Which team is sporting the best group of quarterbacks in the Big 12? Jason Madson has your answer. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.
1. Oklahoma Sooners
This team has my Big 12 POY and Heisman winner at the position, so they top the list. If Landry were to get injured, I like the promise of the players behind him in Drew Allen and big time recruit Blake Bell. Bell should be in line for the starting position next season if/when Landry goes pro.
2. Baylor Bears
This is based on the playmaking ability of Robert Griffin III and if he can stay healthy for an entire season, which he did last year. Even if he can't his backup, Nick Florence, has shown he can handle the load in a few spot starts. The Bears have two very solid players at the top of the depth chart. Redshirt Freshman Bryce Petty sits at number 3 for the Bears.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Brandon Weeden had an incredible year in 2010. How much of that had to do with former OC Dana Holgorsen? I'm sure some of it was the OC, but everything else in his arsenal returns. Weeden is a smart player that has the knowledge of the offense to call the plays himself. The Cowboys have a decent mix of backup QB candidates on their roster, including: JW Walsh, Clint Chelf and Johnny Deaton. Look for these 3 to battle it out for the number 2 spot in camp.
4. Missouri Tigers
Gary Pinkel always manages to get solid play from whoever he plugs in at the QB position. This ranking is based on reputation and the skill of the young players Mizzou has at the position. James Franklin is going to get the starting job in 2011. Many people say he is a great fit for the Tiger offense, he ran a very similar version in high school. After Franklin, Mizzou has a very seasoned vet, Jimmy Costello, who was asked to come out of "retirement" when Tyler Gabbert left the program. Ashton Glaser and true freshman Corbin Berkstresser round out the QB position for the Tigers.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies have one of the Big 12's best sitting atop their QB depth chart in Ryan Tannehill. He came onto the scene in a big way after replacing Jerrod Johnson. Tannehill is accurate and mobile, two reasons he should be in play for All-Big 12 honors. Considering how good Tannehill is, the uncertainty after him is the reason for the middle of the pack ranking. Jameill Showers, Matt Joeckel and incoming freshman Johnny Manziel are the very young and inexperienced options after stud Tannehill.
6. Texas Longhorns
If we were going off high school accomplishments and awards, Texas would sit at the top of this list. We aren't, so the six spot is the best I can give the Longhorns at this time. Garrett Gilbert looked like he was ready for a breakout season after nearly leading Texas to a win over Bama in the BCS title game. That didn't happen, Gilbert struggled mightily last year and is now in a battle for the starting spot in new Longhorn OC Bryan Harsin's offense. Gilbert should remain the starter, but look for Case McCoy, Connor Wood and David Ash to step in if he struggles.
7. Iowa State Cyclones
Who will it be? The Cyclones have two choices in my opinion, either Jerome Tiller or JUCO transfer Steele Jantz. Tiller knows the offense and if he can finally put it all together, has the talent to be a pretty good Cyclone QB. Jantz comes in with some flashy stats and lead his team to an 11-1 record at City College of San Francisco. Jantz has the ability to make plays with his arm and legs. After Tiller and Jantz, HC Paul Rhoads has Jared Barnett and James Capello rounding out the QB position.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield are both gone, leaving Tommy Tuberville with a pretty depleted crop of QB's. The favorite to start the year is Seth Doege. Doege is a junior who can be mobile and accurate. I'm anxious to see how he responds to stepping up from third team to starter. Backing Doege up will be Jacob Karam who had a solid spring season. Competing for the third string reps will be Scotty Young and true freshman Michael Brewer.
9. Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks need a talent infusion at the QB position. Just looking at their depth chart depresses me. Turner Gill will more than likely start a true freshman at QB in Brock Berglund. Berglund is definitely more talented than the group he threw out there last year, but he is a true freshman, so mistakes will more than likely happen in bunches. After Berglund the Jayhawks have the trio you saw last year in Jordan Webb, Quinn Meacham and emergency QB now WR Kale Pick. Pray that the running game is solid this year Kansas fans.
10. Kansas State Wildcats
Speaking of running games, K-State needs to pray that Bryce Brown is the second coming of Daniel Thomas. Collin Klein and Justin Tuggle, both dual threat options, are the leaders in the race to be the Wildcats starter, but neither of them is a very accomplished passer. Bill Snyder loves the dual threat QB's and this roster is full of them. Sammuel Lamur and Daniel Sams will compete for the 3rd string position.
