CFB Recruiting 200: Top 6 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report recruiting analysts Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and provided in-depth analysis. As national signing day draws near, Bleacher Report provides a position-by-position breakdown of the best college football recruits. Today, we present the Top Dual-Threat Quarterbacks.
Other Positions
Mobility in the passing pocket and beyond can take quarterbacks to another level when directing collegiate offenses. Spread schemes and option-read attacks in the college game now require an element of versatility from the quarterback position, and a new wave of playmakers is set to join the mix next season.
We continue our breakdown of the top 200 prospects in 247Sports' composite 2015 rankings by focusing on dual-threat quarterbacks. Here's a look at the six players who landed on that list in order of appearance, complete with insight and a 100-point grade scale based on accuracy, arm strength, pocket presence, mobility, leadership and football IQ.
*All prospects studied and graded by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue.
6. 4-Star Jauan Jennings
1 of 6
Height/Weight: 6'4"/188 lbs.
High School: Blackman High School; Murfreesboro, Tennessee
247Sports Ranking: No. 6 dual-threat quarterback; No. 167 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 71/100
Enrolled at Tennessee
Jauan Jennings announced a decision during the final stretch of his junior year, choosing the in-state Volunteers over fellow finalists Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Northwestern and Ohio State. He's been a frequent visitor of Knoxville since pledging to Tennessee.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Jennings remains rather unpolished from a fundamental perspective, particularly when it comes to footwork. He tends to release throws without having a set base, resulting in tosses that fail to gain ideal velocity and float on him.
That lack of heat on the ball landed him last on this list with an 8/15 grade for arm strength. Given his above-average quickness and physical style of play, I envision the safety position as one that offers Jennings his strongest opportunity to star at the next level, especially with Sheriron Jones now headed to Knoxville.
Still, we've seen quarterback projects flourish with a few years of seasoning, and he possesses impressive athleticism. Jennings completed 57 percent of pass attempts for 2,155 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014, per Tom Kreager of the Daily News Journal, adding 883 yards and 17 scores on the ground.
5. 4-Star Sam Darnold
2 of 6
Height/Weight: 6'4"/208 lbs.
High School: San Clemente High School; San Clemente, California
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 dual-threat quarterback; No. 148 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 73/100
Committed to USC on July 18, 2014
Sam Darnold seemed to be on the verge of becoming a heavily pursued prospect before suffering a season-ending foot injury early in 2013. Utah was his only FBS offer at the time, but scholarships started to pour in last offseason despite limited reps. He ultimately selected the Trojans from a list that included Oregon, Duke and Northwestern.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Darnold made the most of his lone full season as a starter in 2014, tallying 3,770 total yards and 52 touchdowns, per MaxPreps. He isn't a burner in the rushing attack, but he manages to do damage as a downhill runner who is tough to take down.
His comfort level in the pocket still doesn't seem to be near where college coaches would prefer. Darnold lacks desired detail in lower-body fundamentals, opening the door for increased chances of mistakes downfield that could lead to turnovers.
I noticed a lack of dropback fluidity this summer at The Opening, and based on film evaluation, it doesn't appear he made significant strides in that department as his senior season progressed. If he can clean up pocket mechanics, which received a 6/10 grade, there's a lot to like about this relatively raw recruit.
4. 4-Star Travis Waller
3 of 6Height/Weight: 6'3"/190 lbs.
High School: Servite High School; Anaheim, California
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 dual-threat quarterback; No. 109 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 82/100
Committed to Oregon on July 1, 2014
The Ducks reeled in Travis Waller days before he competed in the Elite 11 finals, held at Nike's world headquarters in Oregon. He weighed offers from Northwestern, Notre Dame and Maryland before Oregon extended an offer in late June. Waller didn't wait long to seize that opportunity.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Waller is a high-ceiling prospect still learning how to orchestrate an aerial assault. His rushing skills are well accounted for after rushing for 2,108 yards and 26 scores as an upperclassman, but things remain a bit erratic in the pocket.
