B/R CFB Recruiting 200 : Top 5 Dual-Threat QBs

After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the 2016 class. Here, we present the Top Dual-Threat Quarterbacks.

We've seen mobile quarterbacks dominate college football at different stages, with versatile athletes such as Michael Vick, Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton and Deshaun Watson leading their teams to national championship games. These players have the ability to obliterate defenses through the air and on the ground.

Plenty of high school quarterbacks can run or pass with authority, but few are known for their high-level consistency in both aspects of the game. Here's a look at the most highly regarded dual-threat recruits of 2016, graded on arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, mobility and the ability to orchestrate an offensive attack.

All prospects scouted by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. Players ordered by appearance in 247Sports' composite rankings.

5. 4-Star Woody Barrett

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6'2"/225 lbs

High School: West Orange (Orlando, Fla.)

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 dual-threat quarterback, No. 187 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Committed to Auburn on June 3, 2015

The Tigers will add another dangerous dual-threat quarterback for head coach Gus Malzahn to eventually implement in an offensive scheme that suits him well. Woody Barrett focused on SEC rivals Auburn and Alabama down the stretch of his decision-making process, ultimately choosing the Tigers after a lengthy recruitment.

"Auburn has been with me since my ninth-grade year, so I'm feeling good about the coaching staff," he told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Barrett is an ideal offensive leader for an Auburn attack that stresses uptempo aggressiveness. His arm strength (14/15) shined throughout his high school career, enabling him to launch well-placed tosses even while on the run, and he's a threat to reel off an occasional 100-yard rushing game in college.

This bodes well for his future as a Tiger, because Barrett can exploit defenses downfield by scrambling outside the pocket and baiting defenders due to his rushing capabilities (18/20). Despite impressive high school production on the ground (1,375 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, per Wesley Sinor of AL.com.), it's Barrett's passing prowess that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.

His ability to put zip on the ball hasn't been in doubt for years, but improvement in precision (18/20) over the past year further enhanced the Sunshine State standout's stock as a potential early collegiate starter. Barrett threw for 1,779 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2015, extending many pass plays well after other quarterbacks would have been sacked.

4. 4-Star Jalen Hurts

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6'2"/208 lbs

High School: Channelview (Texas)

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 dual-threat quarterback, No. 182 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 92/100

Enrolled at Alabama

Alabama has ramped up its recruiting efforts in the Lone Star State lately, perhaps partially spurred by Texas A&M's move to the SEC in 2012. Jalen Hurts is one of three 4-star Texans in the 2016 Crimson Tide class. 

Alabama beat out fellow finalists Texas A&M and Mississippi State for his services. He welcomed Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin for an in-home visit in December, according to Taylor Hamm of 247Sports, but opted to stick with his original decision.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Hurts has the look of a power running back when he tucks the ball and takes off (18/20 mobility). He rushed for a career-high 1,393 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2015, regularly breaking off big runs in both designed and improvisational settings. 

Last year, Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin told 2015 quarterback signee Blake Barnett the Crimson Tide attack would gradually be geared more toward mobile quarterbacks. The pursuit of Hurts further confirmed that sentiment, as he will immediately become the most legitimate running threat among Alabama's options at the position.

His pass attempts are predominately on the money (18/20 accuracy), though Hurts' ability to throw darts deep downfield will be tested early in Tuscaloosa and could be a key area of improvement moving forward. He tallied 2,371 passing yards as a senior, tossing 26 touchdowns and four interceptions.

3. 4-Star Shane Buechele

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6'2"/185 lbs

High School: Lamar (Arlington, Texas)

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 dual-threat quarterback, No. 177 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 94/100

Enrolled at Texas

Shane Buechele gave Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong a young asset to build around when he committed to Texas within weeks of national signing day. His offer list also included Oklahoma, California, Ole Miss and Texas Tech.

