The top four programs in the Big Ten all return starting quarterbacks heading into the 2017 season spelling good news for the conference as a whole but bad news for the rest of the league. Here is a quick ranking of the position heading into spring:
1. Ohio State: There’s little doubt who will be the quarterback when the season kicks off in August with J.T. Barrett firmly entrenched as the Buckeyes starters. Perhaps the most interesting battle to watch this spring is who will earn the backup role. Joe Burrow and Dwayne Haskins have the inside track with early enrollee Tate Martell throwing his hat into the ring as well.
2. Penn State: Trace McSorley’s stock rose quickly throughout the season, hitting an all-time high with his performance in the Rose Bowl. Tommy Stevens saw limited action as McSorley’s backup – attempting just three total passes in 2016 – and that should hold serve throughout the spring but expect sophomore Jake Zembiec and incoming freshman Sean Clifford to add depth to the position.
3. Michigan: Depth shouldn’t be an issue for the Wolverines as Jim Harbaugh continues to hoard quarterbacks with seven players listed on the roster heading into spring. Wilton Speight, who started 12 games last season and led the team to a 9-3 record, appears set to start 2017. The rest of the depth chart features highly-rated Brandon Peters, John O’Korn and incoming freshman Dylan McCaffrey.
4. Northwestern: Clayton Thorson became the first Northwestern quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season since Mike Kafka in 2009 when he passed for 3,182 yards with 22 touchdowns in 2016. The two-year starter is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season. Matt Alviti enters as the primary backup with Lloyd Yates and Aidan Smith adding depth the roster.
5. Purdue: In three seasons with Jeff Brohm on staff, Western Kentucky produced two 4,000 yard passers in Brandon Doughty and Mike White. That’s good news for Purdue which produced its first 3,000 yard passer (David Blough) since 2009. Sophomore Elijah Sindelar struggled in limited action last season but could also benefit from the tutelage of Brohm in the spring.
6. Wisconsin: Alex Hornibrook started nine games for Wisconsin as a freshman last season while sharing snaps with senior Bart Houston. Hornibrook reportedly spent some time in San Diego with quarterback guru George Whitfield, looking to improve on a 58 percent completion rating. The Badgers added early enrollee Jack Coan to the roster this spring along with Kare Lyles for depth.
7. Indiana: Transfer Richard Lagow stepped up last season as the Hoosiers starting quarterback, finishing second in the Big Ten in passing yards per game with nearly 260 yards per game. New coach Tom Allen brought in former Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord to continue the Hoosiers strong passing games from the past two seasons.
8. Nebraska: The Huskers will be looking for just their third starting quarterback since 2010 with Tanner Lee, a transfer from Tulane, as the early favorite to replace three-year starter Tommy Armstrong Jr. behind center. Lee’s chief challengers will be redshirt freshman Patrick O’Brien and Tristan Gebbia, a 4-star pro-style quarterback who was an early enrollee to the 2017 recruiting class.
9. Iowa: Redshirt freshman Nathan Stanley played in five games last season behind durable CJ Beathard. Beathard’s exit opens the door for Stanley to earn the starting job this spring with junior-to-be Tyler Wiegers also in the mix as well as incoming freshman Peyton Mansell.
10. Michigan State: Tyler O’Connor’s departure leaves Mark Dantonio and staff in search of a new starter heading into spring and Brian Lewerke could fit that bill. The sophomore-to-be started two games last season before suffering a broken leg that ended his season early. Damion Terry and Messiah deWeaver could both push Lewerke as the Spartans look to bounce back from a disappointing 2016.
Ranking the QB position in the AAC »
Ranking the QB position in the ACC »
11. Minnesota: New coach P.J. Fleck will start out with a relative clean slate when it comes at quarterback. Demry Croft, who saw limited action in 2015 but was redshirted in 2016, should be the favorite heading into spring. Tanner Morgan was an early enrollee who de-committed from Western Michigan to follow Fleck to Minnesota and could find his way into the equation as well.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night's game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night's game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night's game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night's game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic coach Frank Vogel speaks before Monday's game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic coach Frank Vogel speaks before Monday's game against the Miami Heat.
The NFL is warning that a “bathroom bill” targeting transgender persons could jeopardize future major events in that state. (Feb. 10, 2017)
The NFL is warning that a “bathroom bill” targeting transgender persons could jeopardize future major events in that state. (Feb. 10, 2017)
Frank Vogel discusses the Orlando Magic's 112-80 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in this postgame video
Frank Vogel discusses the Orlando Magic's 112-80 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in this postgame video
Tim Tebow Foundation's "Night to Shine" Special Needs Prom at Real Life Christian Church in Clermont, Florida, on Friday, February 10, 2017.
Tim Tebow Foundation's "Night to Shine" Special Needs Prom at Real Life Christian Church in Clermont, Florida, on Friday, February 10, 2017.
12. Maryland: The Terrapins saw incremental improvements on offense last season despite having three different quarterbacks make starts in 2016. Caleb Henderson, a transfer from North Carolina who last saw action in 2015, and sophomore-to-be Tyrrell Pigrome lead a group of quarterback to vie for the job including Max Bortenschlager and incoming freshman Kasim Hill.
13. Illinois: Wes Lunt wrapped up his career at Illinois, opening the door for someone to step up and take the reins of the offense. Junior Chayce Crouch saw limited action before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury while Jeff George Jr. starting the final four games of the season. Highly-touted quarterback Dwayne Lawson hasn’t graduated from junior college but could also be in the mix.
14. Rutgers: I would say the quarterback position was a mitigated disaster for the Scarlet Knights but let’s face it, the offense as a whole was bad. Chris Laviano started the first seven games of the season before being replaced by Giovanni Rescigno. Offseason moves saw Laviano transfer out and the addition of new offensive coordinator Jerry Kill, who will look to improve the offense under Rescigno.
mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Matt Murschel on Twitter at @osmattmurschel or like his Facebook page for more college football coverage.
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