Re-Ranking the Class of 2011 Quarterbacks
Hindsight is always significantly more clear than outlooks based on projection when it comes to college football recruiting. Not every 5-star is destined for greatness and lightly scouted high school prospects annually rise to stardom at the next level.
We took a look into the rearview mirror to examine a loaded 2011 class of quarterback recruits, throwing out old ratings and analysis in the process. After reviewing how each passer has performed in high-stakes collegiate settings, here's how we rank the top members of a collection that includes multiple first-round NFL draft picks and a Heisman Trophy winner.
Honorable Mentions
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Jeff Driskel, Hagerty High School (Oviedo, Florida)—Florida
The former 5-star prospect has struggled to stay on the field as a Gator. Injuries derailed his 2013 season early and sent the team into an offensive tailspin.
Driskel, aiming to rebound along with Florida this fall, is off to a solid start. He's thrown for 543 yards and four touchdowns through two games.
Marquise Williams, Mallard Creek High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)—UNC
Rated ninth nationally among dual-threat quarterback recruits, Williams has maintained that reputation in Chapel Hill. He rushed for 722 yards and nine touchdowns during his first two seasons and is already over the 100-yard mark through two contests as a junior.
Though his toughest defensive tests await, Williams' completion percentage (67 percent) is a nine-point improvement over last year. He's tallied 539 yards and six touchdowns in two wins.
Brandon Allen, Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, Arkansas)—Arkansas
The 3-star recruit elected to stay in his hometown as a Razorback and has managed to sustain solid momentum despite major changes within the program. He saw his first significant action in 2013 during Bret Bielema's inaugural campaign, passing for 1.532 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Arkansas appears to be improved this season and Allen's efficiency as a game manager is a key part of the equation. He is completing 58 percent of pass attempts (up from 49 percent last year) with six touchdowns and one interception in three games.
10. 3-Star Kevin Hogan, Gonzaga High School (Washington, D.C.)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 374 overall; No. 8 pro-style quarterback
Signed With: Stanford
High School Accolades
Kevin Hogan is one of many coveted collegiate prospects to come from Gonzaga in recent recruiting cycles. He earned 2010 Washington D.C. Player of the Year honors as a senior, tossing 14 touchdowns and adding six rushing scores, per GoStanford.com.
His high school career included 4,762 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. Hogan also held offers from Boston College, Vanderbilt, Rutgers and Clemson.
Success Since Signing
The shadow of No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Andrew Luck loomed large when Hogan accepted the reins as Stanford's starting quarterback in 2012. However, he answered the bell in impressive fashion, winning each of his starts and claiming Pac-12 Championship Game MVP honors.
He followed with another solid performance in 2013, throwing 20 touchdowns en route to a second straight Pac-12 title. Hogan is on pace for a career-best campaign this fall, completing 73 percent of pass attempts for 705 yards and seven scores through three games.
9. 3-Star Dak Prescott, Haughton High School (Haughton, Louisiana)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 430 overall; No. 17 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: Mississippi State
High School Accolades
Dake Prescott was pursued by LSU as a premier in-state target but ended up competing elsewhere in the SEC. He burst onto the scene as a junior, throwing for 2,172 yards and 27 touchdowns, per HailState.com.
Mississippi State landed his commitment shortly before an explosive senior high school season. Prescott completed 62 percent of his pass attempts in 2010, racking up 2,860 yards and 39 touchdowns through the air.
He also rushed for 951 yards and 17 scores as a senior, leading Haughton to an unbeaten regular season.
Success Since Signing
Prescott is a key part of why Mississippi State fans are feeling more optimistic than ever about the program's outlook. He saw significant action as a redshirt freshman in 2012 but really grew into the role last fall, when Prescott passed for nearly 2,000 yards, gained a team-high 829 yards on the ground and tallied 23 total touchdowns.
His star continues to rise in the SEC this season, as Prescott has thrown for 696 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions through three games. He rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his team's past two victories.
