As we hit the preview portion of the 2023 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning quarterbacks in 2023.
These rankings are formed by a combination of the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching guys play, knowing what system they play in, strength of opponents, etc.), on-field production, pro potential, postseason accolades, how they perform against their toughest opponents, and PFF grades.
Best Returning FCS QBs
25. Justin Miller, Southern Utah
24. Blake Stenstrom, Princeton
23. Cole Doyle, Saint Francis
22. Darius Wilson, William & Mary
21. Tyler Huff, Furman
20. Nic Baker, Southern Illinois
19. Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant
18. Cam Miller, North Dakota State
17. Mike DiLiello, Austin Peay
16. Sean Chambers, Montana State
15. Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M
14. Tommy Schuster, North Dakota
13. Kasim Hill, Rhode Island
12. Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany
11. Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri
10. Miles Hastings, UC Davis
9. Max Brosmer, New Hampshire
8. Tommy Mellott, Montana State
7. Gevani McCoy, Idaho
6. Davius Richard, North Carolina Central
The Top 5
5. Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross
Sluka, a 6-foot-3 and 215-pound senior, has gone from Patriot League Rookie of the Year to Second Team All-Conference to First Team All-Conference last year. The dual-threat QB showed off an improved arm last year. In 2021, Sluka threw for 1,512 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions while running for 868 yards and 14 TDs. Last season, he went 135/224 (60%) for 2,282 yards, 25 TDs, and two interceptions with 996 rushing yards and 10 more scores.
RELATED: 5 Offseason Questions For Holy Cross
4. Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky
McKinney decided to return for a sixth season this fall after already becoming EKU’s career leader in total offense, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, and attempts. Last year, the 6-foot-3, 208-pounder went 315/459 (69%) passing for 3,956 yards, 33 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while rushing for 354 yards and eight TDs. In McKinney’s college career that dates back to 2018, he has passed for 9,718 yards, 74 TDs, and 32 interceptions while rushing for 1,446 yards and 20 TDs.
3. Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State
Gronowski has a 22-1 record vs. FCS opponents as a full-game starter. He led SDSU to the spring national title game as a true freshman, throwing for 1,565 yards, 15 TDs, and three interceptions, plus 577 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. A knee injury early in the championship game sidelined him for the 2021 fall season. Gronowski returned last year, helping the Jackrabbits win their first FCS title. Gronowski, who is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, went 232/356 (65%) for 2,967 yards, 26 TDs, and five interceptions as a sophomore in 2022. He also rushed for 408 yards and 12 TDs.
RELATED: 5 Offseason Questions For SDSU
2. Theo Day, Northern Iowa
Day may have the strongest arm in the FCS. Ranked the No. 7 pro-style quarterback recruit in the nation by 247Sports, Day began his career at Michigan State in 2018. He transferred to UNI in 2021 and threw for 2,316 yards, 16 TDs, and 11 interceptions. Last season, Day led an explosive UNI offense with his arm. The 6-foot-5, 231-pounder passed for 3,121 yards, 26 TDs, and six interceptions on 210/323 throwing (65%). Day also added four rushing scores.
1. Michael Hiers, Samford
Hiers finished fourth in the 2022 Walter Payton Award voting after transferring from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Hiers was an instant sensation for the Samford up-tempo offense, completing 77% of his passes (353/461) for 3,544 yards, 36 touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding three rushing TDs. Hiers threw for more than 300 yards twice and more than 400 yards two more times in the final five regular-season games as Samford completed an undefeated regular season vs. FCS opponents.
RELATED: 5 Offseason Questions For Samford
