Ranking the SEC quarterbacks
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 3:47 pm
Three programs- LSU, Alabama and Vanderbilt- have yet to name starters for their season openers and less than half of the league has a returning starter at the spot.
So with that, it could be an interesting transitional year around the league in terms of different starting quarterbacks at different points in the season.
Here’s how they would rank as things stand today.
1. Nick Marshall, Auburn- The most decorated returning starter in the league- who led his team to the SEC Championship and a BCS National Title Game last season- has to rank No. 1. With improved passing numbers this season, Marshall could get in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy.
2. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State- Prescott has gone from a “darkhorse” Heisman Trophy contender to a player most national analysts talk about when discussing potential winners. The Bulldogs have an excellent supporting cast around him and much like Marshall, he’s a terrific scheme fit.
3. Jeff Driskel, Florida- Driskel missed most of last season with an injury, but his upside and potential- combined with a new scheme under coordinator Kurt Roper- should lead to a big year for the Gators signal caller. He’s one of- if not the- best weapons Florida has on offense.
4. Maty Mauk, Missouri- Mauk went 3-1 as a starter a season ago for the Tigers, who won the SEC East. He’s got a good arm, is mobile and is a tough competitor. Mauk doesn’t have the weapons at receiver he had last season, however, so it will be interesting to see what he and the Mizzou offense can accomplish in 2014.
5. Hutson Mason, Georgia- Mason started for the Bulldogs at the end of last season after Aaron Murray went down with an injury and head coach Mark Richt said the experience was “invaluable”. The Georgia coaches have been high on his ability from the get-go and he has a tremendous supporting cast. Mason can be a game-manager, make smart decisions and the Bulldogs can pile up yards and points with him under center.
6. Dylan Thompson, South Carolina- Much like Mauk, Thompson has had successful game experience for the Gamecocks. In 2012, he led South Carolina to a win at Clemson and threw the game-winning touchdown in the Outback Bowl. Last season, he came off the bench at UCF and the Gamecocks handed the Knights their only loss of the season in Orlando. He’s a fifth-year senior who will get his shot.The key with Thompson is consistency.
7. Bo Wallace, Ole Miss- Wallace is one of the returning full-time starters in the league and his third year as the Rebels’ signal caller should be his best year. Like Thompson, consistency is key. Avoiding critical mistakes is another key. Both of those things tend to improve with experience and Wallace has a load of it, as well as one of the top receivers in the SEC- Laquon Treadwell- to throw it to.
8. Kenny Hill, Texas A&M- Hill played some in a back-up role last season and has enough mobility to keep defenses honest. The sophomore from Lone Star State powerhouse Southlake Carroll has a talented, but inexperienced, supporting cast, and as the season moves forward, has a chance to put up big numbers.
9. Blake Sims/Jacob Coker, Alabama- Sims has the experience of being in the Crimson Tide program, Coker is a 6-foot-5, talented pocket passer with a good arm. There’s been no decision on the starter as of yet. If one of these two guys emerges, obviously they would rank higher.
10. Brandon Harris/Anthony Jennings, LSU- As is the case in Tuscaloosa, the same is true in Baton Rouge. Harris could be a 247Sports True Freshman All-American and Jennings is a steady passer. If both end up playing in a two-quarterback system, the duo could move up. We’ve seen the Tigers successfully use two quarterbacks often over the years.
11. Patrick Towles, Kentucky- Towles has a lot of talent- a strong arm and good size- and in Wildcats’ offensive coordinator Neal Brown’s pass-happy system, there’s a chance he can put up big numbers this season in Lexington. If Towles settles in and makes good decisions, he has an NFL future.
12. Brandon Allen, Arkansas- Allen is a returning starter, but had a rough go of it last season. All reports from Fayetteville this preseason are that he is vastly improved- the question is going to be at receiver- if true freshman Jared Cornelius and others can step up- then Allen could go higher.
13. Justin Worley, Tennessee- Worley has a good arm and won the Vols starting job thanks to his command of the offensive system, due to his starting experience. Tennessee has a lot to replace on the offensive line, though, and Worley is a quarterback you HAVE to protect because he isn’t mobile. Obviously, if Tennessee can protect him there is enough talent at receiver for him to be higher.
14. Patton Robinette/Stephen Rivers/Johnny McCrary, Vanderbilt- The Commodores are implementing a new system and one week before kickoff, no starter has emerged. All of these guys have varying strengths and weaknesses. It could be a revolving door in Nashville at this position this season.
http://247sports.com/Article/SEC-Footba ... --30467024
So with that, it could be an interesting transitional year around the league in terms of different starting quarterbacks at different points in the season.
