Virginia's Chandler Morris Climbs the Ranks: A Look at His CBS Sports QB Power Ranking

As the college football season charges into its fourth week, the spotlight intensifies on quarterbacks across the nation. For the Virginia Cavaliers, signal-caller Chandler Morris finds himself squarely in the conversation, landing at the 47th position in CBS Sports' comprehensive power rankings of FBS quarterbacks.

This placement, out of a field of 66 starting QBs, offers a fascinating snapshot of his standing heading into a pivotal stretch of the season.

Morris's ranking isn't just a number; it provides valuable context within the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. Notably, he's currently positioned ahead of several high-profile ACC peers.

The Cavaliers' QB outranks Duke's Riley Leonard, Syracuse's Garrett Shrader, Miami's Tyler Van Dyke, and Louisville's Jack Plummer – all names that command attention within the conference landscape. However, the rankings also place him just behind Pittsburgh's Phil Jurkovec, Florida State's Jordan Travis, and Clemson's Cade Klubnik, indicating room for growth as the season progresses.

Through the initial games of the season, Morris has demonstrated a mixed but promising statistical profile.

He has completed 53 of his 85 pass attempts, achieving a 62.4% completion rate for 592 yards. While he's thrown for two touchdowns, he's also had two interceptions, highlighting areas for continued development in decision-making and ball security. Beyond his arm, Morris has proven to be a threat with his legs, tallying 16 rushes for 52 yards and adding two crucial touchdowns on the ground, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.

It's important to frame Morris's individual performance within the broader context of the Virginia Cavaliers' offensive output.

The team has faced considerable challenges in putting points on the board, currently averaging a modest 14 points per game. This statistic underscores the pressure on Morris to elevate his play and consistently lead scoring drives, especially as the Cavaliers navigate a challenging schedule.

With a crucial matchup against Marshall on the horizon, Morris's performance will be under intense scrutiny.

His ability to guide the offense, minimize turnovers, and capitalize on scoring opportunities will be paramount for the Cavaliers' success. While the 47th ranking in CBS Sports' power rankings provides a benchmark, it also serves as a testament to his talent and the potential for him to climb even higher as he gains more experience and consistency throughout the remainder of the 2023 season.