Kliff Kingsbury’s ability to develop quarterbacks has been on full display in 2024, as he helped guide rookie Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders to the playoffs. But his influence on signal-callers stretches far beyond the NFL.
From Heisman winners to record-breaking passers, Kingsbury has played a pivotal role in shaping some of college football’s most electrifying QBs. Let’s rank every starter he’s coached at the collegiate level.
Every Kliff Kingsbury College Quarterback Ranked
Honorable Mention: Caleb Williams, USC (2023)
Caleb Williams is an honorable mention because Kingsbury spent only one year with him as a senior offensive analyst with the USC Trojans.
Nevertheless, in that one year, Williams cemented himself as the future No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by completing 68.6% of his passes for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing for another 11 scores.
6) Davis Webb, Texas Tech (2013-14)
Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury and ceding the starting job to Patrick Mahomes, Davis Webb was a competent QB for the Red Raiders.
Despite never playing a full season (10 games as a freshman, eight as a sophomore, and five as a junior), Webb finished his Texas Tech career among the program’s all-time leaders:
- Eighth in passing TDs (46)
- 10th in passing yards (5,557) and TDs responsible for (49)
- 11th in completions (459), attempts (747), and total offense (5,567)
Webb also set a school record with at least one TD pass across his first 18 career games, including a stretch of nine straight contests with two or more.
5) Alan Bowman, Texas Tech (2018)
Alan Bowman’s seven-year collegiate career ended last season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, but it began with Kingsbury at Texas Tech. Despite holding offers from Ole Miss, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Bowman quickly committed to the Red Raiders shortly after receiving a scholarship offer.
Bowman immediately took to Kingsbury’s tutelage, generating 2,638 yards and 17 TDs in just eight games (seven starts). Injuries held him one game short of being included in the NCAA’s official rankings for passing yards per game, but his 329.8 figure would’ve ranked fifth nationally.
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Bowman may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Kingsbury QBs, but his 2018 season proved otherwise.
He ranked third among FBS freshmen in passing yards, touchdowns, and efficiency (150.1), and his record-breaking 602-yard game against Houston remains one of the best single-game performances in Big 12 history.
4) Nic Shimonek, Texas Tech (2017)
Like Bowman, Nic Shimonek only started one season under Kingsbury, but it was glorious. After sitting behind Mahomes for two years, Shimonek had his number called for the 2017 campaign.
All he did was lead the Big 12 in completions (328) and attempts (493) while recording 3,963 yards, 33 TDs, and 10 INTs. Shimonek guided the Red Raiders to a 6-6 record and their third bowl game under Kingsbury, though they ultimately fell 38-34 to dynamic QB Quinton Flowers and the USF Bulls.
3) Case Keenum, Houston (2011)
Former Houston Cougars head coach Kevin Sumlin deserves much of the credit for Case Keenum’s record-breaking collegiate career, which includes the most career passing yards (19,217) and TDs (155) in NCAA history.
Yet, Keenum’s best and final season came with Kingsbury calling the plays as the offensive coordinator in 2011.
Keenum unloaded on every single defense he faced, ranking first in the country in completions (428), attempts (603), completion rate (71.0%), passing yards (5,631), and passing TDs (48) while only tossing five picks. They weren’t empty stats, either, as Houston posted the best record in school history (13-1).
2) Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech (2015-16)
Six-time Pro Bowler. Two-time All-Pro. Two-time MVP. 2018 Offensive Player of the Year. Three-time Super Bowl champion. Patrick Mahomes is already next to Tom Brady in the G.O.A.T. conversation, and he may only be halfway through his NFL career.
But before he became the NFL’s ultimate playmaker, Mahomes was a raw talent. Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense allowed him to showcase his elite arm strength, creativity, and ability to make throws most QBs wouldn’t even attempt — traits that have since defined his Hall of Fame-caliber career
After Webb suffered a broken ankle in 2014, Mahomes stepped in as a true freshman and produced 1,547 yards, 16 TDs, and just four INTs. However, that was only a taste of what was to come.
Over the next two seasons, Mahomes torched the Big 12 for 9,705 yards (led the country), 77 TDs (led the conference), and 25 INTs in Kingsbury’s Air Raid attack.
Even though he forewent his senior season, Mahomes ended his Red Raider career ranked third all-time in passing yards (11,252), TD passes (93), attempts (1,349), and completions (857), as well as second in TDs responsible for (115) and rushing TDs by a QB (22).
1) Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M (2012)
Johnny Manziel, Johnny Football, Money Manziel — call him what you want, but you better add “one of the most exciting college football players of all time” directly after.
Following the 2011 season with Keenum at Houston, Kingsbury followed Sumlin to the Texas A&M Aggies and kept his offensive coordinator/QBs coach job title.
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Manziel thrived in Kingsbury’s offense, completely taking the nation and its TVs by storm. He became the only player in NCAA history to surpass 5,000 total yards and 1,000 yards in a single season en route to becoming the first-ever freshman to win the Heisman Trophy — by more than 150 first-place votes, no less!
Say what you will about Manziel off the field, but on it, he was legendary, thanks in no small part to Kingsbury’s innovative play-calling and ability to maximize his dynamic skill set.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
