National Signing Day 2011: The Top 10 Destinations for Quarterback Recruits

In recent times, when we start hearing about some of the up and coming top flight quarterbacks around the country, we hear they have "a private quarterback coach" or how they spend time honing their craft at various camps. The quarterback position is becoming more and demanding, but also more and more popular among aspiring players.

Good coaching is the key to any player's development at any position, yet there is just something there that makes it even more imperative at the quarterback position. QB recruits know they have to go to a program with a great QB developer and they do thoroughly examine their options with this factor weighing heavily in their decision.

Let's check out the top 10 destinations for a QB recruit.

10. Miami

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 7: Quarterback Ken Dorsey #11 of the University of Miami Hurricanes celebrates during the game against the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Hokies at the Orange Bowl on December 7, 2002 in Miami, Florida. The Hurrican

Although The U has fallen on some tough times as of late, there was a time when top quarterback recruits were almost drooling to get an offer to play in Coral Gables.

Players such as Jim Kelly, Gino Torretta, Ken Dorsey, Kyle Wright and now Jacory Harris are just a few high profile signal caller recruits who picked the Canes.

New Miami offensive coordinator Jed Fisch is a renowned NFL quarterback coach who is known to develop signal callers. Recruits surely will take notice of this hire and watch keenly of the improvement Harris shows next year under his tutelage.

9. Texas

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8 Sep 2001: Chris Simms #1 of the Texas Longhorns standing on the field gesturing during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns defeated the Tar Heels 44-14.Mandatory Credit: Ronald Mar

Texas has seen a big turnover in its coaching staff, and the most notable hire was new co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin.

Harsin comes from Boise State, where he helped make Kellen Moore into a Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Even Major Applewhite, who will also become co-offensive coordinator at UT, has said Harsin's usage of multiple formations to attack a defense is remarkable. Prep QBs who are smart, accurate and can scan the field will start to like the Longhorns even more than they do already.

8. Oklahoma

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3 Jan 2001: Quarterback Josh Heupel #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners is hoisted by his teammates after defeating the Florida State Seminoles during the Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. <DIGITAL IMAGE> Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT

Josh Heupel was once known as the quarterback who helped propel OU back to national prominence.

Now he's known as the co-offensive coordinator of the Sooners and a rising star in the coaching ranks. Heupel has done well with helping develop quarterbacks and managing the offense in Norman.

His development of Landry Jones into a 2011 Heisman Trophy candidate and having Jones so well prepared to fill in for Sam Bradford, when Bradford was lost for the season, surely made observers take note.

7. Utah

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TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of Utah drops back for a pass against Pittsburgh during the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl at the Sun Devil Stadium on January 1, 2005 in Tempe, Arizona. Utah won the game with the score of 35-7. (Photo by Harry H

You may be saying, "What's Utah doing on this list?" Two words, one name: Norm Chow.

Chow is highly regarded in the coaching profession, pro or college, and will certainly help the Utes attract more high profile talents. Couple that with the fact that Utah will be joining the Pac-12 and is now a BCS school, high profile signal caller will now surely be looking at Utah more closely.

Chow has worked with some of the very best college quarterbacks in history, including Phillip Rivers, Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer. Not to mention his BYU glory days.

6. Texas Tech

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LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Taylor Potts #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Texas Longhorns at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

While Texas Tech doesn't put out first round NFL draft picks at quarterback, something must be said about the stats signal callers put up in Lubbock, especially in the Mike Leach era.

Leach took his offense from Oklahoma to Texas Tech and simply plugged in quarterback after quarterback who put up video game like numbers.

When Tommy Tuberville was hired, one of the key sticking points to him getting the job was keeping the offensive scheme around. He's done just that and has landed a top QB recruit in Michael Brewer.

5. Washington

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Washington Huskies reviews his plays during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty I

Washington is home to a great QB coach who happens to also be the program's head coach: Steve Sarkisian.

Sark is known as a great developer of talent at the position and helped Jake Locker make the switch from a spread option style QB to the direction of now becoming more of a pocket passer.

At USC, Sark helped players such as Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez and John David Booty develop into solid signal callers. Now UW seems to be in on a lot of the nation's best prep QB prospects, and that is more than likely a result of Sarkisian's QB resume attracting them.

4. Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish talks with Tommy Rees #13 during a game against the Utah Utes at Notre Dame Stadium on November 13, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Utah 28-3. (Photo by

Notre Dame has gone from a pro style program and pro style offense to more of a spread offense under new coach Brian Kelly.

Kelly's rise in the coaching ranks been due to his up tempo, shotgun spread attack. He's a former linebacker, but his background is on offense.

Aside from the allure, tradition, and mystique of the Golden Domers, many top flight QB prospects are looking long and hard to come throw for Kelly in South Bend.

3. California

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Jeff Tedford of the California Bears looks on during the game against the Washington Huskies on December 5, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Bears 42-10. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Get

Cal head coach Jeff Tedford is among the best pure QB coaches in football.

Say what you want about the "Tedford Curse" and the NFL success most his pupils have endured, but on the college level, Tedfrd has made them stars. Akili Smith, David Carr and Aaron Rodgers are just a few field generals who once called Tedford their coach.

Tedford knows how to evaluate prep quarterbacks that fit his system, where he teaches them his offense and develops their talents.

2. USC

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MIAMI - JANUARY 2: Carson Palmer #3 of USC holds aloft the MVP trophy after the victory over Iowa in the FedEx Orange Bowl on January 2, 2003 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Palmer led scoring drives of 79, 80, 99, 85 and 61 yards as USC defeat

USC was known in the past for being a top flight destination for running backs, but earlier this decade, the school's quarterback position went through a renaissance.

Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, John David Booty, Mark Sanchez, Mitch Mustain and now Matt Barkley are all Trojan quarterbacks. At one point of another, the Trojans also had Jason Thomas, Billy Hart and Brandon Hance.

Now with Jesse Scroggins on hand, and two incoming top 10 quarterback prospects in Max Wittek and Cody Kessler, it may be time to call "Running Back U", "Quarterback U".

1. Florida

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 06: Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis of the New England Patriots on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Patriots defe

A shocker maybe, but let me quickly explain. About four years ago, USC fans quietly expected Jimmy Clausen to stay home and play for USC. Then Clausen, now famously, committed to Notre Dame.

His reasoning? Charlie Weis. Weis' name is almost a stamp of approval in the coaching ranks, especially the NFL. Say what you want about the success of Brady Quinn, but being coached up by Weis solidified Quinn becoming a first round pick. Clausen had a solid career at Notre Dame himself under Weis, and at one point was considered a Heisman front runner.

Then there is the surge in Matt Cassel's play this year in Kansas City, which saw him earn a Pro Bowl nod under Weis' tutelage. Then notice how the rumors of Jeff Driskel de-committing from Florida ceased when word broke Weis was headed to Gainesville. Clearly wherever Weis' goes, he develops quarterbacks and attracts more.

See, I even went without mentioning that long haired fella that plays in Foxborough.