College Football 2012 Preview: The Top 15 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks

Over the last two years, college football fans have had the pleasure of watching two extremely talented and physically gifted dual-threat quarterbacks, Auburn's Cam Newton and Baylor's Robert Griffin III, rise to stardom and ultimately take home the sport's most prestigious award, the Heisman Trophy. 

Newton's 2010 campaign and Griffin's 2011 campaign were two of the best individual performances in the history of college football, and the two of them showed that the quarterback position is continuing to evolve into something that's truly exciting. 

With the current emphasis on spread offenses around college football, dual-threat quarterbacks now have the chance to shine, as they utilize their full array of skills for the country to see. 

Griffin and Newton joined the likes of Vince Young, Tim Tebow, Terrelle Pryor, Darron Thomas, Pat White, Tyrod Taylor and the other recent dual-threat quarterbacks who found great success at the college level. 

So who will be the next great dual-threat quarterbacks to watch?

Well, here's a look at college football's Top 15 dual-threat signal-callers for 2012. 

1. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Denard Robinson has been one of college football's most talked-about players since he took the sport by storm at the start of the 2010 season.

Robinson's breakout campaign that year really helped put him on the map, but it was his performance in 2011 that was really the most impressive. While his overall numbers may have gone down last year, the 6'1'', 193-pound senior showed he could lead his team to success, as he guided the Wolverines to an 11-win season and their first win in a BCS bowl game since 2000.

Although he led the Big Ten with 15 interceptions, Robinson still managed to grow as a passer during his first year in Al Borges' system, as he threw for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns. 

Robinson is one of the most explosive athletes in the country, and if he can continue to grow as a passer this offseason, the Michigan offense should be one of the most dangerous in college football in 2012. 

2. Collin Klein, Kansas State

Kansas State was the most surprising success story in college football last season, as there wasn't anyone expecting the Wildcats to win 10 games before the year started. 

The main reason the team caught everyone off guard was the emergence of QB Collin Klein. 

Last year, Klein proved he was one of the top rushing quarterbacks in the country, as he ran for 1,141 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on the ground. 

The 6'5'', 226-pound senior may be a more explosive runner than he is a passer at this point, but that running ability is what really sets him apart from most other quarterbacks.

If Klein can refine his passing skills this offseason, and work on becoming a more well-rounded quarterback, there's no telling what he could be capable of in 2012. 

3. Keith Price, Washington

Keith Price was so busy beating teams with his arm last season that he rarely tried to beat them with his legs, as he netted just 10 total rushing yards in 2011. However, what didn't show up in the box score was how Price used his mobility and athleticism to routinely get outside the pocket and buy extra time to find open receivers. 

Last year, Price completed 67 percent of his passes for more than 3,000 yards and hit 33 touchdown strikes, but it was his performance in a 67-56 shootout loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl that brought him the most attention. Against the Bears, the 6'1'', 195-pound junior managed to overshadow Heisman-winning QB Robert Griffin III as he threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns and added another three scores on the ground. 

That performance has left some wondering if Price is destined to be the RG3 of 2012. 

Coach Steve Sarkisian will likely look to run Price more often next season than he did last year, so it's certainly possible he could put up the type of numbers that Griffin did in 2011. 

While Washington probably won't win enough games for Price to capture the Heisman Trophy, don't be surprised if you hear his name being thrown around in the conversation in 2012. 

4. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Last year, Logan Thomas was given the tough task of replacing Virginia Tech's all-time passing leader Tyrod Taylor, but Thomas didn't seem to be all that phased by having to fill Taylor's shoes. 

The 6'6'', 254-pound junior stepped into the starting role and gave Virginia Tech's offense an instant spark, as he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 469 yards and 11 scores. 

Thomas will certainly miss RB David Wilson, who was the ACC's leading rusher in 2011, but he now looks ready to become a true offensive leader for the Hokies in 2012. 

