Is Missouri State’s Jacob Clark the Dark Horse QB Ready to Dominate Conference USA in 2025?

Missouri State football is gearing up for a monumental shift as they step into Conference USA, and all eyes are on quarterback Jacob Clark—an athlete primed to carve his name deep into the school’s legacy. Coming off an impressive tenure at Minnesota, Clark’s transition to FBS-level competition presents a compelling storyline. Despite Missouri State’s historical struggles against FBS foes, Clark’s skillset promises to energize the Bears’ offense and spark hope for a breakthrough season. As the Bears face a new slate of opponents and intensified challenges, Jacob’s journey to potentially become one of the top quarterbacks in the league—and possibly an NFL prospect—adds an electrifying layer to the narrative. Alongside him, the league features a fresh crop of starting quarterbacks, each with unique credentials and aspirations. Here’s an in-depth glance at those names and where Clark might slot among them this season. LEARN MOREJenkins was the most efficient passer in Conference USA last year and is the league’s leading returner in passing touchdowns and yards per completion. He has a new head coach to get accustomed to, but he should be a solid player to help FIU move forward into the future.The former Minnesota quarterback has demonstrated the ability to be an FBS-caliber starter, one who should help the Bears’ offense find success against tougher competition, despite the program’s winless record against FBS teams since 1990.A familiar name to Missouri State, Fife is a transfer quarterback from Montana, who is slotted to start for the Aggies this season. He was a backup who came in and threw for 90 yards and a touchdown, helping the Grizzlies beat the Bears in the 2024 season opener.

McIvor is an impressive addition to WKU, having spent the last three seasons at Abilene Christian. He finished last year throwing for 3,847 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions for an FCS program that made its first postseason appearance. He threw for 506 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-51 loss to Texas Tech, where he started his career, to kick off the season.

Aug 31, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Abilene Christian Wildcats quarterback Maverick McIvor (1) looks over the Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive before a play in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Maverick McIvor, Western Kentucky

KSU’s offense is projected to be one of the worst in the FBS. Williams has the most experience on the roster, having transferred from Georgia Southern. He played in five games last year after transferring from Indiana. He combined to throw for 248 yards and three touchdowns across his appearances. If he’s not the starter, Wofford transfer Amari Odom could be it.As Coastal Carolina’s starter in 2024, he threw for 2,110 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The season included a 367-yard and three-touchdown performance against Old Dominion and a season-opening win over Jacksonville State, where he threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns.

McIvor will be familiar with WKU’s offensive system. The Hilltoppers hired his offensive coordinator from Abilene Christian to the same position in Bowling Green. With WKU expected to be a league contender, McIvor might have the highest ceiling of any QB in the league.

Dec 23, 2023; Honolulu, HI, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers quarterback Ethan Vasko (16) drops back to throw a pass against the San Jose State Spartans during the first quarter of the Easypost Hawaii Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ethan Vasko, Liberty

If Clark can make CUSA defenses look anything like the Indiana States or Murray States of the world, he’ll shoot up these rankings. The quarterbacks we rank above him are also in well-established programs with fewer questions along the offensive line as the Bears move up to the FBS level. For now, we’ll temper expectations a little bit.Out of high school, he was a consensus four-star and top-150 prospect. He’s going to run the ball a lot, having rushed for 811 yards and 13 touchdowns across 229 career carries. When he has to throw, he needs to do a better job of taking care of the ball.Locklear put together some solid performances, including in a win over Kennesaw State when he threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns on 84.8% passing. But then he’d play against New Mexico State, one of the league’s worst defenses last year, and complete under half his passes for 177 yards and a touchdown.

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins (1) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

3. Keyone Jenkins, FIU

Clark finished last year throwing for 3,604 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions in what is widely considered the best FCS conference.

Bullock threw for 290 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Middle Tennessee, while also rushing for one. He also came up short in a shootout with Jax State, but threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns. He went his first four starts without throwing an interception.

Missouri State Bears quarterback Jacob Clark (12) makes a throw during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Plaster Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

4. Jacob Clark, Missouri State

Delaware’s starting quarterback from the last two years has moved on. Marker might be in line to replace him, if the team doesn’t opt for Nick Minicucci, both of whom have seen playing time in the Blue Hens’ offense.

Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark will go down as one of the great football players in the school’s history, and he will be behind center when the Bears play their first season in Conference USA.Vattiato became the second QB in Middle Tennessee history to record multiple 3,000-yard seasons. He threw for 3,092 last year and finished nationally 17th in completions, 19th in yards per game and 24th in passing yards.Marker saw starter reps in 2024 when Delaware’s starter was hurt, and he threw for 1,011 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions across four games.

Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders quarterback Nicholas Vattiato (11) passes the ball during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

5. Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee

The dual-threat QB was the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week twice last season, and is the only Sam Houston quarterback to ever rush for 100-plus yards in back-to-back games. He led them to bowl eligibility in a 10-3 season that ended with a New Orleans Bowl victory. He does what’s asked of him, and it wins.He’s also a capable runner, finishing with 447 yards and five scores. He’s in a good position to succeed for the Flames, who are tabbed as the favorites to win the league.

Sep 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

6. Hunter Watson, Sam Houston

We don’t want to overhype Clark heading into a new league where the competition will be better from top to bottom. He’s capable of being one of the league’s best quarterbacks, if not the best by the season’s end, but there’s still plenty to prove.Bullock was an All-CUSA Freshman Team selection last season after making 10 starts when he started the season third on the team’s depth chart. He proceeded to throw for 2,101 yards, 14 touchdowns and a league-low three interceptions while completing 66% of his passes.

Nov 2, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) throws the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

7. Gavin Wimsatt, Jax State

Wimsatt appears to be the favorite to start at Jax State after Tyler Huff graduated. It’ll be a good reset for the Gamecocks’ offense after Rich Rodriguez left to become the head coach at West Virginia. The Gamecocks are led by Charles Kelly, who was Auburn’s defensive coordinator last year.

There’s a reason why UTEP brought in eye-popping quarterback competition for him this season.Nelson, a former five-star quarterback, is now at UTEP after starting his career at USC and then appearing in three games for Boise State last year. The redshirt-sophomore was the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2022.

Nov 23, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) pressures Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Evan Bullock (7) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

8. Evan Bullock, Louisiana Tech

The Bearkats return their starter from a year ago. Watson was a 62.4% passer for 1,811 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was also successful on the ground, rushing for 647 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking second among CUSA quarterbacks.WKU lost starting QB Caden Veltkamp, the league’s offensive player of the year, who left for Florida Atlantic after the season. The Hilltoppers also only return two starters from 2024.

NMSU quarterback Logan Fife (4 in black) prepares to throw a pass during the Aggies' spring game in Artesia on April 5, 2025.

9. Logan Fife, New Mexico State

Jenkins was an All-CUSA fourth-team selection by multiple outlets after he threw for 2,557 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He doubled his touchdown total from his freshman season and should be in a good spot to succeed during his junior season.

Fife eventually took over as the team’s starter, and finished the year passing for 1,890 yards, 14 touchdowns and just a pair of interceptions. Montana’s season eventually ended in a loss to South Dakota State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

UTEP's Skyler Locklear drops back to pass during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo.

10a. Skyler Locklear, UTEP

It’s fair to question Clark’s performance against Ball State, where he threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a loss to one of the nation’s worst FBS programs last year. You can also examine his final two games of the 2024 season, where he combined to complete just above 50% with one touchdown and an average of 216.5 yards against two of the FCS’s top defenses — the most comparable units to the best defenses the Bears will now face in Conference USA.Vattiato threw 10 interceptions during his junior year, including at least one in all but three starts. He threw for 456 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a loss to Western Kentucky. His big numbers didn’t turn into a lot of success for MTSU, which finished 3-9 and a CUSA-worst scoring offense, averaging 18.1 points.Clark has a chance to rank among the top signal callers in Conference USA in 2025. The league has plenty of new faces behind center, while Clark can continue to build his resume toward a potential NFL Draft selection and solidify himself as one of the school’s all-time greats.

UTEP sophomore quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) watches his teammates warm up during spring practice at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Friday, April 4, 2025.

10b. Malachi Nelson, UTEP

Nelson was once touted as a potential NFL Draft pick, with comparisons to Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love. Those days appear to be behind him as he tries to find the field with the Miners this year. He’s thrown 20 career passes across two seasons for 128 yards, no touchdowns, and a pick. We’ll see if he can jump UTEP’s returning starter on the depth chart, but he has the potential to be among the best in the league.Wimsatt transferred to Jax State from Kentucky. He’s on his third school in four years after beginning his career at Rutgers, where he started 13 games in 2023 and six in 2022. He made eight appearances and no starts last year. He’s thrown for 2,824 yards, 17 touchdowns and 21 interceptions across his career.

Delaware quarterback Zach Marker throws in the first quarter against Sacred Heart at Delaware Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

11. Zach Marker, Delaware

Locklear had an up-and-down season. In some games, he was asked to throw a lot, while in others, he was not. He had four games in which he threw for under 90 yards, and it’s not like he was rushing all over the place; his season-high was 47 yards.Vasko appears to be in line to start at Liberty after Kaidon Salter transferred to Colorado. Vasko transfers over from Coastal Carolina, where he initially signed to play for current Liberty coach Jamie Chadwell.