Power Ranking Top 10 Dual-Threat QBs Heading into 2013 College Football
Dual-threat quarterbacks have stolen the college football spotlight over the past half-decade. Tim Tebow led the charge, but now three straight Heisman Trophies have been handed to dual-threat QBs.
This year the position is loaded with talented dual-threat players, and this is a look at how the 10 best stack up against one another.
Johnny Manziel is the favorite heading into fall, but Braxton Miller is a challenger stealing some of the spotlight this summer. Don’t forget the power of MACtion and the leap that Jordan Lynch took onto the national stage last fall.
Who else makes the cut?
Note: All stats confirmed with CFBStats.com
No. 10: Chuckie Keeton, Utah State Aggies
1 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs. | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,373 | 27 | 619 | 8 | 307.1 |
Heading into his third year as the Aggies' starter, Chuckie Keeton is one of the most experienced players on this list.
He started his career as a true freshman on the road against Auburn in 2011. He almost led his team to a win. It was a preview of what he had to offer his team over the next few seasons.
Last year, he guided the Aggies to an 11-win season and a bowl victory over Toledo.
This fall, the Utah State program is attempting to reach the top of the BCS-buster discussion, and with Keeton calling the shots, it is a very real possibility.
No. 9: Cody Fajardo, Nevada Wolfpack
2 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 2,786 | 20 | 1,121 | 12 | 325.6 |
Cody Fajardo is not a household name yet, but midway through the fall he will be.
Over the past year, the Wolfpack have found a quarterback that will make fans forget about Colin Kaepernick. Fajardo led Nevada to a 7-6 record last fall, but big things are expected in 2013.
He is a talented dual-threat who has made a dent on the college game with his ground game. Last year he produced over 1,000 yards on the ground while passing for over 2,500.
Just five years ago, those were unthinkable numbers. Now it is the new standard for a quality dual-threat quarterback.
The schedule is manageable this year and a Mountain West title is within view. A big junior season will launch Fajardo onto the national stage for good.
No. 8: Taylor Kelly, Arizona State Sun Devils
3 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,040 | 29 | 520 | 1 | 273.8 |
The Pac-12 was full of star players last fall, but somehow Taylor Kelly seemed to slip between the cracks.
He had a masterful season guiding the Sun Devils offense, helping lead the program to an 8-5 record and bowl victory.
ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger Kevin Gemmell mentions Kelly on his dark-horse Heisman list, but that is the extent of the exposure that he has received this offseason. Expect Kelly to become an instant star if he guides the program to a win over Wisconsin in Week 2.
There is a lot of potential for the Arizona State program with Kelly guiding the offense.
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No. 7: Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois Huskies
4 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,138 | 25 | 1,815 | 19 | 353.8 |
The Huskies took the nation by surprise last year jumping into the BCS, but the blasting they took at the hands of Florida State was not.
Jordan Lynch was one of the best dual-threats in the country last fall, but when his team fell apart against the Seminoles, his effectiveness on the big stage came into question.
Still, Lynch produced one of the best single seasons ever by a quarterback and heads into this year looking to continue his upward leap. The Huskies should challenge for another MAC title this fall, and with a win Lynch will be in the Heisman discussion.
His ability to carry the offensive load is extremely impressive, but he isn't elite just yet.
No. 6: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Cornhuskers
5 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 2,871 | 23 | 1,019 | 10 | 277.9 |
Taylor Martinez may not be known as a big-game quarterback, but the guy puts up a lot of wins.
Over the past three years, he has helped guide Nebraska to 27 victories. The Huskers have also played in a bowl game all three years, and appeared in two conference title games with Martinez calling the shots.
This fall he is looking for a breakout senior season that actually ends with a conference title. This is Martinez’s year to take over the Big Ten and reach his expected potential.
It won’t come easy, as Braxton Miller is expected to put together a Heisman-worthy year.
No. 5: Brett Hundley, UCLA Bruins
6 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,745 | 29 | 355 | 9 | 292.5 |
UCLA launched onto the Pac-12 stage last fall on the back of Brett Hundley.
With Jim Mora Jr. guiding the program, the culture of winning has returned. The Bruins offense plowed through the conference last year and is set to have another big season with Hundley guiding the group.
Last season, the freshman led the Pac-12 in passing yards and was third in attempts per game.
This season, he has a standard that will be matched and will lead the Bruins back into the Pac-12 title discussion.
No. 4: Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks
7 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 2,677 | 32 | 752 | 5 | 263.8 |
The Ducks thought the loss of Darron Thomas could be a crushing blow to the 2012 season—then Marcus Mariota stepped up.
Last year, Oregon went 12-1 with the freshman at the helm, and the offense never missed a beat. He is arguably the most talented quarterback to play in the Chip Kelly offense.
He was most effective in the red zone, where he ripped defenses apart by completing 64.3 percent of his passes and tossing 19 touchdowns.
This year, his surrounding weapons are as talented as ever and the national title is in view. The big question is whether he can adjust with Chip Kelly now gone to the NFL.
No. 3: Tajh Boyd, Clemson Tigers
8 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,896 | 36 | 514 | 10 | 339.2 |
Tajh Boyd is the most underrated quarterback on this list.
Clemson is winning a lot of football games with this guy driving the offense, and this year they are a sleeper for the national title.
No joke.
Last year they took a very talented LSU team down in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and gained a lot of confidence heading into the new year. There are a lot of returning stars that helped the Tigers get there, and Boyd is the leader of the group.
The offense will need his playmaking skills more than ever this fall, and he is ready to drive this team to the title.
Boyd has the ability to take this program to heights no one expected when Dabo Swinney hopped into the interim head coaching gig in 2008.
No. 2: Braxton Miller, Ohio State Buckeyes
9 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 2,039 | 15 | 1,271 | 13 | 275.8 |
Braxton Miller has a lot of areas that need to improve this year for him to reach expectations, but Urban Meyer has a way with developing quarterbacks and Miller is next in line.
Last year’s 12-0 mark is just the beginning for the Buckeyes with Miller calling the plays. He is a talented runner, but his knowledge of defenses and composure in the pocket is what makes him elite.
His passing numbers were lacking a bit in 2012, but he is set to explode through the air after a solid spring.
There is a ton of talent floating around the country at quarterback, but Miller is on a different level than the competition. The Buckeyes can go bowling this year and the BCS is in clear view.
No. 1: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Aggies
10 of 11| Passing Yds. | Passing TDs | Rushing Yds. | Rushing TDs | Yards per Game |
| 3,706 | 26 | 1,410 | 21 | 393.5 |
Until another quarterback unseats Manziel as the best in the game, he sits at No. 1. Watching him this spring, he has solidified the notion that he will return for an encore performance in his sophomore season.
Manziel took the country over last year as he marched through the SEC and knocked off eventual national champion Alabama. Most thought the Crimson Tide would destroy the Aggies' attack, but a sandlot-style performance from Johnny Football earned A&M the win.
This year, he is expected to help the Aggies challenge for the SEC title and is a front-runner for the Heisman.
If he meets just half of the expectations set forth for 2013, he will have another record year.
10 Others to Watch
11 of 11Kain Colter, Northwestern Wildcats
Cole Gautsche, New Mexico Lobos
Jameis Winston, Florida State Seminoles
Blake Bell, Oklahoma Sooners
Jeff Driskel, Florida Gators
Connor Shaw, South Carolina Gamecocks
Casey Pachall, TCU Horned Frogs
Bryce Petty, Baylor Bears
Rakeem Cato, Marshall Thundering Herd
Kolton Browning, Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
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