Three yards and a cloud of dust?

Try 3 TD passes and 300 yards are a must.

The SEC has become a quarterback’s league. After having just 1 QB throw for 4,000 yards in its first 80 years, the SEC is about to have its 4th top that mark in the past 8 years. With his next TD pass, Kyle Trask will become just the 4th SEC QB to throw for at least 41 TD passes in a season, too. Nobody had done that until Drew Lock threw 44 in 2017.

So, yeah, the SEC has become a quarterback’s league.

As such, let’s take a look at the 2021 recruiting class ahead of Wednesday’s start to the Early Signing Period and see where the SEC stands in the race to sign the next great gun-slingers and the situations they’re walking into. (All rankings are via 247Sports.com.)

A loaded class

There are 5 5-star QBs in the 2021 class.

That’s notable, but not quite historic. Here’s a breakdown of the previous 15 recruiting classes, dating to the fabled 2006 class headlined by Matthew Stafford and Tim Tebow:

  • 2020: 2 5-star QBs (Alabama, Bryce Young)
  • 2019: 2 5-star QBs (Auburn, Bo Nix)
  • 2018: 3 5-star QBs (Georgia, Justin Fields; Georgia via transfer, JT Daniels)
  • 2017: 3 5-star QBs (Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa)
  • 2016: 2 5-star QBs (Ole Miss, Shea Patterson; Georgia, Jacob Eason)
  • 2015: 3 5-star QBs (Alabama, Blake Barnett; Texas A&M, Kyler Murray)
  • 2014: 1 5-star QB (Texas A&M, Kyle Allen)
  • 2013: 2 5-star QBs (Neither signed with an SEC team)
  • 2012: 2 5-star QBs (Neither signed with an SEC team)
  • 2011: 2 5-star QBs (Florida, Jeff Driskel)
  • 2010: 1 5-star QB (Alabama, Phillips Sims)
  • 2009: 5 5-star QBs (LSU, Russell Shepard; Georgia, Aaron Murray)
  • 2008: 3 5-star QBs (None signed with an SEC team)
  • 2007: 6 5-star QBs (Florida, Cam Newton; Florida, John Brantley)
  • 2006: 3 5-star QBs (Georgia, Matthew Stafford; Florida, Tim Tebow)

(As you peruse that list, you’ll notice how often the recruiting analysts got it wrong. And, in most cases, they got it wrong regarding a “dual-threat quarterback.”

Keep that in mind before you panic over your team’s class this year. Mac Jones and Kyle Trask, the 2 leading Heisman Trophy candidates, are former 3-star products who were overlooked by Power 5 programs in their own state.)

As it relates to 2021, just 1 of the 5 appears headed to the SEC. Georgia has a commitment from in-state star Brock Vandagriff, the No. 3-ranked QB in the class.

https://twitter.com/BrockVandagriff/status/1337772392807096321

The Big Ten has commitments from No. 4 J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) and No. 5 Kyle McCord (Ohio State).

The top-ranked QB, Caleb Williams, a dual-threat from Washington, D.C., has committed to Oklahoma.

Assuming Vandagriff signs, he will become the 4th 5-star QB to join Kirby Smart’s squad (including Daniels).

It also would stretch the SEC’s streak of landing at least 1 5-star QB to 8 years — by far the longest streak in the country.

Top 50 QBs on the way

Entering Wednesday’s start of the Early Signing Period, the SEC has commitments from 13 of the top 50 quarterbacks in the country.

Again, Vandagriff leads the way. As for the other teams:

  • Alabama: No. 11 Jalen Milroe, 4-star dual-threat
  • LSU: No. 12 Garrett Nussmeier, 4-star pro-style
  • Mississippi State: No. 15 Sawyer Robertson, 4-star pro-style
  • Florida: No. 16 Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, 4-star pro-style; No. 43 Jalen Kitna, 3-star pro-style
  • Tennessee: No. 17 Kaidon Salter, 4-star dual-threat
  • Texas A&M: No. 19 Eli Stowers, 4-star dual-threat
  • Ole Miss: No. 20 Luke Altmyer, 4-star pro-style
  • Auburn: No. 22 Dematrius Davis, 4-star dual-threat
  • Missouri: No. 33 Tyler Macon, 3-star dual-threat
  • South Carolina: No. 40 Colten Gauthier, 3-star pro-style
  • Arkansas: No. 50 Lucas Coley, 3-star dual-threat

What jobs will be open in 2021?

Let’s start with the fact this was a free year and everybody is eligible to return. So forget about the class grades. Seniors, even 5th-year seniors like Jarrett Guarantano and Feleipe Franks, are eligible to return if they so desire. Mac Jones, Kellen Mond and Kyle Trask could come back, too.

Let’s take a quick look, school-by-school and project a way-too-early depth chart for 2021:

Alabama: If Mac Jones turns pro, 5-star Bryce Young steps into the QB1 spot. Don’t cry for Nick Saban.

Arkansas: Franks, with his fastball and NFL frame, will be a fascinating draft case-study. KJ Jefferson looked good in relief.

Auburn: With Gus Malzahn gone, I can’t imagine Bo Nix being the opening day starter in 2021. But nobody else has thrown more than 2 passes this season. This job is as wide open and inviting as any in the SEC.

Florida: Is Kyle Trask an NFL starter? Or a really, really good college football story. I tend to think it’s the latter. Regardless, Florida loves Emory Jones.

Georgia: JT Daniels didn’t have enough film to truly test the NFL waters, and that’s a very good thing for Georgia in 2021. And for Vandagriff, who won’t have to deal with the Jacob Eason save-us expectations.

Kentucky: Terry Wilson could return, but with new coordinator Liam Coen coming in, the best passer likely will win the job. A transfer is possible. Joey Gatewood has never truly been given an opportunity, but there might be a reason. Beau Allen arrived as the more polished passer.

LSU: Myles Brennan will be back, and Max Johnson looked as good as a true freshman making his first SEC start possibly could.

Mississippi State: Mike Leach has identified his QB of the future in recruit Sawyer Robertson. It’ll be an upset if he isn’t the opening day starter.

Missouri: This is Connor Bazelak’s job for as long as he’s healthy and wants to stay.

Ole Miss: Matt Corral is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft. Does he cash in on a breakout season or come back and smash school records? I’m guessing it’s the latter, but Lane Kiffin has John Rhys Plumlee and an incoming 4-star, just in case.

South Carolina: A new head coach means another QB competition. Ryan Hilinski can throw it. Luke Doty can do a little bit of everything. Shane Beamer’s direction and scheme will determine who wins and, potentially, who goes.

Tennessee: Will Jeremy Pruitt be around to make this decision? Stay tuned. I think any coach would be happy to start with Harrison Bailey.

Texas A&M: As an NFL quarterback, Kellen Mond profiles a lot like Josh Dobbs, but with a much stronger arm. If he returns, he’d be a reason Heisman favorite. The guess is he goes, but Jimbo Fisher won’t be too concerned. He’s adding another 4-star QB to a young, talented QB room led by Haynes King.

Vanderbilt: Ken Seals started as a true freshman and exceeded all reasonable expectations. He’s a piece new coach Clark Lea can build around.