Also, Tua is good but doesn't deserve a Top 25 QB rank. He hasn't even started a game yet. Until he gets a few games in as a starter, he shouldn't really be considered for anything. The potential is there, but he still made some critical mistakes in the national title game that were inexcusable.
College Football 2018 Preview: Power Ranking Top 25 Quarterbacks - Sports Chat Place
1. Trace McSorley, Penn State - Trace McSorley won’t have the same playmakers to count on that he did last season, but this is a guy who has over 7,000 passing yards and 59 touchdowns in three years at Penn State. McSorley hasn’t lost many games since his high school days and has that mentality that allows him to will his team to victories. McSorley is the most complete QB in the country.
2. Will Grier, West Virginia - In just 11 games last season, Will Grier had 3,490 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Grier will be this years Baker Mayfield, which makes West Virginia a sleeper for the college football playoff and even national title. We’ll get to those two things as we inch closer toward the college football season.
3. Khalil Tate, Arizona - Khalil Tate averaged 9.22 rushing yards per carry last season, which was the best in college football. Tate is a headache to defend, and his stats will be off the charts with a full season under his belt. Tate is a legit Heisman candidate and somebody you should be looking to bet on.
4. Jake Fromm, Georgia - Jake Fromm had 2,615 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, and he seemed to gain confidence as the season dragged out. With a season under his belt, Fromm should be ready to take that next step and become Georgia’s best QB since Aaron Murray.
5. Jake Browning, Washington - Washington didn’t live up to expectations last season, but Jake Browning is still a QB who has 9,104 career passing yards, 78 touchdowns and just 24 interceptions. Give Browning time, and he’s picking your defense apart. Browning gives the Huskies a chance to chase a Pac-12 title this season.
6. McKenzie Milton, UCF - Many expect UCF to go back to being just another team in the AAC due to the coaching change, but McKenzie Milton threw for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Milton was seventh in the country in passing yards and his 67.1 completion percentage was good for fourth.
7. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama - Tua Tagovailoa is the reason Alabama came back to beat Clemson in the title game, and he had 11 touchdown passes on the season as a backup. Tagovailoa has the goods, but I need to see a larger sample size before I make him a top-five QB in the country.
8. Drew Lock, Missouri - Drew Lock looked like a bum as a freshman, but you can’t argue with over 7,000 passing yards and 67 touchdown passes the last two seasons. Lock needs to improve his completion percentage that’s way under 60 percent, but he’s a difference maker for the Missouri Tigers.
9. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn - Jarrett Stidham completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns, producing one of the best first seasons in Auburn history. With a loaded wide receiving corps, expect Stidham to take an even larger step, keeping the Tigers in the SEC championship picture.
10. Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State - Nick Fitzgerald looked like a Heisman contender the first month of the season, but he fell off, throwing for just 15 touchdowns and 11 picks. However, Fitzgerald does have 30 rushing touchdowns his last two seasons and does have some zip on his throws. The kid is talented.
11. Justin Herbert, Oregon - Justin Herbert battled injuries last year, but when he played, the Oregon Ducks were a completely different football team. In 16 career games, Herbert is completing 65.3 percent of his passes for almost 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. If he’s healthy, Oregon is back in the Pac-12 title picture after some recent struggles.
12. Kelly Bryant, Clemson - Kelly Bryant isn’t the passer that Deshaun Watson was, but he manages the game well and makes just enough plays to give Clemson the victory. With 14 starts last year, Bryant should be an even more effective quarterback for the Tigers.
13. Brian Lewerke, Michigan State - Michigan State had its issues last year, but few had to do with Brian Lewerke, who threw for over 2,700 yards, 20 touchdowns and rushed for over 500 yards and five touchdowns. Give Lewerke more reliable playmakers, and MSU can get back to being one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
14. Ryan Finley, NC State - Ryan Finley has topped 3,000 passing yards each of his last two seasons and completed 65.1 percent of his passes, which was second in the ACC last year. Finley could go down as the best quarterback in school history if he can get the Wolfpack to double-digit victories for the first time since 2002.
15. Shea Patterson, Michigan - In seven games with Ole Miss last season, Shea Patterson threw for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 63.8 percent of his passes. Michigan finally has its quarterback, which means there’s no more excuses for coach Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
16. Brett Rypien, Boise State - In three seasons with Boise State, Brett Rypien has 9,873 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and hasn’t thrown double-digit picks in a single season. Rypien is Mr. Reliable and should be able to lead the Broncos to double-digit victories for the 11th time in the last 13 years.
17. Jake Bentley, South Carolina - With 20 games under his belt and Bryan McClendon now calling the shots, we’re going to see the best of Jake Bentley. He’s completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 4,214 yards and 27 touchdowns for his career. Cut back on the interceptions and Bentley is going to be just fine against these SEC defenses.
