You can’t deny this is the “Golden Age of Quarterbacks” in college football.
A quarterback has won the Heisman Trophy every year but one since 2000. Records are being shattered in the air and on the ground.
Yet a third-string quarterback happened to lead Ohio State to the national championship last season.
He’s on our list of Top 25 quarterbacks, but so are his teammates. There’s also a bunch of Heisman candidates and record-setters in this list.
So, they say, this is the “Golden Age.” Sit back and enjoy it.
1. Trevone Boykin, TCU
Piling up big numbers in the Big 12 is a given, but the underrated part of Boykin’s game is his efficiency. He threw more than one interception in just one game, and TCU beat Ole Miss that day 42-3. Boykin is capable of a Heisman Trophy run, and perhaps this time gets the Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff.
2. Cardale Jones, Ohio State
Think about this: Jones turned down the NFL after just three starts. He might be the best pro prospect in Columbus, but he still has to win the starting job. After beating Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon to give the Buckeyes their first national championship since 2002, who could tell him no?
3. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Barrett set a Big Ten record by accounting for 45 total touchdowns last season, and he could’ve hit 50 if not for the fractured ankle. He averaged 9.0 yards per pass attempt and 5.5 yards per carry. How do you stop that? Jones might be the better pro prospect, but Barrett seems like the better fit in Urban Meyer’s offense.
4. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
If you don’t believe in Watson, then just look at Clemson’s recruiting class. Playmakers are lining up to play with Watson, who could lead the Tigers to an ACC championship and playoff berth. He’s that good. Of course, we know the four-word disclaimer by heart. “If he stays healthy.”
5. Cody Kessler, USC
Those who watched Kessler light up Notre Dame for six TDs last season might be wondering how in the world USC lost four games in 2014. Kessler did his part with 39 TDs and just five interceptions, and he finished 3-2 against ranked teams. He’s good enough to lead the Trojans to the Pac-12 championship.
6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
Prescott put Mississippi State football back on the map, and he’s one of the few quarterbacks who can do it all. He totaled 41 TDs and led the Bulldogs to a 9-0 start. He’s the top returning quarterback in the SEC, and Mississippi State gets Alabama and Ole Miss at home this year. Can Prescott close the deal?
7. Connor Cook, Michigan State
How good is Cook? He might have been taken ahead of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota in this year’s draft. He’s 24-3 as a starter the last two seasons, and he’s done that with 46 TDs and 14 interceptions the last two years. The Heisman voters might not see it, but NFL scouts will.
8. Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech
Don’t label Thomas as simply an “option quarterback.” Brilliant performances against Florida State and Mississippi State disproved that. Thomas had four games with at least 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. In Paul Johnson’s system, that’s an indicator for success.
9. Taysom Hill, BYU
If Hill doesn’t suffer a broken leg last season, then BYU might go undefeated. Hill is a Tebow-type quarterback who will get a chance to prove it on the big stage in September. Just look at BYU’s schedule (at Nebraska, vs. Boise State, at UCLA, at Michigan).
10. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Hackenberg has the talent, but he needs better protection. Consider he took 44 sacks last season. He still led an undermanned Penn State team to a 7-6 season. With better decision-making, Hackenberg could be a first-round pick in 2016.
11. Keenan Reynolds, Navy
Reynolds already holds the NCAA record for most rushing TDs by a quarterback (64). He’ll likely break Montee Ball’s record (77) by midseason. The topper would be 1,310 rushing yards, which would break Denard Robinson’s record for rushing yards by a quarterback. All of this is doable.
12. Braxton Miller, Ohio State
The spring is huge for Miller, who will have a decision to make. Does Miller, who has a 28-8 record as a starter, stay with the Buckeyes? Or does he take the starting job at another Power 5 school that could contend for a national championship. We’re looking at you, Florida State and LSU.
13. Jared Goff, Cal
Goff finished fifth in the nation with 509 pass attempts last season, and he turned that into 35 TDs with just seven interceptions. Goff brings a long arm into Sonny Dykes’ pass-crazy offense. The next step is getting the Golden Bears back in the postseason.
14. Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati
The former 5-star quarterback proved he could sling it last season; he even put 352 yards and four TDs on Ohio State. The numbers are going to be there, but Kiel could improve his draft stock by leading the Bearcats to an American Athletic Conference championship and Group of 5 bowl bid.
15. Maty Mauk, QB, Missouri
Mauk is 14-4 as a starter and helped Missouri win the SEC East each of the last two seasons. What more do you want? Mauk recovered nicely after a rough patch against South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in 2014. If he plays well against those teams, don’t rule out Missouri for another SEC East title.
16. Kevin Hogan, Stanford
Hogan has the NFL measurements and will get a chance to play at the next level no matter what. He needs to restore his big-game reputation. After compiling a 10-0 record against ranked teams his first two seasons, Hogan went 1-6 in 2014.
17. Anu Solomon, Arizona
Solomon brought Rich Rodriguez’s vision to life last season. He led Arizona to the Pac-12 South Division title and four games with at least four TD passes. Solomon, however, will have to answer for a late-season fade in 2015.
18. Brad Kaaya, Miami
Lost in all the “Friday” references is a kid who played ahead of the curve as a freshman. The Hurricanes have been itching to get back on the national stage, and Kaaya is a quarterback that can take them there. Now just go out and win a few big games.
19. Jacoby Brissett, N.C. State
Brissett flashed brilliance last season, even in the loss to Florida State. He also led the Wolfpack to wins in four of their last five games. If he avoids a midseason lull, N.C. State could be a factor in the ACC.
20. Vernon Adams, Oregon
Adams hasn’t even taken a snap with the Ducks, but he played well enough at FCS Eastern Washington that he could easily be Oregon’s replacement for Marcus Mariota. He totaled 1,009 yards and 13 TDs in games against Oregon State and Washington the last two seasons. The best part? Oregon opens with Eastern Washington.
21. Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
Terrell made the jump his sophomore season. He totaled 3,443 passing yards and 26 TDs in helping P.J. Fleck turn the Broncos around in a hurry. Can he lead Western Michigan to its first MAC championship since 1988? That would get our attention.
22. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky
Doughty led the FBS in passing yards (4,830) and TDs (49) last season, and he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Doughty is sure to put up monster numbers again in Jeff Brohm's high-flying offense.
23. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
The Volunteers are a hot pick to take the SEC East, and Dobbs’ improved play down the stretch is a big reason why. Dobbs scored eight rushing TDs in six starts, and he’s the dual-threat Butch Jones is building around. Don’t act surprised when Tennessee starts getting attention in September.
24. Jeremy Johnson, Auburn
Gus Malzahn’s offense is conducive to quarterback success, and Johnson should be able to fill in nicely for the departed Nick Marshall. Johnson might remind Auburn fans of Cam Newton with his size, but will his play live up to that impossible standard?
25. Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Who is this guy? Get ready to hear that as Lynch keeps rolling in 2015. The 6-6 junior totaled seven TDs in Memphis’ Miami Beach Bowl win against BYU, and he totaled 35 for the season. He has a chance to shine Oct. 17 against Ole Miss at the Liberty Bowl.
