Fresno State’s offensive fortunes are in the hands of a veteran transfer quarterback and son of a Pro Football Fame inductee.

Head coach Matt Entz named E.J. Warner the starter for the Aug. 23 opener at Kansas.

“E.J. has done a great job with the communication piece, with the leadership piece, poise. As far as just the experience that he provides to our offense, it was critical. It was super close,” Entz told the media Monday.

Warner, a senior transfer from Rice — and Temple before that — beat out Sacramento State transfer Carson Conklin and returning QB Jayden Mandal.

Entz is also in his first year with Fresno State. He was formerly the head coach at FCS North Dakota State and last year was an assistant at USC.

Kurt Warner: ‘So Proud’ of My Son

Last season at Rice, Warner completed 62% of his passes for 2,710 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is the son of Kurt Warner.

So proud of this young man… just keeps proving who he is!

1 scholarship out of HS… no P5 school would give him a chance then or since… has had to EARN starting spot everywhere he’s been… and now heads into his senior season #1 in FBS in passing yards (8800+) & pass yrds/game… https://t.co/ypVicuf9Z1

— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) August 11, 2025

Entz said Warner performed consistently during fall camp. He praised Warner’s arm strength, accuracy and decision making.

Transferring in April — Conklin transferred in June — gave Warner a head start, Entz said. His experience as a three-year starter also helped.

Mandal played in six games last season, starting in the Potato Bowl against Northern Illinois. He only attempted nine passes. Conklin set school freshman records for passing and touchdowns last year.

Fresno State’s starter last season, Mikey Keene, transferred to Michigan.

Entz Wants Backups to ‘Push’ Warner

Entz did not name a backup, but said he wants Conklin and Mandal “to push him every day. I don’t want E.J. to get comfortable.”

“E.J. knows that — I don’t want to call it a short leash — but we’re going to be making sure that he’s executing and operating at a satisfactory level as we move forward,” Entz said.

Entz said all three quarterbacks could still have a role, sometimes simultaneously on the field.

“If we have three young men that can help us win, I’d be silly not to be able to utilize them. It wouldn’t be my first time toying with having an opportunity of either having two quarterbacks on the field, or maybe having a series or a package for somebody else,” Entz said.

Entz informed the quarterbacks at 9:30 a.m. Monday, shortly before practice began.

“All of them were professional about it,” Entz said. “It’s a production-based business. And we asked all three of them to be pros, but also demanding.”

Fresno State did not make any of the quarterbacks available to the media.