Here’s how they would rank as things stand today.
1. Nick Marshall, Auburn- The most decorated returning starter in the league- who led his team to the SEC Championship and a BCS National Title Game last season- has to rank No. 1. With improved passing numbers this season, Marshall could get in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy.
2. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State- Prescott has gone from a “darkhorse” Heisman Trophy contender to a player most national analysts talk about when discussing potential winners. The Bulldogs have an excellent supporting cast around him and much like Marshall, he’s a terrific scheme fit.
3. Jeff Driskel, Florida- Driskel missed most of last season with an injury, but his upside and potential- combined with a new scheme under coordinator Kurt Roper- should lead to a big year for the Gators signal caller. He’s one of- if not the- best weapons Florida has on offense.
4. Maty Mauk, Missouri- Mauk went 3-1 as a starter a season ago for the Tigers, who won the SEC East. He’s got a good arm, is mobile and is a tough competitor. Mauk doesn’t have the weapons at receiver he had last season, however, so it will be interesting to see what he and the Mizzou offense can accomplish in 2014.
5. Hutson Mason, Georgia- Mason started for the Bulldogs at the end of last season after Aaron Murray went down with an injury and head coach Mark Richt said the experience was “invaluable”. The Georgia coaches have been high on his ability from the get-go and he has a tremendous supporting cast. Mason can be a game-manager, make smart decisions and the Bulldogs can pile up yards and points with him under center.
6. Dylan Thompson, South Carolina- Much like Mauk, Thompson has had successful game experience for the Gamecocks. In 2012, he led South Carolina to a win at Clemson and threw the game-winning touchdown in the Outback Bowl. Last season, he came off the bench at UCF and the Gamecocks handed the Knights their only loss of the season in Orlando. He’s a fifth-year senior who will get his shot.The key with Thompson is consistency.
7. Bo Wallace, Ole Miss- Wallace is one of the returning full-time starters in the league and his third year as the Rebels’ signal caller should be his best year. Like Thompson, consistency is key. Avoiding critical mistakes is another key. Both of those things tend to improve with experience and Wallace has a load of it, as well as one of the top receivers in the SEC- Laquon Treadwell- to throw it to.
8. Kenny Hill, Texas A&M- Hill played some in a back-up role last season and has enough mobility to keep defenses honest. The sophomore from Lone Star State powerhouse Southlake Carroll has a talented, but inexperienced, supporting cast, and as the season moves forward, has a chance to put up big numbers.
9. Blake Sims/Jacob Coker, Alabama- Sims has the experience of being in the Crimson Tide program, Coker is a 6-foot-5, talented pocket passer with a good arm. There’s been no decision on the starter as of yet. If one of these two guys emerges, obviously they would rank higher.
10. Brandon Harris/Anthony Jennings, LSU- As is the case in Tuscaloosa, the same is true in Baton Rouge. Harris could be a 247Sports True Freshman All-American and Jennings is a steady passer. If both end up playing in a two-quarterback system, the duo could move up. We’ve seen the Tigers successfully use two quarterbacks often over the years.
11. Patrick Towles, Kentucky- Towles has a lot of talent- a strong arm and good size- and in Wildcats’ offensive coordinator Neal Brown’s pass-happy system, there’s a chance he can put up big numbers this season in Lexington. If Towles settles in and makes good decisions, he has an NFL future.
12. Brandon Allen, Arkansas- Allen is a returning starter, but had a rough go of it last season. All reports from Fayetteville this preseason are that he is vastly improved- the question is going to be at receiver- if true freshman Jared Cornelius and others can step up- then Allen could go higher.
13. Justin Worley, Tennessee- Worley has a good arm and won the Vols starting job thanks to his command of the offensive system, due to his starting experience. Tennessee has a lot to replace on the offensive line, though, and Worley is a quarterback you HAVE to protect because he isn’t mobile. Obviously, if Tennessee can protect him there is enough talent at receiver for him to be higher.
14. Patton Robinette/Stephen Rivers/Johnny McCrary, Vanderbilt- The Commodores are implementing a new system and one week before kickoff, no starter has emerged. All of these guys have varying strengths and weaknesses. It could be a revolving door in Nashville at this position this season.
http://247sports.com/Article/SEC-Footba ... --30467024