CBS Sports' David Cobb posted a " College Football QB Power Rankings " on Wednesday, ranking the top 50 quarterbacks at the FBS level. He ranked Marcus Stokes No. 40 after his first start with the Tigers.
Stokes was named the starting quarterback on Saturday ahead of the week zero game against UNLV, and he finished the game with 223 yards and two passing touchdowns. It looked like he was playing through some nerves early in the game, but he settled down and made some nice throws, including a 48-yard touchdown pass to Stonka Burnside.
Stokes is one of three quarterbacks in the top 50 who played in week zero, joining Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula and USC's Jayden Maiava, but it appears Memphis' quarterback is the only player who played his way onto the list.
It's unlikely Cobb would've put a Memphis quarterback on the list if it wasn't for the week zero game. If the Tigers hadn't played in week zero, fans would still be wondering who the starter would be, and even if you assumed Stokes would be the starter, there was still a lot of unknown with his jump from the Division II ranks.
Stokes is the highest ranked Group of Six quarterback on the list, and he's one of only four G6 quarterbacks to make the top 50. Delaware's Nick Minicucci, Texas State's Brad Jackson and UTSA's Owen McCown are the other three quarterbacks from the G6 ranks.
The Tigers' quarterback is sandwiched between two interesting QBs. Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor sits at No. 39, while Wisconsin's Colton Joseph sits at No. 41.
Taylor threw for 629 yards, five touchdowns and an interception in 11 games as a true freshman. He only made two starts, but the coaching staff turned the keys to the offense over to him by the end of the season.
In the Duke's Mayo Bowl, Taylor threw for 241 yards and a touchdown, and he added 63 yards on the ground.
Joseph transferred to Wisconsin after playing three seasons at Old Dominion under Memphis offensive coordinator Kevin Decker. Joseph threw for 2,624 yard, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore.
Joseph is a true duel-threat quarterback and ran for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
It will be interesting to see if Decker can get similar production from Stokes this year in his offense. Stokes and the Tigers return to action in their home opener on Saturday against Arkansas State.
