10 Bold Predictions for the QBs of 2014 College Football Recruiting Class

The quarterbacks of the 2014 college football recruiting class are a talented bunch. Many different types of field generals exist in the class, ranging from pocket passers to dual-threat options to gunslingers.

When the group is looked at five years from now, many surprises will have likely emerged. Predicting those surprises is nearly impossible, but it's fun to try anyway. However, 'the bolder, the better' is a motto that is beloved at Bleacher Report, so these predictions will follow suit.

Looking at the 2014 recruits, a quarterback headed to a Big Ten school will eventually transfer, an ACC program has a commitment from a passer who will soon beat out its backup and a starter for a Big 12 powerhouse will have to continue looking over his shoulder next year.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNU.

Tyler Harris Will Have a More Productive Career at SMU Than Garrett Gilbert

Tyler Harris is a 3-star quarterback from Georgia who has excellent arm strength. If passing prospects were rated solely in that category, he would be a 5-star recruit.

However, Harris, who is 6'3" and 205 pounds, needs to shore up his mechanics and footwork.

He will clean up his mechanics at Southern Methodist University under head coach June Jones, which will help him throw for more yards and touchdowns in one-and-one-half seasons than current starter—and recruiting bust—Garrett Gilbert will total for his career.

Brad Kaaya Will Not Beat out Kevin Olsen as a True Freshman at Miami

Miami is currently led by senior Stephen Morris, so head coach Al Godlen will be looking for a new quarterback in 2014.

Brad Kaaya, a 4-star prospect, is committed to the Hurricanes and surely has his sights set on starting immediately in Coral Gables, Fla.. However, Miami signed Kevin Olsen in 2012 with Olsen a prized recruit who has solid arm strength, accuracy and great poise.

Olsen will also have spent a year learning Miami's offense, as opposed to the short time that Kaaya will have had to learn the system.

Kaaya will flash his talent during camp in 2014, but it will be Olsen who replaces Morris next season. 

Drew Barker Will Redshirt in 2014, Then Go on to Rival Tim Couch's Status at UK

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops knew he had to get a young stud quarterback to be an offensive cornerstone for him as he continues to build his program in Lexington, Ky.

So, Stoops went out and got a commitment from 4-star quarterback Drew Barker, who is from Kentucky. Barker is 6'4", 210 pounds, has good arm strength, solid accuracy and flashes great mobility.

But settle down Wildcat fans, Barker probably will redshirt next season. That will allow him to learn offensive coordinator Neal Brown's system while slowly getting adjusted to college life and the speed of the game.

However, in 2015, look for Barker to embark on a productive career that will remind Kentucky fans of former quarterback Tim Couch. 

Justice Hansen Will Challenge Trevor Knight for Playing Time at Oklahoma

Freshman quarterback Trevor Knight won the starting job out of camp at Oklahoma, but he hasn't done enough to cement his status.

Knight, who has a bruised knee, has only 205 yards passing and four touchdowns this season to go along with three interceptions.

Junior quarterback Blake Bell will continue to challenge Knight for playing time through the 2015 season. But after a redshirt year, 4-star quarterback Justice Hansen will be ready to unseat Knight as the starter in Norman, Okla.

One of Mississippi State's 2014 QB Commitments Will Change Positions

Mississippi State has a pair of commitments from 3-star quarterbacks Elijah Staley and Nick Fitzgerald.

Staley, who is from Georgia, is 6'6" and 231 pounds while Fitzgerald is 6'5", 205 pounds and a Peach State prospect as well.

Both quarterbacks have good mobility and athleticism, which is why at least one of them will be moved to another position. Although Fitzgerald could become a solid receiver, look for Staley to eventually be moved to tight end. 

Michael O'Connor Will Eventually Transfer from Penn State

Give credit to Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien. After signing elite quarterback prospect Christian Hackenberg in 2013, O'Brien nabbed a commitment from 4-star 2014 passer Michael O'Connor.

O'Connor, who is 6'4" and 223 pounds, has great arm strength and can deliver the ball accurately to his targeted receivers. He also shows quick feet, solid athleticism and can be a threat to run the ball.

He will come to Happy Valley looking to compete for time, but Hackenberg has entrenched himself as the future of Penn State football. O'Connor will eventually grow impatient and get tired of sitting behind Hackenberg, leading the 2014 prospect to transfer.

Deshaun Watson Will Beat out Chad Kelly to Replace Tajh Boyd at Clemson

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd has been with Tigers for what seems like forever, but this will be his last season. Head coach Dabo Swinney will need to replace Boyd, and assessing backup Chad Kelly cannot wait until next year.

Fortunately, 4-star quarterback Deshaun Watson is headed to Clemson and has the talent to play right away. Watson has better size than Kelly and will come with a ton of hype, causing many fans to call for him to play.

Watson's arm strength, decisive style of play, mobility and accuracy will also impress Swinney. A quarterback battle will take place, but look for Swinney to settle on Watson as his new permanent starter. 

Will Grier Will Have a Far More Productive Career Than Jeff Driskel at Florida

Florida's passing offense has not impressed anyone over the past several seasons with quarterback Jeff Driskel at the helm. In one of the most perplexing situations in college football, the talented Driskel has only thrown for 14 career touchdowns in three seasons with the Gators.

Help in on the way to Gainesville, however, as 4-star quarterback Will Grier will be with the Gators in 2014. Grier, who threw for 69 touchdowns as a junior in North Carolina, is used to providing a spark to an offense.

When Grier replaces Driskel, either in 2014 or after Driskel in 2015, it will be Grier with the significantly superior production.

A Quarterback Will Transfer from Alabama Due to David Cornwell

Alabama will need to replace starting quarterback AJ McCarron next season with passers like Blake Sims, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, Parker McLeod and Luke Del Rio competing for the job.

Alaama also has a commitment from 4-star quarterback David Cornwell, who is one of the best recruits in the country. Cornwell, who is 6'5" and 241 pounds, has a cannon for an arm and passes with accuracy.

Cornwell's arrival will force at least one transfer, and perhaps even another, when head coach Nick Saban announces his new starter in 2014. 

Kyle Allen Will Replace Johnny Manziel as Texas A&M's Starter in 2014

This is likely Johnny Manziel's final season as the quarterback at Texas A&M. The 2012 Heisman Trophy-winner will likely opt for the 2013 NFL draft.

That means head coach Kevin Sumlin will need to find a new pilot of his offense. Matt Joeckel and Kenny Hill will be the top two incumbents to compete for the job, but 5-star quarterback Kyle Allen is committed to the Aggies.

Allen's anticipation, accuracy, compact delivery, ability to work through his progressions and adequate arm strength will win the job for him as a true freshman in College Station, Texas.

2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map

Several of the quarterbacks with bold predictions can be found on the 2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map.

This also includes recruits at all of the other positions and should be an excellent resource of information through the 2014 recruiting cycle.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.