Best College Quarterbacks That Will Be Selected in Next Year's 2012 NFL Draft

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Which quarterbacks will be selected next year? Will there be 15 or more selected?

Who will be the first quarterback picked? The St. Louis Rams selected quarterback Sam Bradford with the first pick in 2010.

A total of 15 quarterbacks were picked in the 2010 draft. After Bradford, Denver selected Tim Tebow (25th overall), in the first round. Carolina next selected Jimmy Clausen in the second round (48th overall).

Colt McCoy and Armanti Edwards went in the third round. Mike Kafka went in the 4th round. John Skelton and Jonathan Crompton went to in the fifth.

The sixth round saw Rusty Smith, Dan LeFevour, Joe Webb, and Tony Pike (Carolina's third quarterback taken), selected. Levi Brown, Sean Canfield, and Zac Robinson went in the seventh round.

In this year's 2011 NFL Draft, perhaps 16 quarterbacks may be selected including: Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Dalton, Christian Ponder, Ricky Stanzi, Tyrod Taylor, Nathan Enderle, Patrick Devlin, Greg McElroy, Taylor Yates, Scott Tolzien, Ryan Colburn, and Jerrod Johnson.

In the 2012 NFL Draft, 15 quarterbacks may be selected. Who will they be?

2012 NFL Draft: 1st Pick Overall (1st Round)

Quarterback Number 1

First Round: The No. 1 Pick Overall

Andrew Luck, Stanford (Jr.) 6’4”, 235 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 170.2

2010 Season Stats: (70.7 percent) 3,338 Passing Yards, 32 TD, 8 INT.

2010 Notes: 32 TDs and over 3,300 yards is Heisman-like.

It will be interesting to see if Andrew Luck can maintain his 70 passing percentage with defenders covering his new favorite target, Zach Ertz, like a blanket.

Luck is a Heisman favorite and will play in the National Championship this year if Stanford defeats Oregon on November 12th. Andrew Luck would also win the Heisman and be the top pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

2012 NFL Draft: 2nd Pick Overall (1st Round)

Quarterback Number 2

First Round: The No. 2 Pick Overall

Landry Jones, Oklahoma (Jr.) 6’4”, 230 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 146.3

2010 Season Stats: (65.6 percent) 4,718 Passing Yards, 38 TD, 12 INT.

2010 Notes: 38 TDs and over 4,700 yards is Heisman-like.

 

Heisman contender Landry Jones may improve his 65 passing percentage in 2011, may be playing for the national championship, and may be the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

If Stanford loses Oregon on November 12th, Jones could have a good shot to win the Heisman and may ultimately play in the National Championship game in New Orleans on January 9th.

2012 NFL Draft: 10th Pick Overall (1st Round)

Quarterback Number 3?

First Round: The 10th Pick Overall (or...he would have been but he will stay for his senior year)

Matt Barkley, USC (Jr.) 6’2”, 220 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 141.2

2010 Season Stats: (62.6 percent) 2,791 Passing Yards, 26 TD, 12 INT.

2010 Notes: Threw 26 touchdowns but had 12 interceptions.

With NCAA bowl sanctions served, USC will be bowl eligible in 2012. Matt Barkley will stay at USC to complete his degree, contend for the Heisman trophy, and finally have a chance to play in the National Championship game in Miami on January 7th 2013.

2012 NFL Draft: 10th Pick Overall (1st Round)

Quarterback Number 3

First Round: The Tenth Pick Overall

Ryan Lindley, San Diego State (Sr.) 6’4”, 215 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 149.4

2010 Season Stats:(57.7 percent) 3,830 Passing Yards, 28 TD, 14 INT.

2010 Notes: Numbers almost like Andrew Luck's (and good size too)

2012 NFL Draft: Round 2

Quarterback Number 4

Second Round Pick

Nick Foles, Arizona (Sr.) 6’5”, 240 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 140.9

2010 Season Stats: (67.1 percent) 3,191 Passing Yards, 20 TD, 10 INT.

2010 Notes: Heisman-like yards thrown and high passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 2nd Round

Quarterback Number 5

Second Round Pick

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State (Sr.) 6’3”, 202 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 150.7

2010 Season Stats: (66.9 percent) 2,825 Passing Yards, 20 TD, 10 INT.

2010 Notes: High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 3rd Round

Quarterback Number 6

Third Round Pick

7 Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (Sr.) 6’4”, 219 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: NA

2010 Season Stats: (65.0 percent) 1,638 Passing Yards, 13 TD, 6 INT.

2010 Notes: High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 3rd Round

Quarterback Number 7?

Third Round Pick (or...he would have been but he will stay for his senior year)

Robert Griffin, Baylor (Jr.) 6’2”, 220 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 144.2

2010 Season Stats: (67.0 percent) 3,501 Passing Yards, 22 TD, 8 INT.

2010 Notes: Heisman-like yards thrown. High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 3rd Round

Quarterback Number 7

Third Round Pick

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State (Sr.) 6’6”, 233 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 157.9

2010 Season Stats: (65.0 percent) 2,772 Passing Yards, 27 TD, 11 INT.

2010 Notes: high passing percentage and tons of touchdowns, but his suspension and character will cost him a few draft spots.

