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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)<\/p>\n
Eric Gay\/AP Photo\/Eric Gay<\/p>\n
During the first weeks of the college football season, some\u00a0quarterbacks at Texas universities<\/a> fell short of the hype surrounding them as they entered the season, while others emerged as pleasant surprises.<\/p>\n Preseason expectations can be a blessing for some and a heavy burden to carry for others.<\/p>\n While Marcel Reed (Texas A&M<\/a>), Will Hammond (Texas Tech<\/a>) and Arch Manning (Texas<\/a>) have fallen short, others have emerged as unexpected bright spots.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at the season so far for quarterbacks at Texas programs:<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Karen Warren\/AP<\/p>\n Marcel Reed, Texas A&M<\/p>\n Reed has been inconsistent<\/a> as the\u00a0Aggies have struggled to a 3-2 start.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In Week 4 against\u00a0LSU<\/a>, 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<\/a>, Reed threw for 170 yards, completing 13 of 19 passes with no touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Texas A&M\u2019s next game is Saturday against the Missouri Tigers.<\/p>\n Will Hammond, Texas Tech<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas Tech sits atop the Big 12 with a 5-0 record. Nonetheless, Hammond has had a difficult season.\u00a0Through the first four games, Hammond\u2019s cumulative statistics are:<\/p>\n – Completions\/attempts: 97\/142 Hammond called his Week 4 game against Sam Houston<\/a> \u201cthe worst football game of my life,\u201d despite Texas Tech\u2019s 49-14 blowout victory. He had a disastrous stretch in the second quarter, throwing an interception on each of three consecutive offensive possessions.<\/p>\n Although he finished the game completing 17 of 29 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, Hammond was hard on himself.<\/p>\n In Week 5, Texas Tech defeated Colorado 29-7<\/a>. Hammond threw for 136 yards and one touchdown, completing 17 of 26 passes.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Through five games, Hammond has thrown five touchdown passes and five interceptions. He is tied for the most interceptions in the Big 12.<\/p>\n Hammond became Tech\u2019s starting quarterback after high-profile transfer Brendan\u00a0Sorsby<\/a> left the program amid an NCAA gambling investigation.<\/p>\n He is 49th in passing yards, tied for 90th in touchdown passes, tied for 111th in interceptions and 54th in QBR (61.2).<\/p>\n Texas Tech\u2019s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against Arizona State.<\/p>\n Arch Manning, Texas<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Longhorns (4-0) are No. 1 in the nation<\/a>, but Manning has not received rave reviews for his individual performance.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Longhorns had a bye week, and Saturday they will face the Oklahoma Sooners<\/a> in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.<\/p>\n Through four games, Manning has completed 73 of 115 passes (63.5%) for 862 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His\u00a0ESPN QBR is 64.6, which ranks 48th nationally.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n He is ranked 83rd in passing yards, tied for 58th in passing touchdowns and tied for 70th in interceptions.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe he should come back for another year. When guys are ready to go to the NFL, playing college football looks easy for them,\u201d former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III said in a recent interview with Colin Cowherd.<\/p>\n Kevin Jennings,\u00a0SMU<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Kevin Jennings has been instrumental in helping the Mustangs maintain a 4-1 record<\/a> and remain undefeated at home.<\/p>\n In Week 4 against Missouri State, Jennings threw for 464 yards and became SMU\u2019s career passing leader.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0ESPN QBR is 78.2, which ranks 26th.<\/p>\n SMU\u2019s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against the Virginia Cavaliers.<\/p>\n Jaden Craig, TCU<\/p>\n TCU is 2-3, but quarterback Jaden Craig<\/a> has put together a strong individual performance while leading the Horned Frogs\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n 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 \u00a0QBR, with a 53.6 rating.\u00a0<\/p>\n TCU\u2019s next game is Saturday, Oct. 17, against Baylor.<\/p>\n Conner Weigman, Houston<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Houston ranks second in scoring offense and fourth in total offense in the Big 12.<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s next game is Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats.<\/p>\n Owen McCown, UTSA<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n The Roadrunners have a 4-1 record in the AAC. McCown has already secured his place in UTSA\u2019s record books as the starting quarterback for each of the first three bowl wins in program history.<\/p>\n Watched A LOT of QB\u2019s the past 2 years, UTSA QB Owen McCown may be the best I\u2019ve seen. No idea how he\u2019s 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! \ud83c\udfa5 > Everything pic.twitter.com\/wofdBz9vM0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 BIP\u2019s List (@BIPsList) July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Tayven Jackson, North Texas<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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– Completion percentage: 68.3%
– Passing yards: 1,102
– Passing touchdowns: 5
– Interceptions: 5<\/p>\n<\/p>\n