Virginia Tech will once again be looking to make it back to the ACC championship game next season, and if the Hokies can get a big year out of Thomas, they should have a great chance to get there. 

5. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Nebraska has won 19 games during Taylor Martinez's two years as a starter, but that doesn't mean he's won over every Cornhuskers fan, as he still has his fair share of critics in Lincoln. 

Last year, Martinez was one of the most productive running quarterbacks in the country, running for 874 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground.

The problem was that the 6'1'', 200-pound junior didn't take the necessary steps as a passer that many were expecting he would, and he ended up only completing 56 percent of his passes in 2011. 

Martinez is a great athlete who has proved he has the type of running ability to create big plays on the ground. If he can finally improve as a passer over the offseason and emerge as a true team leader, Martinez should have Nebraska competing for a Big Ten title in 2012. 

6. Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Clemson's Tajh Boyd reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb, as he's the type of pocket passer that can move around and create plays with his feet when needed. Last year, Boyd made plenty of plays both inside the pocket and out, as he helped lead the Tigers to an ACC Championship and their first ever appearance in a BCS bowl game. 

The 6'1'', 230-pound junior threw for more than 3,800 yards and 33 touchdowns and he also added five scores on the ground. 

With explosive playmakers like RB Andre Ellington and WR Sammy Watkins both returning, Boyd will have a ton of offensive firepower surrounding him again in 2012, and he'll have the type of supporting cast that he needs to have Clemson right back in the mix for another ACC Championship.

7. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

Louisville decided to keep its offense pretty basic and vanilla for QB Teddy Bridgewater during his first season as a Cardinal, but Bridgewater's talent still managed to shine through even in the watered-down scheme. 

Bridgewater took over as the starter in early October, and he ended up helping the Cardinals win a share of the Big East Championship by going 5-2 against conference competition. The talented former 4-star recruit  threw for more than 2,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, but coaches chose to keep the mobile and athletic signal-caller primarily in the pocket to prevent him from getting injured. 

Now that he has a year of experience under his belt, Louisville should be ready to truly unleash Bridgewater as both a passer and a runner in 2012.

If the 6'3'', 205-pound sophomore performs like he's capable of, the Cardinals have the type of talent to win the Big East and make it to their second ever BCS bowl game next season. 

8. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

Florida State may have been one of the most disappointing teams in the country in 2011, as the Seminoles finished the year unranked after starting off the season as a Top 5 team. However, there's still a lot of reason for optimism in Tallahassee this offseason, given how much talent is returning on both sides of the ball. 

Coach Jimbo Fisher has a team that's not only capable of competing for an ACC Championship in 2012, he's got a group that should have national title aspirations as well. 

The key player to Florida State's success will be QB E.J. Manuel. 

Manuel had some great performances in spot duty during his first two years on the field, but his first year as a full-time starter was an inconsistent effort. 

When Manuel was on his game in 2011, he showed why he was a one-time 5-star recruit, as his type of natural physical ability is certainly rare. However, the 6'5'', 238-pound senior also had his fair share of less-than-stellar showings as well, especially in losses to Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Virginia. 

If the supremely athletic signal-caller can play at a high level for a full season in 2012, Manuel should have the Seminoles back in the Top 10 and back in the championship hunt. 

9. James Franklin, Missouri

Last year, James Franklin quieted concerns about whether or not he could handle replacing Blaine Gabbert, as he stepped into the starting role and proved to be equally dangerous, throwing the ball as he was running it. 

Franklin threw for 2,865 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 981 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground in 2011. 

While a sprained shoulder will keep him out of spring practice, the 6'2'', 225-pound junior should be back and ready to lead the Tigers by the time the season rolls around. 

Franklin still has some more work to do as a passer, but his running ability is an obvious asset to Missouri's offense, and it should be interesting to see what he's capable of doing against SEC competition in 2012. 

10. Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Although Ohio State won't be eligible for postseason play next season, it's clear that new coach Urban Meyer's debut season in Columbus is going to be one of the biggest storylines in college football in 2012. 

