Now that the dust from the college football season has settled (and practically buried back into the soil), it's time to go back into the Quarterback Scramble and adjust the rankings for a final Top 25.
This time around, on top of the bowl and season stats, we'll throw in the added bonus of letting you know whether or not each quarterback will be back in school. We might even let you know where the returnees figure to stack up in next year's QB Scramble and where those ditching the college game can expect to go in the 2012 NFL Draft.
It's OK. You can thank me later.
For now, take a gander at the season finale of the QB Scramble, and stay tuned for the preseason rankings this summer.
Who's Out?
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
I hate to drop anyone out of the QB Scramble for how they performed in their respectively meaningless postseason exhibitions, but...well, some guys (two, to be exact) performed a bit too poorly to be ignored.
13. Cody Fajardo, Nevada: 8-of-19 for 60 yards and one interception, with nine carries for 14 yards, in a 24-17 loss to Southern Miss in the Hawaii Bowl.
2011 Stats: 1,707 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs, 68.8 percent pass completions; 128 carries, 694 yards, 11 TDs rushing
20. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State: 27-of-50 for 300 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, with four carries for 23 yards, in a 33-30 triple-overtime victory against Georgia in the Outback Bowl.
2011 Stats: 3,316 yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTs, 63.7 percent pass completionsÂ
Honorable Mentions
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Likewise, we'll keep the post-bowl Honorable Mentions list short and sweetâ€"and from the same game, no less.
Ryan Lindley, San Diego State: 28-of-49 for 413 yards and 32-30 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl.
2011 Stats: 3,153 yards, 23 TDs, 8 INTs, 53 percent pass completions
Blaine Gautier, Louisiana-Lafayette: 24-of-40 for 470 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with nine carries for 22 yards, in a 32-30 win over San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl.
2011 Stats: 2,958 yards, 23 TDs, 6 INTs, 62.8 percent pass completions; 118 carries, 486 yards, 3 TDs rushingÂ
25. Zac Dysert, Miami (OH)
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Zac Dysert didn't get to play in a bowl game on account of Miami's 4-8 record, but he'll be back to give it another go during his senior season. Expect another prolific campaign for Dysert and the Redhawks in 2012.
2011 Stats: 3,513 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs, 65.8 percent pass completions; 125 carries, 115 yards, 4 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 25
24. Bryn Renner, North Carolina
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Bryn Renner hasn't been in the QB Scramble since Week 1, but after the season he hadâ€"not to mention his performance in the Independence Bowlâ€"it was about time he returned to the Top 25.
Renner ran up 317 yards, three touchdowns and just one pick while completing 27 of his 42 pass attempts amidst what was an otherwise forgettable day for North Carolina, who lost to Missouri by a score of 41-24.
Thankfully, for those of you who missed Renner this season, he'll be back on campus for his junior year, when Larry Fedora takes over full time.
2011 Stats: 3,086 yards, 26 TDs, 13 INTs, 68.3 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: NR
23. Tajh Boyd, Clemson
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Yeah, I know, Clemson's 70-33 loss to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl was all sorts of awful for folks in the Palmetto State.
Almost as gory as the state Republican primary is bound to be.
Nonetheless, Tajh Boyd put up numbersâ€"24-of-46 for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, with 32 rushing yards on 10 carriesâ€"that were just good enough to keep him in the Top 25.
The Tigers should be in excellent position to defend their ACC title in 2012 thanks to Boyd's return for his junior season.
2011 Stats: 3,828 yards, 33 TDs, 12 INTs, 59.7 percent pass completions; 142 carries, 218 yards, 5 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 19
22. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
Bob Levey/Getty Images
As tough as Ryan Tannehill's senior season was, at least he'll leave Texas A&M on something of a high note. Tannehill led the interim-coached Aggies to a 33-22 victory over Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, throwing for 329 yards, a touchdown and a pick on 27-of-40 passing.
He'll be playing on Sundays this fall, perhaps even as a first-round pick, thanks in large part to the absences of Matt Barkley and Landry Jones in the current draft class.
2011 Stats: 3,744 yards, 29 TDs, 15 INTs, 61.6 percent pass completions; 58 carries, 306 yards, 4 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 23
21. Dominique Davis, East Carolina
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Dominique Davis hasn't been seen on a football field since late November and may struggle to find time on one anytime soon, at least in the NFL. Still, his career at East Carolina was pretty entertaining, wasn't it?
2011 Stats: 3,225 yards, 25 TDs, 19 INTs, 67.6 percent pass completions; 93 carries, 172 yards, 5 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 21
20. Austin Davis, Southern Mississippi
Bob Levey/Getty Images
Speaking of quarterbacks named Davis out of Conference USA, Austin Davis finished off his collegiate career on a high note, albeit not statistically.
Davis dug up 165 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-41 passing in Southern Miss' 24-17 win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.
Don't expect to hear the senior's name called any time early, if at all, during the 2012 NFL Draft.
2011 Stats: 3,496 yards, 30 TDs, 11 INTs, 60.2 percent pass completions; 110 carries, 352 yards, 4 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 17
19. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Brock Osweiler was solid in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, throwing for 395 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 30-of-47 passing.
