Keith7
06-10-2006, 04:54 PM
Quinn, Brohm and Smith highlight 2006 QB class
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Michael Robinson are gone. So are Brodie Croyle and D.J. Shockley. But that doesn't mean there's a lack of talented quarterbacks in 2006. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning signal callers.
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, SR, 6-4, 228
The light finally came on under first-year head coach Charlie Weis last season. Quinn completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for nearly 4,000 yards, while throwing 25 more touchdowns (32) than interceptions (seven). Another strong campaign as a senior could land Quinn the Heisman Trophy, not to mention the top spot in next year's NFL draft.
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville, JR, 6-4, 221
Prior to his torn ACL, Brohm completed 68.8 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Brohm's recovery is reportedly ahead of schedule. If that's true, the junior gives Louisville a legitimate chance of getting to a BCS bowl game this season.
3. Troy Smith, Ohio State, SR, 6-1, 209
Smith's impact is undeniable, as witnessed last season when he accounted for 27 total touchdowns (16 passing and 11 rushing). If he can remain healthy and out of trouble, Smith could emerge as college football's most explosive dual-threat quarterback in 2006.
4. Pat White, West Virginia, SO, 6-2, 191
If not OSU's Smith, then White is the next best candidate to earn "dual-threat quarterback of the year" honors this season. With more experience and improved accuracy, White could attain the 2,000-yard passing/1,000-yard rushing plateau as just a redshirt sophomore this year.
5. Drew Stanton, Michigan State, SR, 6-3, 223
In 2005, Stanton finally was able to stay healthy for an entire season. Now he must steady his season-long production in order to earn Heisman consideration and get his coach, John L. Smith, off the "hot seat."
6. Chad Henne, Michigan, JR, 6-2, 222
Last season, when RB Mike Hart and the Wolverines' offensive line were plagued with injuries, Henne showed that he wasn't a quarterback who can carry a team on his shoulders. With a healthier and more consistent supporting cast, though, Henne should be able to regain his 2004 form as a junior this fall.
7. Kyle Wright, Miami, JR, 6-4, 217
Wright experienced the usual highs and lows of a first-year starting quarterback in 2005. However, it became increasingly clear that he possesses the physical and mental tools to develop into a star before his career is over at Miami. Wright will be best served if his coaching staff burns the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game film vs. LSU and focuses on the positives from other performances against Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Virginia.
8. Kevin Kolb, Houston, SR, 6-3, 222
Kolb has flown under the radar despite passing for 9,155 yards and 55 touchdowns in 36 starts the past three seasons. Cutting down on his interceptions from a year ago (15) should finally result in Kolb's earning the respect he deserves.
9. Jordan Palmer, UTEP, SR, 6-5, 231
Palmer has been one of the key cogs in UTEP's remarkable turnaround under head coach Mike Price. Over the course of the past three seasons, he's thrown for 7,489 yards and 62 touchdowns. If he can recover from a fractured ankle suffered in the GMAC Bowl and eliminate some of the mistakes from a year ago (19 interceptions), Palmer will rank among the elite quarterbacks in the nation.
10. Drew Weatherford, Florida State, SO, 6-3, 218
Weatherford took his lumps as a first-year starter in 2005, but that experience should make him a better quarterback in the long haul. His biggest challenge is to improve on last season's touchdown-to-interception ratio of 18-to-18.
The next best 15:
11. Chris Leak, Florida, senior
12. Drew Tate, Iowa, senior
13. JaMarcus Russell, LSU, junior
14. Trent Edwards, Stanford, senior
15. Colt Brennan, Hawaii, junior
16. John Beck, BYU, senior
17. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State, sophomore
18. Matt Ryan, Boston College, junior
19. Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh, senior
20. Willie Tuitama, Arizona, sophomore
21. Sam Keller, Arizona State, senior
22. Zac Taylor, Nebraska, senior
23. Brandon Cox, Auburn, junior
24. Bret Meyer, Iowa State, junior
25. Rhett Bomar, Oklahoma, sophomore
Scouts, Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. Listen to Todd break down the biggest games and give you all the scores on College GameDay on ESPN Radio every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. ET. He is also a frequent contributor to ESPNU.
