My Top 5: Quarterbacks

By: Tre Bailey (@trebailey14)

College Football

My Top 5: Quarterbacks

With the college football season quickly approaching I’ve decided that it would be fun to do a My top 5 for each position going into the season; capping off who I think the top 5 teams will be; come College Football Playoff time. Now my top 5 players will be in order, and based off of previous season success, importance to team, pure talent at their respective position. Some of the rankings you may or may not agree with but that’s why it’s MY top 5. Without further ado lets get rolling

Honorable Mentions

Baker Mayfield, Junior(RS) Oklahoma

Mason Rudolph, Junior Oklahoma State

Seth Russell, Senior Baylor

Greg Ward, Senior Houston

Luke Falk, Junior(RS) Washington State

Coming in at number 5

Josh Rosen, Sophomore UCLA

2015 Stats: 292-478 3670yds, 60% completion percentage, 23td’s, 11int

Reason: Even though Rosen was only a freshman last year, he displayed why you shouldn’t sleep on a true freshman. He came in ready to work and fight for his team leading them to a 8-5 record. While this record isn’t all that impressive Rosen proved that he has what it takes to take UCLA among the top rankings in college football. His potential is high and with new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu, you could expect to more of a pro-style offence from the Bruins, something that Rosen could benefit from tremendously and see more success in over the next few years.

Number 4

Patrick Mahomes, Junior Texas Tech

2015 Stats: 364-573 4653yds, 63.5% completion percentage, 36td’s, 15int

Reason: Watching Mahomes play is literally like watching a magic show on the football field. This kid is creative, dynamic, and can make something out of any dead play. Mahomes is an explosive player who can make plays with both his arm and legs tacking on 456 rushing yards with 10 td’s to his already impressive throwing stats. With it being Kingsbury’s 4^th year as the head coach of Tech expect to see an even more high powered offense. Don’t be surprised if you see some no look passes from Mahomes this season, something he’s rumored to have been working on during the spring and summer.

Number 3

Chad Kelly, Senior Ole Miss

2015 Stats: 298-458, 4042yds, 65.1% completion percentage. 31td’s 13int

Reason: Chad Kelly is hands down the best quarterback in the SEC. He led Ole Miss over huge wins against Bama., LSU, and Mississippi State. And put up impressive numbers against Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. Losing his top offensive linemen and receiver will be interesting but don’t expect this 5^th year senior to skip a beat. Kelly is a pure competitor and will win at almost any cost.

Number 2

J.T. Barrett, Junior Ohio State

2015 Stats: 93-147, 992yds, 63.3% completion percentage, 11td’s 4int

Reason: If you know anything you know that Ohio state had one of the toughest quarterback scenarios that college football has seen in a while last season. And as a part time starter Barrett still put up some impressive number. Go back to the championship season before Barrett broke his ankle. He threw for 2834yds 34td’s and 10int. He will do nothing but improve on these numbers as he comes into his first season as a full time starter. Despite losing many starters on both sides of the ball Barrett still retains the experience and leadership needed to lead Ohio State to make another run at the College Football Playoff and potentially be the first team to be a repeat champion in the Playoff era.

Number 1

Deshaun Watson, Junior Clemson

2015 Stats: 333-491, 4104yds, 67.8% completion percentage, 35td’s 13int

Reason: Watson can flat out ball, he is a dynamic playmaker with absolutely unreal talent. He led Clemson to an undefeated season and a berth in the College Football Playoff before losing to Bama in the National Championship game. I know he is absolutely driven by falling 5 points shy to Bama in the championship game and will look to improve on his already impressive career he has had so far at Clemson. Besides being a maestro with his arm he was able to add 1105yds and 12td’s on the ground last season. Coming in as the Heisman favorite this season Watson is in my opinion the best Quarterback coming into this season.