He looked slightly more comfortable behind center as a senior, when he completed 56 percent of his passes for a career-high 1,797 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, Waller neglects to set his foundation before delivering passes and still tends to exhibit an elongated throwing motion.
His touch on intermediate and deep tosses alike is a positive sign and earned him a grade of 16/20 for accuracy. His speed as a rusher will make a difference at Oregon, but improvement as a passer will ultimately determine what kind of impact Waller makes in Eugene.
3. 4-Star Brandon Wimbush
4 of 6
Height/Weight: 6'2"/205 lbs.
High School: St. Peter's Prep; Jersey City, New Jersey
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 dual-threat quarterback; No. 45 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 85/100
Committed to Notre Dame on Oct. 7, 2014
Brandon Wimbush spent several months serving as a catalyst for Penn State's recruiting class, but the situation changed midway through his senior season. He traveled to South Bend for an official visit in early October and flipped his commitment to the Fighting Irish just a few days afterward. His offer list also features Miami, Alabama, Maryland and Boston College.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Nobody on this list flashes a stronger arm than Wimbush, who consistently put zip on the ball at the Elite 11 finals in July. There were times when top-tier receiver prospects showed visible pain after catching his darts, making him the only prospect in this group to earn a 20/20 rating for arm strength.
Asked to carry a heavier load for his high school squad this season, Wimbush showed leadership qualities en route to a state championship. He threw for a career-high 3,187 yards and 37 scores, adding 723 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, per NJ.com.
His deep-ball precision steadily improved as an upperclassman, and Wimbush seems to firmly understand how to incorporate footwork into his approach.
2. 4-Star Jarrett Stidham
5 of 6Height/Weight: 6'4"/195 lbs.
High School: Stephenville High School; Stephenville, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 dual-threat quarterback; No. 38 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to Baylor on Dec. 21, 2014
Jarrett Stidham provided a late surprise in the 2015 recruiting cycle, swapping allegiances from one in-state squad to another. He backed out of a long-term verbal pact with Texas Tech in mid-December before pledging to Baylor. His list of options also included Oregon and Notre Dame.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Stidham transitioned from wide receiver to quarterback as a junior, quickly ascending up national rankings as a top-tier passer. He earned an Elite 11 finals invite following his first varsity season behind center and was one of the best performers.
He carved up star-studded defensive units in seven-on-seven settings, exciting onlookers to the point where multiple national analysts told me they believed he may be the best overall quarterback in this class. I have some qualms with that assessment, and it starts with less-than-elite downfield arm strength.
However, I grade out his accuracy higher than any member of this list (17/20), and he does an outstanding job buying time in and out of the pocket. Stidham, who racked up 7,337 total yards and 94 touchdowns in two years as a starter, could certainly become the best of the bunch if his progression continues in college.
1. 5-Star Kyler Murray
6 of 6Height/Weight: 5'10"/180 lbs.
High School: Allen High School; Allen, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 dual-threat quarterback; No. 33 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Texas A&M on May 28, 2014
Kyler Murray followed in his father's footsteps to College Station. Kevin Murray was a star Aggies quarterback in the 1980s and earned induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. Oregon, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Clemson also pursued Kyler, but Kevin Sumlin managed to secure the key in-state target.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Murray arguably accomplished more at the high school level than any member of this recruiting class. He finished 42-0 as a three-year starter, completing each season with a state title.
The son of an accomplished college quarterback, he looks incredibly comfortable while surveying the situation downfield, meriting a 10/10 rating for pocket presence. Murray is the most fleet of foot in a quality collection of dual-threat playmakers, evidenced by 4,139 career rushing yards and 65 scores on the ground.
It's hard to compare any of his contemporaries in terms of leadership. Murray led back-to-back double-digit comebacks in the second half of playoff games this season, making a series of improvisational plays along the way.
His size may concern some and he didn't exactly set the world on fire in All-American action, but Murray is my No. 1 overall quarterback prospect. An elite combination of pedigree and technique sets the stage for a compelling college career.
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