Big Ten Quarterback Talent
By Adam
To branch off of Scott’s article about Terrelle Pryor’s appearance with Jon Gruden last night, I am going to highlight the QBs that will still be wearing Big Ten jerseys this fall. In a conference where there are usually a couple of standouts at quarterback, then a few average guys under center, and a then a dropoff at the position, this year the Big Ten appears to be LOADED at the QB spot. A quick look throughout the conference may not show too many “next level” QBs in the Peyton Manning mold, but certainly an abundance of collegiate winners and playmakers.
Here is my current ranking of the Big Ten QBs as we approach the 2011 season…
1. Northwestern – Dan Persa is the heart and soul of the Northwestern team, and is the type of quarterback that every team should want leading their players. He is smart, athletic, and a proven leader of the Wildcats offense. His 73.5% completion percentage (1st in the FBS) and over 3,000 yards of offense helped to make him the Coaches’ First Team All-Big Ten quarterback selection in 2010. Assuming that he is able to fully recover from his season-ending ruptured Achilles’ tendon injury, expect Persa to keep his Northwestern Wildcats competitive in many games that they simply should not be in. When your team is less talented than 4 out of the other 5 teams in your division (sorry Minnesota), it’s going to be very difficult, even with his leadership, to come out on top.
2. Wisconsin – Russell Wilson’s recent transfer to Wisconsin is definitely a huge win for the program. He brings a running/scrambling option to an already very strong offensive attack in Wisconsin. Look for him to jump right in and cause problems for Big Ten defenses by efficiently managing the attack, while also being able to provide the third down conversions with his legs. Again, his proven track record as a winning college QB put him at this spot on my list.
3. Michigan State – Kirk Cousins is the Spartans all-time leader in passing efficiency and completion percentage. Despite what Sportscenter may have you believe, with constant highlights of their “Big Brother” school, the ability to complete passes and reduce mistakes will continue to win MSU games. Bottom line, Kirk Cousins is dependable and will keep the offense on the field, manage the game, and make Mark Dantonio a happy man this season.
4. M*chigan – Denard Robinson (and no, I will not refer to him as “Shoelace” just because he can’t grasp the preschool concept of loop, swoop and pull) is certainly electrifying on the field. Unlike Brian Bennett of ESPN, however, who did a similar list, I have Robinson down on my list because of his inability to stay on the field for an entire game. Bennett refers to Robinson, in his article, as a half-season Heisman, which he has potential to be if he adds a bit of size or avoids hits better.
5. Nebraska – Taylor Martinez is cut from a similar cloth as Robinson (above), but without quite as much flare. He has a lot of upside, and plenty of motivation in joining the new conference and wanting to come in and show his talent. However, he is like Robinson in the regard that he is injury prone because of his tendency to take off and run with the football. In most other years, his athleticism at the quarterback position might take some teams by surprise, but when nearly every other school is taking a similar approach, he might be in for a rough time.
6. Ohio State – Braxton Miller is an unproven player with tons of talent and raw ability. Unlike the quarterback that he is replacing, Miller throws the ball as if he enjoyed doing it, and not like it’s something that he has to do before he can get his serving of ice cream from his parents. He has a strong arm, but also the skill to bring the ball down and rely on his legs. If he is able to replace Joe Bauserman and become the starter, then look to him to be like Troy Smith in his junior season at OSU…able to throw, but not quite confident in his arm and decision making to stay in the pocket for more than 2 seconds.
7. & 8. Illinois & Iowa – Nathan Scheelhaase & James Vandenberg will be productive QBs for their teams this fall. Scheelhaase has shown that he can be a leader, and definitely matured and improved as a freshman last season. Vandenberg has taken some snaps, mostly due to an injured Ricky Stanzi (my guy!), and has the chops to be a successful QB in the Big Ten. Unlike Scheelhaase, Vandenberg isn’t going to be taking off for any scrambling first downs, but with him on the field, at least we can expect a few more camera shots in the crowd of his mom…hot.
9.-12. Everyone else – MarQueis Gray from Minnesota is a dual threat quarterback with no experience, but loads of ability and speed (he is a recent switch from WR to QB).
Penn State has a couple of options in Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden, both of whom have shown ups and downs in their playing time. As the announcers made mention to approximately 237 times in the first half of his game against OSU last year, McGloin showed that he had moxy, whatever the hell that is, and Bolden contributed in his starts as well.
Purdue has high hopes in Rob Henry and Robert Marve, but neither has proven anything thus far.
And last but not least, Indiana…look for them to throw the ball a lot (for a number of reasons…like being behind in the score), and have decent passing stats, but the real test will be in the win/loss column for this team, and I don’t think that these QBs are the answer just yet.
2/3 of the QBs in the Big Ten have tremendous potential to lead their teams this year and be successful, and some of the others are just unproven at this point…
Who do you think is the best Big Ten QB right now?