After thorough study using specific scoring criteria[1], Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles[2], Sanjay Kirpalani [3] and Tyler Donohue[4] have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings[5] and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Pro-Style Quarterbacks.
No position can impact a recruiting class and, ultimately, the long-term outlook of a college football program quite like quarterback. The rise of true freshman starters increases stakes for coaching staffs aiming to quickly upgrade offensive attacks.
This 2016 recruiting cycle is packed with potential standout pro-style passers, and we've spent years monitoring their development in high school action and competitive camp settings. Here's our breakdown of America's top-ranked prospects at the position, including scores based on individual assessments of arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, mobility and decision-making tendencies.
All prospects scouted by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. Players ordered by appearance in 247Sports' composite rankings[6].
Height/Weight: 6'2"/210 pounds
High School: Cuthbertson (Waxhaw, North Carolina)
247Sports Ranking: No. 9 pro-style quarterback, No. 186 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Enrolled at Oklahoma
Austin Kendall[7] initially committed to Tennessee before his junior season but backed off that verbal pledge and reopened the process last spring. He weighed opportunities at Auburn and Oklahoma before settling on the Sooners.
He'll be joined in Norman this year by fellow newcomer Kyler Murray, a former 5-star quarterback recruit who transferred from Texas A&M.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Kendall is extremely efficient inside the pocket, standing tall with a sturdy frame and finding his targets in a hurry, though he isn't too limited as a runner either. He uses excellent lower-body fundamentals to fire footballs with precision and shows plenty of zip when he needs to (17/20).
The accuracy (23/25) stands out utmost on film, as Kendall has the range to spray strikes across the field and does a great job dropping well-timed deep balls just ahead of ahead of sprinting wide receivers. He threw for more than 10,000 yards in high school, per MaxPreps, throwing 110 touchdowns along the way.
Height/Weight: 6'5"/200 pounds
High School: Palmetto (Palmetto, Florida)
247Sports Ranking: No. 8 pro-style quarterback, No. 172 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Enrolled at Miami
Jack Allison[8] committed to the Hurricanes months before his junior season, becoming a foundational member of a class that underwent sweeping coaching changes during the fall. He remained steadfast in his plans following the hiring of head coach Mark Richt[9].
"I think he's really going to change the program for the better. I think that we're going to be competing for more championships in the years to come," Allison told Matt Baker[10] of the Tampa Bay Times.
His early offers also included Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya will enter his third season as the Hurricanes starter next season, allotting time for Allison to observe on the sidelines and develop during practice sessions. This is an ideal scenario for the Sunshine State standout, who has always looked the part but remains a work in progress as he prepares to eventually fight for first-team collegiate reps.
Allison provides some toughness in the offensive backfield and isn't easily rattled by pressure, displaying quality pocket presence (8/10). His arm is among the strongest in this group (19/20), and that zip will become increasingly dangerous as he develops consistent precision.
Miami landed a fiery competitor who will challenge Hurricanes defenders each day during training camp. Richt can make life after Kaaya smoother if Allison is able to clean up some of the inaccuracies he's dealing with at this stage.
He completed 61 percent of his pass attempts for 3,072 yards as an upperclassman, throwing 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions during that two-season span.
Height/Weight: 6'3"/198 pounds
High School: The Bullis School (Potomac, Maryland)
247Sports Ranking: No. 7 pro-style quarterback, No. 87 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Committed to Ohio State on Jan. 18, 2016
Dwayne Haskins committed to the in-state Maryland Terrapins last spring over fellow finalists Florida and Rutgers. However, sweeping coaches changes encouraged him to explore alternative options.[11]
Communication increased with Florida, LSU and Ohio State during late stages of the cycle. Haskins pledged to the Buckeyes a month after spending an official visit in Columbus.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Haskins was Mr. Consistency on the nationwide camp circuit, leading up to a legitimate MVP bid at the Elite 11 finals in the summer. His pocket mechanics (10/10) are among the best in this recruiting cycle, and he brings a large dose of quiet confidence that seems infectious to those around him.
He has leadership attributes, proving that as a peer recruiter for Maryland and a team leader at Bullis. Sharp footwork, persistent focus on downfield progressions and a smooth release result in elite-level accuracy (25/25).
Haskins regularly does an excellent job of placing passes where only his desired target can come down with the football. This touch and intelligence are evident in his highly efficient stat line (56 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions since 2013).
Regardless of which uniform Haskins wears next fall, he's one of this class' top candidates to claim substantial snaps as a true freshman starter.
Height/Weight: 6'5"/209 pounds
High School: Avon (Avon, Indiana)
247Sports Ranking: No. 6 pro-style quarterback, No. 61 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Enrolled at Michigan
Brandon Peters[12] pledged to the Wolverines in April while on campus for head coach Jim Harbaugh's first spring game in Ann Arbor. He chose Michigan over LSU, Nebraska, Wisconsin and the in-state Hoosiers.
