Top Five College Quarterbacks

TJ Gerrity by Correspondent Written on July 01, 2009

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16:  Defensive end Jared Allen #69 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks down the players' tunnel as he enters the field prior to the start of the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 16, 2007 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kans
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

College football has transformed from a running game to a throwing game—it's all about the quarterbacks now.

The championship game last year featured two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and it turned out to be a great game.

The Big 12 Conference was known for quarterback play last year, and the best in that conference have returned for another year, which will surely lead to some exciting football this season.

If you like big-time offense, follow these quarterbacks' teams next year; you won't be disappointed.

5: Todd Reesing. University of Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 29:  Quarterback Todd Reesing #5of the Kansas Jayhawks runs to pass the ball during the game against the Missouri Tigers on November 29, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Todd Reesing is one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch in college football. Quite simply, he can do it all.

His great pocket presence, combined with an uncanny ability to scramble and avoid sacks, help him produce some brilliant plays.

One such play happened in the final game of last season, against rival Missouri.

With 30 seconds left in the game, and his team down 37-33, on fourth down on Missouri's 27 yard line, the pocket collapsed around Reesing.

He scrambled to his right, keeping his eyes down field, and found his favorite target, wide receiver Kerry Meier, wide open for the last-second game-winning touchdown.

Such abilities have allowed him to average close to 3700 yards and 33 TDs over the last two years.

Look for him to continue on those numbers this year when throwing to one of the most talented receiving groups in the nation.

4: Case Keenum. University of Houston

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Houston Cougars passes the ball during the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Robertson Stadium November 17, 2007 in Houston, Texas. Houston won 35-28. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Keenum is not well-known nationwide, but he is the only returning QB to throw for 5,000 yards last year (Graham Harrell was the other).

After starting for Houston his freshman and sophomore seasons, I expect to see even more improvement in his junior year.

Throwing for 5,020 yards and 44 touchdown last year, there isn't a whole lot of room to improve statistically speaking, but he can learn to get rid of the ball quicker after doubling his sack total from freshman year.

Just because he doesn't get coverage on ESPN doesn't mean he's not a great college quarterback. Keep your eye on this guy next year, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

3: Colt McCoy. University of Texas

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 05:  Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after throwing a 7 yard touchdown reception against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Game on January 5, 2009 at University

McCoy was a Heisman finalist last year, and set an NCAA record by completing 76.7 percent of his passes.

I want you to think about that statistic for just a moment—76.7 percent of his passes were completed. That is just ridiculous.

McCoy was lucky that he returned one of his favorite targets in WR Jordan Shipley, who petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility because of injuries.

McCoy made the right decision to stay in school, as he wanted another shot at the national title game, and to improve his game for the pros.

He may not throw the ball downfield often, but when you have a short threat like Jordan Shipley, there is no reason to look anywhere else.

Look for this kid to have another huge year, throwing close to last year's totals of 3,800 yards and 34 TDs.

2: Sam Bradford. University of Oklahoma

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 18:  Quarterback Sam Bradford #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

While Bradford may be the best pro prospect of the bunch, he's not the best college QB.

While rival McCoy was completing a ridiculous percentage of passes last year, Bradford was completing passes for insane yardage.

Bradford threw for over 4,700 yards and 50 touchdowns last year, while only throwing eight interceptions and taking 11 sacks.

While a lot of this success can be credited to the massive offensive line he had at his disposal last year, most of the key cogs in that line will be playing on Sundays this year.

One of the most dangerous receiving threats in the country, Jermaine Gresham, returns.

While he may have peaked statistically, look for another monster year from this future first-round draft pick, and maybe he can improve his game even more.

1: Tim Tebow. University of Florida

MIAMI - JANUARY 08:  Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass the ball during the FedEx BCS National Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

There should be no debate about this decision—Tebow has already cemented himself as one of the greatest college football players to ever play the game, and he returned to add to his resume.

Every year he has been in college, he's been at the top of college football.

His freshman year, he backed up senior Chris Leak, but was a key role player on the national championship team.

He followed this performance by winning the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season, becoming the first underclassman to win the award.

Then, last season, in his junior year, he beat Oklahoma in the national championship game to get his second ring in three years.

If he can manage to win another Heisman or national championship, he would cement his college legacy as one of the all-time greatest college football players.

Florida is stacked with enough talent to make a run, and we all know what happens when Tebow gets upset—he will work as hard as anyone to prove to himself that it won't happen again.

Watch out—if someone or something upsets him, we could see him wearing three national championship rings in four years.

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written on July 01, 2009 Rankings/List

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