Starting QBs Most Likely to Lose Their Jobs in the 2017 College Football Season
Just because they held the starting gig at the end of last season or they're leading the battle now does not mean all of college football's quarterbacks will keep their jobs for the entire 2017 season.
Many signal-callers will relinquish the reins to backups at some point this spring, in fall practice or some time during the season. That's just the way it always is.
The old adage says the most popular player on the team is the backup quarterback, and that is true in a lot of cases. At times, that's because the starter is struggling. In others, it's because of the excitement of what awaits in the future.
At Clemson, Kelly Bryant has turned heads this spring in the pursuit to replace an irreplaceable stud quarterback in Deshaun Watson, but with all the talent also in the stable of signal-callers head coach Dabo Swinney has compiled, the Tigers will go another direction when times get tough.
In Florida, it's a different situation altogether. Luke Del Rio was ineffective a season ago before injuries thrust Austin Appleby into action. Now, with Del Rio hurt this spring, the Gators are excited about a pair of signal-callers who should make Del Rio's tenure a thing of the past.
There are others who will lose their jobs at other points of the season, too. Let's take a look at a few.
Kelly Bryant, Clemson
1 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Though Dabo Swinney stated numerous times (such as here to The Clemson Insider's Will Vandervort) that Kelly Bryant is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting quarterback job vacated by Watson, it could be short-lived. Bryant isn't the greatest in coverage recognition, and though he has the most experience of the group, he's the least-talented passer in a passing-minded offense.
The backup's upside: There are several players who could find themselves in the mix in Clemson, but the biggest threat to Bryant is true freshman Hunter Johnson. He's the purest passer of the bunch, and when he grasps the playbook, he's too good to keep off the field. Especially with all those weapons around him.
When the switch will happen: Before October. The Tigers have a brutal early-season schedule that sees them facing Auburn, Louisville and Virginia Tech. They have enough talent to get through that gauntlet, but if Bryant struggles, Swinney won't hesitate to play Johnson, and the next South Carolina star may be born.
Shane Buechele, Texas
2 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Though Shane Buechele started as a true freshman in 2016, he wasn't without shortcomings, and with Tom Herman now coaching, all slates are clear. Buechele can be sloppy with the football, as Burnt Orange Nation's Wescott Eberts wrote earlier this spring. The past means nothing in Herman's tenure.
The backup's upside: True freshman Sam Ehlinger is an uber-talented signal-caller who was the nation's eighth-ranked quarterback, according to Scout.com. Herman won't care that he's the hometown kid everybody is pulling for, but the biggest thing is he's a better scheme fit for what Ehlinger and offensive coordinator Tim Beck want to do. He's a dual-threat option who can do it all.
When the switch will happen: If it doesn't happen the week after what is sure to be a blowout loss to USC on Sept. 16, when the Longhorns play Iowa State, it'll take place sometime in the October gauntlet that sees them play Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Luke Del Rio, Florida
3 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Simply put, Luke Del Rio has proved he just isn't that effective in the SEC. It's probably a stretch to even say he's the starting quarterback right now since an injury has him missing spring drills, but considering he's the only Gator with starting experience, he'll get an opportunity to seize the job when he's healthy. Unfortunately for him, he isn't the answer.
The backup's upside: Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask are freshman quarterbacks with upside, but Franks is the impact player. He's a dual-threat player with a big arm who a lot of teams wanted in the recruiting process, and after a redshirt year, he is proving this spring he's ready. Coach Jim McElwain praised both of them to the Gainesville Sun's Robbie Andreu, but Franks' red-zone efficiency may separate him.
When the switch will happen: McElwain isn't expected to name a starter until August. When he does, it's going to be Franks. The Gators have been awful on offense the past two years, and while there are no guarantees Franks will be the savior, Del Rio has proved he isn't. There's too much talent with Franks not to ride him and let him learn on the job.
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Brian Lewerke, Michigan State
4 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio told the Detroit News' Matt Charboneau recently that Brian Lewerke was "the guy." But for how long? Though he did some nice things last year before his injury, he wasn't accurate. Despite a solid spring game, Lewerke will have his work cut out for him to keep the job.
The backup's upside: Senior Damion Terry may be the first guy to replace Lewerke right now, but the kid everybody wants to see is formerly highly recruited Messiah deWeaver. Though he's battled injuries and not made much of a splash thus far, deWeaver is too talented not to get a shot. Lewerke is a nice option right now, but MSU may struggle again in 2017, and the lack of quarterback depth benefits deWeaver.
When the switch will happen: It's hard to get through a season playing just one quarterback. So while Lewerke looks like the clear leader right now, he'll get banged-up playing for a Spartans team that hasn't shown signs of dramatic improvement. That's when Dantonio will turn to deWeaver, likely late in the season.
Marcus McMaryion, Oregon State
5 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Entering spring practice, the Beavers had a pair of returning quarterbacks who logged significant playing time in 2016 in senior Darell Garretson and junior Marcus McMaryion, and both did fine. But neither are playmakers. McMaryion ended the year as the starter but doesn't have good arm strength, and it's difficult to see him winning at a high level.
