This will be just like Josh's Top 5 Quarterbacks list that he recently posted, but with a few things different. The biggest difference is our Top 5. You'll see a few same names, but you'll see some differences as well. And I'm glad it worked out like that.
First of all, I'd like to start out with a couple of names that you may or may not have heard of, but that definitely deserve some recognition, and although we probably won't see them on any Heisman hype lists, they are very good at what they do.
Kain Colter, Northwestern, Junior
Last year Kain led the Wildcats to an overall record of 9-3, including a close loss to Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Colter three for only 872 yards, tossed eight touchdowns and four interceptions. But Kain's strengths seem to lie more in his legs. On the ground he rushed for nearly 900 yards, and punched it into the end zone 12 times. Colter is the electric kind of QB that Northwestern needs, and will look to lead the Wildcats to bigger and better things this season.
Rakeem Cato, Marshall,Sophomore
Rakeem Cato produced very impressive numbers last season. He completed 406 passes out of 584 attempts. That's an average of 69.5%. He threw for 4,201 yards, which lands him into the top five of all college quarterbacks last season for passing yards. Cato also tossed 37 touchdowns, only giving up 11 interceptions. Very impressive numbers for the Marshall quarterback. Unfortunately Marshall only went 5-7 overall last season. If he can lead them to more wins, and produce the same kinds of numbers, he should see himself a lot more on SportsCenter.
Next on my list, are my honorable mentions. I feel that is fairly difficult coming up with a simple list of five quarterbacks that you see doing well for the season. Here are my honorable mentions.
Tajh Boyd, Clemson
Connor Shaw, South Carolina
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Aaron Murray, Georgia
AJ McCarron, Alabama
I know you're probably thinking, did he really just put Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron in his honorable mentions category? Yes, I did. With their schedules, I honestly don't see them having any kind of outstanding Heisman Trophy winning seasons. I see them having good seasons, but nothing that makes them stand out among this year's many impressive quarterbacks.
Now, lets get to the main concept of this article. Lets get to my top five quarterbacks going into this next college football season!
5. Marcus Mariota, Oregon, Sophomore
Mariota completed 230 passes of 336 attempts. The 230 competitions added up to a total of 2,677 yards. Marcus, who was a true freshman last season, threw for 32 touchdowns, and only threw six interceptions. Marcus led the Ducks to an 11-1 overall record. But with Chip Kelly leaving Oregon for the NFL, many wonder how much different the Oregon Ducks' offense will be. But either way, Marcus Mariota is an electric QB who should have an impressive season.
4. Devin Gardner, Michigan, Junior
Now the stats won't look as impressive for Devin Gardner as many others on this list. Gardner was the back up for college football superstar Denard Robinson. Gardner didn't see significant playing time until November 3rd when the Wolverines played the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In that game, Gardner led the Wolverines to a victory. Gardner finally won himself the starting quarterback job at Michigan, where he only lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes (not counting Michigan's close loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl).
Gardner only completed 59.5% of his passes. Not a great percentage, but also a little higher than his bitter rival Braxton Miller. Gardner threw 11 touchdown passes last season and tossed five interceptions. Devin is a dual threat quarterback, but only rushed for seven touchdowns last season.
Michigan's offense is going to look a lot different without Denard Robinson in the lineup, but Devin Gardner has been ready to become the centerpiece of the Wolverines' offense, and should have quite an impressive season this year.
3. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, Sophomore
Yes, I have the defending Heisman Trophy winner listed at number three. Hey, Josh had him at five!
Manziel had quite an impressive run last season. And I won't deny, I'm sure he'll eventually have another. Could he win the Heisman for a second time, a feat only Archie Griffin from Ohio State has done? I believe he could. But not after the season he had last season.
We all know, Manziel electrified crowds last season. Throwing for a little over 3,700 yards and 26 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns, Manziel really earned his nickname, "Johnny Football". I just can't see Johnny Football being able to keep this pace up for a second straight year, especially continuing to play in the SEC.
Manziel will wow crowds once again this upcoming season, but I see him coming up a little short compared to last season.
2. Braxton Miller, Ohio State, Junior
Braxton Miller is the perfect fit for head coach Urban Meyer. I believe they proved that when the Buckeyes went 12-0 last season. Surely they would have either played Notre Dame or Alabama in the National Championship Game if it wasn't for NCAA sanctions that Ohio State had from the big controversy with Jim Tressel over tattoos, awards, and some other things.
However the Buckeyes are ready to forget about all that, and concentrate on another undefeated season, with Braxton Miller at the driver's seat. Miller completed 148 passes of 254 attempts. He threw for a little over 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 1,271 yards and hit pay dirt 13 times.
Miller will look to try to recreate the magic he created last season, and Urban Meyer will be looking for the same thing. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
1. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, Junior
Just like my colleague Josh, I have to put Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as my number one quarterback. Bridgewater impressed us all last season with his 287 passes totally for 3,718 yards. His completion average was 68.5%. But even more impressive, Teddy threw 27 touchdown passes and only tossed up eight interceptions.
Not only do I feel that Teddy Bridgewater will have a break out year this year because of his abilities, but I think the Louisville schedule also benefits Teddy. I believe that we will see him shred a few of these secondaries up, while also showing his versatility by getting his feet involved in this offense.
The Cardinals have been an impressive team as of late, going 10-2 last season and defeating the #3 Florida Gators in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Teddy Bridgewater will look to lead the Cardinals to another high profile bowl game this season, but he very well may be bringing the Heisman Trophy right along with him. We'll see.
- Matt Lytle
@mattlytle
No comments:
Post a Comment