College Football Recruiting 2013: Ranking the Top 10 QB Gunslingers

The term gunslinger is a term that we use in football regarding quarterbacks. However, not just any quarterback can be labeled a gunslinger.

You have to possess a combination of traits in your game. Traits such as arm strength, being a big-time risk taker, a playmaker and being gritty and tough are all main traits of a gunslinger.

Of course, in football, the greatest "gunslinger type QB" ever is one Brett Favre. If you really want to see what we mean by the term, then look no further than how Favre played the game.

For this read, I'm going to give the top 10 gunslingers inside the 2013 class.

10. Damion Terry

Terry is a 6'3", 210-pounder from Pennsylvania that is headed to Michigan State. He finds himself on this list due to his ability to take calculated risks with the football.

Terry will play under control, sure, but he knows he has a great arm and if he feels he has a chance to make a throw down field or go for the jugular of the defense, he'll take it.

The Spartans will like his gunslinger flashes because they'll result in big plays and points in East Lansing. 

9. Ryan Buchanan

Now, Buchanan is listed at 6'3", but he's likely closer to about 6'1" and weighs in the 200-pound range. However, this kid is just a gamer.

From Mississippi, he can buy time when the pocket breaks down, is a very good athlete and can gain yards with his legs. Yet, he knows he's a passer first and will take a risk here and there to make a play.

He's smart and isn't reckless, but you can see the gunslinging mentality he has at times on film.

Buchanan is headed to Ole Miss.

8. Connor Mitch

Steve Spurrier will welcome Mitch to Columbia next year, as the young QB is set to be a Gamecock.

At 6'4", and over 210-pounds, Mitch is a North Carolina native with a smooth release that sees the ball launch out of his hand each time.

When you watch him on film, it's easy to see that he knows this, because he'll hang in the pocket and get the football out while also taking risks. 

He understands the nuances of route-running and times up his throws well. His arm strength allows him to be a gunslinger and make big plays.

7. Max Staver

Staver is a 6'6", 240-pound Tennessee native that is committed to toss the rock at Florida. He has big time arm talent and plays with a mindset of "I'll beat you with my arm."

He can sit in the pocket—using his height to ignore the rush and survey the field. If he sees he can place the ball in the tightest of spots, Staver will yawn and flick his wrist to see the ball explode to his target.

He's kind of like Ben Roethlisberger, in the sense that he knows he's a big bodied player and it's hard to bring him down. Therefore, he isn't scared of the rush and fires the football all around the field.

6. Johnny Stanton

Stanton is a 6'3", 220-pounder that plays the game with a tough style and loves the bright lights. He's mobile and athletic along with showing good arm strength.

He'll get outside the pocket, look around and do what he needs to do to make a play. Stanton will take a risk, but his toughness also gets him on this list.

I think he could end up at Oregon.

5. Cody Thomas

Thomas is a 6'5", 220-pounder from Texas that is sewn up to Oklahoma. He's also a great baseball prospect on the diamond.

As a QB, he sits in the shotgun, stands high and tall, sees the field well and has great arm talent. He tosses the ball accurately with good velocity to all areas of the field.

He'll push the football in his delivery, but he makes this list because he clearly feels there's nothing on the field he can't do. Thomas will try to make every play and will go for the jugular any chance he gets.

4. Aaron Zwahlen

Remember how there were times where we'd watch Brett Favre and he'd be falling away, on the run and just launch the ball downfield for big plays?

Zwahlen has that down to a science and plays like he wants to beat the defense by putting the entire passing game on his shoulders. This guy hails from Northern California and stands 6'3", 190-pounds.

He's committed to Hawaii, where Norm Chow will develop him into something great. His arm strength is among the elite and he can make all kinds of quirky throws from off positions. 

3. Cooper Bateman

Some evaluators bill Bateman as having the strongest arm in the country. The Utah native and 6'3", 200-pounder is committed to Alabama and the SEC will be getting a guy that can hum it.

He fires the football all over the field and can attack the third level with ease. Bateman has the arm talent where he can come into a game and put an offense on his back to win the football game by himself.

He has the most arm talent of any QB prospect Alabama has nabbed in the Nick Saban era.

2. Shane Morris

Don't we count Tony Romo as a gunslinger? Because Morris reminds me a lot of Romo. From Michigan, Morris goes in the 6'3", 190-pound range and is headed to Michigan.

Morris is a lefty, but don't discriminate the guy because he can set up quicker than any other QB on this list. He shows a quick release and the ball pops out of his hand fiercely and gets to his targets in a hurry.

Morris is also a good athlete. He can elude the rush, get outside the pocket and make a top notch on-the-run throw. His accuracy is streaky, but he doesn't get down on himself, as he shows a tough mentality—that of a gunslinger. 

1. Matt Alviti

Alviti is the biggest gunslinger in the 2013 QB class. Period. He's only 6'0", 190-pounds, but his heart, toughness, grit and determination separates him from the pack.

He's super competitive and does what he has to do to win. Sure, he'll get careless with the ball at times, take some bad risks and have you scratching your head.

Yet, he's a winner that plays with a burning fire, athleticism, release quickness, good arm strength and is certainly a high stakes gambler.

Alviti is headed to Northwestern where I think the fans will fall in love with him early in his career.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.