2011 College Football Predictions: Top 25 QBs Who Will Shine in 2011
The 2010 season has come and gone. It was a fun ride and fans were blessed with another year of tremendous football. But all good things must come to and end.
Lucky for us, we're only eight months away from the 2011 season. As we turn our attention to recruiting now, this is also the time to make way to early predictions. Which is never a bad thing.
In a sport dominated by quarterbacks, 2011 is promising for young players to own the moment. Will one of these QBs be taking home the Heisman trophy?
The new decade will more than likely mirror the last one. The 2000's saw nine quarterbacks take home the nation's top award.
Which quarterbacks will shine in 2011?
25. Tyler Wilson: Arkansas
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Wilson was Ryan Mallett’s backup this season. His best moment of 2010 was when he stepped in for the injured Mallett during the game against Auburn. He threw for 300-plus yards and for a moment there had people wondering if the Razorbacks backup would hand the Tigers there first loss.
We all know how that game ended, but the most important thing from the beating Arkansas received was Wilson getting that crucial in-game experience.
Folks knew Mallett would likely be departing to the NFL. Arkansas fans had to be a bit relieved when Wilson came in cold off the bench and played well for a brief period of time.
2011 will be kind to Wilson. He inherits great receivers in Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams.
24. John Brantley: Florida
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Brantley threw for over 2,000 yards in 2010. He also split time with Trey Burton and Jordan Reed.
The hiring of Will Muschamp is good news for Brantley. Muschamp brings with him Charlie Weis. Brantley is a better fit for the kind of offense Florida will be running.
Brantley will obtain the starting role this spring and never look back. His first year playing gave him great experience. Weis will help him learn from his mistakes and develop him into a better quarterback.
23. Ryan Lindley: San Diego State
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Lindley may have lost his head coach, but it won’t hurt his numbers. For the past three seasons, his completion percentage has been in the high 50’s.
He has also improved his yardage each year. Lindley threw just under 4,000 yards this year.
The 6’4” 215 pound QB helped the Aztecs win it’s first bowl game in 37 years. Look for his numbers and his game to reach new levels in 2011.
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22. Robert Griffin III: Baylor
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This 20-year-old is a dual threat. Griffin scored a total of 30 touchdowns in 2010. He threw for over 3,500 yards and completed 67 percent of his passes.
His career rushing yards total over 1,500. Griffin can beat you with his arm and his feet, making him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
And there won’t be any change for 2011 as Griffin will continue to improve his game.
21. Bryant Moinz: Hawaii
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Who is this guy?
Well, he’s only the quarterback who led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns. The only quarterback to pass for over 5,000 yards, Moinz also threw 39 touchdowns.
Granted he plays for Hawaii and is a product of the system. However, numbers don’t lie, and at the end of the day, this guy and sling it with the best of them.
Moinz will have another year of mind-boggling numbers.
20. Geno Smith: West Virginia
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Smith threw for over 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns. The 6’3” 210-pound quarterback is built for success.
Much of the work force will be on him, and the pressure will continue to build throughout the season. But after a solid 2010 performance, expect good things from Smith in 2011.
19. Garret Gilbert: Texas
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Gilbert did not have a good 2010. However, he will learn from this past season and be much better in 2011.
He has gained a vast amount of in game experience. It was his first year as the full-time starter, and he crumbled under the pressure.
Gilbert will bounce back in 2011, and he and Mack Brown will turn it around for Texas.
18. Taylor Martinez: Nebraska
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Martinez gained a lot of buzz during 2010. And don’t expect 2011 to be any different.
He accumulated 22 total touchdowns. Martinez was 35 yards shy of joining the elite players to rush and throw for over 1,000 yards.
No worries for 2011 as he will achieve that—and more. Nebraska has found their guy, and Martinez will excel next year.
17. Matt Barkley: USC
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The Trojan quarterback hasn’t quite lived up the all the hype that surrounded him when he began his career as a freshman starter. However, this will be Barkley’s third year starting for the USC and his second year under Lane Kiffin.
He threw for just under 2,800 yards last season and 26 touchdowns. His intelligence of the game is something every team must take into consideration.
Barkley’s play will determine the success for USC. He has learned a great deal and will continue to mature during the offseason.
16. Ryan Tannehill: Texas A&M
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Tannehill didn’t start out as the Aggies No. 1 quarterback. In the first six games, he threw a total of four passes for 25 yards. However in the home stretch of the season, Tannehill took over and had some impressive wins.
He was 5-1 as starter and helped his team beat Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. Tannehill has the build of a quarterback at 6’4” and 219 pounds.
He gives the Aggies hope for a promising 2011 season.
15. Russell Wilson: North Carolina State
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Should he choose to continue playing football and not baseball, 2011 will be a good year for Wilson and the Wolfpack. Wilson stayed and played for 2010, and they almost obtained first place in the ACC- Atlantic.
Wilson threw for over 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns. 2011 won’t be any different. His quick feet are very helpful in eluding defenders.
He was sacked 39 times last year and that number will need to decrease if the Wolfpack want to win in the ACC. If they can protect Wilson, his numbers will improve.
14. Nick Foles: Arizona
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Foles wasn’t quite the same after suffering a knee injury against Washington State. He did however finish the year with impressive stats.
He threw for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Foles completed 67.1 percent of his passing putting him in top 10 for completion percentage.
A offseason of rest will be vital for his 2011 success. Foles will be a senior, and he has the skills to lead his team to a Pac-10 title.
13. Chris Relf: Mississippi State
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Relf is a beast. His 6’4” 240-pound body disrupts defenses. 2010 was solid year for him as he helped the Bulldogs beat Georgia and Florida.
