Arguably the most important position in all of sports, the quarterback is the one of 22 players on the field tha has the ball in his hands on every play. He is the professor on the white board, the leader in the huddle, and the coach on the field. You have to be more than just physically gifted to play the quarterback position you must also own the mental makeup that it takes to drive your team down the length of the field with two minutes left needing to score a touchdown. Some can beat teams with their arm while others beat opponents with their feet, but the special ones can do both. This is such a rare quality though which is why top tier quarterbacks are an even rarer commodity. Based on their teams depth at the position, overall talent, and how they are projected to play in 2013 we have ranked the best quarterback units in the country.
10. Northern Illinois Huskies
Jordan Lynch is anything but a household name and playing for Northern Illinois you wouldn't expect him to be. However, if he can duplicate what he did as a sophomore, and first time starter last year, expect to hear his name a lot. Lynch is a dual-threat who will beat you with his arm and feet. He ran for 1,815 yards last season (most running backs never come close to that number). Also throwing for 3,138 yards with a 60 percent completion rate, and 25-6 touchdown to interception ratio.
When Huskies fans are asked about Lynch they wont mention numbers, they'll be the first to tell you he was the one who led their team to a BCS bowl game, making the Huskies the first MAC conference team to do so. Lynch's name is starting to surface as a potential Heismann candidate and if he can come close to doing what he did in 2012, Jordan Lynch will be a name you wont forget. Behind him is Matt McIntosh who played seven games last season as a red shirt freshman and provides provides good depth.
9. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans possess another quarterback who is rising up big boards and grabbing the attention of many scouts. David Fales probably isn't a name youve heard much about but, but it will be by seasons end. Fales threw for 4,193 yards last year with an outstanding completion rate of 73 percent, and a 33-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also led the Spartans (yes the San Jose State Spartans) to an over achieving 11-win season.
The former back-up to Colin Kapernick has the tools to be a day one pick in the NFL. He has good arm strength and even better touch and accuracy. His back up, Blake Jurich is a scrambling quarterback who did have success on the ground last season in his limited playing time.
8. Fresno State Bulldogs
What is so encouraging about Derek Carr is that he has improved his statistics and progressed his mental play every year as a starter. The brother of former first round pick David Carr, threw for 3,544 yards (63%, 26-9) in his first year as a starter then improved each of those categories with 4,104 yards (67%, 37-7). Those gaudy numbers earned him offensive player of the year in the Mountain West conference last season.
With his ultra quick release (that transfers well to the NFL), Carr will most likely continue to improve his play in 2013, and will follow big brothers footsteps ranking high on many draft boards come 2014. Behind him is a three way battle for the back-up position and most likely wont be determined until the end of the summer.
7. Georgia Bulldogs
Aaron Murray isn't flashy like most quarterbacks higher on this list, but he has all the tools to be outstanding and has a notable college career on his resume. Entering his senior season Murray has put together three great years before 2013, with a 36 touchdown 10 interception season in 2012, and leads all returning quarterback starters with 10,091 career passing yards. With a 95-32 career touchdown-to-interception ratio Murray will look to add to those numbers in his final season.
All eyes are on him as he has a good offensive line and the best backfield in the nation. Murray is in discussions as a possible first round selection in 2014 but will need to finish strong in his final year. Behind him are Hutson Mason and Christian LeMay who are both adequate back-ups that provide solid depth.
6. Oregon Ducks
Its no secret Marcus Mariota is known for his running abilities, but he is so much more than that. Last year as just a freshman he was electrifying. Yes he did rush for 752 yards for 7.1 yards per carry however, its his arm that should make you most impressed. He hit almost 70% of his passes showing his accuracy while having a 32-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio while throwing just one interception in his last seven games.
