Top Five Dual Threat Quarterbacks Not Named Tebow

The quarterback position has evolved quite a bit, especially in the college game.

Quarterbacks are asked to, not only survey defenses and make the appropriate read, but if the play collapses around them, they must be able to improvise.

Long gone are the days when signal-callers strictly stood in the pocket and made a pass.

The schemes and speed of the defense have gotten to the point where having a stationary quarterback severely limits your production as an offense.

It may also mean a short leash, if you are a coach.

Here is a list of five dual threat quarterbacks, some of whom are not talked about enough.

Readers note: Tim Tebow will not be a part of this article—his game speaks for itself.

5. Matt Grothe

Many could argue that Matt Grothe and Jim Leavitt are the two reasons why the South Florida Bulls are now on the college football scene.

Grothe has been the leading rusher for the Bulls the last three seasons, averaging nearly 700 yards each fall.

His ability to scramble outside of the pocket was the key to South Florida vaulting to second in the BCS a few years back.

Not only can Matt extend plays on the ground, but his passing percentage has seen solid improvement each year.

Without Grothe at quarterback, South Florida sees limited success in the Big East and in the country.

4. Colin Kaepernick

After splitting time in 2007, Kaepernick took over full time for the Wolf Pack last fall and did not disappoint.

Colin rushed for over 1,100 yards and threw for another 2,849 yards. He also accounted for 39 of the teams offensive touchdowns.

The knock on Kaepernick throughout his college career has been the fact that the competition he faces in the WAC is sub-par at best.

A passing percentage just over 50 percent leaves room for concern. But above all, Kaepernick is a football player who will find a way to win.

The junior will get an opportunity on the national stage early in 2009, as Nevada will be on the road at Notre Dame.

If Colin can make the best of that opportunity, along with games against Boise State and Missouri, then you may hear his name come up more often.

3. Dan LeFevour

LeFevour crashed onto the college football scene following his dominant performance in the GMAC Bowl two seasons ago.

With that performance in the minds of many, the 2008 season was a disappointment for Central Michigan players and fans alike.

With that being said, LeFevour still managed to throw for over 2,700 yards and complete nearly 67 percent of his passes.

On the ground, the Chippewas signal caller rushed for almost 600 yards. Contrast that to his 2007 campaign of over 1,100 yards and you can see my point.

Many argued that coaching had a lot to do with his limited rushing attempts due to the possibility of injury.

The emergence of the MAC has allowed Dan to perform on a higher stage, one that was not there earlier in his career.

Expect LeFevour to return to his old form and dominant as one of the premier multi-purpose quarterbacks in the country.

2. Terrelle Pryor

Jim Tressel did his best to slowly incorporate Pryor into the offense last season.

With the group sputtering and Beanie Wells in and out with injuries, Tressel took the leash off of the true freshman and watched like the rest of us.

Pryor had a few growing pains, like the fumble against Penn State. With every stumble, there was a string of athletic plays that few have seen at that position since Troy Smith.

Pryor not only displayed his big arm and quick feet, but against Texas, Terrelle lined up at receiver and scored.

With the sky being the limit and years of eligibility left, look for Pryor to be atop many award lists during his career with the Buckeyes.

1. Jeremiah Masoli

Injuries plagued the Oregon Ducks at the quarterback position all of last season.

If there was a positive to all of the fallen quarterbacks, it was Jeremiah Masoli.

Masoli crashed onto the scene in Eugene almost immediately, providing the Ducks with another threat to go along with Blount and Johnson.

The junior quarterback works perfectly with the spread offense that Oregon runs and takes the pressure off of a passing game that lacks depth at receiver.

The exclamation point to the season was the Holiday Bowl.

Jeremiah showcased his arm and legs throughout the game. He kept the Ducks in the game and eventually led them to a 42-31 victory.

Masoli will now enter 2009 with nearly a full season and an entire off-season under his belt.

The Oregon Duck just may find himself in Heisman talks at the end of next season.