He will continue to learn and grow under head coach Dan Mullen. He threw for over 1,700 yards and rushed for over 700. He scored 18 total touchdowns on the year.
And 2011 will be even bigger as Relf will close out his senior year with a bang.
12. Kirk Cousins: Michigan State
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Cousins was one victory shy of a perfect regular season. He did however lead his team to a share of the Big 10 title. Something the Spartans haven’t done since 1990.
Cousins was in the top 20 in 2010 with a quarterback rating of 150.7. He threw for over 2,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.
2011 will be his senior season, and his game will improve to new heights as he looks to gain full control of the Big 10 title.
11. Jeffery Godfrey: UCF
15 of 25Godfrey led his team to a Conference-USA championship. An 11-win season and a victory over a depleted Georgia team in the Liberty Bowl.
2010 was a breakout year for the freshman QB ,as he threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 500. All together he accounted for 22 touchdowns.
Godfrey will continue to grow and learn in 2011, and with the help of George O’Leary, he’ll put UCF in the spotlight.
10. Case Keenum: Houston
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Keenum was just granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Last season, he was all set to demolish the NCAA record for passing yards. However, he went down with a season-ending knee injury against UCLA.
Keenum threw for over 5,000 yards in 2008 and in 2009. The injury will set him back a bit, so I don’t believe he throws for another five grand, but he will have a year of star studded numbers.
Welcome back to college football, Case.
9. Darron Thomas: Oregon
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Thomas took over the offense in 2010 barely beating out Nate Costa. Chip Kelley made the right decision when he booted Jeremiah Masoli and picked Thomas to be the starter.
He helped the Ducks achieve the Pac-10 Championship as well as a berth in the BCS National Championship Game.
Thomas threw 30 touchdowns and just under 2,900 yards. He also rushed for five touchdowns and just under 500 yards.
He will shine brightly in 2011 because he was so close to the top and he fell just short. He has the ability and football intelligence to do what it takes to get Oregon back to the title game.
8. Dan Persa: Northwestern
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Persa led the nation by completing 73.5 percent of his passes. He threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for over 500. He led the Wildcats to a 7-3 record before a season-ending injury.
Persa returns for his senior season looking to upset the powerhouse teams of the Big 10. He can get it done, especially if he continues to improve and rehabs well. He ranked the top 10 for quarterback ratings with a 159.0.
Northwestern usually has one great upset each year. In 2011 with Persa leading the way, expect a few more of those.
7. Aaron Murray: Georgia
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Murray was the only bright spot for the Georgia offense in 2010. It was thought he would be a rough patch, but the red-shirt freshman had a great first season.
He threw for over 3,000 yards, and was in the top 15 in quarterback rating with a 154.5. He no longer has AJ Green to throw to, but that also relieves him of the pressure of getting it to the star athlete.
Murray will be able to spread the ball around and he takes over as the leader of the team. No sophomore slump here, as he will help turn it around for the Bulldogs in 2011.
6. Brandon Weeden: Oklahoma State
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Weeden was a bit of an after thought for the Cowboys. This is primarily because of his star receiver, Justin Blackmon received all the spotlight. Both players are returning for the 2011 season.
Weeden threw for 4,277 yards and 34 touchdowns. He completed 66.9 percent of his passes, putting him in the top 10 of completion percentage.
Look for Weeden to be a possible dark horse for the Heisman next year. His numbers will continue to be impressive because he can throw it deep and has great trust that Blackmon will bring it in.
5. Denard Robinson: Michigan
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I know what you’re thinking, “Another Big 10 guy, no way!” But Robinson is a great athlete. And the Big 10 has some pretty good quarterbacks for 2011.
He broke onto the scene this past season and flourished in Rich Rodriquez’s spread offense. He set the record for quarterback rushing yards at 1,702. He was even in the top 20 for quarterback rating. This guy can play.
And 2011 won’t be any different. Michigan’s new head coach Brady Hoke has already said Robinson will be returning. Look for another stellar year for Denard, as he will be a potential Heisman front-runner.
4. Terrelle Pryor: Ohio State
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Pryor and a few of his teammates recently got into a bit of trouble. Because of that he’ll still be around for the 2011 season. Yes, he was suspended for the first five games, but it could be reduced depending on the appeal.
Don’t think for a second the suspension will cause Pryor to falter. His numbers may not be as good, but that just means you’ll have to focus on his play, which will be very good.
His ability to run well and throw the deep ball makes him a great threat as a quarterback. I would say Heisman candidate, but the suspension hurts him big time.
But if it weren’t for that, would he even be playing in 2011? Tough to say but we know that he is and that he will be very fun to watch.
3. Landry Jones: Oklahoma
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Jones was second in the nation in yards passing and with 4,718. He was also second in touchdowns with 38. The injuries to Sam Bradford gave him early playing time, which in turn has helped him greatly.
Jones has the ability to lead his Oklahoma Sooners to a national championship. He can put an end to the SEC’s five year run.
The fact that Ryan Broyles decided to stay is a huge plus for Jones.
2. Kellen Moore: Boise State
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Moore was one victory shy of causing mad chaos in the BCS. He led the nation in quarterback rating with 182.6 and finished the season with a completion percentage of 71.3. Very impressive.
Moore chose to return for his senior season and has to be thrilled his coach didn’t leave. Once again Moore and Petersen will bring Boise State to the national picture.
Another guy who should be back in New York at the end of the season.
1. Andrew Luck: Stanford
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Luck shocked everyone when he decided to stay for his senior year. He threw for 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns. Luck led his team to an astounding victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
He was pretty much guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick for this year’s draft. But since he coming back, he will be the top quarterback in the nation.
He is definite candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Some would even say Luck is a lock.
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