How 5-star SEC QBs have performed in the past decade
In any recruiting class, a 5-star quarterback is often the crown jewel.
No other prospect is expected to have the same type of impact than that of an elite quarterback. The SEC has had its fair share of exciting quarterback play over the years, but how many 5-star passers have joined the conference?
Over the past 10 years, 28 quarterbacks have earned a 5-star designation from the 247Sports Composite Rankings — 13 of whom committed to the SEC.
We decided to take a look back at those 5-star quarterbacks and the mark they left on the conference.
2006
Matthew Stafford – Georgia: Stafford was one of the most-hyped recruits in Georgia history. The nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect (and No. 6 player overall) came off the bench early in his freshman season, but he was named the team’s starter down the stretch.
As a sophomore, Stafford led an emerging team with 2,523 passing yards and 21 total touchdowns. With Stafford at the helm, Georgia began the 2008 season as the No. 1 team in the country. Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and ended his college career with 7,731 passing yards, 51 touchdowns and 33 interceptions.
Mitch Mustain – Arkansas: Mustain, ranked directly behind Stafford in QB and overall ranking, had a short and interesting career. As a true freshman starter, Mustain earned an 8-0 record as part of an offense that included Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis and Felix Jones.
Despite his flawless record, Mustain was replaced later in the season and left to come off the bench. Following his freshman season, Mustain transferred from Arkansas to USC.
Tim Tebow – Florida: One of the most-decorated quarterbacks in SEC history, Tebow ended his career at Florida as a college football legend. Tebow, the top-ranked dual-threat QB in the class, was the team’s backup quarterback as a true freshman, but he made important contributions for the Gators during their national championship season.
In his second season, Tebow set numerous school and SEC records en route to claiming the Heisman Trophy. As a junior, Tebow led the Gators to their second national championship in three years. In four seasons at Florida, Tebow accounted for 12,233 total yards and 145 touchdowns.
2007
John Brantley – Florida: Another 5-star quarterback who signed with the Gators, Brantley didn’t have near the same success that his predecessor enjoyed. After redshirting his first season, Brantley came off the bench over the next two seasons. Brantley finally became the team’s starting quarterback in 2010 and finished the season with just over 2,000 passing yards and nine touchdowns as the Gators went 8-5. In his final season on campus, Brantley led Florida to a 7-4 record while passing for 2,044 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
2008
None
2009
Russell Shepard – LSU: Although Shepard was a highly-rated quarterback coming out of high school, he was seen by many programs as a multi-threat weapon on offense. During his time at LSU, Shepard split time at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Shepard started 14 games in his four seasons at LSU and recorded 733 rushing yards and 565 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns.
Aaron Murray – Georgia: Murray’s career at Georgia didn’t begin the way many had hoped, but his resiliency proved to be one of his biggest strengths. After a 1-4 start to the season in his redshirt freshman year, Murray helped the Bulldogs rattle off five wins in their next six games.
In his sophomore and junior seasons, Murray guided Georgia to the SEC championship game and fell just short of defeating Alabama in a 2012 classic. Murray became the first SEC quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards in four consecutive seasons and broke the conference’s record for career passing yards and touchdowns.
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
2010
Phillip Sims – Alabama: The only 5-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2010, Sims signed on to play for the defending national champions. After redshirting his freshman season, Sims appeared in eight games during the 2011 campaign, splitting time with A.J. McCarron. In the spring of 2012, Sims transferred to play at Virginia.
2011
Jeff Driskel – Florida: Driskel was the nation’s top quarterback coming out of high school, and, as an in-state star, he had big expectations upon arriving at Florida.
Driskel played sparingly in his first year on campus before taking over as the full-time starter during his sophomore season.
In 2012, Driskel led the Gators to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Sugar Bowl. An injury cost Driskel most of the 2013 season, and he was benched during the 2014 campaign in favor of Treon Harris. Driskel was allowed to transfer in January of 2015, leaving the program with 3,411 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
2012
None
2013
None
2014
Kyle Allen – Texas A&M: Allen, the No. 1-ranked quarterback and No. 10 player overall in the class, became Texas A&M’s starter midway through his true freshman season.
The first-year quarterback guided the Aggies to a 3-2 record as a starter and finished the year with 1,322 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Allen began the 2015 season as the team’s starting quarterback and led the Aggies to a 5-0 start. Against Alabama, however, Allen suffered an injury and missed the next three games.
In his second season, Allen threw for 2,210 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He transferred before the team’s bowl game and will compete for Houston’s starting job in 2017.
2015
Blake Barnett – Alabama: After redshirting his freshman year at Alabama, Barnett seemed to be the odds-on favorite to win the starting job for the Crimson Tide in 2016. Barnett, the No. 2-ranked quarterback in the class, was benched in the season opener against USC, however, in favor of true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. Seeking playing opportunity, Barnett transferred to Arizona State. The timing of his decision — four games into the 2016 season — angered many Tide fans.
Kyler Murray – Texas A&M: Murray, the No. 3 QB in the class, played in eight games and started in three during his first season with the Aggies. As a true freshman, Murray gained 1,021 yards and six total touchdowns for Texas A&M. Shortly after Allen announced he was transferring, Murray followed suit. He was granted a release from Texas A&M in December of 2015. He’s now at Oklahoma.
2016
Shea Patterson – Ole Miss: Patterson was the No. 1-ranked QB in the class but forced to sit behind Chad Kelly. Kelly’s season-ending injury caused Patterson’s debut to come earlier than expected, but it was one to remember.
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Against No. 8 Texas A&M, Patterson led the Rebels to a 15-point comeback victory and accounted for 402 total yards and two touchdowns. In his three starts, Patterson threw for 880 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jacob Eason – Georgia: Eason, the No. 2-ranked QB in the class, played a big role coming off the bench in Georgia’s season opener and was named the team’s starter from Week 2 on. The much-hyped prospect delivered some memorable moments in his first season in Athens and laid a strong foundation for the future. Eason threw for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns while guiding Georgia to an 8-5 record.
Eason and Patterson are the only returning 5-star quarterbacks in the SEC. They’ll be joined next season by Alabama freshman Tua Tagovailoa.
