There might not be a more intriguing group of quarterbacks in the country than the one that settles out west. From top NFL prospects to highly touted transfers this Pac-12 quarterback group looks to rebuild the brand of a lagging Power 5 conference.
1. Justin Herbert, Oregon
The number one quarterback on this list is the easiest choice. Justin Herbert shockingly turned down the NFL after his junior season and looks to return Oregon to national prominence. His physical tools are among the elite in college football as his ability to throw with accuracy on the run is something NFL front offices can dream about.
Even with all the physical tools, Herbert must improve his consistency. His ratios his junior year were solid, but he must improve on a 59.8% completion rate from last year if he wants his draft stock to skyrocket.
2. K.J. Costello, Stanford
The next in a long line of great Stanford quarterbacks, K.J. Costello is coming off a season which was among the best in school history. Costello was a highly rated recruit who broke out his sophomore year when Keller Chryst transferred to Tennessee. He threw 29 TDs to 11 interceptions and only got better as the year went on.
The mobility is something that must be improved for Costello. One of the first things one notices about him is how he is a statue in the pocket. It will also be interesting to see how he plays without WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. The receiver caught half of Stanford’s touchdowns last year with 14 and provided a safety blanket for the pocket passer.
3. Jacob Eason, Washington
Is there going to be a more interesting player to follow this year than Jacob Eason? He has to fill the shoes of UW’s all time leading passer and 4-year starter Jake Browning. The one time number one QB recruit in America transferred back home to Washington following Jake Fromm’s breakout at UGA. He brought incredible physical tools as he might have the most impressive arm in the country.
While it is easy to dream on that arm, Husky fans have to remember that he has not played significantly since an uneven 2016 season. The quarterback’s performance in high school and one season at UGA warrant this ranking as UW looks to win a third Pac-12 title in four years.
4. Khalil Tate, Arizona
If this list was made a year ago, Tate would have been the easy number one choice. In 2017, he electrified college football with his speed and explosiveness to the tune of almost 1500 yards rushing. Then 2018 happened. A season marred by injuries and familiarizing himself with Kevin Sumlin’s new scheme resulted in a lost year.
While everyone was freaking out about his lack of rushing output, Tate made significant strides as a passer in 2018. Throwing for a career high 26 TDs to only 8 interceptions was a big improvement on his 2017 passing performance. Ideally, he will put it all together for his senior season this fall.
5. Steven Montez, Colorado
After Herbert, the most experienced Pac-12 quarterback resides in Boulder, Colorado. By the end of this season, Montez will have more than 50 starts under his belt and experience like that cannot be underestimated in college football. Each of the past two seasons he has had a 2:1 TD to interception ratio and is a threat with his legs.
Most importantly, he gets superstar Laviska Shenault back at wide receiver. When Shenault was completely healthy, Montez threw for 300 yards in three out of five games en route to an undefeated start. The last half he battled injury and the team managed to blow seven chances at a bowl game. Shenault being back healthy will be vital to Montez having a productive senior season.
6. Gage Gubrud, Washington State
CFB fans have already seen quarterbacks grad transfer from FCS to power 5 schools, most notably Vernon Adams. This is another as Gage Gubrud looks to take the reins of Mike Leach’s offense and keep the production going in Pullman. Gubrud’s successful run at Eastern Washington saw him break the single season FCS passing record in 2016 and have 100 total touchdowns in 2.5 years as starter. Leach should have no problem making him the next Cougar passer to rank among the elite QBs in the country.
7. Tyler Huntley, Utah
Tyler Huntley is the definition of a steady hand at quarterback entering his third year as a starter. He had a 2:1 TD to interception ratio last year in the nine games prior to getting hurt. He and running back Zach Moss will look to lead Utah to their first Pac-12 title since joining in 2011.
8. JT Daniels, USC
There may not be someone who can improve their stock on this list more this fall than JT Daniels, a member of almost every breakout list in America. The sophomore is coming off a disappointing freshman season in which he had 14 TDs and 10 interceptions. With an elite receiving core and the arrival of Graham Harrell’s air raid offense those numbers should skyrocket this fall.
9. Dorian Thompson-Robinson,UCLA
The rising sophomore from Las Vegas was a highly touted recruit in the 2018 class. His freshman year was a disappointment(as was the entire 2018 season for UCLA). He was inconsistent but the sparks of a future star were there. This was on display in a close loss to Pac-12 champ Washington where the quarterback threw for 275 yds and 2 TDs. Consistency will need to improve, but DTR has all the physical tools of a future standout.
10. Jake Luton, OSU
One of the bottom feeders of the Pac-12 might finally have a consistent threat at quarterback. Jake Luton started eight games in 2018 and showed off a solid skillset, throwing 10 TDS and 4 interceptions. The most impressive thing about him might be his physical stature at 6’7. Combining with electric RB Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State looks to improve in 2019.
11. Chase Garbers, Cal
The Golden Bears rode an elite defense to the brink of a bowl game victory in 2018. To improve on their 7-6 record they are going to need better play out of sophomore Chase Garbers. He threw 14 TDs and 10 interceptions, but is coming off an atrocious performance in the Cheez-it Bowl that have some questioning whether he should be the starter in 2019.
TBD, Arizona State
The most unsettled quarterback situation in the Pac-12 resides in Tempe, Arizona. With the graduation of Manny Wilkens, coach Herm Edwards has been dealt with the task of trying to find a new anchor for his program. Freshmen Jaylen Daniels and Joey Yellen have been splitting first team reps in fall camp. Daniels appears to have the lead in this battle and the highly touted freshman will be exciting to follow this fall.