Buckeyes fans are eager to see what Meyer will be able to do with QB Braxton Miller, a highly touted, former 5-star recruit.

Miller had an up-and-down freshman campaign in 2011 after taking over for Joe Bauserman three games into the season. The speedy signal-caller ran for 715 yards and seven touchdowns, though his passing left something to be desired, as Miller only completed 10 or more throws in just two games. 

Still, Meyer has to be encouraged by some of the flashes that he saw out of Miller in 2011, and he has to be excited about exploiting his tremendous running ability in his spread offensive system. 

Some growing pains are to be expected from Miller in 2012, as it's going to take some time for him to get used to the new offense, but once it all finally clicks, he should develop into one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. 

11. Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State

Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin didn't receive a whole lot of national attention last season, even though he did lead the Red Wolves to a 10-3 campaign and a Sun Belt Championship. That should change in 2012, though, now that former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is taking over.

Aplin seems like a perfect fit for Malzahn's unique spread system, and he should have no trouble topping his terrific numbers from 2011.

Last year, the 6'1'', 205-pound senior threw for 3,588 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 588 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

With Malzahn and Aplin now working together, Arkansas State should be right back in the hunt for another Sun Belt Championship in 2012. 

12. B.J. Daniels, South Florida

It seems like South Florida fans have been waiting for QB B.J. Daniels to reach his potential ever since his breakout performance against Florida State as a redshirt freshman.

While Daniels has shown glimpses of greatness in his career, as he's totaled nearly 8,000 yards of offense and accounted for 58 touchdowns, he has yet to put it all together and lead the Bulls to a Big East Championship. 

The 6'1'', 210-pound senior will have one last chance in 2012, but both Daniels and his team are going to have to figure out how to properly close out games next season, something they weren't able to do during their 1-7 finish last year. 

13. Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech

Tevin Washington is the type of intelligent and athletic quarterback that is built to succeed in a triple-option offensive system like the one that Paul Johnson runs at Georgia Tech.

In his first year running the show, Washington looked very impressive, as he helped the Yellow Jackets finish with the second-ranked rushing offense in the country in 2011. 

The 6'1'', 205-pound senior led the team with 986 rushing yards, and he also threw for 1,652 yards on just 150 attempts.

Washington should continue to thrive in Johnson's offense in 2012, and if he plays well enough, Georgia Tech could be a factor in the ACC Coastal Division next season. 

14. Cody Fajardo, Nevada

Colin Kaepernick was arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the Nevada football program, so obviously replacing him was certainly going to be a difficult task. As expected, the Wolf Pack offense suffered without Kaepernick in 2011, though the team did seem to uncover a potential dynamic offensive playmaker in Cody Fajardo. 

Fajardo stepped in as a freshman and immediately displayed a good grip on the offense, as he threw for more than 1,700 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 694 yards and 11 scores. For his efforts, Fajardo was named WAC Freshman of the Year.

It should be interesting to see how Fajardo and Nevada can handle the transition to the Mountain West in 2012. 

15. Kain Colter, Northwestern

Dan Persa's injury may have cost Northwestern the chance of having a winning season in 2011, but it did allow Persa's backup, Kain Colter, the opportunity to get some valuable experience leading the Wildcats offense. 

Last year, Colter proved to be a valuable and versatile offensive weapon as both a quarterback and a receiver, as he threw for 673 yards and six touchdowns, ran for 654 yards and nine touchdowns and also caught 43 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. 

The 6'0'', 190-pound junior will now take over as the full-time starter in 2012, and it should be interesting to see how effectively the Wildcats can utilize his speed and athleticism.

Honorable Mention

Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan

Chuckie Keeton, Utah State

Jacoby Brissett, Florida

Jared Barnett, Iowa State

Marqueis Gray, Minnesota

Munchie Legaux, Cincinnati

Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois

Riley Nelson, BYU

Tre Roberson, Indiana

Tyler Tettleton, Ohio