B/R CFB 250: Top 18 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks
Bleacher Report's CFB 250 is an annual ranking of the best players in college football, regardless of NFL potential. Through interviews with B/R experts Matt Miller, Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee and Adam Kramer, authors Brian Leigh and Brian Pedersen have studied, ranked and graded the top athletes in the country, narrowed that list to 250 and sorted by position. Today, we present the Top Dual Threat Quarterbacks.
Other CFB 250 Positions
A quarterback is traditionally judged first and foremost by his arm and what he can do with it. But college football is nothing if not a progressive sport, and that starts with how the position has evolved into one that is now often home to a team's best athlete.
The rise of the dual-threat quarterback has coincided with a move toward uptempo offenses, which makes sense if you think about it. These passers are known as much for their mobility as their throwing prowess, and the ability to quick decide whether to throw or run is essential in a fast-paced attack.
Some of the top-ranked dual-threat quarterbacks from last year's list have moved on, though many are back for another year to give defensive coordinators fits.
The following rankings are based on players' skills at the college level, rather than how they'd fare in the NFL. Though they may be using this time to develop their game for the pros, first and foremost their goals are to help their teams succeed.
The grades are based on a tabulation of six categories (accuracy, arm strength, pocket presence, mobility, football IQ and leadership), which come from evaluations made by our writers in conjunction with Bleacher Report football experts.
Note: All ties in overall grades were broken by deciding which player would give a hypothetical college all-star team the best chance to win.
18-14. Armstrong Jr., Voytik, Williams, Keeton, Adams
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18. Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska
Accuracy: 20/25; Arm Strength: 17/20; Pocket Presence: 7/10; Mobility: 7/10; Football IQ: 16/20; Leadership: 12/15.
Tommy Armstrong Jr. developed into a capable weapon last season in Bo Pelini's spread offense, but now he'll have to show more passing acumen as Nebraska adapts to a pro-style attack under new head coach Mike Riley. Could a 381-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Holiday Bowl against USC be a glimpse into his future?
17. Chad Voytik, Pittsburgh
Accuracy: 21/25; Arm Strength: 16/20; Pocket Presence: 7/10; Mobility: 7/10; Football IQ: 17/20; Leadership: 12/15.
With big names at running back (James Conner) and receiver (Tyler Boyd) taking up most of the spotlight, Chad Voytik has managed to work in relative anonymity. But he's still become quite an effective player. Last season, he had a pair of 100-yard rushing games and five contests with two touchdown passes.
16. Marquise Williams, North Carolina
Accuracy: 21/25; Arm Strength: 16/20; Pocket Presence: 7/10; Mobility: 8/10; Football IQ: 16/20; Leadership: 12/15.
Because North Carolina's defense struggled so mightily in 2014, Marquise Williams' outstanding play went mostly unnoticed. But this senior-to-be threw for more than 3,000 yards and notched 783 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns.
15. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
Accuracy: 21/25; Arm Strength: 17/20; Pocket Presence: 7/10; Mobility: 7/10; Football IQ: 17/20; Leadership: 13/15.
One of the most dangerous mid-major players in the country, Chuckie Keeton has only been able to play nine games over the past two seasons because of knee injuries. When healthy, he's a mobile monstrosity who has topped 300 yards of total offense 12 times in his career.
14. Vernon Adams, Oregon
Accuracy: 22/25; Arm Strength: 17/20; Pocket Presence: 8/10; Mobility: 8/10; Football IQ: 16/20; Leadership: 12/15.
The Eastern Washington transfer has dominated in the past against FBS competition, including a seven-touchdown performance last year against Washington, which makes us salivate when thinking about what he could do in Oregon's offense. Adams might be the perfect successor to Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota—if he beats out Jeff Lockie for the job.
13. Malik Zaire, Notre Dame
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's not the fastest guy out there, but he's someone who can make plays because of his agility. He's a little undersized and probably going to make some mistakes early, but I think he's going to be really good for (Notre Dame)."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Malik Zaire threw the ball in only two games last season, with very different results. He was just 9-of-20 in relief of Everett Golson in a blowout loss against USC, but he completed 12 of 15 passes with a touchdown in Notre Dame's bowl win over LSU.
