CFB Recruiting 200: Top 8 Pro-Style Quarterbacks in Class of 2016
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Pro-Style Quarterbacks.
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Every collegiate coaching staff spends a large portion of each recruiting cycle searching for its next offensive leader. The presence of an elite and accountable quarterback commit lends increased legitimacy to a recruiting class and can convince other playmakers to join forces for years to come.
As usual, the majority of America's top-rated passers pledged early and enter their final high school summer break with future intentions revealed. The 2016 crop of quarterback measures up well when compared to groups we've watched develop in recent years and promises to make a major impact on college football's competitive landscape.
We broke down every pro-style quarterback rated among America's top 200 players in 247Sports' composite rankings, taking a look at key attributes and their respective recruitments. Athletes are listed in order of composite rankings and graded based on analysis judging accuracy, arm strength, mobility, leadership, football IQ and pocket presence.
All prospects graded by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue.
8. 4-Star Brandon Peters
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Height/Weight: 6'5"/205 lbs
High School: Avon (Avon, Indiana)
247Sports Ranking: No. 8 pro-style quarterback; No. 174 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to Michigan on April 3, 2015
Brandon Peters helped spearhead a highly successful recruiting stretch in Ann Arbor, committing to the Wolverines while on campus for spring-game action. Michigan edged out a collection of contenders that included LSU, Indiana, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
He received high praise from head coach Jim Harbaugh during that visit to the university.
"He compared me to Andrew Luck," Peters told Bleacher Report. "It's a similar situation to what he had at Stanford, with Luck being the first quarterback recruit he brought in [with a full cycle]. He thinks I'm a really good fit for him at Michigan like Luck was for him there."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Plenty of people surely want to pump the brakes on any Andrew Luck comparisons, but there are some similarities in terms of physical stature and their bullish rushing style. Obviously that's a lot to live up to under the direction of Harbaugh, though it's important to remember the eventual No. 1 NFL draft pick wasn't considered a 5-star quarterback coming out of high school.
Peters doesn't come from a recruiting hotbed, but he exhibits all the elements coaches search for every cycle. He figures to wind up in the 230-pound range as a college player, which will increase arm strength that's already borderline elite (19/20).
His comfort range for accurate passes already extends beyond 50 yards, and he delivers bombs with outstanding touch. While Peters' mechanics are slightly askew at times, he is able to effectively release throws from various arm slots.
Intimidating size and an aggressive mindset make him a dual threat in goal-line and short-yardage situations. His most crucial strides will occur in the pocket, where he must improve footwork speed and precision.
7. 4-Star Austin Kendall
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Height/Weight: 6'2"/210 lbs
High School: Cuthbertson (Waxhaw, North Carolina)
247Sports Ranking: No. 7 pro-style quarterback; No. 155 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to Oklahoma on April 7, 2015
Sooners head coach Bob Stoops didn't sign a 2015 quarterback last national signing day, paving the way for Austin Kendall to become his prospect of the future behind center. Oklahoma scooped up the verbal pledge weeks after he decommitted from Tennessee.
Kendall initially joined the Volunteers class last August before his junior season started. Auburn provided competition for Oklahoma leading up to the April announcement.
"Everything they showed me is great from the quarterback situation to the offense they run," he told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. "All they're going to do is win. I'm really looking forward to it."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Kendall shows a ton of character in the pocket, placing well-executed passes on his target even under duress. His physical frame is already rather sturdy, as he incorporates a strong lower body to put zip on passes (17/20 arm strength).
It's pinpoint precision (25/25) that ultimately steals the spotlight in film study, since Kendall can loft the ball in a bucket from 30-plus yards or slice throws through the defense on intermediate crossing patterns. He completed 60 percent of 839 pass attempts through three varsity seasons, resulting in 7,629 yards and 87 scores.
College defenses will be more concerned about his arm than his legs, but Kendall can scoot (8/10 mobility) when necessary. He gained 519 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground last fall.
6. 4-Star Jack Allison
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Height/Weight: 6'5"/200 lbs
High School: Palmetto (Palmetto, Florida)
247Sports Ranking: No. 6 pro-style quarterback; No. 121 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Committed to Miami on June 23, 2014
Jack Allison was among the first top 2016 playmakers to jump off the board, pledging to Miami shortly after his sophomore year. He's served as a foundational prospect in a Hurricanes class that rates among the top 10 in 2016 composite rankings.
