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Speed_Kills
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www.usatoday.com]
The average draft class is lucky to have one franchise quarterback. This year's cycle includes at least two: Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State's Justin Fields.
Quarterback play is as good as ever in the Bowl Subdivision, with draft-eligible passers and underclassmen from Power Five and Group of Five leagues lining up behind Lawrence and Fields to battle for all-conference and even All-America accolades.
Here's a look at the best of the best — the 10 best FBS quarterbacks during a season when two dozen or more passers are under consideration.
1. Justin Fields, Ohio State
Fields played deeper into Ohio State's 49-27 win against Rutgers than expected, as an expected romp against one of the weaker teams in the Big Ten turned tighter in the second half. After throwing for 314 yards and five scores, Fields now has as many touchdown passes (11) as incompletions through three games. With Lawrence missing two games following his COVID-19 diagnosis, Fields rises to the top of the list.
He's my #2, great athlete, live arm, I'm not sure he he can read a defense all that well and he has some work to do going through progressions. I still really like him.2. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Lawrence was playing at an obscenely high level before being sidelined for the Tigers' past two games, including Saturday's memorable 47-40 loss at Notre Dame. Scheduled to return for the Tigers' next game, against Florida State on Nov. 21, it might be too late for Lawrence to reclaim his place at the front of the line in the Heisman Trophy race.
My #1 and has been for a long, long time. Great athlete, live arm, can read a defense and go through his progressions. He's in rare air for a QB. Like Andrew Luck rare air.I don't know how the Jags don't take him #1.3. Kyle Trask, Florida
Trask set history in Florida's 44-28 win against Georgia in becoming the first SEC quarterback to throw at least four touchdown passes in five straight games. (The SEC hasn't always been known for elite quarterback play, but that's an incredible achievement.) Overlooked, underrated and simply under-used before last season, Trask's ascension into a top-flight NFL prospect is a terrific success story.
A career backup QB in HS, then a backup in college, he finally got a chance to start last year and has just built on it. Great size at 6'-5" 235ish, good arm, he has worked hard to get to where he is, so I think his needle is pointing straight up. He can look off defenders, make accurate throws to all levels but is most comfortable short and intermediate. Is a bit of a statue in the pocket IMO. I think he is QB #5 imo and prolly early 2nd round or if someone wants that 5th year option, the end of the 1st.4. Mac Jones, Alabama
He provided a glimpse as the replacement for an injured Tua Tagovailoa last season, but Jones' production as the Crimson Tide's full-time starter has taken the entire SEC by surprise. Heading into next week's game against LSU, the junior has 16 touchdowns against two interceptions while averaging 12.4 yards per attempt, the most of any passer with multiple starts.
He probably wins the Heisman, and probably should. That said, he is physically limited for the NFL. Reminds me of Colt McCoy, bigtime college winner that was limited by his physical characteristics. I think he will make a heck of a career backup and spot starter. Smart, reads defenses well, goes thru all his progressions. Not a good athlete. 5. Zach Wilson, Brigham Young
Much like his team, which has soared into the championship mix after years of mixed results, Wilson's production is impossible to ignore. After keying the Cougars' 51-17 win Friday night at Boise State, the junior is completing an even 75% of his attempts with 21 touchdowns against just two interceptions. The argument held before Friday — that Wilson and BYU were feeding on overmatched competition — no longer holds water after his performance against the Broncos.
I think when the smoke clears, he's my #2 or #3 Good size, good arm, good athlete, can make all the throws. I think he can make all his progressions, but for the NFL, he is gonna have to speed everything up. I think he'll be a riser. I could see him ending up in SF...6. D'Eriq King, Miami
King will resurface in the Heisman race after accounting for 535 yards of offense and five touchdowns in the Hurricanes' 44-41 win against N.C. State. While Miami has been overshadowed by Clemson and Notre Dame in the ACC, King has the Hurricanes headed for a major bowl.
Already announced that he's returning back to Miami for next year. 7. Dillon Gabriel, Central Florida
No quarterback in the country might throw a prettier deep ball than Gabriel, who has fine-tuned his game and largely avoided mistakes after struggling at times with turnovers as a freshman in 2019. While UCF has been a slight disappointment, Gabriel leads the FBS in yards per game (417.7) and is tied with Wilson for first in touchdown passes.
Another 2022 QB, he is a gunslinger in every sense of the word. Needs to learn to make better decisions with the ball, but this kid can spin it.8. Sam Howell, North Carolina
Howell has been terrific in spurts after a spotty start in wins against Syracuse and Boston College. While UNC has been far from perfect since, with close losses to Florida State and Virginia, Howell has 14 touchdowns and two interceptions in his last five games. He's a year away from meeting his potential.
Probably the #1 or #2 2022 draft QB prospect. He is only 6'-1"? but has some real arm talent. 9. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
McCall threw for 209 yards and a touchdown without an interception in the Chanticleers' 23-6 win against South Alabama, giving the freshman 16 touchdowns with just one turnover on the season.
Redshirt freshman, see you in a few years kid.10. D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson
That he's only made two starts shouldn't be a disqualifier — Fields has only played in three, you know. The five-star freshman has been outstanding as Lawrence's replacement, leading the Tigers past Boston College in his starting debut and then throwing for 439 yards in the double-overtime loss at Notre Dame, the most the Irish have ever allowed in a single game.
True freshman, so he's got some time, big kid, big athlete, big arm. He's gonna be fun to watch the next few years.