Arm Strength
Zaire has plenty of power behind his throws but not as much as Golson did. In this respect, you'll see the Fighting Irish have Zaire stick to short and intermediate routes often and break out the long ball only every now and then.
Pocket Presence
He seemed very poised under pressure during his brief late-season audition, and this helped Zaire win the starting job during the spring.
Mobility
Zaire is stellar in the open field and has a litany of moves he can use to make defenders miss. His first step and ability to go from dropping back to taking off in an instant are huge plusses.
Football IQ
This is an area he will improve with time and reps, but during spring practice Notre Dame's coaches had questions, per Nick Ironside of 247Sports, about times when Zaire changed a play at the line for seemingly no reason.
Leadership
Zaire is a confident kid, and his teammates love that. He was the difference in the bowl game, and that serves as a perfect springboard for this season.
Overall
Still raw and mostly unproven, what Zaire has shown to this point gives us a sense that he's going to be very good. In order to avoid becoming another version of the mistake-prone player Golson was last season, Zaire will have to make solid decisions and take care of the ball.
12. Jacoby Brissett, North Carolina State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He made some spectacular moves last year. He had some plays against Florida State where he looked like the best player in the country. When you start to rank quarterbacks in the ACC, how far down do you go before you get to him?"
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Jacoby Brissett ran hot and cold with his accuracy last season, starting out on fire but going through a terrible stretch midway through the year. The tendency to force throws got the best of him at times, but when taking the time to place the ball where it needed to be, he was quite effective.
Arm Strength
Brissett has one of the strongest arms of these dual-threat passers, something he showed early on when at Florida and has continued to make the most of at North Carolina State. He's able to throw with power while on the run, which makes him deadly when flushed from the pocket.
Pocket Presence
Brissett was sacked 29 times last season, often because he wanted to keep a play alive and hung around too long. He's aware of the pressure but tries to rely too much on his size (6'4" and 235 lbs) to stay upright.
Mobility
Brissett had 29 runs of 10 or more yards and seven that went for at least 20 yards. But some of his best examples of mobility came when he stayed behind the line, such as this highlight that includes two broken tackles before an eight-yard touchdown pass against Florida State.
Football IQ
Brissett has been more reliant on athleticism and skill than presence of mind to this point in his career, but he's shown growth with each start. Now a fifth-year senior, he should have a full grasp of the position.
Leadership
Last year, Brissett got his first chance to be in charge of an offense, and he was strong in that role. He struggled halfway through the season but rebounded with a strong finish.
Overall
Had Brissett stayed at Florida, the Gators might not have been such an offensive disaster last season. But their loss was NC State's gain, and his play will have a lot to do with whether or not the Wolfpack compete for a division title this season.
11. Anu Solomon, Arizona
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He has the potential to take that system to another level. It's a matter of time for him. When he develops, especially with the aid of a mind like RichRod, that's scary."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Because Arizona threw as much as it did last season, the fact that Anu Solomon only hit 58 percent of his passes wasn't as big an issue as it could have been. What was concerning was the amount of times he'd overthrow or underthrow an open man, getting too ahead of himself (as freshmen often do).
Arm Strength
Solomon has a good arm, but it's not one that's going to win any distance competitions. His 47-yard Hail Mary to beat California is about the extent of his range, but he makes up for it with powerful throws over the middle and on slants.
Pocket Presence
This is where Solomon most showed his youth last season, far too often taking a sack or forcing a pass instead of bolting out of the pocket or throwing the ball away. His choice to stay in bounds led to a game-ending sack against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Mobility
Solomon has great wheels and is elusive in the open field, but he doesn't always trust himself in this area. The numbers suggest that some nagging leg and ankle injuries affected his confidence with the run, but he did have 17 carries for at least 10 yards.
Football IQ
Despite his issues with sacks and accuracy, Solomon only had nine interceptions in 540 attempts and was careful with the ball when keeping it. The overall decision-making is still a work in progress, however.
Leadership
Arizona had a young offense last season, with almost exclusively freshmen and sophomores at the skill positions. This helped Solomon adjust to a leadership role without having to worry about being second-guessed by more experienced players.
Overall
If not for what J.T. Barrett did at Ohio State, Solomon would have been the nation's best freshman quarterback last season. He won the job in training camp, and since then he has been the No. 1 guy without question, so this fall he should be able to play with more consistency and with fewer youthful mistakes.
