'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Finishing up the offensive side of the ball, we will look at the best signal-callers in the country in this edition. As I've been saying all along - this is a ranking of these players at the collegiate level, by looking at their tape from last year and projecting how good they will be this upcoming season. For rankings on the running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen, check out my other articles.
#1 Khalil Tate, Arizona
I already mentioned Tate as one of my favorites to win the Heisman Trophy this season. He is such an exciting dual-threat signal-caller. The Wildcats QB can run over defenders as well as away from them.
However, he is often mistaken as a pure scrambler. Yet, he can throw with touch, trajectory, and good ball-placement, plus he has the arm to really stretch the field. With that being said, last year it was the threat of him as a rusher, that opened up opportunities to throw the ball down the field and when he couldn’t connect early on, it took him a while to get going in some games.
So I’m interested to see how he will evolve as a full-time starter and if he can win consistently within the pocket.
#2 Trace McSorley, Penn State
When I did my top five lists last year, I already had McSorley as an honorable mention among the quarterbacks thanks to the amazing three-game tear he went on to end the year, when he completed 68 percent of his passes and displayed ice-water in his veins when going neck-to-neck with USC’s Sam Darnold in the 2017 Rose Bowl.
The Nittany Lion is such a dynamic running-threat that the coaches let Saquon Barkley take the snaps and have McSorley as the outside threat on stretch read plays occasionally, as well as being able to escape the rush. As a passer he ate on those curl- and hook-routes plus quick dumpoffs to his backs in some games and he needs to see his man get open at this point, but he displays tremendous accuracy on the short and intermediate level.
#3. McKenzie Milton, UCF
I can’t remember the last time I saw a quarterback look so different in a second half compared to what he did in the first one as Milton did in the Peach Bowl versus Auburn. In the first half, he didn’t have his feet set properly and rushed his throwing motion, leading to lackluster accuracy.
However, Milton kept the Knights in the game with his legs and as he got more comfortable, he started carving up the Tiger defense in period number two. As a sophomore he put up some crazy numbers, completing 67 percent of his passes for 37 touchdowns compared to just nine INTs, plus he added over 600 yards and eight more scores on the ground.
I know it’s not the SEC or Big 10, but Milton faced second serious competition in the AAC, which included two other Top-25 teams.
#4. Will Grier, West Virginia
This offseason Grier has emerged as one of the Heisman front-runners among college football fans and while I have a couple of guys ahead of him, I can see why. The Mountaineers’ signal-caller loves to spread defenses out and throw the ball all over the yard. Grier arrived at WVU last season and created a strong bond with wide receiver David Sills V, which will be something to watch in 2018.
He shows the precision to fit the ball into tight windows as well as the arc to put the ball over the top and let his receivers run under it. While he forces too many questionable passes down the field when there really is nothing there, Grier has the ability to buy that little bit of extra time and deliver passes off platform.
#5 Drew Lock, Missouri
Lock was a candidate to enter the 2018 NFL Draft but decided to go back to school for one more year with a strong QB class. Leading the country in passing touchdowns and having set the new SEC single-season record with 44, Lock is often labelled as a product of Missouri’s up-tempo offensive system that relies heavily on hitches, slants, go routes and smoke/screens, but he has some excellent qualities.
He shows the ability to process information, throws a beautiful ball and is praised for his accuracy. However, he gets himself into trouble at times when hesitating for that split-second and being late on the throw, with a floating ball coming out of his hands, which really costs him.
Honorable mentions: Justin Herbert (Oregon), Jarrett Stidham (Auburn), Ryan Finley (N.C. State)
