How Rush of Recent Commitments Changes 2016 QB Recruiting Landscape

Much like the NFL draft, the quarterback position takes on a different level of importance for college coaches on the recruiting trail.

Wednesday was a big day on the quarterback recruiting front as three touted 2016 passers made their commitments.

A trio of 4-star quarterbacks—Devon Modster (Arizona), Tristen Wallace (Ohio State) and Jarrett Guarantano (Tennessee)—all came off the board within hours of each other.

It's part of a recent trend that has seen top signal-callers end their recruitments well before the beginning of their senior year.

As it relates to the 2016 cycle, coaches and programs still in the market for a quarterback will have to move on to another group of passers who perhaps aren't household names yet.

Nine of the nation's top 10 pro-style quarterbacks have already made commitments—with Maryland 4-star Dwayne Haskins the only big name left in that category, and he's slated to announce his decision before June, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

In the dual-threat category, 4-star Jawon Pass is the only player in the top six who is still uncommitted.

With so many premier arms already locked into their future destinations, expect a second season of quarterback recruiting to begin, with new players whom teams have underrecruited to this point sure to emerge on the radars of bigger programs.

One such prospect who could see his stock explode is 3-star dual-threat passer David Moore.

The 6'2", 170-pounder—who accounted for 39 total touchdowns as a junior—has been a standout at both the Atlanta and Orlando Nike Opening Regional camps.

He currently has 16 offers, with Illinois, Oregon State and Wake Forest representing the three Power Five conference schools that have pulled the trigger. That list may grow now that other top passers have committed.

"I know he's getting attention from schools across the country, and I think he's a guy that we will see continue to grow in recruiting," said Elite 11 counselor Yogi Roth after observing Moore in Atlanta. "I wouldn't be surprised if he explodes all of a sudden once the dominoes start to fall at that position."

Similar to Moore, 3-star Minnesota native Kamal Martin is another dual-threat passer whose interest could pick up soon. Although he has yet to pick up his first official offer, the 6'3", 205-pounder listed a number of Big Ten schools, including Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, as schools that have been showing interest in him, according to Evan Flood of Badgers247.

A couple of pro-style passers who could be in a similar position are 3-stars Matt Little, who is committed to Western Michigan, and Dillon Sterling-Cole.

Little, a 6'4", 225-pounder with a cannon for an arm, told Bleacher Report at the Adidas Chicago Showcase last month that a number of schools are due in during his team's spring practice to watch him throw live.

"Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin," Little noted of the programs that have been in contact with him.

Texas standout Sterling-Cole rose to prominence after winning the Elite 11 MVP for the quarterback segment and earning an invite to The Opening, as noted by Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.

Sterling-Cole currently has 12 offers—including one from Texas A&M, where his father played.

He's yet to pounce on the Aggies offer, which could signal an opening for other programs to throw their hat in the ring for the talented Houston native.

Of course, there are other names who can and likely will come to light heading into the summer and even into the fall. Given the nature of recruiting in these times, it’s also likely that some of the top quarterbacks who have committed end up flipping to other programs. 

Still, given the current state of recruiting at the quarterback position, expect the top programs in the market for help at the game's most critical position to ramp up their efforts to acquire a gifted passer in the coming months. 

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand, and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.