Ranking The Big 12 Quarterbacks For 2015
Spring football sessions have come to a close across the conference, and fans have had a taste of what the 2015 edition of Big 12 football might look like. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at who some of the best returning Big 12 quarterbacks are across the conference.
No. 1 Trevone Boykin, TCU
In 2013, Trevone Boykin could hardly be considered a threat at quarterback. He had the speed of a great dual-threat QB, but lacked the vision and the accuracy necessary to be talked about in the same breath as the NCAA’s elite. Fast forward to the 2014 season, and he has become one of the most electrifying college football players in recent memory. And in an era where the Big 12’s reputation has been eroded, his play could not be more welcome. While Trevone’s adjusted QBR may not be elite among the NCAA’s top-tier signal callers, consider this: out of quarterbacks who threw at least 30 times in all 12 regular season games, Mr. Boykin is the only one to not have a multi-interception game.
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No. 2 Pat Mahomes/Davis Webb, TTU
Texas Tech should be in good hands no matter who gets the starting nod this year. While Davis Webb was criticized heavily throughout the season, expectations were probably set too high going into the 2014 season after he lit up the Arizona State Sun Devils in San Diego at the 2013 Holiday Bowl. The other potential starter is Pat Mahomes, who comes into the 2014 season after a tremendous four-game stretch of starts. In games where Mahomes started, his passer rating was 160.6, which would have been good enough for 7’th place among all NCAA QB’s last year; just above Blake Sims and Bryce Petty, who many project as the third QB taken in the 2015 NFL Draft.
No. 3 Mason Rudolph, OSU
Here’s another young, relatively unproven QB that came on late last year and showed some great flashes. Mason’s problem however, may not be so much his own ability, but the ability around him. Oklahoma State will lose two offensive linemen, its starting running back, and possibly the most physically gifted player on their team in Tyreek Hill. But if Mason can get some help, he has the potential to put up big numbers. In just his first three games, Mason threw for 853 yards and six touchdowns.
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No. 4 Skyler Howard, WVU
Clint Trickett made an early exit from his playing days last season, which paved the way for Skyler Howard to get three starts under his belt before the 2015 season. In those games, Skyler was a bit of an enigma. He threw for eight touchdowns and zero interceptions, and still managed to amass just a 140.8 passer rating (would have been ranked No. 44 in NCAA with enough attempts). Skyler will also be dealing with some attrition, and will have to grow into a leadership role quickly. West Virginia will lose a great receiver tandem, along with two interior linemen, one being a projected fifth rounder in the NFL Draft (Mark Glowinski).
No. 5 Trevor Knight, OU
While there is a great position battle brewing in Norman, Trevor Knight is the incumbent starter and will likely be the Sooners’ best choice. He struggled at times throughout the 2014 season, but still managed to have an adjusted QBR over 80 in five games. The problem with Knight, though, is that on any given night, you may get a world-beating Sugar Bowl Champion, but you also might get a 1.4 raw QBR performance against Clemson.
No. 6 Seth Russell, Baylor
This is where the debate seems to be the most interesting. Many people who look at the stats from the Spring Game are touting the great QB play in Waco. What seems to get lost in the shuffle is that three of Baylor’s four starting defensive backs did not play in the game. This left a bevy of inexperienced backups to cover one of the fastest WR groups in the country. Additionally, Seth somehow found a way to let Texas Tech back into a game with conference title implications. Playing just over one half of the game at “Jerry World,” Seth managed just a 30.7 adjusted QBR.
No. 7 Sam B Richardson
Iowa State has never been known for its QB play, mostly due to its struggles in the recruiting arena. Sam B Richardson certainly doesn’t have the potential of many of the highly touted players, but he has an incredible drive, and many times seems to have his team in the mix toward the ends of games where they had “no chance” going in. With two games over 80 in adjusted QBR, he can lift his team up at times. If former four-star recruit Allen Lazard (WR) can live up to the hype and take the place of EJ Bibbs in terms of production, Richardson may be a factor in keeping somebody out of a bowl game next year.
No. 8 Tyrone Swoopes UT
After being touted as the next Vince Young, expectations have simmered for the UT signal caller. With the exception of a solid outing against OSU — who just didn’t seem to have a clue — Swoopes had a very unremarkable season. He may still be a nice project at some point, considering the hype around him coming out of high school. But needing to work on reading the defensive end when your team runs the option is just not the most ideal situation to have. And in case you’re wondering what just happened, you’re not mistaken…you just read an article where Iowa State’s returning starter is better than what Texas has in the cupboard (incoming freshmen notwithstanding).
T- No. 9 Kansas St.
With Jake Waters gone, KSU looks to fill a void that will not easily be filled. While you won’t hear his name at the top of anybody’s “Best Of” list, Waters was surprisingly good at his position, finishing at No. 13 in the NCAA in adjusted QBR. KSU will turn either to Joe Hubener (former walk-on in his fourth year) or former three-star recruit, Alex Delton to take the reins in “The Little Apple.”
T-No. 9 Kansas
Michael Cummings will undergo knee surgery after an incredibly mind-boggling cheap shot during the KU Spring Game. With him out, Head Coach David Beaty will either turn to team veterans Montell Cozart or TJ Millweard, or possibly play one of their two incoming Freshman signees.
Who do you have at the top of your list and why? Feel free to discuss in the comments below.