If there is one consistent theme about this quarterback class, it is that it’s been inconsistent. It’s why it’s important to look at the full picture and no just one game or one play samples. Is there a player available with the desired skill sets who can be coached up and develop into a team’s offensive system? It’s also worth noting how competitive this season in college football has been. The SEC is extremely competitive at the top with six teams having two or fewer losses. Additionally, the Big Ten has two undefeated teams in Indiana and Ohio State. It’s not as easy for quarterbacks and teams to dominate every single week. It’s more important than ever to be able to separate the good from the bad and understand which of the bad can be improved.
As it stands, the Los Angeles Rams would have the seventh overall pick. With the injuries to Michael Penix and Drake London, it is a realistic possibility that the Rams end up with a top-five pick. If that is the case and given how difficult it is to find quality quarterbacks outside of the top-five, the quarterback discussion becomes very interesting.
1. Dante Moore, Oregon
Following a game in difficult conditions last week, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore bounced back in a big way against Minnesota. It may have only been Minnesota, but Moore was nearly flawless and showed off his ability to layer throws to different levels of the field. Moore finished 27-for-30 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Moore isn’t mobile, but he is mobile enough to extend plays and athletic enough to throw off-platform.
While playing at Iowa is never easy, we haven’t seen Moore against a quality opponent since taking on Penn State almost two months ago. Oregon will play USC on Saturday in what should be a good game. After that, it will come down to how Moore plays in the College Football Playoff if Oregon makes it. Moore would be a strong fit in a McVay-style offense. Additionally, he is only 20 and turns 21 in May after the draft. Even if he were to sit for 2-3 years, he’d only be 23 when his time comes to start.
2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
After last week, Fernando Mendoza very likely ended the QB1 discussion. He will be the consensus top-rated quarterback on most big boards in the spring. At this rate, Mendoza may be the favorite for the number one overall pick. There’s no doubt that Mendoza struggled last week before leading a game-winning touchdown drive. At home against Wisconsin, he went 22-for-24 for 299 yards and four touchdowns.
Mendoza has risen to the occasion at every step this season. He has been the most consistent of the quarterbacks and shown continued growth. Indiana has a bye week before finishing the season against Purdue. After that, it will be a highly anticipated Big Ten title game against Ohio State.
3. Jayden Maiava, USC
The most underrated quarterback in the country right now might be Jayden Maiava from USC. Maiava has 25 starts and leads the nation in yards, QBR, and total touchdowns. He’ll finish the year with at least 27 starts and more if USC makes the College Football Playoff. Maiava has size at 6’4, 230-pounds. While he has the athleticism to use his legs, he plays well from the pocket.
This is the Dak Prescott of this quarterback class and he will hit many of the Bill Parcells quarterback rules. USC trailed by double digits in this game and Maiava led a comeback, leading the go-ahead touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter. He finished 23-for-32 for 254 yards and a touchdown. With Lincoln Riley as USC’s head coach and his relationship with McVay, it wouldn’t be surprising if this is someone that the Rams are watching closely.
4. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Simpson didn’t play as well as some would have liked him to on Saturday against Oklahoma. That still doesn’t take away from what Simpson did in the two months prior. Simpson was on a heater, playing seven weeks of really good football against rosters filled with NFL talent. His game against a good Oklahoma defense was his first bad game of the season. He also still had some strong moments in the loss.
There are some things that Simpson needs to clean up. He had another fumble which makes it five games straight. Those mistakes will drive coaches crazy. Following a pick six, Simpson led a scoring drive and responded well. Where I would have liked to see more from Simpson is at the end of the game. It would have been a long drive, starting at his own six. However, needing just three points, it would have been nice to see him lead a game-winning drive. Unlike last week when Mendoza got sacked, Simpson was unable to recover.
5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
A lot will be made about how South Carolina blew a 30-3 lead to Texas A&M. With that said, it’s important to contextualize Sellers’ situation. While he was inconsistent in this game, Sellers also showed why he’s one of the more talented quarterbacks in the nation and has the traits worth betting on. That’s not to say he’s a perfect prospect, but this is also a quarterback that’s dealt with offensive line issues, wide receivers dropping passes, and his offensive coordinator and head coach getting fired. Not many quarterbacks would look playable in that situation.
Sellers has developed some bad habits and too often tries to play hero-ball. That doesn’t mean he still isn’t a first-round talent who can be developed with an NFL coaching staff. It’s been said in recent weeks, but Sellers would probably be best serverd transferring and going back to school for one more year.
HM: John Mateer, Oklahoma
The winning quarterback from the Alabama-Oklahoma game was John Mateer. Against another quality opponent, he struggled throwing the ball. Mateer was just 15-for-23 for 138 yards. Mateer did have a rushing touchdown in this game, but Mateer certainly benefitted from having a strong defense. The Oklahoma quarterback hasn’t been the same since suffering the hand injury, but his limitations as a passer have crept up recently. That doesn’t mean that Mateer can’t be a good quarterback. However, right now, he may be more of a third-round player. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Mateer return to school for another season at this point.
Who to Watch This Week
- Missouri @ Oklahoma: 11/22, 12 p.m. – John Mateer
- Miami @ Virginia Tech: 11/22, 12 p.m. – Carson Beck
- USC @ Oregon: 11/22, 3:30 p.m. – Jayden Maiava & Dante Moore
- BYU @ Cincinnati: 11/22, 8 p.m. – Brendan Sorsby
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