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8. 4-Star Cody Kessler, Centennial High School (Bakersfield, California)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 142 overall; No. 4 pro-style passer
Signed With: USC
High School Accolades
Cody Kessler orchestrated the Centennial offense to great success as a three-season starter, culminating in a commanding senior-season performance: He threw for 2,831 yards, 36 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 2010.
His honors included Bakersfield Area Player of the Year awards in two sports, as he also averaged nearly 30 points and 11 rebounds on the basketball court, according to USCTrojans.com. Kessler committed to USC after considering offers from Oregon State, Cal, Pittsburgh, Arizona State and Alabama, among others.
Success Since Signing
Kessler didn't take over starting duties until 2013, spending two years as a backup to current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley. He displayed poise and progression during a tumultuous debut season, showing significant improvement in the months that followed Lane Kiffin's dismissal.
Kessler completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,968 yards and 20 touchdowns. His development has continued early this fall, as he's completed 71 percent of pass attempts for 846 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions through three games.
7. 3-Star Connor Cook, Walsh Jesuit High School (Stow, Ohio)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 965 overall; No. 34 pro-style quarterback
Signed With: Michigan State
High School Accolades
Connor Cook started two seasons at Walsh Jesuit, posting efficient numbers along the way. After compiling 1,300 total yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, he enjoyed a statistical spike in 2010.
Cook connected on 58 percent of his passes as a senior, tallying 2,143 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He signed with Michigan State after fielding limited interest from other programs.
Success Since Signing
He spent his first two seasons in East Lansing on the bench, but Cook broke through as the Spartans starter in 2013. He threw for 2,755 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions as a redshirt sophomore.
Cook threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan State's Rose Bowl victory over Stanford. He established a new high with 343 yards passing in a loss to Oregon earlier this month.
6. 4-Star Everett Golson, Myrtle Beach High (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 275 overall; No. 5 pro-style quarterback
Signed With: Notre Dame
High School Accolades
Everett Golson dominated as a four-year starter at Myrtle Beach, establishing himself as one of the most productive offensive playmakers in America. He threw for 11,634 yards and 151 touchdowns, leading the team to a 44-5 record during that span.
Golson also starred on the basketball court and drew interest as a premier point guard. He ultimately chose to go the football route, pledging to Notre Dame after backing of his initial commitment to North Carolina.
His offer list also included Clemson, Virginia Tech and South Carolina.
Success Since Signing
He started 11 games as a redshirt freshman, spearheading the offensive attack through an undefeated regular season. Notre Dame reached the 2013 BCS National Championship Game that year, falling to Alabama.
After tallying 2,700 total yards in 2012, he was suspended from the team for academic issues. However, he returned to South Bend this season looking like a much-improved passer.
Golson is completing 65 percent of his passes through three games. He leads the unbeaten Fighting Irish with 780 passing yards, 11 total touchdowns and no interceptions.
5. 4-star Brett Hundley, Chandler High School (Chandler, Arizona)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 69 overall; No. 4 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: UCLA
High School Accolades
Brett Hundley was named Arizona's Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after accounting for 2,700 total yard and 28 touchdowns. He took his game to another level in 2010, completing 62 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and two interceptions, adding nine rushing scores.
His postseason honors included a top showing at the Under Armour All-American Game Skills Challenge. He chose UCLA over Oregon, Texas A&M, Arizona and Washington.
Success Since Signing
Hundley, viewed as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate this fall, took over starting duties with the Bruins as a redshirt freshman. He set a UCLA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes in 2012.
His productive career included a streak of 29 games with at least a rushing or passing touchdown. Hundley holds program records for single-season passing yardage and completions, per UCLABruins.com.
He is viewed as a potential top-tier prospect for the 2015 NFL draft.
4. 5-Star Braxton Miller, Wayne High School (Dayton, Ohio)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 30 overall; No. 2 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: Ohio State
High School Accolades
Braxton Miller became a marquee member of Jim Tressel's final recruiting class in Columbus. Viewed as the team's top in-state target, he led his high school squad to the Division I championship game as a senior, compiling more than 2,800 total yards and 34 scores.