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Michael Robinson are gone. So are Brodie Croyle and D.J. Shockley. But that doesn't mean there's a lack of talented quarterbacks in 2006. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning signal callers.
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, SR, 6-4, 228
The light finally came on under first-year head coach Charlie Weis last season. Quinn completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for nearly 4,000 yards, while throwing 25 more touchdowns (32) than interceptions (seven). Another strong campaign as a senior could land Quinn the Heisman Trophy, not to mention the top spot in next year's NFL draft.
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville, JR, 6-4, 221
Prior to his torn ACL, Brohm completed 68.8 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Brohm's recovery is reportedly ahead of schedule. If that's true, the junior gives Louisville a legitimate chance of getting to a BCS bowl game this season.
3. Troy Smith, Ohio State, SR, 6-1, 209
Smith's impact is undeniable, as witnessed last season when he accounted for 27 total touchdowns (16 passing and 11 rushing). If he can remain healthy and out of trouble, Smith could emerge as college football's most explosive dual-threat quarterback in 2006.
4. Pat White, West Virginia, SO, 6-2, 191
If not OSU's Smith, then White is the next best candidate to earn "dual-threat quarterback of the year" honors this season. With more experience and improved accuracy, White could attain the 2,000-yard passing/1,000-yard rushing plateau as just a redshirt sophomore this year.
5. Drew Stanton, Michigan State, SR, 6-3, 223
In 2005, Stanton finally was able to stay healthy for an entire season. Now he must steady his season-long production in order to earn Heisman consideration and get his coach, John L. Smith, off the "hot seat."
6. Chad Henne, Michigan, JR, 6-2, 222
Last season, when RB Mike Hart and the Wolverines' offensive line were plagued with injuries, Henne showed that he wasn't a quarterback who can carry a team on his shoulders. With a healthier and more consistent supporting cast, though, Henne should be able to regain his 2004 form as a junior this fall.
7. Kyle Wright, Miami, JR, 6-4, 217
Wright experienced the usual highs and lows of a first-year starting quarterback in 2005. However, it became increasingly clear that he possesses the physical and mental tools to develop into a star before his career is over at Miami. Wright will be best served if his coaching staff burns the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game film vs. LSU and focuses on the positives from other performances against Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Virginia.
8. Kevin Kolb, Houston, SR, 6-3, 222
Kolb has flown under the radar despite passing for 9,155 yards and 55 touchdowns in 36 starts the past three seasons. Cutting down on his interceptions from a year ago (15) should finally result in Kolb's earning the respect he deserves.
9. Jordan Palmer, UTEP, SR, 6-5, 231
Palmer has been one of the key cogs in UTEP's remarkable turnaround under head coach Mike Price. Over the course of the past three seasons, he's thrown for 7,489 yards and 62 touchdowns. If he can recover from a fractured ankle suffered in the GMAC Bowl and eliminate some of the mistakes from a year ago (19 interceptions), Palmer will rank among the elite quarterbacks in the nation.
10. Drew Weatherford, Florida State, SO, 6-3, 218
Weatherford took his lumps as a first-year starter in 2005, but that experience should make him a better quarterback in the long haul. His biggest challenge is to improve on last season's touchdown-to-interception ratio of 18-to-18.
The next best 15:
11. Chris Leak, Florida, senior
12. Drew Tate, Iowa, senior
13. JaMarcus Russell, LSU, junior
14. Trent Edwards, Stanford, senior
15. Colt Brennan, Hawaii, junior
16. John Beck, BYU, senior
17. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State, sophomore
18. Matt Ryan, Boston College, junior
19. Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh, senior
20. Willie Tuitama, Arizona, sophomore
21. Sam Keller, Arizona State, senior
22. Zac Taylor, Nebraska, senior
23. Brandon Cox, Auburn, junior
24. Bret Meyer, Iowa State, junior
25. Rhett Bomar, Oklahoma, sophomore
Scouts, Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. Listen to Todd break down the biggest games and give you all the scores on College GameDay on ESPN Radio every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. ET. He is also a frequent contributor to ESPNU.