10 best SEC QBs after spring practice
Consider this a stock watch. And we all know how temperamental stocks can be.
The 10 best SEC quarterbacks coming out of spring practice is not a predictor of future success. It’s merely a snapshot of a specific moment in time — in this case spring practice — which is why the injured Chad Kelly isn’t on it despite being the obvious choice as the SEC’s best quarterback.
Several of the spring’s top 10 performers haven’t even won their respective starting job, and some might not. But they stood out this spring.
10. Shea Patterson, Ole Miss: Does any SEC team have a better transition plan in place than Ole Miss? It will go from two years of Kelly to two more years with Patterson, who finished the recruiting cycle ranked ahead of Jacob Eason as the nation’s best pro-style quarterback. Patterson took advantage of Kelly’s spring absence to learn and run the offense, impressing teammates and coaches along the way. There’s no sense in redshirting Patterson this year — he might not even be on campus four years, much less five — so Rebels fans likely will get to seem him in the second half of expected blowouts this season.
Views from the O #662 @SheaPatterson_1 pic.twitter.com/wkseCeMpgn
— Eric Taylor (@ericvtaylor) April 10, 2016
9. Jalen Hurts, Alabama: Auburn’s John Franklin III is the SEC’s fastest quarterback, but Hurts might eventually become the most dangerous dual-threat. Nobody on offense looked great in the A-Day Game, but Hurts was the most fun to watch. There’s probably a greater chance of the Coke bottle actually speaking than of Nick Saban starting a true freshman at quarterback, but on a day the Tide’s defense dominated, Hurts’ athleticism still stood out.
Jalen Hurts: Is it time for Alabama to start a true freshman QB?https://t.co/k2x2Cg1Rbf pic.twitter.com/fWhq9UAo9V
— Stephen M. Smith (@ESPN_Future) April 25, 2016
8. Drew Barker, Kentucky: Barker quickly took to Eddie Gran’s new offense and won the Wildcats’ starting job. He showed some bounce back, too, erasing a bad throw that was intercepted with a touchdown strike on his next series in the spring game. Kentucky needed Barker to take control of the offense — and the team — and he did this spring.
7. Brandon Harris, LSU: The Tigers emphasized the pass all spring but still won’t be mistaken for Ole Miss this fall. Harris drew praise from coaches for his command of the offense, an element he lacked as a young quarterback.
“We’re looking for a leader, a guy who can make good decisions, check it down to Leonard (Fournette), throw the ball to the tight end,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron told NOLA.com. “(Harris) completed seven or eight balls to the tight ends in a scrimmage a couple of weeks ago. It’s something we haven’t done well recently.”
6. Brandon McIlwain, South Carolina: McIlwain scored points for his poise, which shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with his background. He’s not the passer that Jacob Eason is — nobody outside of Shea Patterson might be — but he looked in total control of the offense. It’s difficult to “see” intangibles, but it was readily apparent how well the first-team offense reacted under McIlwain’s leadership. He hasn’t won the job, but he certainly looked the part.
Brandon McIlwain @Mc11wain made strong debut in spring game. Check out large gallery https://t.co/lUsLbksU2U pic.twitter.com/Rtj0AudG26
— Ryan Bethea (@RyanUSC) April 10, 2016
5. Luke Del Rio, Florida: Florida completed passes and kicked field goals during its spring game. Del Rio hasn’t been named the starter, but it’s only a matter of time. He looked comfortable and smooth running the first-team offense.
4. Austin Allen, Arkansas: It’s never easy being the little brother, always trying to reach a bar set by the overachieving big brother. But before Austin Allen even had a chance to start matching what Brandon did, he had to win Arkansas’ job. He did, and Bret Bielema said it wasn’t close.
3. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee: Dobbs got through the spring in one piece, which was the objective. He also got to work with new weapon Preston Williams, which should make the Vols’ deep game stronger.
2. Trevor Knight, Texas A&M: Knight needed a strong spring to win the starting job and he delivered. He’s an ideal fit for Noel Mazzone’s system — a combination of quick feet, quick delivery and experience to make the correct pre-snap read. A&M’s offense is predicated on multiple receivers running multiple routes. The goal is the QB choosing the simplest throw, and then letting the playmakers do the rest.
1. Jacob Eason, Georgia: Nobody had a better spring. Nobody had a better spring game. He’s a future star, if not necessarily an immediate one this fall.
Hurts will not even see playing time.
Dude… I know you’re out here rushing and dealling with a deadline, but Austin Austin? Really?
Harris is coming, LOL
Barney is HERE!! Lmfao.
Don’t hate, appreciate! Sounds like somebody’s worried about 2 more years of beatdowns handed out by the little brother this time
I’m not complaining about the ranking you half witt. I’m complaining get about the fact that he wrote Austin Allen as Austin Austin in his initial draft. He’s changed it since then.
Brandon Harris for Heisman lol. A Les Miles QB. LSU where QBs go to die.
And his name is in your mouth. Why?
Right, Harris had 106 yard in spring game, LOL
Kelly wakes up with 106, corndogs my me smile.
not an ole miss fan but not including Kelly in this is just beyond stupid. I swear, I am on the verge of completely disconnecting from this stupid site.
Wait where was AU’s typical squid QB??
Talk about a tough story title to guess copy for…. geezzzz.
Jalen Hurts will, more than likely, take a redshirt this year, and Cooper Bateman will get the start (with Blake Barnett as the backup). Next year, Hurts will compete with Barnett for the backup spot and then in two years, compete with him, David Cornwell (assuming he doesn’t transfer, although he probably will if he doesn’t get the start this year, which I don’t think he will), and (assuming he stays committed and signs with us) Tua Tagovailoa (who will probably redshirt next year). And then from there, who knows.
Saban loves a running qb. He likes a qb who also extends plays which he does keeping his head up and capable of throwing the ball away instead of taking a sack(he may even smile for this). Hurts does this and is a QB of the future. I understand barnett and bateman are like previous QBs but this could be a treat for saban and I believe what he may actually desire.
We want the best man on the field and I see 2 qbs playing in the first 2 games but which 2.
I agree cornwell will transfer. Not being a dual threat is not too too big considering the threat of bama RBs but he also just doesnt fit. Hes great due to his size and skills but they are better in a weaker conference and he will shine when he transfers.
If hurts is what I see him as a russell wilson type he will be gone to the NFL asap after a great season and national championship and be a first round pick after possibly also winning heisman lol.
Hurts will not see the field this season. Saban might like a QB who can extend plays but over 90 percent of the time Saban goes with experience.
I won’t go as far to say he won’t see the field but I agree Saban will go with the guy that won’t lose the game.
If hurts is better then bateman come fall then he will play. If bateman goes starts the game and they just run hurts in a special package that kiffin draws up thats fine. We have such talented WRs and TE that we dont need grossly accurate throws anyway but someone who can get them the ball and Hurts moving around in the pocket and not staring down his WRs like all 3 other QBs is borderline mandatory. Barnett has been an interception machine and we saw Bateman in the ole miss game.
The good news is it doesnt matter as we will beat USC by 21 from our D alone even if it has to be 21-0. week 3 tho vs ole miss it has to be figured out.
I do think however that the play is to start bateman and if he fails to pull him fast and eary (3 drives/1q) and pull hurts aside and say “do you” and then run the package I know kiffin can get togther where he constantly rolls out and has option to throw/run and absolutely destroys any college D
Hurts will end up red shirting
Did you seriously just name two presumptive redshirts your list of best qbs? This crap is just getting stupid.
Like button needed.