Miller rushed for 35 touchdowns as an upperclassmen. His offer sheet also featured Florida, Alabama, Notre Dame and USC.
Success Since Signing
He seized the starting job at Ohio State during the first month of his collegiate career and didn't surrender it until a shoulder injury in practice last month will cost him the entire 2014 season. Miller was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and took his game to new heights under the direction of head coach Urban Meyer.
After earning a spot among Davey O'Brien Award finalists as a sophomore, he claimed Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. Miller led the Buckeyes to an Orange Bowl appearance, setting a career-high with 36 total touchdowns.
A highly anticipated 2014 Heisman Trophy campaign never got off the ground, but he's expected to return next year for his final season at Ohio State.
3. 4-Star Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 101 overall; No. 5 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: Louisville
High School Accolades
Teddy Bridgewater thrilled as a three-year starter at Miami Northwestern, a perennial Sunshine State title contender. His achievements included a Dade County-record seven touchdown passes in a single game, per GoCards.com.
He threw for 5,100 yards and 54 scores as an upperclassman. Bridgewater committed to the Cardinals over Rutgers, Tennessee and South Florida.
Success Since Signing
Bridgewater blossomed as a playmaker at Louisville, helping the program and head coach Charlie Strong gain increased national notoriety. He earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors in 2011, leading the team to the first of three bowl appearances under his leadership.
Though he fell short in an anticipated Heisman Trophy bid last year, Bridgewater posted career-highs in passing yards (3,970) and touchdowns (31) while throwing just four interceptions as a junior. Bridgewater declared for 2014 NFL draft, forgoing his senior season, and was selected 32nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings.
2. 3-Star Marcus Mariota, St. Louis High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 518 overall; No. 19 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: Oregon
High School Accolades
Marcus Mariota emerged as a prolific playmaker at Hawaiian powerhouse St. Louis High School and punctuated his career there with a state title. He threw for 2,597 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2010, adding another 455 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Memphis was the only other FBS team to offer Mariota at quarterback, according to 247Sports. He filled a hole in the Ducks recruiting class left behind by Johnny Manziel, who flipped to Texas A&M early in his senior year of high school.
Success Since Signing
It's fair to say Mariota has tremendously surpassed national expectations in Eugene. He spent his first season on campus as a redshirt, though he was listed as the team's No. 3 passer and traveled to games.
Mariota took over the helm as starter in 2012, picking up Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors after setting a conference rookie record with 32 touchdown passes. He's continued to torch opponents since the departure of head coach Chip Kelly, collecting 51 total scores since the start of last season.
His success has many anticipating an appearance at the Heisman Trophy podium and in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Mariota could vie for the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL draft if he elects to forgo his final year of eligibility.
1. 3-Star Johnny Manziel, Tivy High School (Kerrville, Texas)
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247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 394 overall; No. 13 dual-threat quarterback
Signed With: Texas A&M
High School Accolades
The man now known nationwide as "Johnny Football" posted head-turning numbers in high school. He flashed the improvisational abilities that eventually made him a household name, surpassing 4,000 rushing yards and 7,500 passing yards at Tivy.
Manziel went over 5,200 total yards as a senior, racking up 75 total touchdowns in the process. He initially committed to Oregon before flipping to the Aggies, reshaping the program's fortunes as an SEC newcomer.
Success Since Signing
Manziel made the most of his two seasons as starter at Texas A&M, earning an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony each year. He became the first freshman to win the award in 2012, when he totaled 5,100 yards and 37 touchdowns.
His 2012 campaign also included an upset of defending (and eventual repeat) national champion Alabama. He set career-high passing marks as a redshirt sophomore in 2013, throwing for 4,114 yards and 34 scores.
Manziel left college early to declare for the 2014 NFL draft and was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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