18. Nathan Rourke, Ohio - Nathan Rourke threw for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he also rushed for 912 yards and 21 scores. Rourke’s 21 rushing touchdowns was tied with Washington running back Myles Gaskin for the third most in college football. Rourke is simply one of the better playmakers in college football.
19. Justice Hansen, Arkansas State - Justice Hansen was tied with Mason Rudolph for fourth in the country with 37 touchdown passes and is responsible for 64 total scores in two seasons with Arkansas State. Hansen is easily one of the more underrated quarterbacks in college football, regardless of conference.
20. Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech - There’s questions if Josh Jackson will play this season for Virginia Tech. But for now, he’s a top-25 quarterback in the country and a guy nobody wants to tackle in the open field. Last year, Jackson threw for almost 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while running for six scores.
21. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma - Kyler Murray shined in a very limited role as a backup behind Baker Mayfield, and he’ll finally have a chance to play a full season after even spotty playing time at Texas A&M. Murray is an elite athlete who is also fairly accurate with the football.
22. Eric Dungey, Syracuse - Eric Dungey doesn’t have the eye popping numbers that other guys on this list have, but the kid is extremely tough and drops dimes as he stands strong in the pocket. Dungey makes Syracuse football worth watching, and gives the Orange a fighting chance each weekend regardless of the tough competition in the ACC.
23. Malik Rosier, Miami - Malik Rosier was solid last season when he had healthy playmakers around him. The struggles for Rosier came when everybody got hurt and he had to make chicken salad out of chicken poop. We should see a more reliable, more consistent Rosier this season, if given the chance.
24. Mason Fine, North Texas - Mason Fine was sixth in college football last season with 4,052 passing yards and his 31 touchdown passes was 11th best. Fine is the best quarterback in the state of Texas at the moment. Shots fired.
25. Brent Stockstill, MTSU - Brent Stockstill has just one full season in four years at Middle Tennessee State, but he has 77 career touchdown passes and almost 9,000 passing yards. A healthy Stockstill gives the Blue Raiders a chance at just their second double-digit winning season in school history.
I actually believe the qb play at Arizona will give them a shot to move past USC this year. USC has the better talent, however does USC have the qb in place along with a good head coach.
It wouldn't be in the least bit shocking if McSorley wound up as the 3rd best QB in his division.
What others lists? This is the first one I've seen where he's #1 in the nation, and after watching him as much as I have, I firmly believe he was a product of his supporting cast. I'll eat crow if I'm wrong, but I just don't think he's that good.He’s a badass and a winner. There’s a reason he comes in as the #1 quarterback in the country on the majority of these lists. And he’s an absolute gamer no question about it. Look no further than his performance in the Rose Bowl and conference championship game where he played lights out on massive stages.
What others lists? This is the first one I've seen where he's #1 in the nation, and after watching him as much as I have, I firmly believe he was a product of his supporting cast. I'll eat crow if I'm wrong, but I just don't think he's that good.
Losing 3 of his top 4 receivers (19 of his 26 TD passes last year) will be a huge deal this year. If he comes out and still put up similar numbers, I'll agree, but his numbers the last 2 years still haven't made him the best QB in the nation IMO. From a pure talent standpoint, he's nowhere close.Of course Ohio State’s QB is better. I’m assuming you’re thinking Patterson is better as well(?). I know Haskins is pretty much unproven even though I’m sure he’ll end up being a baller for you guys, but McSorley is a bonafide badass. I stand by that. There’s not a quarterback I’d place higher on this list. He has proven himself to be a stud and he’ll prove it yet again this season. That’s what he does on the regular.
Losing 3 of his top 4 receivers (19 of his 26 TD passes last year) will be a huge deal this year. If he comes out and still put up similar numbers, I'll agree, but his numbers the last 2 years still haven't made him the best QB in the nation IMO. From a pure talent standpoint, he's nowhere close.
McKenzie MiltonWho’s a better college quarterback than of course your first year starter? I’d be curious to hear your list of all of the returning college quarterbacks in 2018 who are better than McSorley.
McKenzie Milton
Will Grier
Drew Lock
Jarrett Stidham
Jake Fromm
And yes, I would take Haskins over him this year, and I'd also take Shea Patterson. For having the talent he had last year and putting up the good but not great stats that he did, he's not elite.
Ok cool. They're all much more talented.I’m calling bullshit on Stidham, Fromm, Patterson, and Haskins 1000%.
Ok cool. They're all much more talented.
It's unquestionably not only in my mind.Only in your own mind. Agree to disagree.
It's unquestionably not only in my mind.