10. Keenan Reynolds, Navy
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I hate to label him a system guy, but he's the poster boy for what (Navy) wants to do. He's played against some really good teams—it's not like he's done this against Little Sisters of the Poor."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Keenan Reynolds isn't going to beat anybody with his passing, not in Navy's triple-option offense. He has a career completion percentage of 52.2, and his efficiency has dropped each season, though many of the misses have come when the Midshipmen are forced to scrap their game plan and throw.
Arm Strength
Reynolds doesn't have a very big arm, and it shows. The 5'11", 205-pounder can't get much behind his throws, so it's more a case of him heaving it and hoping it reaches the target.
Pocket Presence
When dropping back to throw, if the first read is there, he'll pull the trigger. After that, though, Reynolds gets hesitant, and this leads either to a bad throw or a sack.
Mobility
With nearly 3,200 rushing yards and 64 career touchdowns (13 shy of Montee Ball's FBS record), there's no denying Reynolds knows what he's doing when on the move. He's steadily increased his per-carry average and has become better at making the first guy miss over time.
Football IQ
In the system he runs, Reynolds knows exactly what to do. He's the prototypical option quarterback, save for when the passing element comes into play.
Leadership
Once Reynolds' college career is over after this season, he'll begin his military service, just like the rest of Navy's seniors. That's all you need to know about his leadership.
Overall
Barring injury, Reynolds will become the FBS' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns. Navy tends to have good teams most years, but with Reynolds at the helm the past three seasons, it's become a far more imposing opponent.
9. Taysom Hill, BYU
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He plays quarterback like a safety would. I would hate to have to guard him, and I would hate to have to scheme against him because he's unpredictable."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Taysom Hill had made a huge leap in his progress with accuracy before suffering a season-ending leg injury last October. After completing 54.6 percent of his passes in his first two years, Hill completed 66.7 percent in 2014. He still tends to overthrow some open targets, but it's an area in which he's improving.
Arm Strength
Hill can rip the hands off a receiver on short routes, but on longer balls, the power isn't always there. Thankfully, many of those guys end up being wide-open after their defenders get caught looking to see if Hill is running.
Pocket Presence
Despite the improvements as a passer, Hill is still a runner first and foremost. He is quick to leave the pocket if he thinks that's the better route, but this has gotten him in trouble health-wise. A greater willingness to stick it out and let the play unfold is important to his development.
Mobility
Hill has eight 100-yard rushing performances in 24 games, and he's never afraid to run. He's quick enough to slip through a hole before anyone can get a hand on him, yet he's also strong enough to take a hit if it's head-on.
Football IQ
Hill has gone down with season-ending injuries twice in his career, and both came on plays during which he was trying to make something out of nothing instead of taking what was there. As skilled as he is, some of the decisions he makes lean more toward mobile gunslinger than heady passer.
Leadership
Despite his freewheeling style, Hill has the confidence of his teammates and coaches. He's also as experienced as they come in college, having just celebrated his 25th birthday.
Overall
BYU absolutely needs Hill to stay healthy this year, especially with a power-packed schedule that includes Nebraska, Boise State, UCLA and Michigan in the season's first month and following leading rusher Jamaal Williams' departure. Hill's capable of carrying his team every week, but he needs to make better decisions to avoid getting hurt again.
8. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
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B/R Expert Scouting
"To me, the best is yet to come. I think he's on the brink of superstardom, with a really terrific supporting cast and a system designed for him to thrive in."
—Barrett Sallee
Accuracy
Joshua Dobbs ran hot and cold with his throws last season, much like he did in 2013, when he became the starter late in the year. He can thread the needle but will also lead his man too far across the middle on a wide-open route. This is one of many areas in which Dobbs should be improved after a full offseason of first-team reps.
Arm Strength
At 6'3" and 207 pounds, Dobbs has a long, lean frame that doesn't provide much natural power, but he's still able to gun the ball deep and with decent accuracy. The weight room has helped in this area.
Pocket Presence
In six games last season, Dobbs was sacked 12 times, a number that would have been higher if not for his great running ability. He's still learning to stay in the pocket and trust his reads, but the promise is there.
Mobility
His running motion is very fluid, thanks to long legs that allow him to outpace faster defenders. He's not afraid to draw contact, but he's shifty enough to fake out the first man and keep the play going.
