Adam Kramer's College Football Notebook: The Great Quarterback Drought Is Here

By a show of hands, how many of you feel good about your starting quarterback heading into the loneliest part of college football's offseason?

Be honest now. There's no need to manufacture optimism. We're all friends here.

This conversation does not include you, Clemson fan raising two hands, a foot and a warm keg of Busch Light. Why don't you sit this one out as well, Oklahoma, UCLA, Ohio State and Miami fans. And heck, those sporting Notre Dame and Baylor garb have such a glut of quarterbacks that this notion is almost laughable. You are the outliers in this peculiar moment in football history.

Having a reliable quarterback is no longer the norm. It is a luxury. For further proof, peruse the post-spring football Top 25 below. Three of my top five teams are unsettled at quarterback, and nearly half of the teams featured will enter the fall with significant questions at the position.

Perhaps what's most startling about this development is it's nothing new or surprising. We've been inching closer to this place in time—a place where quality, dependable quarterbacks are on the endangered list.

Look at the recent NFL draft for further evidence. A quarterback with a career record of 14-23 was selected first overall ahead of a quarterback from the FCS ranks with limited starts.

That's not to say Jared Goff or Carson Wentz aren't immensely gifted or worthy selections; it's simply noting that things look mighty different than they once did not long ago.

As for this upcoming season, Alabama, the favorite heading out of spring and most years these days, will once again enter the fall with a quarterback race to decide. This used to be a big deal. Now? It's almost assumed.

LSU, a team with seemingly all of the pieces in place, still has yet to solve its quarterback conundrum heading into this pivotal, talent-rich season. The rest of the SEC, with the exception of a few, have the similar question marks heading toward fall.

There are many, many others, and it's not particular to a single conference or playing style. While talents like Clemson's Deshaun Watson exist, the known commodities in this sport are shrinking.

Quarterbacks will emerge—some seemingly out of thin air—changing perceptions and expectations entirely for a few teams. Other squads expected to improve and build upon foundations won't be able to, in large part because of the starting QB's production.

As a result, a sport fueled by unpredictability feels even more so now. There was not a sudden infusion of talented quarterbacks this spring. There won't be a later infusion this fall, either.

Some will break through, just like always. Although those who are blessed with one of the rare difference-makers—Watson, Josh Rosen, Brad Kaaya, J.T. Barrett and others—should not take such treasures for granted.

After all, at some point over the next few years, you will likely know what this life is like. Those without a horse in this race should brace for a wildly entertaining season. Now that spring action has sprung, we are one step closer.

As for other spring observations, a Top 25 you will surely agree with and love, plus a look at notable moments over the past few months, let's dive right in.

Five Spring Football Observations

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Ohio State Is Still Immensely Talented

Five Ohio State players were taken in the first round of the NFL draft, which prompted head coach Urban Meyer to say what the rest of us were thinking.

"It was a like a three-hour infomercial for our program," Meyer said of Thursday's draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Indeed it was, although there is another side of this equation. Just how bare are the cupboards in Columbus?

The defense has new faces, the offensive line has holes, and the offense will have to fill voids left by running back Ezekiel Elliott and wideout Michael Thomas.

But the work Meyer has done on the recruiting front is never more evident than it is right now. Players like wideout Torrance Gibson and running back Mike Weber flashed brilliance during Ohio State's spring game, which served as a reminder of just how much talent remains.

Plus, Ohio State still has Barrett under center, which cannot be overstated given all the moving pieces.

A program cannot absorb these kinds of losses—10 players selected in the first three rounds this past week—and expect the talent level to remain steady. Clearly, there will need to be adjustments.

But there's also enough here to say that this retooled Buckeyes team can (and should) anticipate competing for another Big Ten title this season.

Anything less, even in a rebuilding year, would be disappointing.

LSU Is Supremely Talented and Still Perplexing

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No team highlights the significance of the quarterback quandary more than LSU.

Les Miles will stroll out a collection of former elite recruits next fall that will rival just about anyone's roster. This lineup also houses running back Leonard Fournette, the nation's top overall player. Even his backup, Derrius Guice, will be a superstar the moment Fournette has had enough or needs a breather.

The defense is loaded with NFL bodies and NFL skill sets. The secondary, even with personnel losses, should be one of the best in the nation.

Everything is there except for one significant thing: that quarterback.

Brandon Harris is one of the biggest wild cards in all of college football. He doesn't have to be brilliant for LSU to be good. Even average play would make this team incredibly dangerous.

"Brandon probably had a sharper scrimmage the scrimmage before, but he still threw for [227] and threw for a good percentage," Miles told ESPN.com's David Ching earlier this spring following another strong showing. "I just felt like he's kind of ready to be the quarterback."

These answers won't come from any spring scrimmage. This is something that will have to simmer a bit longer.

But given everything the Tigers have—all the pieces are in place for a run Miles so desperately needs—there is that one enormous question that is still difficult to see beyond.

The Pac-12 Is a Glorious Mess

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Who ya got? I was asked this question on a radio interview recently regarding the Pac-12 for next season, and I could feel my body paralyze.

I thought spring might help sort these matters. Maybe Southern California would name a starting quarterback. (It didn't.) Maybe I'd get a better feel for Oregon. (I didn't.) Maybe UCLA would easily replace all of its departures and give the impression of a retooled juggernaut. (Nope.)

What we're left with is a conference that could be won by eight or nine teams. That's not meant to be some sort of exaggeration or click-bait declaration. It's just a very real analysis of a conference that was left out of the College Football Playoff this year.

That's not to say it will happen again. Stanford should be solid, USC has a load of talent, Oregon is still more than capable, UCLA has that Rosen guy, and many others could surprise. But this feels like the most wide-open conference.

