Top Quarterbacks

[E.T.]

SPRING FOOTBALL BASH: Top Ten Quarterbacks

In Leinart and Young's wake, Notre Dame's Quinn leads the pack

April 5, 2006

By Rob Rang, Senior Analyst, NFLDraftScout.com

Special to CSTV.com

Before college football fans can even say their final goodbyes to the players soon to be drafted into the NFL, a new batch of exciting prospects is already on the horizon. With spring football upon us, CSTV.com and  NFLDraftScout.com kick off a series analyzing the top collegiate talent by examining the 2006 crop of quarterbacks.

Much like last year with Southern California's Matt Leinart, Notre Dame's Brady Quinn enters the year entrenched as the top quarterback in the land. Some scouts are already touting him as the early favorite to be the top overall pick in 2007.

What follows after him, however, is a hodge-podge of arm strength, production, pedigree, and, unfortunately, inconsistency. While not all of the quarterbacks listed below will be highly-rated NFL prospects, the position is as deep and talented as ever.

More offenses are returning to the athletic quarterback capable of beating teams with their arm or their legs. Texas certainly achieved the ultimate goal in winning a national championship with just such a player in Vince Young. Ohio State senior Troy Smith and West Virginia sophomore Pat White will now carry the torch for multi-dimensional signal callers.

Choose your flavor of styles, and you will likely find a handful of intriguing quarterbacks to follow in 2006.

1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, 6-4, 230, SR:

Quinn was already considered one of the nation's more gifted quarterbacks before coach Charlie Weis was hired in 2005 to resurrect Notre Dame's proud tradition. The combination of Weis' tutelage and Quinn's natural talents made for a good fit from the start. In 12 starts in 2004, Quinn threw for 2,586 yards and a respectable 17-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Last year, however, Quinn was arguably the best quarterback in the country, passing for 3,919 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions.

Quinn has the classic blend of size, arm strength and tenacity pro scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback. His ability to adapt so quickly to Weis' complicated offensive scheme speaks volumes about his work ethic and understanding of the game. Quinn enters next season not only as the top-ranked quarterback in the country, but the odds-on favorite to be the first player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.

2. Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 222, SR:

Michigan State failed to qualify for a bowl game last season, but quarterback Drew Stanton certainly wasn't to blame for the team's mediocrity. Ohio State's Troy Smith and Michigan's Chad Henne will earn the bulk of the Big Ten headlines, but pro scouts are more intrigued by Stanton, who emerged onto the scene two years ago as a sophomore. He was named Team MVP despite starting only seven games. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders in total offense (third, 228.8 yards per game), passing efficiency (third, 131.8 rating), rushing (eighth, 68.7 ypg.) and passing (10th, 160.1 ypg.).

In 2005, Stanton showed great improvement. His passing numbers swelled to 3,077 yards and a very respectable 22-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Stanton's rushing numbers dropped to 338 yards and four touchdowns, down from 687 and five in 2005, but that was due more to coach John L. Smith's hesitancy to place Stanton in the way of big hits.

Stanton toyed with the idea of leaving school after his junior season. He certainly has shown the NFL combination of size, athleticism, toughness and arm strength. Scouts would like to see him develop a little more consistency to his game. A likely second-round pick had he entered the 2006 draft, a little refining this next season could bump his stock into the high first round.

3. Pat White, West Virginia, 6-2, 185, rSO:

West Virginia was supposed to struggle last season as it tried to overcome the loss of veteran quarterback Rasheed Marshall. Instead, redshirt freshman Pat White quickly emerged as one of the nation's most dangerous quarterbacks. He led the Mountaineers to a shocking victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and a No. 5 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. White rushed for 952 yards and seven touchdowns, and his 8.75 yards per rushing attempt was second only behind Reggie Bush. He also passed for 825 yards and another eight touchdowns.

White is the ideal quarterback for coach Rich Rodriguez's option attack. Slim and slippery, White is a great decision-maker. He knows when to attack the defense, when to pitch, or when to pull back and pass over the top of defenders.

4. Jordan Palmer, Texas El-Paso, 6-5, 232, SR:

As the MAC has proven in recent years, top quarterbacks are more and more frequently hailing from conferences not recognized by the BCS. UTEP's Jordan Palmer could be the next senior quarterback to emerge from a relatively small conference to become a high round NFL prospect. The younger brother of former No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer, Jordan Palmer has the prototypical size, arm strength and coaching pro teams seek.

Head coach Mike Price has turned around the UTEP program. A virtual laughing-stock only a few years ago, the Miners finished 8-4 last season and were ranked among the Top 25 at various points throughout the season. With all due respect to Coach Price, Palmer is the key to UTEP's fortunes. In 18 starts over his first two seasons, Palmer passed for 3,986 yards and 33 touchdowns. Palmer virtually matched his previous two years' numbers in 2005, passing for 3,503 yards and 29 scores.

Unfortunately, the interceptions that haunted him in both 2003 (13) and 2004 (18) again were an eye-sore in 2005 (19). After establishing himself early, Palmer struggled down the stretch, turning the ball over ten times in UTEP's final three games, all losses. Taking the next step could be difficult as a fractured ankle and torn ligament in the GMAC Bowl could limit Palmer's playing time this spring.

5. Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6-4, 224, JR:

Louisville has produced some great quarterbacks in recent years, including NFL draft picks Chris Redman (2000), Dave Ragone (2003) and Stefan Lefors (2005). Brohm signed on with the Cardinals ranked by some as the top prep quarterback in the country, and appears poised to continue the spectacular Louisville run at quarterback. All he did in his first season as the starter was finish third in the country in passing efficiency (166.7), complete 68.7 percent of his passes and threw for a 19-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Only a sophomore, Brohm was recognized as the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year.

Unfortunately, as impressive as Brohm's numbers were, they were completed in two fewer games than hoped after he was lost for the season due to a torn ACL. Reports out of Louisville have Brohm's recovery going as planned, though he is not expected to fully participate in spring drills.

Brohm has the tools and the system to vault toward the top of the quarterback totem poll if he can return to near full strength in time for the start of the 2006 season.

Expecting GrothE to be in the Top 3 in the Big East.

[smazza]

usf qb not on list

[flsportsfan83]

we deserve to be

[Minotaur]

we deserve to be

Yeah man, at the top of that list . . . what are they thinking?

[flsportsfan83]

i was kidding

[Bullpride08]

It's still nice to see the Big East is returning with some big time talent that's considered tops in the nation and multiple positions.

[turkeysoup]

What is a thread about "Top Quarterbacks" doing on the "South Florida Bulls Athletics Main Board" ???

[bulls96go]

pj rules

[Velcro]

What is a thread about "Top Quarterbacks" doing on the "South Florida Bulls Athletics Main Board" ???

PJ made the cover of ESPN.com today

[Joe]

This guy did a terrible article and NO research.

1st - Palmer plays in CUSA...not the MAC

2nd - Pat White is a very good QB, but he is NOT the number 3 guy yet. His passing game is sketchy and need major work. Sometime this season a team is going to make him rely on his arm, and he hasn't proven he can do it yet.

3rd - Where the hell is Troy Smith! The guy is a Heisman contender, MILES better than Drew Stanton and should be number TWO on that list if you ask me!

4th No MENTION of Drew Tate?!

My top 5:

1) Brady Quinn

2) Troy Smith

3) Drew Tate

4) Brian Brohm

5) Rudy Carpenter (who? you won't be saying that in December...plays for ASU)