Football IQ
The aerospace engineering major does not lack overall smarts, but what he's had to do on the field to this point as been mostly on-the-fly learning rather than through lengthy study. Now he'll head into 2015 having been firmly entrenched as the starter, having been in that role all offseason. Look for a big leap in his understanding of situations.
Leadership
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones wants Dobbs to be a "CEO quarterback," per Knox Bardeen of the Ledger-Enquirer. The Volunteers are all-in on Dobbs, and he's done his part to instill confidence.
Overall
Tennessee is building around Dobbs on offense, and while it has some great weapons for him to work with, he's the man who will determine whether or not the Vols can meet the lofty expectations that come with starting the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2008 (h/t Matt Slovin of the Tennesseean). His relief appearances the past two years have been impressive, but he still has to show he can handle the job on a full-time basis.
7. Everett Golson, Florida State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"When he's not throwing the ball to the other team, he's unbelievable. His tools are off the charts, but he's a high-volatility player. He makes big plays in both directions."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Everett Golson has become one of those quarterbacks who completes throws that shouldn't be made but comes up short on the easy ones. It's a matter of being consistent and putting the same effort into each attempt.
Arm Strength
Golson has a strong arm and can make all the throws, but sometimes he trusts it too much and will try for the deep route that's double-covered. The power really stands out when he's on the move, though, as he throws with the same velocity as if he were standing comfortably in the pocket.
Pocket Presence
When he's on his game, Golson uses his elusiveness to extend plays and find the open man. But far too often he thinks he can will a receiver into space and waits too long, which is frustrating because he's usually able to get good yardage if he chooses to scramble.
Mobility
It's not a question of whether or not Golson is fast enough to be a mobile quarterback, but rather it's whether he's using that mobility at the right time. He's a great open-field runner, but when in traffic, he doesn't play it safe, and this leads to too many fumbles.
Football IQ
Golson was very mistake-prone last season, with 22 turnovers. They weren't all his fault, such as when a receiver tipped a pass into a defensive back's hands, but plenty were of his own doing. The decision-making issue could be what prevents him from winning the starting job at Florida State.
Leadership
Golson's resume not only includes an unbeaten regular season as a freshman but also a year he had to sit out due to an academic suspension. Then last year's turnover problems caused him to lose his job, thus prompting the transfer.
Overall
With the Notre Dame chapter of his career in the past, Golson is looking to finish on a high note by being the answer to Who will replace Jameis Winston? Golson has all the skills to thrive in the Seminoles offense; it's just a matter of reining in his inconsistency.
6. Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's a guy who's perfect for what Tech wants to do. I love the way he plays. Georgia Tech has its most productive quarterback in some time."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
The passing aspect of a triple-option offense revolves around big plays: Teams catch the defense off guard by drawing it in for the run and then throwing over the top. Justin Thomas does this about as well as any option quarterback, but he still connected on only 51.3 percent of his passes last year.
Arm Strength
Thomas isn't lacking in the arm strength department, as he regularly sends the ball deep. If he were to play in a more traditional passing offense, this would be one of his best attributes.
Pocket Presence
Opponents don't often get pressure on Thomas because the pass plays happen quickly, but when he has to wait for someone to get open, he can become a little shaky in the pocket. He was sacked 10 times last year, which is a relatively high number for an option passer.
Mobility
Thomas is the best in the business when it comes to quarterbacks on the move. He was Georgia Tech's leading rusher, with 1,086 yards and five 100-yard games, and his speed around the edge was too much for opponents to handle.
Football IQ
His ability to pick the right option on each play is Thomas' best attribute. The Yellow Jackets allowed only 65 tackles for loss last season, per CFBStats.com.
Leadership
Thomas understands his role in Tech's offense perfectly, and this carries over to how he leads his team on the field. Head coach Paul Johnson has said as much, telling ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson, "If I had to take one guy to come back, he's it."
Overall
The key difference between Georgia Tech in 2013, when it finished 7-6, and last year's 11-3 team was Thomas. His understanding of the option and headiness on the field were critical, and despite the Yellow Jackets having to replace all their other skill players, his return ensures they'll again be competing for an appearance in the ACC title game.
5. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
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B/R Expert Scouting
"His stardom to me isn't surprising. I don't think it's a matter of if; it's a matter of when with him as long as he can stay healthy. The sky is the limit."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Deshaun Watson completed nearly 68 percent of his passes last season, completely transforming Clemson's offense from a lethargic unit to one that could move the ball with ease. His ability to throw to a spot with just the right touch and timing is far advanced for his age.
Arm Strength
It'll be exciting to see how much stronger Watson is with his throws after a full offseason in the weight room. Even with a broken hand, he was able to zip the ball hard in 2014, and this will only keep getting better.
Pocket Presence
Watson took off more than Clemson would have liked last year, and this ultimately contributed to his many injuries. When he stayed in the pocket, though, he knew where all the pass-rushers were at any given moment.
Mobility
At 6'2" and 210 pounds, Watson isn't a burner, but he's got the kind of speed and agility that makes running look effortless. A long stride and great balance helped him break off runs of 10 or more yards on 9.5 percent of his carries, per CFBStats.com.
Football IQ
Watson enrolled early in 2014 and took advantage of that extra practice time to learn Clemson's system and be ready to contribute when his time came. This showed in how quickly he was able to step in and figure out what was going on.
Leadership
When Watson suffered a knee injury early against Georgia Tech, the effect it had on the Tigers was evident. He had become their offensive leader, and though senior Cole Stoudt had plenty of experience with that group, the unit just wasn't the same with Stoudt in the game.
Overall
One of college football's most electric players, Watson has been held back by only injuries to this point. He's been on the shelf since a torn ACL in November, but he declared himself healthy over the summer, per Pete Iacobelli of the Associated Press (via the Gainesville Times). It will be fun to watch a full year of Watson with the weapons he has around him.
4. Cardale Jones, Ohio State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He does everything so flawlessly. He just makes everything look so easy. He was making veteran decisions, and it was his first start. I just think he's a natural."
—Matt Miller
Accuracy
In his magical three-game run as the Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback last postseason, Cardale Jones made a lot of big throws but also missed some easy ones. Power over precision has been his forte to this point, but that's an area he's likely spent much of the offseason working on.
Arm Strength
His nickname is "12 Gauge," so it's no surprise Jones has college football's strongest arm. He threw the ball "only" 74 yards during a skills competition at halftime of Ohio State's spring game, per Doug Lesmerises of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Pocket Presence
Jones was sacked five times in his limited action in 2014, but there could have been more if not for the fact that the 6'5", 250-pounder is a load to bring down. He hung in a little too long on occasion instead of trusting his ability to run.
Mobility
The biggest surprise about Jones when he got into games last winter was his mobility and how well he ran for his size. He could fake out much smaller defenders or bulldoze them if he couldn't get around them.
Football IQ
It's a testament to Ohio State's ability to develop quarterbacks that a third-stringer played as well as Jones did, but he still has a lot to learn. Getting to be the No. 1 guy for spring ball likely helped in this area.
Leadership
Jones exudes confidence, and it comes out in how he plays. His teammates feed off that assertiveness, and when he was running the offense in the playoffs, there was no uncertainty about how well the unit's players meshed.
Overall
It was a small sample size, but what we saw from Jones last year is an indication he could be a monster if given the chance to play full time. A Jones-led offense is scary to fathom, but so too is him coming off the bench for a change of pace.
3. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's faster than people give him credit for, much shiftier. He has that bruising style like Tim Tebow. He makes 3rd-and-2 basically automatic. And I think he proved last year that he can be effective on the tougher throws."
—Barrett Sallee
Accuracy
Dak Prescott has shown much improvement over the course of his career, but he's still not to the level where he can make all throws with precision. He completed 61.6 percent of his passes last season, up from 58.4 percent the year before, and was exceptionally accurate on third down with 10 or more yards to go, with a 69.6 percent completion rate, per CFBStats.com.
Arm Strength
Prescott has a powerful arm he uses effectively, thanks to being able to put all of his 230-pound frame behind his throws. Mississippi State didn't go deep very much last season, but Prescott was able to chuck it down the field on corner routes.
Pocket Presence
One of college football's most elusive quarterbacks in the pocket, Prescott sometimes almost baits defenders into trying to get to him before he slips away at the last second. Knowing he can get yards by running at any time, he stays composed under pressure and hangs in as long as possible.
