College Football Predictions 2011: 10 Quarterbacks Ready to Break Out in 2011
College football fans already know that star QBs like Andrew Luck and Denard Robinson are going to be big factors next season, but what about the quarterbacks who haven’t made it big yet?
Top programs across the country will be breaking in new signal-callers, and some of them could be among the brightest stars of 2011.
Here are 10 QBs who have a shot at going from backup to starter and from starter to star next year.
10. Rob Bolden, Penn State
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Penn State brings back two QBs with starting experience from last season, sophomore Rob Bolden and junior Matt McGloin. Joe Paterno is unlikely to use them in rotation, and the bet here is that Bolden (who was so frustrated by being benched that he nearly transferred out) will be motivated enough to win the job in fall practice.
When he does, he’ll be taking over an enviable offense. Talented sophomore Silas Redd will be in his first year as the starting tailback, but the receiving corps is all veterans, led by senior star Derek Moye.
With three beatable opponents (at Indiana, home to Iowa and Purdue) to start the Big 10 schedule, Bolden could have the Nittany Lions in great position to contend as they head into their brutal final stretch (at Ohio State, at Wisconsin).
9. A.J. McCarron, Alabama
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There may not be a position battle in the country with more at stake than the one between A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims for the Alabama QB job. Whoever wins it (McCarron is the de facto favorite by virtue of having been in Tuscaloosa longer, but at this point it’s really too close to call) will be handed the keys to one of college football’s best teams.
The Tide will have to replace star wideout Julio Jones, but their offense will still have a plethora of weapons, led by Trent Richardson and Marquis Maze. Four starters are also back along the offensive line.
McCarron won’t have to be perfect, as the veteran Tide defense will be there to pick him up if he makes an occasional mistake. He’ll be facing a lot of pressure, but with the experience and talent around him, he should be in a position to thrive.
8. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
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Not many outside College Station would’ve predicted the strong showing Texas A&M put up last season, going 9-4 with wins over Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
And all of that with Ryan Tannehill, a converted WR, playing his first season as the starting QB.
Now that Tannehill has a year of experience in his current job, he’s only going to get better. With all-conference halfback Cyrus Gray behind him, Tannehill won’t be under pressure to win games by himself. Expect Tannehill to put up major improvements on his 1,638 yards and 13 TDs from a season ago.
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7. Ryan Katz, Oregon State
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With Jacquizz Rodgers having declared for the NFL draft, the Beavers offense will rest squarely on the shoulders of their junior QB next season.
The strong-armed Ryan Katz will have something even better than a year of starting experience on his side, as standout WR James Rodgers will be back for an additional year after the NCAA extended his eligibility due to his season-ending knee injury last October.
With the potential Katz showed in his first year as starter, don’t be surprised to see big offensive numbers coming out of Corvallis again next season.
6. Geno Smith, West Virginia
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The graduation of star running back Noel Devine leaves the West Virginia offense entirely in Geno Smith’s hands. With seven other starters returning (including standout receiver Tavon Austin), Smith will have some weapons around him.
Perhaps most importantly, the Mountaineers bring in Dana Holgorsen, the former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, to spark their own offense. Given the numbers Brandon Weeden put up in Holgorsen’s system, that addition can only be good news for Smith.
5. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
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Regardless of what Hokies fans may wish, Logan Thomas is not going to be Tyrod Taylor. Of course, Tyrod Taylor wasn’t Tyrod Taylor right from Day 1, and Thomas brings plenty of talent of his own.
A 6’4”, 245-lb sophomore, Thomas has no experience to speak of, but does have all the tools to be a standout QB. More important at the moment, he has lots of talent around him.
Jarrett Boykin leads a senior-laden receiving corps, and the four returning offensive linemen include all-conference performers Jaymes Brooks and Blake DeChristopher (also seniors). Add in talented RB David Wilson to take some pressure off the young QB, and Thomas looks well-positioned to shine in the starting job.
4. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State
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Now that Steven Threet has hung up his cleats due to head injuries, Sun Devils football must move on without the standout QB. The large empty space Threet leaves behind is expected to be filled by junior Brock Osweiler,
Osweiler (a 6’8” former basketball player) replaced an injured Threet against UCLA last fall and threw for 380 yards and four TDs to carry the Sun Devils to a win. He also came out on top the next week against Arizona, though with less gaudy stats.
Osweiler couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to succeed: ASU’s starters return at every other position on offense. Add in a reasonably favorable schedule that has Oregon State and Arizona coming to Tempe, and Osweiler should be able to put up some big numbers in his first year as the starter.
3. Tyler Gabbert, Missouri
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Sophomore James Franklin, who played in Missouri’s version of the wildcat formation last season, could be the QB who steps into the void left by Blaine Gabbert. The bet here, however, is that Gabbert’s little brother Tyler, who has impressed in spring practice, will win the job by the start of the season (with Franklin reprising his wildcat role).
Gabbert, a redshirt freshman, will inherit quite an offense from his big brother. All of Missouri’s receivers from last season return, so while Tyler may not match Blaine’s 3,593-yard sophomore season, he’s got a good chance to light up scoreboards in 2011.
2. E.J. Manuel, Florida State
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After two years of battling for playing time with NFL-bound Christian Ponder, E.J. Manuel will be the main man in Tallahassee in 2011. Manuel has shown flashes of brilliance, replacing a concussed Ponder in last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl and leading the Seminoles to a win over a tough South Carolina squad.
With a strong running game and veteran receiving corps (led by Bert Reed) returning, Manuel won’t be hurting for weapons. If he plays up to the potential he’s shown so far, Ponder’s graduation won’t slow the Florida State offense one bit.
1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
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Tyler Wilson showed tremendous poise in replacing Ryan Mallett when the Razorbacks’ star went down with a concussion against Auburn. Now that Mallett is NFL-bound, the junior Wilson is the heir apparent in Fayetteville, and it’s never a good idea to bet against a Bobby Petrino offense.
Even better for Wilson, he has every one of Mallett’s wide receivers coming back, and that experience should provide a serious safety net for a first-time starter.
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