"We'll compete for a national championship," Allison told Bleacher Report at regional Elite 11 camp in May.
His other offers include Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Allison is hardly a finished product at this point, requiring plenty of polish in various aspects. Still, you can see several elements that make him a player Hurricanes fans should be thrilled to have on board.
He slings the ball in a hurry and doesn't require much time or room to release an attempt. His combined accuracy and arm strength (42/45) is right up there with some of the best 2016 quarterbacks on our radar.
Allison, who tallied 33 touchdown tosses during the past two seasons, is a fiery competitor whose confidence can be contagious for other players in his locker room. He has the personality to lead and should have a chance to do just that when rising sophomore and incumbent starter Brad Kaaya leaves Miami.
There's a lack of rhythm and consistency right now with some of Allison's mechanics, a sentiment shared by Elite 11 coaches. His pocket presence (7/10) can, and should, improve with fundamental progression from first step of the dropback to release point.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5. 4-Star Dwayne Haskins
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Height/Weight: 6'3"/198 lbs
High School: The Bullis School (Potomac, Maryland)
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 pro-style quarterback; No. 63 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Committed to Maryland on May 15, 2015
Dwayne Haskins surprised plenty of pundits when he opted to remain in Maryland as a member of the Terrapins football program. A list of collegiate opportunities that includes more than 40 universities dwindled to three favorites by the time he confirmed a decision—Maryland, Florida and Rutgers, located minutes away from his childhood hometown.
"I'll always be Jersey-born, but I'm DMV-made," Haskins told Bleacher Report, referring to the acronym for a region composed of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State also warranted serious consideration.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Haskins stood out on the camp circuit earlier this year, verifying a lot of the qualities we observed in film study. His consistency is a key factor, as the dropback, foot placement and follow-through mechanics are repeatedly sharp.
His pocket presence (10/10) is exactly what you look for in the guy orchestrating an offense. Haskins stays compact up top, even when flushed outside of his comfort zone by opponents, and goes through progressions across the field instead of locking in early.
He doesn't have many 2016 rivals in terms of accuracy (25/25), but his deep-range arm strength (17/20) still lags behind some top-tier contemporaries. Expect gradual improvements in that area when he enters a college training regimen at Maryland, where Haskins could compete for immediate reps.
Haskins, who threw for 3,066 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during the past two seasons, is also the kind of worker, listener and leader coaches covet.
4. 4-Star KJ Costello
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Height/Weight: 6'4"/213 lbs
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 pro-style quarterback; No. 29 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Stanford on March 26, 2015
KJ Costello collected scholarship offers from Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee, USC, Cal and Stanford during his sophomore year. His decision ultimately came down to the Cardinal, Trojans and Wolverines.
The choice centered on two top in-state options.
"It was definitely a hard decision I made passing [USC] up," Costello told Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times, adding, "I kind of see what the future holds as far as after football and everything that comes along with a Stanford degree."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Costello cemented his status as a top-tier recruit during his underclassman career, but he took serious strides toward stardom last season. Santa Margarita placed a lot more responsibility on his right arm, nearly doubling his pass attempts from the year before.
He responded well, completing 60 percent of his tosses for 3,123 yards and 21 touchdowns. Costello averaged 284 yards per game through the air, consistently delivering arguably the best long-distance touch we've seen this cycle.
His accuracy (24/25) sets the stage for teammates to snag the ball in stride and tack on yards after the catch. Costello's aerial efforts should continue to improve this fall, as he welcomes 4-star transfer wide receiver and Stanford target Dylan Crawford into the huddle.
An issue that warrants attention is footwork on his follow-through. He doesn't always step into throws properly, leaving room for additional velocity on passes.
3. 4-Star Malik Henry
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Height/Weight: 6'3"/180 lbs
High School: Currently in the process of transferring
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 pro-style quarterback; No. 28 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Committed to Florida State on November 13, 2014
Malik Henry announced plans to join the Seminoles during his junior season, spurning a group of favorites that featured Notre Dame, Ohio State and UCLA.