The now sophomore has plenty of attention from scouts as he should. At 6'4" Mariota does an outstanding job of seeing the whole field and has the arm strength to hit his target from any hash mark. Last year he did a great job of spreading the ball around to all of his weapons, hitting his receivers, tight ends, and running backs depending on the situation. He can win games with his arm alone, but his athleticism with his feet are a huge plus. Backing him up is freshman Jake Rodrigues who showed off his canon during the spring games.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
A tricky unit to evaluate as Alabama has some of the best surrounding talent every year. With one of the best defenses in the country and an outstanding offensive line who ever the Crimson Tide's quarterback is is set up for success. Saying all that, A.J McCarron is not a product of the system. He quietly is one of the most efficient productive quarterbacks in the nation and has been for a couple years now. McCarron led the NCAA in passing efficiency with a 30-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Just because he is labeled as a "game manager" shouldn't take credit away from the fact that he does not make costly mental errors.
He can also stretch defenses with his arm and although he will have another great supporting cast, McCarron will put up great numbers again. At 6'4" 214 pounds and with two national championship rings McCarron will be one of the best quarterback prospects Alabama has produced. Phillip Ely is a red shirt freshman who likley wont see the field much but has shown the capability to manage the game when he has played.
4. Louisville Cardinals
Its almost a forgone conclusion that Teddy Bridgewater will be the first quarterback taken in next years draft and rightly so. He has all the tools you look for and want from your franchise quarterback. He has that sixth sense in the pocket ala Tom Brady using his feet to help extend plays while keeping his eyes down the field. He is an accurate and efficent thrower who passed for 3,718 yards for a 69% completion ratio as a sophomore last season. Want more? He has the toughness it takes to be on the field all season playing with a broken wrist and sprained ankle in what was a must win game vs Rutgers to get a BCS Bowl bid.
With the pocket presence, elite accuracy by throwing through tight windows, and his natural athleticism, Bridgewater is one of the most exciting players to watch in college football. The Cardinals have good depth behind him with Will Gardner and Brett Nelson, but no offense to them, for the players, scouts, and fans I hope we don't have to see those guys play in 2013.
3. Clemson Tigers
Some will talk about Tajh Boyd's quality of weapons he had to throw to last season with Sammy Watkins and the now deprated Deandre Hopkins. However, he has the skill set, athleticism, and toughness to be in the same discussion as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Boyd has thrown for more than 3,800 yards in every season as a starter in his career. Last year he threw for 36 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and added 10 touchdowns with his feet. He has a NFL type arm and can make all the throws on the field. He also has exceptional awarness scanning the field and progressing through his reads. Boyd is known for making a bad decision now and again trusting his arm sometimes to much.
Although i don't consider him to be a better quarterback or prospect than Bridgewater, the Tigers jump ahead of the Cardnials on this list because of their depth at the position. Cole Stoudt is a 6'5" junior who knows the offense well with 16 games played and set a spring game passing record with 304 yards.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Nobody is happier for Braxton Miller's success than head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer heavily recruited Miller out of high school and has said he is the most dynamic player he has ever coached. Dynamic or not Miller fits perfectly into Meyer's offense. He threw for 2,039 and completed 58% of his passes with a 15-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Then he showed off his incredible athleticism by running for 1,271 yards and 13 touchdowns. It's Miller''s pure potential that is hair raising. He is still young and very raw and has plenty of time to mature as a passer.
The Buckeyes depth land them this high on the list. Kenny Guiton is a more than quality back-up. He showed us by leading his team against Purdue to a crucial game-tying touchdown drive and two-point conversion in Ohio States overtime win.
1. Texas A&M Aggies
Lets give credit where credit is due. Johnny Manziel certainly earned the Heisman trophy he was handed. He wasn't just a product of a great system or stellar blocking. Although he doesn't have a big time arm he does have good instincts, vision, and flat out makes plays. As a freshman he threw for 3,706 yards with a 68 percent completion rate and a 26-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also rushed for 1,410 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns. But 2013 will surly be a new and more complex test for Johnny. Teams will now have a whole off-season to study and scheme against Manziel. So the real question is can he do it again, or was it just a fluke.
Depth at the position is a major contributer to these rankings and although they have the current Heisman winner, the Aggies have talent behind him. Remember Johnny Manziel wasn't even the starter last spring. Matt Davis is a very high freshman recruit and Matt Joeckle has good experience and provides depth. With the on-and-off the field pressure building for Manziel, I just get the feeling you might hear one of those names this year.