Mobility
Prescott runs like a fullback but with running back speed, bowling over defenders and powering for extra yards rather than working to go around them.
Football IQ
The Bulldogs offense revolved entirely around Prescott's ability to make decisions on the fly and go with his reads. He's best when it comes to deciding whether to hand off or keep it, but with nine first-half interceptions, he took too many chances early.
Leadership
Prescott is unquestionably Mississippi State's leader on the field. After announcing his decision to return for his senior year, he explained why he chose the program in the first place, per Michael Bonner of the Clarion-Ledger: "It was about competing for championships and making this a program that's not a one-hit wonder."
Overall
Prescott might be the single most important player to his team in college football. Playing with a rebuilt offensive line and without an established running back, he will again be the focal point of everything the Bulldogs do and determine whether or not they come close to matching last year's breakthrough performance.
2. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I think he's probably the most electric quarterback in college football. He's not the fastest quarterback on the roster...not the biggest arm...yet he's the best quarterback there. When I saw him in the open field, I was shocked at how easy he made it look."
—Adam Kramer
Accuracy
Most of the praise J.T. Barrett received was for his running ability, but he's pretty accurate as well. He connected on 64.6 percent of his passes as a freshman, topping 70 percent in five games, including three straight. His rate on third downs with seven or more yards to go was 66.7 percent, per CFBStats.com, showing his knack for connecting on obvious passing downs.
Arm Strength
When Barrett was running the offense, Ohio State minimized the deep ball because of the lack of power in his throws. Yet on medium routes that still need some zip, he was firing the ball very well.
Pocket Presence
For a first-year player, Barrett was a quick study when it came to figuring out what was going on around him in the pocket. After his horrible Virginia Tech game, in which he was sacked seven times, Barrett was taken down only 16 times over the next 10 games.
Mobility
When he wanted to run, Barrett had little trouble getting the necessary yards. He tallied 938 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games, and that includes yardage lost on sacks.
Football IQ
Barrett was 10 times better when he got hurt in November than he was when he was thrown into the fire to start the season. Few players have learned and improved as much as he did in such a short period of time.
Leadership
The fact that Barrett was a freshman had no bearing on his ability to lead the Buckeyes. He was as much a reason for Ohio State's recovery after the Virginia Tech loss as any player on the roster.
Overall
Had he not broken his ankle against Michigan, Barrett might have made a serious push for the Heisman Trophy. He rewrote the Buckeyes' record book and could break his own marks this season if he's able to beat out Cardale Jones for the starting job. But even if he has to split snaps, he'll be an integral part of the Ohio State offense.
1. Trevone Boykin, TCU
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I had someone compare him to Ryan Tannehill. The decision-making is great, whether it's run or pass. I just think he's incredibly smart."
—Matt Miller
Accuracy
Trevone Boykin has steadily improved his accuracy throughout his career, going from 57.2 percent as a freshman to 59.7 in 2013 to 61.2 last season. He benefited mightily from TCU's change in scheme, though he still had small stretches during which he was badly missing targets.
Arm Strength
Though much of what the Horned Frogs did in the passing game revolved around short and intermediate throws, when Boykin got the chance to air it out, he rarely disappointed. He put great zip on the ball that kept it from wobbling.
Pocket Presence
Boykin has shown the most growth in his ability to trust those around him rather than instantly take off. This allowed him to wait for receivers to get open rather than scrap plays in hopes of creating something on the fly.
Mobility
Boykin's experience as both a receiver and running back has made him a well-rounded dual-threat passer. His moves and footwork enable him to get big chunks of yards when he breaks from the pocket.
Football IQ
Boykin still has some lapses in judgement, but overall he's become much more comfortable playing within a system and not feeling like he has to freelance or carry the team.
Leadership
The confidence that co-offensive coordinators Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meacham instilled in Boykin resulted in his transformation from someone who was afraid to lead to someone who wants others to look up to him.
Overall
How good would TCU have been without Boykin last year? The scheme change had a lot to do with the Horned Frogs' jump from 4-8 to 12-1, but Boykin was the big difference. There's a reason he's going into this season as the quarterback most likely to win the Heisman Trophy, per Odds Shark.
All slides by Bleacher Report featured columnist Brian Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
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