Grading New College Football Starting QBs' Week 1 Performances
Quarterback is the most important position on a college football roster. Programs live and die with the success or failure of quarterbacks, no matter how much talent they surround them with. There's a reason Les Miles is in the TV broadcast booth this fall and not stalking Tiger Stadium's sidelines; he consistently failed to produce sufficient quarterback play at LSU.
At the same time, quarterback turnover is constant. The best signal-callers play two to three years and leave for the NFL, while other playing-time-starved passers bounce from program to program. The first week of the season is a crucial milepost for coaches with quarterback uncertainty. Following a spring and summer often full of competition and speculation, they get a chance to see what they have in game action. Here's a look at how starting quarterbacks making their first career starts with Power Five programs fared this weekend.
Players were graded on the basis of their statistics as well as how they fared against the level of competition they faced in opening-week games.
Notable Power Five Quarterbacks
1 of 10
Ross Bowers, Cal
Cal had a tough opener at North Carolina, but Ross Bowers made it special for new coach Justin Wilcox, completing 24 of 38 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in a 35-30 road win.
Grade: B+
Nathan Stanley, Iowa
Iowa didn't lean heavily on Nathan Stanley in a 24-3 win over Wyoming, instead relying on defense and the running game. But Stanley was decent when called upon. He overcame a pair of turnovers, completing eight of 15 passes for 125 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
Grade: B-
Max Browne, Pitt
After leaving Southern California once Sam Darnold grabbed the Trojans' starting role, Max Browne hoped to reboot his career at Pitt. He started off shaky, overcoming FCS foe Youngstown State 28-21 in overtime while completing 17 of 24 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Grade: C-
Kyle Bolin, Rutgers
Blocked by a guy named Lamar Jackson at Louisville, Kyle Bolin landed at Rutgers and took over the Scarlet Knights' starting job. His first effort? Not terrible, as he completed 24 of 34 passes for 178 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a better-than-expected 30-14 loss to Washington.
Grade: C
Tyler Huntley, Utah
It was something of a surprise that sophomore Tyler Huntley won Utah's starting job, but he justified Kyle Whittingham's faith in him with a solid effort against North Dakota, completing 23 of 32 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown in the 37-16 win.
Grade: B
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
2 of 10
Auburn had high hopes for 2017—and with good reason. Former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham was expected to energize the offense with some help from new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's vertical passing system. While Saturday's 41-7 win over Georgia Southern at Jordan-Hare Stadium was solid, Stidham didn't show Auburn fans much to get excited about.
He completed 14 of 24 passes for 185 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His long completion of the night went for 19 yards. Auburn leaned on the running game, with Kam Martin and Kerryon Johnson rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown apiece. Stidham didn't have to carry the load against the Eagles, but that could change next week on the road against Clemson's rugged defense. Is he ready to do so? The jury is still out.
Grade: B-
Anu Solomon, Baylor
3 of 10
Matt Rhule's Baylor debut was one he'd rather forget. The Bears defense couldn't stop FCS opponent Liberty as the Flames pulled off a stunning 48-45 upset at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. However, the blame shouldn't rest with the offense. Graduate transfer Anu Solomon, making his first start after three years at Arizona, was competent in leading the Bears attack.
Solomon completed 14 of 29 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also flashed his wheels, rushing six times for 97 yards and registering a long run of 44 yards. The Bears have to get their defensive issues resolved—and quickly—if they hope to make a bowl this season. But it is clear that Solomon can thrive in Waco.
Grade: B+
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Kelly Bryant, Clemson
4 of 10
Kelly Bryant stepped into a potentially difficult spot at Clemson. The junior is quarterbacking the defending national champions, but he's replacing perhaps the best player in program history in Deshaun Watson, a Heisman Trophy runner-up who took the Tigers to their first national championship in 35 seasons.
With a pair of freshmen in Hunter Johnson and Zerrick Cooper pushing him, Bryant needed a good opener. And he got it against Kent State. Bryant cemented himself as the starter in the Tigers' 56-3 rout of the Golden Flashes at Clemson Memorial Stadium. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he showed promise on the ground with seven carries for 77 yards and a score, including a 47-yard gain.
Bryant left with Clemson up 35-3 early in the third quarter, ever the sign of a successful debut. Don't count out the youngsters, but Bryant isn't giving up his spot without a fight.
Grade: A-
Feleipe Franks, Florida
5 of 10
Feleipe Franks had a tough assignment for his Florida debut. After beating out a pair of veterans in Malik Zaire and Luke Del Rio, Franks faced off against No. 11 Michigan with a roster that was depleted by 10 suspensions for violations of team rules, including standout receiver Antonio Callaway and starting tailback Jordan Scarlett.