Of course, that wasn't nearly enough to help Arizona State avoid a 56-24 trouncing at the hands of Kellen Moore and Boise State.
Strangely enough, Osweiler opted to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, in which he could go as early as the first round, but is more likely to end up in the second or third round.
2011 Stats: 4,036 yards, 26 TDs, 13 INTs, 63.2 percent pass completions; 83 carries, 90 yards, 3 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 22
18. Keith Price, Washington
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
There was no way I could possibly keep Keith Price out of the QB Scramble after the numbers he put up in the Alamo Bowl.
Price plagued Baylor for 438 yards and four touchdowns through the air, along with another 39 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Granted, Washington lost, 67-56, and a stiff wind could've put up a better fight than Baylor's defense, but none of that figures to dampen Steve Sarkisian's excitement heading into next season, when Price wil be a junior.
2011 Stats: 3,063 yards, 33 TDs, 11 INTs, 66.9 percent pass completions; 56 carries, 10 yards, 3 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: NR
17. Denard Robinson, Michigan
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Denard Robinson's numbers in the Sugar Bowl were decidedly unimpressiveâ€"9-of-21 for 117 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, with 13 yards rushingâ€"but in the end, they were enough for Michigan to earn a thrilling 23-20 overtime victory over Virginia Tech.
He'll be back for his senior season to help guide Michigan back to the BCS.
2011 Stats: 2,173 yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs, 55 percent pass completions; 221 carries, 1,176 yards, 16 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 11
16. Connor Shaw, South Carolina
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
I think everyone at South Carolina can agree that Stephen Garcia is a punk and that Connor Shaw probably should've been on the field sooner. Shaw was solid in the Gamecocks' 30-13 throttling of Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, completing 11-of-17 for 230 yards and two touchdowns with 42 yards and a touchdown rushing.
Steve Spurrier's squad will once again be a favorite to win the SEC East next season, thanks in large part to Shaw's development.
2011 Stats: 1,448 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs, 65.4 percent pass completions; 135 carries, 525 yards, 8 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 24
15. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Over in the SEC West, Arkansas did its part to assert the conference's dominance with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Tyler Wilson was steady for the Razorbacks in the game, tallying 216 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-31 tossing.
The Hogs will be busy on the national scene next season when Wilson, a preseason Heisman Trophy contender, walks back to Fayetteville for his senior season.
2011 Stats: 3,638 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 63.2 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: 14
14. Aaron Murray, Georgia
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
Speaking of Heisman hopefuls out of the SEC, Aaron Murray will have his eyes on the prize in 2012, even if his performance in the Outback Bowl would suggest otherwise. The Georgia quarterback cobbled together 288 yards with two touchdowns and two picks on 20-of-32 passing in the Bulldogs' 33-30 triple-overtime loss to Michigan State.
His Dawgs will be among the favorites to win the East division next season and, perhaps, to contend for a national title.
2011 Stats: 3,149 yards, 35 TDs, 14 INTs, 59.1 percent pass completions; 87 carries, 103 yards, 2 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 12
13. Tyler Tettleton, Ohio
Mark A. Cunningham/Getty Images
Tyler Tettleton didn't let a poor performance in the MAC title game deter him from ending the season on a high note. Tettleton helped cap off Ohio's 10-win season with a thrilling 24-23 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, tallying 251 total yards and three combined touchdowns along the way.
The diminutive signal caller will be back in action for the Bobcats as a junior next season, ready to aim once again for a conference championship.
2011 Stats: 3,306 yards, 28 TDs, 10 INTs, 64.2 percent pass completions; 166 carries, 658 yards, 10 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 18
12. James Franklin, Missouri
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Missouri put together one of the more underrated performances of the bowl season, thanks in large part to the tremendous play of James Franklin. The speedy sophomore scrounged up 132 yards with a touchdown and a pick through the air while contributing another 142 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to the Tigers' 41-24 trouncing of a talented North Carolina team.
Franklin ought to be one some folks' Heisman radars heading into next season, especially if Mizzou manages to hold its own in the SEC.
2011 Stats: 2,865 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, 63.3 percent pass completions; 217 carries, 981 yards, 15 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 15
11. Nick Foles, Arizona
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Nick Foles' season was done way back in November, giving the senior plenty of time to prep for the 2012 NFL Draft, in which he's likely to go in the second or third round.
2011 Stats: 4,334 yards, 28 TDs, 14 INTs, 69.1 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: 10
10. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois
Mark A. Cunningham/Getty Images
I sincerely hope Chandler Harnish finds a home in the NFL, or at least goes on to do great things in Canada.
The Northern Illinois senior capped his prolific collegiate career with a solid outing in a 38-20 win over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, throwing for 274 yards with two touchdowns and a pick on 18-of-36 passing.
And wouldn't you know it? Harnish leaves the Huskies on a high, or at least as much of one as an 11-win season is worth.
