Update: The Most Intriguing Quarterbacks this Upcoming College Season
An update on the signal callers mentioned in my pre-season predictions
In my pre-season article about six upcoming NCAA quarterbacks to watch, I made some predictions for their seasons. Much like pre-season rankings, some were spot on and some were way off, but all have developments worthy of an update.
True Freshman:
Sam Ehlinger: Texas
Pre-season prediction: Will be named the backup after summer but will take over for Buechele after the Longhorns lose a couple regular season games.
While Sophomore Shane Buechele was named the starter for the Texas Longhorns’ season opening loss, an injury forced Sam Ehlinger from the bench and into the QB1 position for their second game of the season.
For the next two games, Ehlinger went 1–1 against San Jose State and USC. Buechele returned for a win in game three against Iowa State, but another injury to the starter meant that the ball was back in Ehlinger’s hands for the following games against Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.
The Longhorns haven’t looked back since, and Ehlinger is now 2–( 3 thrilling losses) as a starting quarterback, with head coach Tom Herman saying he will stick with the freshman going forward. Don’t let the loss record fool you, Ehlinger’s heart far outbeats Buechele’s.
Jake Fromm: Georgia
Pre-season prediction: Will outshine Eason in spring camp and be named the starter.
While spring and fall camp was a closer battle between Jake Fromm and incumbent Jacob Eason than some will admit, Eason was named the starter going into the first game of the season.
Much like the Longhorn’s situation, Eason was hurt during the season opener, and Fromm thrust into the spotlight. After leading the Georgia Bulldogs to a 7–0 start to the season and a #3 national ranking, Fromm has solidified his position as top dawg.
Tate Martell: Ohio State
Pre-season prediction: Needs a season or two to mature, while J.T. Barrett has a strong hold on the starting position.
While Martell shone during Ohio State’s spring game, and has impressed in practice, the above prediction pretty much serves as this quarterback’s update.
Transfers:
Blake Barnett: Arizona State
Pre-season prediction: Will be named the starter with Manny Wilkins as his backup.
Is there a more underwhelming former 5-star than Blake Barnett? Probably not. I could not have been farther from the truth in my premature prediction for the Arizona State Sun Devils’ quarterback situation.
After a mediocre spring and fall camp, former Alabama backup Barnett could not rise to the occasion (that was literally handed to him on a platter), to be the Sun Devils’ starting quarterback.
Manny Wilkins has since improved his game from last season, leading the Sun Devils to huge wins against Washington and Utah while Barnett is once again riding the bench.
Will Grier: West Virginia
Pre-season prediction: Will be named the starter and eligible to play game one of 2017.
This prediction had no typos whatsoever, and Grier has since led West Virginia to a 5–2 start to the season. He has also heaved his name on a very pretty deep ball, onto multiple award watch lists.
Max Browne: Pittsburg
Pre-season prediction: Will be named the starter but will have a losing season.
Like Barnett, Brown just could not rise to the occasion before a college career ending injury during his sixth game of the season against Syracuse.
While Browne was named the starter going into the Sept. 2 opener, he was atrocious in game time action, leading Pittsburg to a 2–4 start to the season.
Browne’s time as a college quarterback unfortunately became quite the train wreck, and my next prediction for him leads to going undrafted in the NFL.
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Dina Colunga is a proud USC alum whose words can be found at The Unprofessionals, The Coffeelicious, and Reign of Troy. Connect with her on Twitter @alwayscompete, and Instagram @dinatrojan.