Although the Gators led 17-13 at halftime, the suspensions caught up with Florida (and Franks) in a 33-17 defeat at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Michigan scored the final 20 points of the game, and Franks was pulled in the third quarter in favor of Zaire. Franks completed five of nine passes for 75 yards and didn't lead the Gators to an offensive touchdown; both of their scores came on interception returns of Wilton Speight passes for touchdowns.
Florida's uncertainty under center will extend another week, and that's not good news for Franks.
Grade: D
Malik Rosier, Miami
6 of 10
Mark Richt had an impressive inaugural campaign as Miami head coach, winning nine games and capping the season with a five-game winning streak and a Russell Athletic Bowl blowout of No. 16 West Virginia. But following Brad Kaaya's early departure to the NFL, he faced a quandary at quarterback. Would he hand the offense over to experienced backup Malik Rosier or work with a younger player?
Richt chose Rosier, and one week in, that looks like the right move. Rosier appeared comfortable against overmatched FCS foe Bethune-Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Hurricanes turned an early 3-3 tie into an 18-point halftime lead and cruised to a 41-13 victory. Rosier put together a respectable performance, completing 17 of 28 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns, and the Hurricanes held a 38-13 lead when he left in the fourth quarter. So far, so good in South Florida.
Grade: B
Tanner Lee, Nebraska
7 of 10
Nebraska's opener against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium caused a little more heartburn than expected. The Red Wolves had a couple of chances to tie in the final 10 seconds, with NU's defense forcing a pair of Justice Hansen incompletions in the end zone to hang on for a 43-36 win in Lincoln, Nebraska. The defense was a concern, but the offense, led by Tulane transfer Tanner Lee, was not.
Lee managed the game well, leading the Huskers offense to 34 points and completing 19 of 32 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He tossed a 44-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Morgan Jr. and was generally comfortable leading the offense. Although the schedule gets tougher, starting with a trip to Oregon next week, it was an encouraging start for Lee in a prominent role.
Grade: B+
Brandon Harris, North Carolina
8 of 10
Brandon Harris hoped for a fresh start at North Carolina after leaving LSU as a graduate transfer. The Tar Heels needed a starting quarterback following Mitchell Trubisky's departure to the NFL draft, and Harris hoped playing in a fast-paced offense could better showcase his skills for pro evaluators. But if his debut was any indication, it might not have been a smart move.
Harris got the start over freshman Chaz Surratt versus Cal, but moving forward, he might be watching the youngster. Alternating series early on, Harris struggled, completing just seven of 16 passes for 60 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Surratt was clearly the superior player in the Tar Heels' 35-30 defeat at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He completed 18 of 28 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown and added 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground. If the Heels are rebuilding this season, they'll likely go with the younger player over a graduate transfer, meaning Saturday was a big opportunity lost for Harris.
Grade: D-
Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame
9 of 10
Following a summer of quarterback controversy and a 4-8 season in 2016, there was no doubt this fall: Brandon Wimbush is Notre Dame's man under center in 2017 with Malik Zaire off to Florida as a graduate transfer. Head coach Brian Kelly can't afford another losing season if he hopes to keep his job, and that means Wimbush needs to excel.
Against Temple on Saturday, Wimbush did enough. He threw several questionable passes (including one that was intercepted) but also completed 17 of 30 passes for 184 yards with two touchdowns in the Irish's 49-16 rout of the Owls at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Wimbush also showed mobility, rushing for 106 yards and an eight-yard touchdown.
His effort wasn't perfect, but it was good enough for a win. That said, improvement is necessary as the Irish's schedule toughens and a visit from Georgia looms next week. Wimbush's dual-threat ability should help him flourish against the Bulldogs defense.
Grade: B
Nic Shimonek, Texas Tech
10 of 10
Nic Shimonek has a tall order in his first season as a starting quarterback. How do you replace Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs' first-round pick and one of college football's most prolific passers? If his opener against a solid FCS team in Eastern Washington is a sign of what's to come, Shimonek will be just fine.
Shimonek thrived in the Red Raiders' Air Raid scheme, completing an excellent 26 of 30 passes for 384 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 56-10 rout at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
Eastern Washington is no pushover; the Eagles beat Washington State last fall and reached the FCS semifinals. Shimonek's efficiency Saturday bodes well for him as he grows into a role with more responsibility. That's a huge positive for head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who needs to find success this fall in Lubbock.
Grade: A
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
