5) Braxton Miller (junior) Ohio State
The Buckeyes' electrifying signal caller showed the country just what he is capable of last season accounting for over 3300 yards of total offense in Urban Meyer's wide open offense and is the best dual threat quarterback in the country going into this season. Despite him being 4 inches and about 30 pounds smaller, he reminds me of Cam Newton in many ways, namely in the way he moves around in the pocket and the way he looks as a runner, and quite honestly, a Newton-esque breakout in 2013 would not shock me one bit. Miller might not be the most accurate passer on this list, completing less than 59% of his passes in 2012, but he seems to have the knack for the big play, with 13 of his touchdowns coming on plays of 40 yards or more. However, in order to ascend to that Newton level I mentioned before, he will need to get his completion percentage up a bit and be more of a threat through the air, which would make his running that much more deadly. Despite only having one year of starting under his belt, I have no issues about ranking him over a more experienced quarterback like Clemson's Tahj Boyd (who my colleague Jackson McNamara is extremely high on) mainly because I believe that Miller's best has yet to be seen. However, at this point it's all potential and if Urban Meyer can tap into that potential like he did former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, the sky is the limit for Miller and the Buckeyes this year.
4) AJ McCarron (senior) Alabama
The Alabama signal caller is easily the most successful quarterback on this list, with two national championships under his belt and two losses as a starter, his win/loss stats are second to none. However, the biggest knock on him is that ever so controversial "game manager" title that the dominant Alabama defense and run game would give to anybody under center. McCarron definitely can manage the game very well though, he has only thrown 8 interceptions in two seasons as a full time starter (as well as a little bit of playing time in garbage time as a freshmen). He routinely has a completion percentage in the high 60s and is very efficient with his decisions. However, the biggest question I have about him is how well could he play if an opposing defense is able to contain that highly touted running game that seems to produce Heisman caliber runners every season. McCarron has been lucky to get to play with tailbacks like Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon in his career, which would make any quarterback's job easier. He is at his best when that running game is rolling and is able to take advantage of his underrated athleticism on bootlegs and play action fakes to allow the receivers to get a little separation and simply hit the open man. He rarely forces a ball into coverage and understands his progressions better than most at this level, but at times he lacks a big time arm to zip the ball down the field if needed.
3) Johnny Manziel (sophomore) Texas A&M
Now, I know what you are thinking; how can this dude really have the reigning Heisman trophy winner at 3rd?! But hear me out, Johnny Football had a phenomenal season, no doubt. He completed 68% of his passes for 3706 yards and 26 touchdowns, and also added over 1400 yards on the ground, including over 200 against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. Those numbers are even more impressive if you take into consideration that the Aggies played their first season in the SEC. But this list, more than anything is attempting to project going forward, and I truly believe that Manziel will take a step backward in his second season. I think that many pundits are underestimating the losses of Luke Joeckell, Christian Michael and Ryan Swope to the NFL, who were three of the major components of the Aggies offense along with Manziel. Now with more of the focus on him exclusively, as well as losing one of the finest offensive tackles in the country, and with teams in the SEC who will undoubtedly spend most of the off season watching and scheming against, I have a hard time buying into the Manziel Heisman repeat talk. Can he have another great season? Sure. But I don't see him single handedly taking over games in 2013 like he did in 2012. I feel that teams will do a much better job containing Manziel's backyard football-esque style of play forcing him to be more of a pure pocket passer that isn't where he is at his best. He is at his best when the play breaks down and he's forced to improvise.
2) Aaron Murray (senior) Georgia
Aaron Murray is among the most decorated quarterbacks in Georgia Bulldogs history, he has passed for over 3,000 yards and 24 or more touchdowns each season he has been in Athens. His performance during his junior season definitely gives Bulldogs fans something to be optimistic about going into his senior season. In 2012 he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3893 yards and 36 touchdown passes (to only 10 interceptions) and was among the finest quarterbacks in the country, and in this analysts opinion, he should have been among the Heisman finalists last season. Unfortunately, what is holding Murray back from being higher on the lists is questions about his arm strength. Now, I don't feel that you need to have a cannon arm to be a successful quarterback, but too many times Murray looked too inaccurate on deep passes down the field and lacked the touch to drop passes into tight windows (very much like the aforementioned McCarron of Alabama). This was very evident in the Bulldogs' two biggest games of the year; the home showdown with Florida where he was brutal (as was the rest of the UGA offense) and threw 3 interceptions and in the SEC championship against Alabama where he just looked off target most of the day. I do think that Murray is a fine quarterback, and many teams would be happy to have him as their starter. I do think he is poised for another strong season, it is hard to think of many quarterbacks with more of a pedigree and track record than Murray in college football today.
1) Teddy Bridgewater (junior) Louisville
The Cardinals' signal caller is a relative unknown to the casual college football fan, but many analysts feel he is poised to have a breakout 2013 season, myself included. The Louiville quarterback quietly threw for 3718 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2012 with little fanfare in the Big East, highlighted by many with his Willis Reed like performance off the bench (with a sprained wrist/ankle) against Rutgers, leading the Cardinals to a comeback 20-17 win to earn Louisville a Sugar Bowl berth where he lead his team to a 33-23 victory over the highly favored Florida Gators and completed 62.5% of his passes for 266 yards against one of the better defensive units in the country, and easily the best team they played in 2012. One of the most over-used and hardest to explain qualities in a quarterback is leadership ability, and Bridgewater displays that in every aspect. It also helps that this kid can flat out sling it. As a sophomore he improved drastically on his decision making, and this showed on the field. After throwing a little over 2100 yards as a freshmen, in 2012, his first full year as a starter, he threw for close to 3800 yards. I truly feel that he can be a true breakout player in 2013 and is a very likely candidate for Heisman frontrunner in 2013, despite the conference he plays in not being among the highest quality in many peoples eyes, myself included.
- Josh Gamez
@itsjoshgamez
josh.projectcfb@gmail.com
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