Fresno State Bulldogs’ E. J. Warner makes Major Story Headline After A Brief Conversation With Connor Tripp
Fresno State quarterback Elijah “E.J.” Storm Warner feels like something of a throwback in today’s college football landscape.
With little presence on social media, no major name-image-likeness (NIL) deals beyond the Bulldog Bread Collective, and a lifestyle centered almost entirely around football, the junior signal-caller comes off as a bit of an old-school figure.
“Growing up with my dad always in the spotlight, I kind of made a point to avoid that attention,” Warner said. “I’m totally fine staying out of the limelight—as long as I get to play the game.”
It’s a stark contrast to the current era of college football, where players regularly land big endorsement deals, build massive social media followings, and announce commitments with flair. Warner, on the other hand, is content to compete. It’s no surprise, given that his father is NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and his mother, Brenda, is a former U.S. Marine.
“Everyone knows my dad for what he accomplished on the field, but for me, he’s like having a personal coach I can always go to,” Warner explained. “We’re constantly texting about football. He’s been through everything I’m facing, and his guidance has been invaluable. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Warner says his parents take different approaches when it comes to his football journey.
“My mom doesn’t care how well I throw or how many touchdowns I score—she just loves me as her son,” he said, smiling. “That perspective is really grounding. There have been ups and downs, but I know she’s always in my corner. She’s at every game, even though she hates watching me take hits.”
E.J. Warner’s college football journey has had its ups and downs.
He began as a true freshman at Temple in 2022, throwing for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns despite a 3-9 season under first-year head coach Stan Drayton. The following year, Temple’s record stayed the same, but Warner improved statistically, finishing with 3,076 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging just under seven yards per attempt.
After two years in Philadelphia, Warner transferred to Rice for the 2024 season. He helped the team to four wins and posted 2,710 passing yards with 17 touchdowns.
Running back Dean Connors, who spent three years at Rice before transferring to Houston, praised Warner’s football IQ. “He reads defenses really well and always finds the right matchup,” Connors said. “He made it easy for guys like me by using check-downs often. He’s not a vocal guy off the field, but when it comes to football, he’s confident and leads by example.”
Despite his 32-game college career not yielding the win totals he might have hoped for, Warner’s experience and development are expected to benefit Fresno State significantly this season.
Reflecting on his start, Warner recalled the challenge of adjusting to college football speed as a 175-pound freshman. “My first start against Rutgers, I just got crushed,” he said. “The mental side of the game came naturally, especially with my dad’s help, but I had to physically catch up. Over the past three years, I’ve put on 30 to 35 pounds and worked hard on getting stronger.”
As he works to build chemistry with his Fresno State receivers—a group he described as “hungry”—Warner also praised offensive coordinator Josh Davis’s balanced play-calling approach.
“I really like Coach Davis,” Warner said. “He came from South Dakota, where the run game was key. That’s the plan here, too. It takes pressure off me. At my last schools, we threw a lot, and it’s hard to be perfect when you’re throwing 60 times a game.”
Last year, Fresno State’s offense leaned heavily on the pass. Quarterback Mikey Keene recorded 2,892 yards and 18 touchdowns, while the rushing game averaged just 98.2 yards per contest. This season, that number is expected to rise with contributions from veteran Elijah Gilliam, sophomore Bryson Donelson, and Arizona transfer Rayshon Luke.
Warner confirmed the Bulldogs will implement more two-back formations and possibly use a fullback.
Off the field, Warner is all about competition—just not on social media. “People who know me would say I don’t really have hobbies outside of football,” he laughed. “But I love to compete—spikeball, pickleball, escape rooms, even nightly Jeopardy calls with a friend. I’m always trying to outsmart or beat someone.”
Connors backed that up: “If there’s a game—spikeball, darts, chess—he’s playing it and he’s competitive. I don’t think he’s ever beaten me, but he always brings great energy to the locker room.”
Warner is old-school in a digital age. He does enjoy movies, though—his spring break was spent watching every film showing at the local theater. His all-time favorite? Tommy Boy, which he and his brother can quote word-for-word.
When asked about his dad’s frequent posts on X (formerly Twitter), Warner chuckled. “He loves football and coaching takes too much time, so that’s his outlet,” he said. “But he gets into arguments with random people online and then loses sleep over it. It’s funny to watch. I’m glad I’m not on there much.”
(Attempts to reach Warner’s father on X were unsuccessful.)
As Fresno State gears up for its first season under new head coach Matt Entz and prepares to leave the Mountain West for the Pac-12, there’s hope Warner can help turn the tide after a 6-7 finish last year—their first losing season since 2019.
“Fresno State is getting a guy with great character and one of the smartest quarterbacks in the college game,” Connors said. “That’s who E.J. Warner is.”
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