2012 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks in Next Year's Class

After the 2011 NFL Draft concluded, and in the months preceding that, the quarterback class of 2011 was hailed by most as the best in some time. Personally, I found the class to be mediocre, with the only sure thing deciding to go back to school.

Of course, I am referring to Andrew Luck.

Luck leads a class that looks both deeper and far more polished than this year's quarterback class, and it may be in fact next year's class that we remember years from now. In fact, there are stars such as Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden, Chandler Harnish, and Terrelle Pryor that do not even make the top ten.

Is it too early to rank quarterbacks for next year's draft?

Probably, but it's interesting to see where they rank now and where they rank next year. Besides, if next year's QB class looks better now than this year's, imagine how it will look a year from now.

Here are the top ten quarterback prospects for the class of 2012, a list which might double as a Heisman watch list for those looking ahead to that as well.

10. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks to throw a pass against the Louisiana State University Tigers during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Chris

Tannehill seemed to come out of nowhere last year and turn the Aggies into a very formidable team. We will be able to see what he can do his senior year, as he'll have a star back in Cyrus Gray.

He could be next year's out of nowhere story like Cam Newton was this year. Even if he's not, last year's numbers show that he can be a formidable QB.

9. Dominique Davis, East Carolina

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Dominique Davis #4 of the East Carolina Pirates runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Dominique Davis has been putting up big numbers at East Carolina after transferring from Boston College, and if he can improve ECU's record and continue to produce, scouts will take a look at him.

He's a bit inconsistent and has to work on playing well game after game. If he can do that this year, his name is going to be heard a lot.

8. Kellen Moore, Boise State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos warms up before playing against the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Et

I love watching Kellen Moore at quarterback. He's got a great arm, and will be remembered as a great college player. That being said, he is 6'0" so he'll fall down further than he should.

More to the point, Moore just lost his top two receivers, so he may struggle this year. If he somehow has another great season, he will launch himself much higher in the ranks. Either way, it should be enjoyable to see how he handles new talent.

7. Dan Persa, Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws a pass against the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

In my mind, Dan Persa is easily the most underrated quarterback in college football right now. His season ended early to injury, but he brought Northwestern to a 7-3 record before he went down, and looked good doing it.

If he can continue to play like he did last year and have a great Big Ten record, scouts will be watching him closely due to his great efficiency.

6. Matt Barkley, USC

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans drops back to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

I see Barkley coming back after this coming season to further build his credentials and perhaps make a run at the Heisman, so right now I have him low for that reason. He could easily become top five material after this season, and it is likely he won't enter the draft just yet anyway.

Barkley is getting better each year, so if he improves this year, he will have a huge amount of publicity entering the 2012 season, much like Andrew Luck and Landry Jones will be getting this year. He's shown he has the talent, he just has to keep developing it.

5. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

While a lot of quarterbacks projected to be high picks this year are putting up eye-popping numbers, Kirk Cousins has went the other way and has been a quietly efficient quarterback the past two seasons.

Cousins threw for 2800 yards and 20 touchdowns this past year, a slight increase from last year, but his completion percentage went way up. If he can bring Michigan State to another 10+ win season, he will be one of the hottest prospects next year. He has to start showing greatness though, rather than simply being good.

4. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Ryan Lindley #14 of the San Deigo State Aztecs throws a pass against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Losing his top receiver in Vincent Brown may be a bit of a struggle to get over, but with the firepower Ryan Lindley has, he should do well. After having a breakout year last year, I could see him sneaking into top tier discussion with Luck and company if he has another great year.

Lindley threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns last year, and if he can knock his interceptions to single digits, he will look even better to scouts. His cannon arm is already a sign that he'll be a great pro when that the comes.

3. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald M

The top three quarterbacks on this list could all be Heisman front-runners next year, though only one is a senior. Still, if Landry Jones can get Oklahoma a National Championship or win a Heisman, I can easily see him declaring for the draft.

Jones will be a junior next year, yet he already put up amazing numbers last year—4700 yards and 38 touchdowns—while facing tough competition. He won't have DeMarco Murray to hand off to, but that could bump his passing numbers even higher.

When he comes out, he'll be a first round pick unless he regresses horrendously, which I don't see happening.

2. Nick Foles, Arizona

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats looks for someone to flip the ball to in the fourth quarter of the game at against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the gam

If you want a big clutch quarterback with long hair who will win games with great performances, Blaine Gabbert is not the answer this year. Instead, the answer is in the future with Arizona QB Nick Foles.

The 6'5" quarterback has put up solid numbers with Arizona, and has looked great in wins, but if he wants to remain a first-round selection, he's got to win more games for Arizona. The Pac-10 will be tougher this year, so if Foles is going to be a leader, now's the time.

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

Who else were you expecting?

This guy will either be the first pick in 2012 or 2013. If he decides to return to school, a class of Jones, Cousins, Foles, and Lindley is pretty good already though.

Andrew Luck is the first quarterback I've considered a "sure thing" in the NFL in a long time. Unlike the rest of the top tier players, he can scramble when needed, and when you combine that with his remarkable efficiency, he's on another level.

Even without Jim Harbaugh, he should do great this year, as long as he can handle the pressure of pretty much every writer already handing him the Heisman.