Power 5 College Football Teams Still in Search of 2016 QB Recruit

The recruiting process in general has accelerated, with early offers and commitments becoming the norm in recent years.

Perhaps no position illustrates that fact more so than the quarterback position. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue, 66 of the nation’s top 80 quarterbacks in the 2016 class have already committed.

After his commitment to Arizona State earlier this week, 4-star Texas standout Dillon Sterling-Cole can be added to that list.

With his pledge and Florida earning a commitment from 2-star passer Kyle Trask, 54 of the nation’s 64 programs that makeup the Power Five conferences have at least one quarterback committed for the 2016 class. 

Which 10 schools are left out, and what reasons explain why their classes are devoid of a quality signal-caller?

Let’s break down the teams in each league still in search of a 2016 quarterback recruit.

ACC

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Teams Without a QB Pledge: Duke, Georgia Tech

While the majority of the ACC has successfully recruited the quarterback position in the current cycle, the two most recent winners of the Coastal Division—Duke and Georgia Tech—are without a field general in their respective classes. 

In Duke’s case, the Blue Devils were stung by the decommitment of 3-star passer Chazz Surratt to rival North Carolina in late June.

Luckily for head coach David Cutcliffe, Duke’s 2015 class included two quarterbacks—which helps, considering all eight of the passers Cutcliffe has offered in 2016 are currently committed.

Given that the Yellow Jackets operate a triple-option system, head coach Paul Johnson recruits the quarterback position a little differently than most programs.

The Yellow Jackets typically recruit dynamic athletes who can make big plays with their feet but lack the ability to be proficient passers.

Johnson and his staff were able to land a potential successor to current starter Justin Thomas in 3-star athlete Christian Campbell in the 2015 class.

Big Ten

Hannah Foslien/Associated Press

Teams Without a QB Pledge: Purdue 

Thirteen of the 14 clubs in the Big Ten have a quarterback already committed.

Considering that six future Big Ten passers were among the 18 finalists at this year’s Elite 11 (per Student Sports), the future of the league appears to be in good hands.

The lone league member without a quarterback pledge is Purdue. 

The Boilermakers were able to bring in one quarterback recruit in each of their last three classes. Head coach Darrell Hazell and his staff tendered only two passers in 2016—each of whom are committed to SEC schools.

Unless a new target emerges late, it appears that Hazell will look to add another passer in the 2017 class.

Big 12

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Teams Without a QB Pledge: Iowa State, Kansas

With only three pledges in its 2016 class, Iowa State currently has the lowest-rated class of any Power Five school (rated No. 114 nationally). 

The Cyclones did bring in 3-star quarterback Dominic DeLira in the 2015 class. Two quarterbacks, including JUCO passer Riley Ferguson and 3-star Florida native Xavier Gaines, are uncommitted options who possess an offer from the Cyclones.

Meanwhile, new Kansas head coach David Beaty has yet to find a passer in 2016 after bringing in a pair in February as part of the Jayhawks 2015 class.

All six of the quarterbacks Kansas has offered are firmly committed to Power Five programs, which could make the option of waiting until the 2017 cycle a realistic possibility for the Jayhawks.

Pac-12

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Teams Without a QB Pledge: Utah, Washington 

Washington signed a top-flight prospect in the last cycle in Jake Browning—which makes it unlikely that they feel the need to press for another passer in the current class.

Still, 5-star quarterback and current Georgia commit Jacob Eason, who hails from Lake Stevens, Washington, noted that he still hears from the Huskies staff despite his commitment status.

“Obviously, U-Dub [Washington] because they are in my backyard,” Eason told Bleacher Report at The Opening on schools that are still trying to recruit him.

It makes sense for the Huskies to stay on a homegrown talent of Eason’s caliber, but unless he becomes a realistic option down the line, it’s likely they are content without taking a passer in the current cycle.

Utah is one school that could benefit from adding a quarterback over the next few months.

They have cast a wide net in offering 14 quarterbacks—all of whom are currently committed—to date.

The Utes took one quarterback in 2015, but with senior Travis Wilson set to exhaust his eligibility after this season, head coach Kyle Whittingham could use another young field general to develop for the future.

SEC

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Teams Without a QB Pledge: Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas A&M

Mississippi State has plenty of depth at quarterback after redshirting a pair of quarterbacks from the 2014 class and adding 3-star Nick Tiano in February.

However, it appears that Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen is recruiting a pair of 3-star passers still uncommitted in Georgia native Josh White and in-state standout Keon Howard.

As noted by Ourlads, the top three quarterbacks on the Missouri roster have been on campus for at least three years.

The Tigers have only offered two quarterbacks in the 2016 class thus far.

However, in adding 4-star quarterback Drew Lock in the 2015 class, Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel may elect to wait until 2017 before adding another player at that position.

Considering that Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin has landed a pair of 5-star quarterbacks in Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray in the last two classes, the Aggies have a bright future at the game’s most important position.

Texas A&M is one of the few teams that has the luxury of skipping the quarterback position in the 2016 cycle.

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani