In a conference that’s known for its explosive offenses, the quarterback is the center of everything. Big 12 quarterbacks have taken home the last two Heisman Trophies and the conference has housed some of the all-time greats. Going into this season, how do these signal-callers compare with each other?
#10 Kansas
I didn’t put a name down here because we don’t know whos’s going to start for the Jayhawks in Les Miles first season. It’s either going to be JUCO transfer Thomas MacVittie or returner Carter Stanley. MacVittie transferred from Mesa Community College where he threw for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was the third-ranked JUCO quarterback by 247 sports and one of the best signees of the Jayhawks class. He’s in competition with Carter Stanley who has 2,300 career passing yards along with 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. It’s not yet clear who will lineup under center week 1 but I’m going to say whoever wins the job is probably the worst quarterback in the conference.
#9 Alex Delton (TCU)
Delton transferred in from Kansas State where he was a team captain last season. Delton is a run-first quarterback who only threw for 131 yards in four years as a Wildcat. However, he ran for close to 1,000 and had 11 rushing touchdowns. I don’t know if Delton will win the week 1 job but he’s the frontrunner at this point.
#8 Austin Kendall (West Virginia)
Kendall transferred to Morgantown from Oklahoma after Jalen Hurts announced he was going to be a Sooner. With 5-star freshman Spencer Rattler and Hurts, Kendall had to find a new home if he wanted to see the field. He only played in 8 games during his time at Oklahoma and looked good in what little action he saw. He went 28-39 for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns. WVU also brings back Jack Allison who started in replace of Will Grier for their bowl game but I’d expect Kendall to win the starting job.
#7 Skylar Thompson (Kansas State)
I’m looking for Skylar Thompson to have a big year for Kansas State. With Alex Delton gone he no longer has to look over his shoulder which will allow him to play more freely. He’s a dual-threat guy who threw for just over 1,300 yards a season ago while adding almost 400 on the ground. He threw for 9 touchdowns and ran for 5 more. He may only be ranked at 7 here but Thompson is a talented quarterback who could have a breakout season this fall.
#6 Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State)
Although he’s only a freshman, Sanders presence in Stillwater will be immediately felt. The weapons he’ll have surrounding him combined with his own skillset will give him video-game numbers this season. Sanders is a dual-threat weapon and will set the Big 12 on fire for years to come. He’s only going to continue climbing this list.
#5 Alan Bowman (Texas Tech)
Bowman had a breakout freshman campaign in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in 2018. Bowman threw for 2,600 yards, 17 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 69% completion percentage (Nice). All that was done in only eight games. Kingsbury may be gone but a now healthy Bowman is looking to torch Big 12 secondaries for the second straight year.
#4 Charlie Brewer (Baylor)
Despite Baylor’s struggles, Brewer has been a star in an otherwise cloudy sky. To Baylor’s credit, they are much improved and will be capable of making a charge in the Big 12 this year. That charge is going to be lead by Charlie Brewer. Brewer threw for over 3,000 yards in 2018 connecting for 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He can throw the ball a country mile and with receiver Denzel Mims returning, Brewer is poised for another great year.
#3 Brock Purdy (Iowa State)
Purdy broke onto the scene last year against Oklahoma State where he lit up the Cowboys for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns. From there he went 6-2 in his eight starts throwing for 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for another 308 yards and five more touchdowns. Maybe the conference just wasn’t ready for him but I think Purdy is the real deal and could break out as a Heisman darkhorse in 2019.
#2 Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma)
These top two spots could go either way but I’m going with Jalen Hurts at number two. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma from Alabama after losing the starting spot to Tua Tagovailoa. In 42 games at Alabama Hurts threw for 5,626 yards and 48 touchdowns while rushing for 2,000 yards and 23 more touchdowns. He’s taking over an offense that has produced back to back Heisman Trophy winners and is in position to mount a Heisman campaign of his own. Hurts controlling this high powered Sooner offense makes them one of the most dangerous attacks in the country.
#1 Sam Ehlinger (Texas)
Ehlinger is my favorite player in the country not named Rondale Moore. Ehlinger tallied 41 total touchdowns last season and passed for over 3,000 yards. He’s proved himself to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country and is another Heisman favorite. He can beat you in the air and on the ground. With only seven starters returning Ehlinger’s leadership and playmaking abilities will be tested this fall, but I think he’s up to the test and should be ready to lead Texas to the Big 12 title game.