The Wolverines will turn things over to a new starting quarterback next season, and Peters intends to be part of the equation.
"They have a bunch of other quarterbacks up there right now, but it's up in the air. It's anybody's spot to take," he told Bleacher Report[13] in December. "Going in early will help me get the playbook down and put on some muscle before spring practice."
Bleacher Report Analysis
Peters will carry plenty of momentum into his college career following the finest season he ever posted at Avon. He set career highs across the board, throwing for 3,103 yards and 37 scores on the way to the state semifinals and earning recognition as a U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year finalist.
This leap occurred after a strong offseason for Peters, who earned Elite 11 status in July. Peters matched improved pocket mechanics (8/10) with excellent athleticism (8/10 mobility) to become a dominant force in 2015.
He may throw the best deep ball in this class and can deliver tight spirals while moving laterally to avoid defensive pressure (20/20 arm strength). As a ball-carrier, he can deliver blows with his big frame and powerful rushing style.
Peters played some of his finest football in pressure-filled circumstances at Avon. That's an attribute Harbaugh, a former Wolverines quarterback, is sure to appreciate.
Height/Weight: 6'6"/210 pounds
High School: Wakulla (Crawfordville, Florida)
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 pro-style quarterback, No. 54 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Enrolled at Florida
Feleipe Franks[14] spent 17 months pledged to LSU before backing off that verbal commitment near Thanksgiving. Less than a week later, he became a central figure in rival Florida's recruiting class.
His emergence as a nationally targeted recruit occurred early. Franks collected offers from Clemson, LSU, Florida and Florida State before July 2013.
Bleacher Report Analysis
The Elite 11 finalist flashes greatness at times, but he's still putting things together. And there's no guarantee Franks will be equipped to immediately handle starter's responsibilities in the SEC. From a fundamental standpoint, particularly footwork in the pocket (7/10), he's a stride behind several standout quarterbacks in this class.
Where he stands above most is in terms of potential. Given his stature, athleticism and live arm, we're talking about a possible Heisman candidate if everything comes together perfectly for Franks under the tutelage of Gators head coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
However, there are still hitches in his delivery, and growing pains could define the start of his stay in Gainesville. Equipped with a cannon arm and above-average mobility (8/10), he may be the one in this bunch who develops the most dramatically during his collegiate career.
Franks completed 59 percent of his pass attempts as a senior, leading Wakulla to a state title game appearance with 2,766 passing yards, 39 total touchdowns and two interceptions. He has an opportunity to fast-track his progression by enrolling early for spring camp.
Height/Weight: 6'3"/185 pounds
High School: Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, California)
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 pro-style quarterback, No. 48 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Enrolled at Florida State
Florida State has produced multiple high-end NFL draft picks during its current regime, including No. 1 overall pick and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. This track record helped convince Malik Henry[15] to select the Seminoles as a junior after considering offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame and UCLA.
"I felt comfortable around coach Jimbo Fisher. I think he's a great quarterback coach, he knows his stuff and their offense is explosive," he said on ESPNU's College Football Daily after announcing his commitment (via Erik McKinney[16] of ESPN.com).
Henry's high school experience was a subject of discussion, as he spent time with four different programs before capping off his career at Long Beach Poly. Henry was supposed to lead Florida powerhouse IMG Academy in 2015 but left the program in the offseason before playing a down.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Say what you will about Henry's unorthodox high school journey, but he managed to finish things off in strong fashion. Limited to seven games as a senior, Henry tallied 1,410 passing yards, 17 total touchdowns and just one interception, according to MaxPreps[17].
While some will wonder about his ability to serve as a locker-room leader, his talent level has never been in question. Henry can air it out with the best of them, consistently hitting targets in every corner of the field and showing range on long-distance tosses (combined 43/45 for accuracy and arm strength).
He's one of the most mobile members of this positional group and can provide some dual-threat dimensions for an offensive coordinator. Henry looks extremely comfortable in the pocket and isn't easily rattled when things break down around him.
His past three seasons as a starter resulted in 5,823 passing yards, 52 touchdown tosses and 16 interceptions.
Height/Weight: 6'4"/213 pounds
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 pro-style quarterback, No. 46 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to Stanford on March 26, 2015
KJ Costello[18] became a coveted commodity as an underclassman, commanding scholarship offers from faraway Florida State and Tennessee before the end of his sophomore year. His recruitment ended in the spring, when he chose Stanford over fellow finalists Michigan and USC.
The Trojans were strong contenders for Costello, who follows a long line of promising Orange County quarterbacks.
"It was definitely a hard decision I made passing [USC] up," Costello told Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times, adding, "I kind of see what the future holds as far as after football and everything that comes along with a Stanford degree."[19]
Bleacher Report Analysis
Despite the arrival of 4-star transfer wide receiver Dylan Crawford[20], we didn't see a spike in Costello's development this year. He hovered around the same completion percentage as 2014 (60 percent) while throwing for fewer yards and touchdowns (Costello did miss some action after suffering an ankle injury).
