In the latest edition of CBS Sports' quarterback power rankings, Memphis Tigers' Marcus Stokes has been recognized as the No. 40 quarterback at the FBS level. This ranking comes on the heels of his first start for the Tigers, where he showcased his potential in a week zero matchup against UNLV.
Stokes was officially named the starting quarterback for Memphis prior to the game on Saturday. In his debut, he completed 223 passing yards and threw two touchdown passes. Although he appeared to experience some early-game jitters, Stokes quickly found his rhythm, delivering several impressive throws, including a standout 48-yard touchdown pass to his teammate Stonka Burnside.
Among the top 50 quarterbacks listed by CBS Sports, Stokes is one of only three players who participated in week zero, alongside Beau Pribula from Virginia and Jayden Maiava of USC. Notably, it appears that Stokes is the only one among them to have played his way into the rankings following their performances.
Had the Tigers not played in week zero, it is doubtful that a Memphis quarterback would have made the list, as questions surrounding the starting position would have lingered. Even with Stokes' appointment as the starter, his transition from Division II football raised concerns about his readiness for the FBS level.
Stokes stands out as the highest-ranked quarterback from the Group of Six (G6) conferences in the power rankings. He is one of just four G6 quarterbacks to earn a spot in the top 50, joining Delaware's Nick Minicucci, Texas State's Brad Jackson, and UTSA's Owen McCown.
In the rankings, Stokes is positioned between two notable quarterbacks: Kamario Taylor of Mississippi State at No. 39 and Colton Joseph of Wisconsin at No. 41. Taylor had a promising season as a true freshman, throwing for 629 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception over 11 games, with his performance peaking during the Duke’s Mayo Bowl where he passed for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Colton Joseph, who transferred to Wisconsin after three seasons at Old Dominion, has experience under Memphis offensive coordinator Kevin Decker. During his time at Old Dominion, Joseph threw for 2,624 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also showcasing his dual-threat capabilities with 1,007 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
As the Memphis Tigers prepare for their upcoming home opener against Arkansas State, the coaching staff will be eager to see if Stokes can replicate or even surpass the production seen in his debut. With Decker at the helm, there is optimism that Stokes can thrive in the offensive scheme and continue to build on his promising start.
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