2011 Stats: 3,216 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, 61.7 percent pass completions; 194 carries, 1,379 yards, 11 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 6
9. Geno Smith, West Virginia
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
What could be more impressive than leading your team to a 70-33 victory in the Orange Bowl? How about accounting for seven of those touchdowns?
That's exactly what Geno Smith did, while throwing for 407 yards and running for 26 more in West Virginia's eye-popping win over Clemson.
Luckily for college football fans (and folks in Morgantown), Smith will be back in school for his senior season.
2011 Stats: 4,385 yards, 31 TDS, 7 INTs, 65.8 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: 16
8. Kellen Moore, Boise State
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
It pains to put Kellen Moore this low to close out his career, but after his relatively unimpressive performance against Arizona State in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, I had little choice but to drop him just a bit.
Sure, Moore's 293-yard, two-touchdown, two-interception performance was more than good enough to net Boise State a 56-24 win, but the end result was more the byproduct of the Sun Devils' own dysfunction than anything the Broncos quarterback did.
In any case, it'll be nice to see Moore on Sundays, even if he has to fight his way there as a late-round draft pick.
2011 Stats: 3,800 yards, 43 TDs, 9 INTs, 74.3 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: 4
7. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Don't blame Russell Wilson for Wisconsin's 45-38 loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl, at least not entirely. The senior transfer closed out his roundabout collegiate career by completing 19-of-25 attempts for 296 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with another 18 yards and a touchdown rushing, in the Granddaddy of Them All.
Wilson grades out as a mid-round pick at best, though he'll certainly hope to stick in the NFL after giving up his fledgling career as a baseball player.
2011 Stats: 3,175 yards, 33 TDs, 4 INTs, 72.8 percent pass completions; 79 carries, 338 yards, 6 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 8
6. Darron Thomas, Oregon
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
I still don't quite understand Darron Thomas' decision to go pro, even given the departures of LaMichael James and Chip Kelly for the NFL.
Not that Thomas owes me or anyone else a good explanation, at least not after carving up Wisconsin for 268 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's 45-38 Rose Bowl victory.
Best of luck to Thomas wherever he lands (most likely as a mid-to-late-round pick).
2011 Stats: 2,761 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs, 62.2 percent pass completions; 56 carries, 206 yards, 3 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 9
5. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
A 12-win season, a 41-38 victory over Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl and 399 passing yards and four total touchdowns therein.
Not a bad way for Brandon Weeden to close out his career at Oklahoma State, even if it didn't come in the BCS title game.
Weeden would be a first-round prospect if it weren't for his age (28), though he'll be a second- or third-rounder nonetheless.
2011 Stats: 4,727 yards, 37 TDs, 13 INTs, 72.3 percent pass completions
Previous Ranking: 7
4. Andrew Luck, Stanford
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Andrew Luck was the superior quarterback in the Fiesta Bowl, even in defeat. Luck logged 347 yards with two touchdowns and an interception on a ridiculously efficient 27-of-31 passing during Stanford's 41-38 overtime loss to Oklahoma State.
If you haven't heard, Luck is 156 percent certain to join the Colts as the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2011 Stats: 3,517 yards, 37 TDs, 10 INTs, 71.3 percent pass completions; 47 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 5
3. Matt Barkley, USC
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Too bad Andrew Luck wasn't even the best (collegiate) quarterback in his own conference.
That distinction belongs to USC's Matt Barkley, who may well have been in a BCS bowl had it not been for the NCAA sanctions clamping down on the Trojans.
He'll have no such trouble showcasing his considerable skills next season, when he'll be back at No. 1 in the QB Scramble and atop just about everyone's preseason Heisman Trophy watch list.
2011 Stats: 3,528 yards, 39 TDs, 7 INTs, 69.1 percent pass completions; 28 carries, 14 yards, 2 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 2
2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
I don't think anyone could've asked for a more entertaining end to Robert Griffin III's spectacular seasonâ€"a 67-56 victory over Washington in the Alamo Bowl.
The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner more than held his own, passing for 295 yards and a touchdown and running for another 55 yards and a score while allowing Terrance Ganaway to soak up the stat sheet spotlight for Baylor.
RG3 certainly won't mind sharing, not with his status as a top-five pick in the 2012 draft all but set in stone.
2011 Stats: 4,293 yards, 37 TDs, 6 INTs, 72.4 percent pass completions; 179 carries, 699 yards, 10 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 1
1. Case Keenum, Houston
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
If you're wondering how or why I could/would even begin to depose RG3 from atop the QB Scramble, check Case Keenum's portfolio.
Keenum closed out his stellar collegiate career with 532 yards and three touchdowns in leading Houston to a 30-14 winâ€"the 13th of the season for the Cougarsâ€"over Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl, thereby further extending his already-incomparable NCAA records.
Let's hope Keenum sneaks his way onto an NFL roster somewhere, somehow, and fares better than Andre Ware, David Klingler and Kevin Kolb did at the next level.
2011 Stats: 5,631 yards, 48 TDs, 5 INTs, 71 percent pass completions; 57 carries, 35 yards, 3 TDs rushing
Previous Ranking: 3
No comments:
Post a Comment