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Pac-12 quarterback power rankings: Does Shedeur Sanders crack the top tier?

By Josh Yourish

Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders reacts against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders reacts against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Huskies at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Huskies at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12 QB rankings No. 3: Caleb Williams

  • Passing yards: 2,958
  • TD: 28 INT: 4
  • Comp: 69.2%
  • YPA: 9.5

Full disclosure, I started these rankings with Williams at No. 5. One of my most important criteria when ranking quarterbacks is what they do under pressure from an opposing pass rush. Caleb Williams has 15 turnover-worthy plays when pressured this season and all four of his interceptions.

He holds the ball too long with a time to throw of 4.47 seconds when pressured which is second in the Pac-12 only to Jayden de Laura, who lost his starting job at Arizona. He’s also far too loose with the football with those potential turnovers. Yet, he is so good that he overcomes that.

When pressured, Williams is fourth in the Pac-12 in yards per attempt with an ADOT of 10.4 and he’s run for 146 yards despite being sacked 26 times. Shedeur Sanders holds onto the ball too long too, just not quite as long, and he has seven turnover-worthy plays when pressured, but he doesn’t make up for it with a ridiculous arm and maybe the best numbers in football when kept clean.

Williams is No. 4 in the country in expected points added at 63.1, even better than Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. He also averaged 20.2 yards per attempt on passes 20+ yards downfield which is third in the country.

The Caleb Williams haters are out, but don’t count me amongst them. I’d still take him No. 1 overall in the Spring. He’s just trying to do too much because he knows his defense is going to give up 40 every game. He’s not an Andrew Luck/Peyton Manning-level slam dunk, but he’s on the next tier with Trevor Lawrence.

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