The 2017 College Football Season has come and gone, and with it a number of big name play callers will be leaving. What it will leave behind is some of the best internal QB battles that we have witnessed in recent memory. Big names such as Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and J.T Barrett will be leaving behind their legacies and moving onto the NFL to reach their life long dreams. Other schools don’t have players heading for the Draft and must choose between players currently on their rosters. All across the country, the QB battle across the nation will be intense.
Alabama
QB’s On Roster: Jalen Hurts (SO.), Tua Tagovailoa (FR.), Kyle Edwards (SO.), Mac Jones (FR.)
While this may seem like a fairly easy decision after Tua Tagovailoa took over the 2nd half of the National Championship and looked like a reborn Marcus Mariota, this decision may not seem like an automatic for Nick Saban and Co. Tua is by far the better player right now and every SEC fan (including me, as I watched him rip my heart out as I had a bet on Georgia straight up. Never betting against Bama again) is cringing at the thought of having to face the left-handed dual threat. Tua will be the leader of this team come this Fall, but do not be surprised if we see a developed deep passer in Hurts come out this summer to challenge Tua.
Winner: Tua Tagovailoa
Oklahoma
QB’s On Roster: Kyler Murray (R-SO.), Austin Kendall (SO.), Connor McGinnis (R-SO.), Tanner Schafer (FR.)
This is an easy decision for 2nd Year Head Coach Lincoln Riley. Kyler Murray was probably the most excited I have ever gotten for a recruit (I’m a Texas A&M Fan) until he eventually ripped my heart and soul out and then Kyle Allen helped him curb stomp both of them. Murray can sling it and also become a threat with his legs, throwing for 55 Yards and keeping on the ground for 80 Yards in 3 Rushes. Oh, and that was for the time Baker Mayfield was arrested for his infamous public intoxication. Not only is Murray going to easily start for the Sooners come this fall, but he is a dark horse in the Heisman Race.
Winner: Kyler Murray
USC
QB’s On Roster: Matt Fink (FR.), Jack Sears (FR.), Holden Thomas (R-FR.), J.T Daniels (Incoming FR.), (Dark horse Jake Olson)
Both of Los Angeles’ golden arms will be hearing their names being called at the NFL Draft (one likely to the Browns #YIKES) and will be leaving holes at the QB Position. USC’s Sam Darnold is leaving and rumors have it that Matt Fink, a freshman who served as back up to Darnold all season, with his only action coming in the loss at Notre Dame. However, 5-Star recruit J.T Daniels, who was once class of 2019, has reclassified to class of 2018 (Graduating early in the Spring) and it brings a whole new side to this fight. J.T won Gatorade Player of the Year and Played at Mater Dei (their team whooped my high school team with me at QB in a passing tournament by a lot of points) in which he went undefeated and won a California State Open Division Championship.
This will be one to keep a close eye on well into summer and see what moves Coach Helton will make to help vault his team back into Contender Status.
Winner: Matt Fink (For 2-3 games, then J.T Daniels will take over)
NOTE: Now after I wrote all this, blind USC Long Snapper posted a film reels of absolute DIMES and it is just too good not to include. Also his dog chases the WR sometimes and it’s just an all around great video. Enjoy
Officially entering my name into the 2018 QB competition! @USC_Athletics @USCCoachHelton @FinkMattfink @jtdaniels06 pic.twitter.com/4n0FP0Qore
— Jake Olson (@JakeOlson61) January 22, 2018
UCLA
QB’s On Roster: Nick Juels (FR.), Austin Burton (FR.), Devon Modster (R-FR.)
The people’s QB is leaving college (don’t worry, he promised his mom to still get a degree). As soon as I saw Rosen put a hot tub in his dorm or fighting against Trent Dilfer at the Elite 11 , I knew he was gonna be a special one. Well, he has come and gone, and with it, a UCLA team who heavily depended on his arm will be searching for an answer from a handful of Freshman backups.
New Head Coach Chip Kelly will be at the helm and will have a fresh start to show LA what he has to offer. I’m 100% positive he would give his own right arm to have Josh Rosen Back, but instead he’s going to have a fresh group of guys to work with. Modster served as the main backup this season and played in a handful of games when Rosen missed games with injury. He also played in UCLA’s Loss to Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl and had a productive stat line with almost 300 yards and 2 TD’s. Juels or Burton can develop and hope to overtake him, but it’s a longshot.
Winner: Devon Modster
Oklahoma State
QB’s On Roster: John Kolar (R-SO.), Taylor Cornelius (R-JR.), Keondre Wudtee (R-FR.), Jelani Woods (FR.)
The Magical Mullet is losing his big name QB, and there is a very large space at QB. This is the battle that I believe will be taking place until the very last practice before OSU kicks the season off against Missouri State September 1st. Luckily for Gundy, the first three games of the season are all against Group of 5 teams (Not National Champs UCF or Kiffin’s Owls) and they can play around with who they believe will be the best replacement for Mason Rudolph. Possibly by the start of Summer, he will have an idea of who he will have at the helm of one of the most explosive offenses in college football, but I wouldn’t rely on it.
Winner: TBD (Let The Arkansas Waterfall work his Magic.)
Ohio State:
QB’s On Roster: Dwayne Haskins (R-FR.), Tate Martell (FR.), Joe Burrow (R-SO.)
One of the most productive QB’s is leaving the Big Ten. After what seems like a whole decade, J.T Barrett finally is leaving Ohio State after winning a National Championship, beating That Team Up North multiple times, and being one of the most productive QB’s in Ohio State history and Big Ten history (Drew Brees still the best IMO). No Pressure, Urban Meyer *cue sad Urban eating Papa Johns*. The favorite to take over is Haskins and there’s good reason why. Haskins was the main backup and Played in the UNLV Blowout and a handful of games in Garbage Time.
However, and this is all the way from left field, I think that Tate Martell will take this job. Martell has broken my heart (was committed to Texas A&M, then turned his back on all of Aggieland) and has broken my will to play football (Bishop Gorman destroyed my High School in a scrimmage) but he is one of the best players I’ve seen sling the ball. Only way Tate can take this job from Haskins is if somehow he develops into more of a middle/deep field passer and doesn’t try to force passes like he did in High School.
Winner: Dwayne Haskins (But Tate Martell in a very far behind second.)
Kick-Off is still months away and the next best thing we have to crave our football needs is Spring Games, the Super Bowl, and watching our favorite (and least favorite QB’s) sling it one last time as free men at the Combine. We will miss the 2017-18 season and all the memories it gave us, but even more so, we will miss Josh Rosen.