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American Conference Analysis
American Conference quarterback rankings
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Marcus Stokes, a junior, has completed 90 of 123 passes for 1371 yards, 14 TDs and 3 interceptions this season. He has added 152 rushing yards and 0 rushing TDs. Skill rating 96.
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Tayven Jackson, a senior, has completed 120 of 168 passes for 1510 yards, 10 TDs and 4 interceptions this season. He has added 35 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Skill rating 94.
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Caden Veltkamp, a senior, has completed 127 of 174 passes for 1425 yards, 12 TDs and 2 interceptions this season. He has added -40 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD. Skill rating 93.
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Owen McCown, a senior, has completed 103 of 151 passes for 1010 yards, 7 TDs and 2 interceptions this season. He has added 37 rushing yards and 0 rushing TDs. Skill rating 91.
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Michael Van Buren Jr., a junior, has completed 77 of 123 passes for 896 yards, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions this season. He has added 80 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Skill rating 91.
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Jacurri Brown, a senior, has completed 35 of 66 passes for 403 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception this season. He has added 495 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs. Skill rating 89.
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Cale Hellums, a senior, has completed 28 of 49 passes for 337 yards, 3 TDs and 1 interception this season. He has added 301 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs. Skill rating 89.
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Baylor Hayes, a sophomore, has completed 58 of 96 passes for 564 yards, 4 TDs and 1 interception this season. He has added 56 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Skill rating 87.
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Ajani Sheppard, a senior, has completed 40 of 72 passes for 631 yards, 6 TDs and 0 interceptions this season. He has added 234 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. Skill rating 84.
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Mitch Griffis, a senior, has completed 36 of 67 passes for 425 yards, 3 TDs and 2 interceptions this season. He has added 75 rushing yards and 0 rushing TDs. Skill rating 84.
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Cole Gonzales, a senior, has completed 79 of 127 passes for 802 yards, 3 TDs and 7 interceptions this season. He has added 28 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Skill rating 81.
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Ryder Burton, a junior, has completed 62 of 110 passes for 791 yards, 4 TDs and 4 interceptions this season. He has added 51 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD. Skill rating 81.
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Kadin Semonza, a junior, has completed 50 of 93 passes for 646 yards, 3 TDs and 1 interception this season. He has added -51 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD. Skill rating 76.
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Jackson Gutierrez, a junior, has completed 17 of 40 passes for 344 yards, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions this season. He has added 273 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs. Skill rating 72.
How these rankings work
One quarterback per program: the player with the most pass attempts in 2026. Quarterbacks are ordered by skill rating, a 0-99 grade built from passing and rushing production, completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown rate, interception avoidance and experience. Passing yards break ties. Programs whose passer has not attempted a pass yet are not listed. See how it shapes the race in the power rankings.
Each American Conference program's leading passer, ranked by skill rating built from 2026 production and efficiency, with the season numbers behind each spot. Rebuilt from the latest stats through the season.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the top-ranked quarterback in the American Conference?
Marcus Stokes of Memphis ranks first with a skill rating of 96, ahead of Tayven Jackson of North Texas. The order is computed from 2026 passing, rushing and efficiency numbers.
Who are the American Conference starting quarterbacks in 2026?
Each program's leading passer by attempts this season: Marcus Stokes (Memphis), Tayven Jackson (North Texas), Caden Veltkamp (Florida Atlantic), Owen McCown (UTSA), Michael Van Buren Jr. (South Florida), Jacurri Brown (Rice), Cale Hellums (Army), Baylor Hayes (Tulsa), Ajani Sheppard (Temple), Mitch Griffis (East Carolina), Cole Gonzales (Charlotte), Ryder Burton (UAB), Kadin Semonza (Tulane), Jackson Gutierrez (Navy).