He has roots in the state through his father, Steve Buechele, who spent much of his professional baseball career with the Texas Rangers and currently serves as a coach with the organization.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Buechele arguably put together the most complete performance from start to finish during national Elite 11 finals last summer. He displayed leadership while commanding a star-studded collection of talent during seven-on-seven tournament action, delivered daring strikes without hesitation and rarely looked out of his element during challenging daily drills.

Unlike several dual-threat prospects, Buechele will predominately use his legs as a fallback option (15/20 mobility). He slings the ball downfield with smooth mechanics and delivers darts with touch (20/20 accuracy), racking up nearly 5,000 passing yards, 59 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions as an upperclassman.

Buechele completed 65 percent of his passes in 2015, consistently staying a step ahead of defensive efforts. His pocket presence and in-game demeanor make him a candidate to compete for early reps at Texas, where consistency in the passing game has proved elusive during recent years.

2. 4-Star Brandon McIlwain

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6'0"/200 lbs

High School: Council Rock North (Newtown, Pa.)

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 dual-threat quarterback, No. 169 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 95/100

Enrolled at South Carolina

Brandon McIlwain stuck with his Gamecocks commitment in the wake of Steve Spurrier's departure, providing new head coach Will Muschamp with a viable option at quarterback as early as 2016. He received offers from Penn State, Duke, Auburn and Florida before pledging to South Carolina in December 2014.

"I'm making my commitment early so I can start recruiting South Carolina and help to build my class and compete for the next level," he told Chris Clark of GamecockCentral.com.

Bleacher Report Analysis

McIlwain, a multisport star who is also expected to play baseball in Columbia, is a markedly different playmaker than he was midway through his high school career. Though he always displayed above-average athleticism and solid decision-making, his physical attributes improved across the board when he shed a significant amount of weight as a junior.

This is clearly a quarterback who is diligent from a physical and mental standpoint, flashing both a cannon (15/15 arm strength) and stable mechanics in the pocket (14/15). His best collegiate work will occur in the pocket, but he carried the brunt of rushing duties at Council Rock North, according to USA Today, carrying the ball 227 times for 1,545 yards and 30 touchdowns.

He was also firmly in control as a passer, collecting 1,720 yards and 17 scores through the air. Improved accuracy (17/20) would further solidify his spot among America's most impressive young quarterbacks, but there's enough polish to suggest South Carolina could forgo any possible redshirt plans for McIlwain.

1. 4-Star Jarrett Guarantano

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6'4"/201 lbs

High School: Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 dual-threat, No. 77 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 97/100

Committed to Tennessee on April 15, 2015

Jarrett Guarantano spurned fellow finalists Ohio State and Rutgers, where his father starred at wide receiver, for an opportunity in Knoxville. He announced his decision with a Bleacher Report commitment video in April.

"I had a chance to become more familiar with the campus and Knoxville. What really stood out was the atmosphere," Guarantano told Bleacher Report. "I don't think there's a fanbase that cares more about their football team than at the University of Tennessee. I've never seen anything like it."

Bleacher Report Analysis

Injuries prevented Guarantano from ever starting an entire season at New Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic, but he clearly managed to progress each year. By the time his senior campaign rolled around, Guarantano was ready to earn his spot atop these rankings.

He totaled 1,687 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions in just six games, per MaxPreps. Guarantano showed off elite arm strength (15/15) and speed (19/20 mobility) even at a young age, drawing dozens of offers as an underclassman. He truly began to match that raw ability with outstanding accuracy (69 percent) as a senior.

Bleacher Report was on the sideline in September for the best performance of his career, coming in a 59-47 loss to IMG Academy (Florida). Despite constant harassment from a defensive line stocked with future FBS players, Guarantano stood tall, displayed superior mobility and accounted for five total touchdowns without an interception on 38 pass attempts.

We still haven't seen the complete package yet due to limited high school snaps, but the glimpses speak volumes about his high ceiling. That should send shivers down the spines of SEC defensive coordinators.

Recruit rankings and info courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.