It's never too early to get started on next year's crop of course before all of my 2015 work isn't yet completed, but it's always exciting. I like to get this out as early as possible to see how the top players perform from game one to their final college appearance and to see how the rankings fluctuate throughout that time. Here are the top quarterbacks I have noted pre-2015 college football season. Feel free to comment and give me your rankings. I would love to hear!
1. Connor Cook (Michigan State, Senior, 6'4, 220)
If coming out in this "past year's" draft, Cook would have been at least the third best quarterback. Though, the possible high billing in the 2015 NFL Draft, it was good to see Cook stick around another year to work on some things dealing with mostly accuracy. His occasional poor footwork is most of the reason for his sporadic accuracy that he dealt with on and off last season. Cook plays well in big games which helps his draft stock even more. Cook seems to be number one on most draft boards before the regular season begins and it is his ranking to lose.
2. Christian Hackenberg (Penn State, Junior, 6'4, 230) Christian Hackenberg has been high on the radar since high school where he earned his five-star ranking. Hackenberg has a lot of things to like including great size, arm strength, and his ability to go through progressions and find his best option. His completion percentage has not been astonishing completing just under 60% a year ago. His supporting cast has been awful the past two seasons with not much protection up front and not a fair amount of targets to throw to or a running game to fall back on. Hacks's play is far above his statistics indicate and should make a nice pro prospect for you to keep an eye on. |
3. Cardale Jones (Ohio State, Junior, 6'5, 250)
I could leave this write-up blank and you could fill it in for me, but Cardale Jones's draft stock obviously soared after his three game winning streak in Ohio State's run to the national title. Jones has incredible ability as an athlete and as a quarterback. Over his three game starting span he threw for 860 yards with a 7-2 ratio and a 61% completion percentage. Jones has a cannon and generally makes good decisions downfield and knows when to tuck it and run. And remember he did his damage against three of the most talented teams in the nation at the time. With Jones's return, we now get to see him complete an entire season as the man under center; that's assuming he wins the job over talented sophomore J.T. Barrett who was racking up Heisman numbers before his season ending injury.
I could leave this write-up blank and you could fill it in for me, but Cardale Jones's draft stock obviously soared after his three game winning streak in Ohio State's run to the national title. Jones has incredible ability as an athlete and as a quarterback. Over his three game starting span he threw for 860 yards with a 7-2 ratio and a 61% completion percentage. Jones has a cannon and generally makes good decisions downfield and knows when to tuck it and run. And remember he did his damage against three of the most talented teams in the nation at the time. With Jones's return, we now get to see him complete an entire season as the man under center; that's assuming he wins the job over talented sophomore J.T. Barrett who was racking up Heisman numbers before his season ending injury.
4. Paxton Lynch (Memphis, Junior, 6'7, 220) Paxton Lynch supports a huge frame with a big arm and isn't afraid to air it out. He has some sneaky athleticism within the pocket to shake off pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. Lynch will instantly draw comparisons to former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett and current Super Bowl winning Ravens Joe Flacco, but Lynch shows a little more wiggle ability and more athleticism; but the strong arm comparisons are real. Lynch can get a little trigger happy sometimes resulting in some errant throws and interceptions like his previous game (3 picks, but 4 TDs). Lynch's biggest judgment call may be versus a defensive squad in Ole Miss that has plenty of NFL prospects across the board. |
5. Carson Wentz (North Dakota State, Senior, 6'5, 222)
It's about time North Dakota State received some love for their dominant success at the FCS level. Carson Wentz filled in nicely for the departed Brock Jensen when his time was done. Wentz set school records a season ago and is most likely an early favorite to win the FCS Player of the Year in 2015. Wentz is a big framed quarterback with a nice accurate arm and can escape outside the pocket with a nice physical running game. Wentz is a winner and this year his team/program goes for a fifth straight national title.
Others to keep an eye on… (Alphabetical order)
Trevone Boykin (TCU, Senior, 6'2, 205)
Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee, Junior, 6'3, 215)
Jared Goff (California, Junior, 6'4, 210)
Kevin Hogan (Stanford, Senior, 6'4, 220)
Jeremy Johnson (Auburn, Junior, 6'5, 240)
Cody Kessler (USC, Senior, 6'1, 210)
Dak Prescott (Mississippi State, Senior, 6'2, 230)
MarQuise Williams (North Carolina, Senior, 6'2, 220)
Trevone Boykin (TCU, Senior, 6'2, 205)
Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee, Junior, 6'3, 215)
Jared Goff (California, Junior, 6'4, 210)
Kevin Hogan (Stanford, Senior, 6'4, 220)
Jeremy Johnson (Auburn, Junior, 6'5, 240)
Cody Kessler (USC, Senior, 6'1, 210)
Dak Prescott (Mississippi State, Senior, 6'2, 230)
MarQuise Williams (North Carolina, Senior, 6'2, 220)