2012 NFL Draft: 4th Round

Quarterback Number 8

Fourth Round Pick

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State (Sr.) 6’4”, 213 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 154.1

2010 Season Stats: (66.9 percent) 4,277 Passing Yards, 34 TD, 13 INT.

2010 Notes: Heisman-like touchdowns thrown. Heisman-like yards thrown. High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 5th Round

Quarterback Number 9?

Fifth Round Pick (or...he would have been if he left for the NFL, but he will stay too)

Darron Thomas, Oregon (Jr.) 6’3”, 215 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 151.0

2010 Season Stats: (61.5 percent) 2,881 Passing Yards, 30 TD, 9 INT.

2010 Notes: Tons of touchdowns thrown

2012 NFL Draft: 5th Round

Quarterback Number 9

Fifth Round Pick

Kellen Moore, Boise State (Sr.) 6’0”, 291 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 182.6

2010 Season Stats: (71.3 percent) 3,845 Passing Yards, 35 TD, 6 INT.

2010 Notes: Heisman-like touchdowns thrown. Heisman-like yards thrown. High passing percentage (two inches taller and he might be the number one overall pick).

2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round

Quarterback Number 10?

Sixth Round Pick (or...he would may been but he will stay for his senior year)

Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (Jr.) 6’3”, 215 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 155.4

2010 Season Stats: (66.7 percent) 453 Passing Yards, 4 TD, 3 INT.

2010 Notes: It is a good thing he is staying for this senior year. 

2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round

Quarterback Number 10?

Sixth Round Pick (or...he would have been if he bolted for the Pros)

Geno Smith, West Virginia (Jr.) 6’3”, 210 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 144.7

2010 Season Stats: (64.8 percent) 2,763 Passing Yards, 24 TD, 7 INT.

2010 Notes: High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round

Quarterback Number 10

Sixth Round Pick



12 G.J. Kinne, Tulsa (Sr.) 6’2”, 215 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 144.3

2010 Season Stats: (59.8 percent) 3,650 Passing Yards, 31 TD, 10 INT.

2010 Notes: Tons of TDs and yards thrown.

2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round

Quarterback Number 11

Sixth Round Pick

Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (Sr.) 6’2”, 230 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 148.7

2010 Season Stats: (64.2 percent) 3,059 Passing Yards, 20 TD, 14 INT.

2010 Notes: Great yardage but TD to INT ratio could improve. 

2012 NFL Draft: 6th Round

Quarterback Number 12

Sixth Round Pick

Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois (Sr.) 6’3”, 222 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 157.8

2010 Season Stats: (64.7 percent) 2,530 Passing Yards, 21 TD, 5 INT.

2010 Notes: Needs his numbers to improve a bit for 2011. 

2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round

Quarterback Number 13?

Seventh Round Pick (or...he would have been but he will stay for his senior year)

 

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State (Jr.) 6’8”, 235 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: NA

2010 Season Stats: (56.0 percent) 797 Passing Yards, 5 TD, 0 INT.

2010 Notes: Awesome start (or finish) in 2010. Let's see if he can win the starting job.

2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round

Quarterback Number 13

Seventh Round Pick

Case Keenum, Houston (Sr.) 6’2”, 210 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: NA

2010 Season Stats: (65.6 percent) 636 Passing Yards, 5 TD, 5 INT.

2010 Notes: High passing percentage.

2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round

Quarterback Number 14

Seventh Round Pick

Brian Moniz, Hawaii (Sr.) 6’0”, 200 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: 159.1

2010 Season Stats: (65.0 percent) 5,040 Passing Yards, 39 TD, 15 INT.

2010 Notes: Most touchdowns thrown. Most yards thrown. High passing percentage. Like Kellen Moore, a few more inches and this is the No. 1 overall pick.

2012 NFL Draft: 7th Round

Quarterback Number 15

Seventh Round Pick

Dominique Davis, Eastern Carolina (Sr.) 6’2”, 221 lbs.

Quarterback Rating: NA

2010 Season Stats: (64.5 percent) 3,967 Passing Yards, 37 TD, 16 INT.

2010 Notes: Tons of yards and touchdowns thrown.

2012 NFL Draft: Free Agent Quarterbacks Not Drafted

There will be several notable senior quarterbacks that probably won't be drafted.

Numbers would indicate that about 15 quarterbacks will be drafted.

Although the 2011 quarterback performance remains to be seen, the aforementioned top 15 quarterbacks are based on early predictions from The Sporting News, NFLDraftMonsters.com, and cbssports.com.

There are six notable senior quarterbacks that could jump into the top 15 should they have simply outstanding seasons.  They are as follows: 

Dan Persa, Northwestern (Sr.) 6’1”, 210 lbs. (Highest 2010 passing percentage)

Jacory Harris, Miami (Sr.) 6’4”, 195 lbs.

John Brantley, Florida (Sr.) 6’3”, 220 lbs.

Jordan Jefferson, LSU (Sr.) 6'5", 224 lbs.

Austin Davis, Southern Miss (Sr.) 6'2, 200 lbs.

Russell Wilson, N.C. State (Sr.) 5'11", 201 lbs.

 

 

.