His ability to place passes on receivers' fingertips 40 yards downfield and beyond is probably his greatest attribute on game film. Costello's accuracy is above average, but his 33 interceptions in three seasons as Santa Margarita Catholic's starter are slightly concerning.
Some of those errant pass attempts can be directly correlated to a lack of follow-through from the lower portion of his body upon release. Costello is a prototypical pocket passer who could be in store for substantial snaps during his career in Palo Alto after Stanford opted to stay out of the quarterback market in the last recruiting cycle.
Height/Weight: 6'6"/208 pounds
High School: Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, Washington)
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 pro-style quarterback, No. 5 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 97/100
Enrolled at Georgia
His path to Athens, Georgia, took some unexpected late turns, but Jacob Eason[21] ultimately stayed true to a Bulldogs commitment that began in July 2014, when he and 4-star offensive tackle Ben Cleveland[22] pledged to Georgia during an on-campus event.
The departure of veteran head coach Mark Richt and ensuing alterations to the coaching staff after new head coach Kirby Smart's arrival encouraged Eason to explore alternative landing spots. An official visit to Florida put fans on the edges of their seats, but he reaffirmed his decision in December shortly after receiving Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
"Just meeting with Coach Smart and [new UGA offensive coordinator] Jim Chaney just reassured everything. Those are great guys and great coaches and really fit for the jobs," Eason told Jeff Sentell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
[23]
Bleacher Report Analysis
Eason's game film is among the finest you'll find from any quarterback in recent recruiting cycles. He uses an effortless throwing motion to launch the football far without sacrificing velocity (20/20 arm strength).
His accuracy remains steady even at an extended range, and Eason isn't afraid to challenge even the slightest seams in an opposing defense. Georgia fans should be delighted to know that comparisons to former Bulldogs star and top overall NFL draft pick Matthew Stafford are legitimate.
Many expect Eason to be thrust into the starting role as a true freshman, possibly from the season's first snap. His ability to handle pressure in the pocket will be key, and Eason presents enough maneuverability to buy time when necessary.
He completed 70 percent of his pass attempts for 3,585 yards as a senior, tallying 102 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in high school.
Height/Weight: 6'2"/192 pounds
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 pro-style quarterback, No. 4 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 98/100
Enrolled at Ole Miss
Shea Patterson[24]'s recruitment process started all the way back in 2012, when he committed to Arizona as a freshman. He reopened things before his junior campaign, fielding offers from Alabama, Tennessee, TCU, Notre Dame and Michigan.
Patterson opted to spend the next few years at Ole Miss, announcing a commitment to the Rebels over USC and LSU in February. He's since helped the Rebels put together one of America's deepest recruiting classes.
"I think they're the fastest-rising team in the SEC," Patterson told Bleacher Report in December, adding, "With the recruiting class we'll have, I think they have the most potential right now."[25]
Bleacher Report Analysis
Patterson is the premier improvisational playmaker in this quarterback class. Tremendous football IQ, hustle and gamesmanship create an athlete who refuses to waste downs.
He can extend plays with excellent lateral mobility (9/10), evading defenders and displaying a unique sense of how things are unfolding for teammates downfield. Patterson, the Elite 11 MVP and a U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year finalist, is as precise as any other 2016 passer and can sling it deep with desirable touch (44/45 combined arm strength and accuracy).
He proved his leadership qualities multiple times as a high school standout. Patterson led Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, Louisiana) to two state championships prior to becoming the catalyst of an IMG Academy squad that boasted more FBS recruits than any other team in America.
Patterson completed 63 percent of his pass attempts during high school, totaling 140 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Recruit rankings and info courtesy of 247Sports[26] unless otherwise noted.
References
- ^ scoring criteria (docs.google.com)
- ^ Damon Sayles (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Sanjay Kirpalani (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Tyler Donohue (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ 247Sports composite rankings (247sports.com)
- ^ composite rankings (247sports.com)
- ^ Austin Kendall (247sports.com)
- ^ Jack Allison (247sports.com)
- ^ Mark Richt (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ told Matt Baker (www.tampabay.com)
- ^ Dwayne Haskins (247sports.com)
- ^ Brandon Peters (247sports.com)
- ^ told Bleacher Report (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Feleipe Franks (247sports.com)
- ^ Malik Henry (247sports.com)
- ^ Erik McKinney (espn.go.com)
- ^ according to MaxPreps (www.maxpreps.com)
- ^ KJ Costello (247sports.com)
- ^ told Lindsey Thiry (www.latimes.com)
- ^ Dylan Crawford (247sports.com)
- ^ Jacob Eason (247sports.com)
- ^ Ben Cleveland (247sports.com)
- ^ told Jeff Sentell (www.dawgnation.com)
- ^ Shea Patterson (247sports.com)
- ^ told Bleacher Report (blea cherreport.com)
- ^ 247Sports (247sports.com)