We also seem destined to watch really weird games at odd hours starting in September, which sounds lovely right now.

Lovie Smith at Illinois Feels…Right

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No team experienced a more important spring than Illinois, which is precisely where I was for a few days to see Lovie Smith's creation up close.

It's clear the team has a long way to go. Given the timing of the early-March hiring, the playbook is still not fully implemented. The coaches are still learning the roster; the players are still getting to know the coaches. The general talent level is not where it needs to be.

They are operating on a different timeline than anyone else, and yet the excitement and enthusiasm inside a program that has been far worse than it should have been is real.

Now, Illinois isn't going to win nine games in 2016. There are some decent pieces in place on the defensive line, and Wes Lunt should be just fine at quarterback.

The most important development for Illinois this spring didn't take place on the practice field. It came when Ricky Smalling, a wide receiver 247Sports has listed as a 3-star prospect, committed to Smith.

Now, an army of 3-stars won't push Illinois back into relevancy. But these kinds of wins are the ones the Illini need more than anything. One after the next.

"We need to see the big picture," Smith said after the team's first (and only) open scrimmage in front of its fans.

There's something refreshing about seeing this team start over and this newfound optimism sitting next to it in the sidecar. It'll be fascinating to see this plan play out over the next few years.

The Satellite Camp Saga Is Only Just Beginning

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First, they were allowed. Then they were inexcusably banned. Now they're allowed again, although it's unknown for how long.

Satellite camps are the Flappy Bird of college football—a story that has garnered entirely too much attention in a small window. And now, because the sport has promised to dive into the matter further, there will likely be another round or four of this over the next 365 days.

Jim Phillips, who serves as Northwestern's athletic director and on the council for the NCAA board of directors, commented on the issue during the NCAA's announcement of the cancellation of the ban:

"

It's clear that the membership has differing views on this subject, and the council appreciates the board's insights into this important issue. This review will provide an opportunity to identify the most effective ways prospective student-athletes can have their academic and athletic credentials evaluated by schools across the country.

"

Just spit-balling here, but a "review" probably would have been a decent idea in the first place. And now, because this is something people are apparently really interested in, it will carry forward. That's not to say it's not important.

Giving high school players and non-power programs a means for exposure is a good thing, which is precisely what it does. Hopefully, they continue. But somehow, this topic has taken on a life of its own, and it doesn't seem like this is going to slow down.

The Best of Spring: Handing Out Super-Important Awards

Best Catch of the Spring: Jerome Baker

Meet Jerome Baker. He is one of many supremely gifted young players at Ohio State. He was 247Sports' No. 4 athlete back in 2015, which will come as no surprise when you watch him transform into Spiderman momentarily.

Baker's interception during Ohio State's spring game was one of the best plays I have ever witnessed a linebacker make. I am not afraid to say this because there are few players who have played the position who could ever complete a play like this so seamlessly.

With that full dose of hype served piping-hot, have a look at this:

Best Team Effort: Rutgers

The scene was set up brilliantly. Two large Rutgers football players were poised to collide in this latest rendition of the masculinity Olympics. Then, something incredible happened.

The "Running Man Challenge" is one of the latest Internet movements. It picked up steam in the sporting world when two Maryland basketball players danced to "My Boo," a song that came out when I had a real-life portable CD player. It was probably on one of your mixtapes.

Now, it's everywhere. That includes Rutgers football, which decided it was time to break away from hitting each other, at least momentarily, and enjoy the sweet, ear-seducing sounds of the mid-'90s.

Best Tackle: Nick Saban

Let it be known that Nick Saban also won best spring-game apparel with his power blue blazer, an upper-body shield that never has to pay for a glass of Merlot regardless of where it goes.

Saban also sacked his quarterback this spring while wearing this jacket. Blake Barnett, the redshirt freshman competing for the vacant starting spot, scrambled around the Alabama backfield only to eventually collide with the blue blazer as the play fizzled.

It was a mild collision, although Saban discussed the play when asked afterward. It is also assumed that Barnett now has magical powers.

Best Tweet: Boise State

No words needed, really. This is why social media was invented.

Also, I feel you, stray goose. I am excited, too.

"

For the millionth time, it's not a lake, dude pic.twitter.com/vcA19kNsec

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) May 2, 2016
"

Post-Spring CFB Top 25

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This is the part of the spring-football recap where I douse my computer in gasoline, light a match and merrily skip away.

Rankings, of course, fuel all Internet outrage like nothing else. They are both necessary and evil. People love them or love to hate them.

But the reality of these particular rankings is that the picture for the upcoming season is becoming a bit more visible. There is still work to be done, and changes will ultimately move things around some, but the pieces are slowly falling into place.

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida State
5. Michigan
6. Ohio State
7. Notre Dame
8. LSU
9. Houston
10. Tennessee
11. Baylor
12. Ole Miss
13. Stanford
14. TCU
15. Louisville
16. Michigan State
17. USC
18. North Carolina
19. Iowa
20. Washington
21. Georgia
22. Oklahoma State
23. UCLA
24. Miami
25. South Florida

Parting Shot: Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock

I began the offseason by discussing the slate of Week 1 games headed our way, and the excitement regarding these games has not tempered one bit.

Just look at the matchups awaiting us in Week 1. Look at them.

That slate has the potential to be one of the greatest weekends in the history of the sport—a five-day stretch with firepower unlike any we have seen in recent memory.

Perhaps best of all, we are getting closer. The start of May means the college football season is now less than four months out. The offseason has quietly scooted right along even without much to discuss.

There is still time to burn. Media days will be here before you know it. Preview-magazine season will come and go. Fall practices will breeze by.

Then it will be time to lift up the curtain. Oh, what joys await.

Adam Kramer covers college football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @KegsnEggs. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes obtained firsthand.