"I felt comfortable around coach Jimbo Fisher. I think he's a great quarterback coach, he knows his stuff and their offense is explosive," he told ESPN during his commitment ceremony. "I think I can see myself in their offense."
He enrolled at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) last school year and expected to play for head coach Chris Weinke, a Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State. It turns out neither will be at IMG, as Weinke is now with the St. Louis Rams, and Henry is looking for an alternative.
Bleacher Report Analysis
The Seminoles land a strong-armed passer (20/20) who moves extremely well for a pro-style quarterback (9/10 mobility). Henry stands upright in the pocket while surveying his options, quickly delivering the ball when he identifies a desirable target.
Henry, who threw for 4,413 yards and 36 touchdowns during the past two seasons, can improve in the accuracy department. He's thrown 15 interceptions in the past 20 games, completing just 50 percent of his pass attempts in 2014.
2. 5-Star Jacob Eason
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Height/Weight: 6'5"/205 lbs
High School: Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, Washington)
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 pro-style quarterback; No. 6 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Committed to Georgia on July 19, 2014
The Bulldogs enjoyed a July day to remember last summer, securing commitments from Jacob Eason and dominant in-state offensive tackle Ben Cleveland. Eason also considered offers from Florida State, Alabama, Texas, Washington and Notre Dame, where his father lined up at wide receiver in college.
Despite his status as a nationally coveted recruit, he seems content to stick with Georgia through national signing day.
"Jacob has never wavered on UGA," his father, Tony, told Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this spring. "There's no drama with him. He's solid to UGA. ... He loves Coach [Mark] Richt, and he trusts him."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Eason amazes on game tape, grading out among the most physically gifted high school quarterbacks we've scouted this decade. The statistics—6,228 passing yards and 59 touchdowns through 25 varsity games—paint part of the picture, but there's so much about his approach that translates extremely well to collegiate competition.
He looks off defenders and stands tall in the pocket, refusing to sacrifice technique as defenders bear down on him while proving to be a dangerous rollout passer by evading pressure. Eason exudes confidence in the pocket (10/10 for presence) and delivers strikes anywhere on the field, earning an elite grade for his combination of power and precision (43/45).
Elements of his game, especially an effortless quick-trigger release, continue to remind of former Georgia quarterback and eventual No. 1 NFL draft selection Matthew Stafford. His foot placement and follow-through will continue to develop, while added physical mass should aid Eason's progression as a feared distributor behind center.
1. 5-Star Shea Patterson
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Height/Weight: 6'2", 195 lbs
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 pro-style quarterback; No. 4 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 97/100
Committed to Ole Miss on February 17, 2015
Shea Patterson rose to prominence early in his high school career, securing scholarship offers from several squads as an underclassman. He initially pledged to Arizona after his freshman season but reopened his recruitment last summer, when opportunities emerged at Alabama, TCU, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Michigan, among other universities.
He ultimately opted to shut things down again this past winter with a commitment to Ole Miss, where his older brother now serves on the staff. Patterson picked the Rebels over fellow finalists USC and LSU.
"I've been to all three schools and to a game at each place," he told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. "Whenever I go to a game, I try to visualize myself in their uniform and with their fans. I try to get that sense of can I see myself playing there. I only saw it with one school."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Patterson's improvisational skills are spectacular, as seemingly lost plays routinely turn into significant gains with him at the helm. His pocket presence (10/10) may be the best in this class, specifically when he reacts to pressure by stepping forward or laterally with shoulders square and eyes downfield.
Some folks have pointed to less-than-stellar arm strength as a point of emphasis when evaluating Patterson, but he flashes enough power (18/20) to lead receivers toward the end zone on deep routes at The Opening and can drill the ball into tight spaces. This should become even more of a nonissue as he develops a stronger lower-body base.
His touch is on point, particularly when finding receivers in the seam. Patterson can absolutely pick apart defensive gaps, and elite accuracy (25/25) is evidenced by a 63 percent completion rating during the past two seasons, when he tossed 72 touchdowns and just seven interceptions on 422 pass attempts.
Patterson's mobility (9/10) is a meaningful element of what he can create on designed reads or while rolling out to avoid opponents. He claimed 2015 Elite 11 MVP honors.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
