2011 College Football Predictions: 10 Quarterbacks Who Need a Redemption Year

As NFL Draft talk continues to build, there are some very talented quarterbacks that will be returning to college next year that didn't perform at the high-level expected this season, such as Garrett Gilbert, Jordan Jefferson, and John Brantley.

Players like Gilbert, Jefferson, and Brantley, all have the potential to eventually be high draft picks in the NFL, but this past season they struggled continuously.  With many talented recruits coming in next season, some starting quarterbacks that thought they were the go-to guy, may find themselves in the middle of a heated battle for their starting role.

The following slides exhibit ten quarterbacks that need to have a redemption year in 2011 after underperforming this past season.

QB Jacory Harris, Miami Hurricanes

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes hrows the ball against the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 200 pounds

Class: Junior

Season Stats: 148-270, 1793 yards, a 54.8 CMP%, 14 TD's, 15 INT's, and a 116.60 QB rating

After a fairly solid Sophomore season with the Hurricanes, throwing for 24 TD's, 17 INT's, and over 3300 yards, Harris failed to remain consistent as a Junior, throwing an interception in eight out of the 10 games he played in this season.  

QB Richard Brehaut, UCLA Bruins

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Richard Brehaut #12 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates Johnathan Franklin's (not pictured) touchdown in the first half against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jef

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 222 pounds

Class: Sophomore

Season Stats: 119-212, 1296 yards, a 56.1 CMP%, 6 TD's, 7 INT's, and a 110.22 QB rating

Brehaut didn't see much action in his Freshman season, and after numerous poor outings as a starter this year, who knows if he'll ever see a starting role again, posting a 2-7 record.  Before he can even attempt to have a redemption year, Brehaut may have to duke it out with some other quarterbacks in the preseason for the starting role.

QB B.J. Daniels, USF Bulls

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Skip Holtz stands with MVP B.J. Daniels #7 of the USF Bulls after a 31-26 victory over the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 31, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Gett

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 212 pounds

Class: Redshirt-Sophomore

Season Stats: 143-245, 1685 yards, a 58.4 CMP%, 11 TD's, 13 INT's, and a 120.35 QB rating

In his second season as a starter for USF B.J. Daniels did not perform as expected, recording worse numbers than he did in the previous year as a red-shirt freshman.  In his first year as a starter, Daniels recorded some solid stats, completing 122 of 245 passes for 1983 yards, a 53.7 CMP%, 14 TD's, nine INT's, and a 139.55 QB rating.  Daniels shows some real NFL potential, but must have a breakout Junior year if he really wants to catch the eye of professional scouts.

QB Patrick Nicely, Akron Zips

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Patrick Nicely #7 of the Akron Zips runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 215 pounds

Class: Sophomore

Season Stats: 166-336, 1753 yards, a 49.4 CMP%, 10 TD's, 13 INT's, and a 95.31 QB rating

The Akron Zips played pretty awful as an entire football team this season, posting a 1-11 record.  If Nicely is going to improve, he needs to see some more protection first, after being sacked 33 times this season.  The coaching staff must have high hopes for Nicely after a solid performance in the last game of the season against Buffalo, earning their only win of the year.  Nicely completed 13 of 24 attempted passes for 193 yards, a 54.2 CMP%, three touchdowns, and a 162.97 QB rating.

QB Spencer Keith, Kent State Golden Flashes

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Spencer Keith #3 of the Kent State Golden Flashes passes in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on September 11, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 215 pounds

Class: Sophomore

Season Stats: 215-364, 2212 yards, a 59.1 CMP%, 8 TD's, 11 INT's, and a 111.32 QB rating

After an exceptional freshman season, Spencer Keith only had about three or four good performances as a sophomore.  Keith led Kent State to a 5-7 record this past season, which means he may be another quarterback on this list that will have to really battle it out for his starting role.

QB Jordan Jefferson, LSU Tigers

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the LSU Tigers call a play against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Height: 6'5''

Weight: 224 pounds

Class: Junior

Season Stats: 118-209, 1411 yards, a 56.5 CMP%, 7 TD's, 10 INT's, and a 114.65 QB rating

If Jordan Jefferson wants to be selected within the first three rounds of the NFL draft, than he will return to LSU for another season because in 2010 he didn't play too well, although he led the Tigers to a 10-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win.  After throwing for 17 TD's, seven interceptions, 2166 yards, and a 137.18 QB rating as a Sophomore, Jefferson has shown that he can be a dominant quarterback.  If he can come up with a productive in 2011, Jefferson may be able to boost his draft stock to the first two rounds.

QB Matt Schilz, Bowling Green Falcons

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 212 pounds

Class: Freshman

Season Stats: 228-377, 2223 yards, a 60.5 CMP%, 8 TD's, 14 INT's, and a 109.59 QB rating

Schilz was only a freshman in 2010 so he has plenty of time to develop, but by any means it wasn't a very successful season.  Bowling Green finished with a 2-10 record, and Schilz only had more touchdowns than interceptions in two games this season.  Schilz shows some true potential, but will have to continually work on his game in the offseason if he wants to be successful next year.

QB Tanner Price, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Height: 6'2''

Weight:  190 pounds

Class: Freshman

Season Stats: 137-241, 1349 yards, a 56.8 CMP%, 7 TD's, 8 INT's, and a 106.81 QB rating

As a Freshman, Tanner Price saw some action in all but one game this season.  Wake Forest won the first two games of the season, but then lost nine games in a row before winning their last contest against Vanderbilt.  Price didn't record awful stats, but had a 0-4 starting record.  As many of the QB's on this list Price shows much potential, and much of his future will depend on how he performs in his Sophomore season.

QB John Brantley, Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback John Brantley #12 and half back Trey Burton #8 of the Florida Gators celebrate Burton's touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 220 pounds

Class: Junior

Season Stats: 200-329, 2061 yards, a 60.8 CMP%, 9 TD's, 10 INT's, and a 116.35 QB rating

John Brantley had tremendous shoes to fill, replacing Tim Tebow, and he may have let the pressure get the best of him.  As a sophomore he would occasionally enter the game, and he played extraordinary in the time he was given, completing 36 of 48 passes for 410 yards, a 75.0 CMP%, seven touchdowns, and a 194.88 QB rating.  This year Brantley threw about eight times more passes than in 2010 and only scored two touchdowns more.  After rumors of Brantley maybe transferring to another school, it has become official that he will return to Florida for his Senior season.  Now that Will Muschamp is Head Coach, and Charlie Weis was brought in as Offensive Coordinator, maybe Brantley can thrive in a different system.  

QB Garrett Gilbert, Texas Longhorns

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert #7 of the Texas Longhorns runs toward his teammates ofter the final of their game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 215 pounds

Class: Sophomore

Season Stats: 260-441, 2744 yards, a 59.0 CMP%, 10 TD's, 17 INT's, and a 110.99 QB rating

Garrett Gilbert was given the starting quarterback role heading into his Sophomore year with high expectations.  It is very likely that Gilbert will be an outstanding quarterback someday, but he didn't show much promise this past season, leading the Longhorns to a 5-7 record and no bowl game appearance.  Gilbert will eventually be in the NFL, and if he wants to be a high selection like he has the potential to be, than next season Gilbert will have an extraordinary season.  Gilbert and John Brantley will be two of the best quarterbacks in college football next season, being the top stories of redemption in 2011.