The backup's upside: Everybody around Corvallis was buzzing about JUCO All-American Jake Luton this spring. Not only is the 6'7" quarterback an imposing figure on the gridiron, he also has a terrific arm and may even be the favorite to win the job. He's good, and since the Beavers don't have a guaranteed player under center, he may just win it quickly.
When the switch will happen: Coaches remain mum on naming a starter (because, really, who names starting quarterbacks in the spring during a full-fledged competition?) But Luton is going to be the guy. He's got a big arm and can make all the throws. Look for him to be the OSU starter in the season-opener. He'll hang onto the gig and be a good player for two years.
Zach Smith, Baylor
6 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Zach Smith is the future of Baylor football at the quarterback position. He shredded Boise State in the Cactus Bowl to close the season, and he's taking first-team snaps this fall. But how well can the sophomore devour a brand-new playbook for head coach Matt Rhule? Also, Smith isn't very mobile, and as thin as the Bears are on the offensive line, that could be an issue.
The backup's upside: Anu Solomon tossed 49 touchdown passes during his career at Arizona and looked like one of the Pac-12's rising stars during his first two years for the Wildcats before injuries derailed his career. Now as a graduate transfer senior, Solomon's experience and running ability will be X-factors for the Bears.
When the switch will happen: Nobody is denying Smith's upside, and he seems to be a good schematic fit for Rhule's offense, too. But with the offensive line issues, he'll get banged-up, and he will be pulled at times for running threats. This battle will go on throughout the season, but look for Solomon to make a few starts sprinkled throughout the year.
Carter Stanley, Kansas
7 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Carter Stanley gave lowly Kansas a glimmer of hope as a true freshman a year ago, but he put up decent numbers in spite of having a slow release and making some costly decisions. He has several years left in his career to develop into a full-time starter, but he isn't dynamic enough to beat out Peyton Bender.
The backup's upside: Though head coach David Beaty won't name a starter this spring, it's obvious to see how much he's raving about Bender, a JUCO transfer who once played for Mike Leach at Washington State. "He’s just got some zip, man," Beaty told KUSports.com's Benton Smith. "The ball gets out so quick. That was impressive. The more that he plays with our guys, I think there’s some good things to see in the future." Beaty also complimented Bender's accuracy.
When the switch will happen: Some time during fall camp, Bender is going to separate himself from Stanley and be the Jayhawks' guy for the next two years. Though Stanley is a strong backup who'll probably start at times down the road, Bender is ideal for running new offensive coordinator Doug Meacham's offense. He'll sling it around everywhere and look good doing it.
Sean White, Auburn
8 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Sean White was OK last year for Auburn, but his physical limitations are glaring. Slightly built, White gets injured often. He isn't big enough to see over defenses, and he isn't mobile enough to run head coach Gus Malzahn's offense well. He's just an average signal-caller.
The backup's upside: Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham arrived on the Plains to much fanfare this spring, and he hasn't disappointed. Most of the talk swirled around him along with freshmen Malik Willis and Woody Barrett. But Stidham is a strong-armed gunslinger who carries himself like a leader, embraced the scheme right away and is mobile enough to move the pocket when need be.
When the switch will happen: It's possible the switch has already happened quietly. Stidham likely won't be named the starter this spring, but everybody wants to see him in Saturday's A-Day Game. If Stidham hasn't already seized control of the job, he will this fall. Look for him to run out there with the first team in the Tigers' first game of the '17 season.
Manny Wilkins, Arizona State
9 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Redshirt junior Manny Wilkins is talented and has embraced the competition this spring with Alabama transfer Blake Barnett. He's a dual-threat guy who was the starter before injuries clipped his 2016 season. But new offensive coordinator Billy Napier wants to spread the ball around, and that isn't Wilkins' game.
The backup's upside: While Wilkins is solid and will start in spurts throughout the year, Barnett is too good to keep off the field. He's got a strong arm and some mobility that made him one of the most coveted recruits in the country before going to the Crimson Tide. Also, Napier knows his talent from his days in Tuscaloosa, which can't hurt. Barnett needs to prove after leaving UA that he isn't afraid of competition. This spring was a good start.
When the switch will happen: Look for these two to flip-flop throughout the season, and it wouldn't be surprising to see head coach Todd Graham use both of them depending on the situation and the competition. After an awful '16, Graham's job may be on the line. Both guys will get an opportunity to prove himself as the offense's leader.
John Wolford, Wake Forest
10 of 10
The starter's shortcomings: Wake Forest rising senior and three-year starting quarterback John Wolford led the Demon Deacons to a winning record a season ago after back-to-back 3-9 seasons. But he has never put up good numbers, failing to throw more touchdowns than interceptions in any of his three seasons. Though he's a running threat, too, Wolford isn't going to dazzle anybody with any aspect of his game.
The backup's upside: Kendall Hinton would have played more last year for the Deacs, but a season-ending knee injury forced him out. He's a more dynamic runner, and though he is still developing as a passer, he possesses an arm that can stretch the field. Wolford may be winning the job now, but he won't be able to fend off Hinton's talent.
When the switch will happen: It's going to be tough to unseat Wolford at the start of the season after he helped head coach Dave Clawson's team to a winning record and bowl victory. But at the first sign of the offense's struggles, it will be Hinton's show. He won't look back.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
