nationally in passing yards, tied for 30th in touchdown passes, tied for 93rd in interceptions and 11th in ESPN QBR, with an 83.3 rating
Before arriving at North Texas, Jackson had stints at UCF, Indiana and Tennessee.
“Tayven’s been through some adversity at Indiana and UCF. What that does is it gives you some resiliency,” UNT head coach Neal Brown said in August when he announced Jackson would be the team’s starting quarterback. “He’s felt disappointment before, and he’s worked extremely hard since he’s been here not to repeat that feeling. He’s also super-talented.”
North Texas’ next game is Saturday against Charlotte.
Brad Jackson, Texas State
Through five games, Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson has completed 92 of 138 passes (66.7%) for 1,226 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. He ranks 29th nationally in passing yards, tied for ninth in touchdown passes, tied for 111th in interceptions and 31st in QBR, with a 75.6 rating.
Texas State’s next game is against Colorado State on Thursday, Oct. 15.