Rating NCAA QBs

The cream rises to the top when comparing the top college quarterbacks. Four dual threat QB’s had great statistical seasons, with three coming against some of the toughest competition in the country. But this season Georgia’s Aaron Murray may have grown into the most NFL-ready quarterback, with so many questions revolving around 7-5 USC’s Matt Barkley. And interestingly, a much-maligned option QB was actually rated higher than two more highly-touted dual-threat signal-callers.

THE DUAL THREATS

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M redshirt freshman (10-2 in the SEC). Came up huge in upset of number one Alabama. Everyone loves a good nickname, bolstering his Heisman candidacy, but his performance trumps even the hype. Rushed for 1181 yards and 19 touchdowns. Edges Klein statistically.

Collin Klein, Kansas State redshirt senior (11-1 in the Big 12). Great dual threat kept unheralded Kansas State in national spotlight. Rushed for 890 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Marcus Mariota, Oregon freshman (11-1 in the Pac 12). QB rating was fifth nationally. Also ran for 690 yards.

Tajh Boyd, Clemson junior (10-2 in the ACC). Lots of touchdown passes, but also many interceptions and sacks. Piled up the stats playing deep into the fourth quarter against the weaker ACC defenses, then fell flat in losses to FSU and SC. Will have a long day against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Rushed for 519 yards and 9 touchdowns.

THE QUARTERBACKS

Aaron Murray, Georgia junior (11-2 in the SEC). Highest yards per attempt, second highest passer rating. Played great down the stretch against Florida, Ole Miss, and Alabama.

AJ McCarron, Alabama junior (12-1 in the SEC). Bama threw less, helping his passer rating lead the nation. Only three interceptions.

Matt Barkley, USC Senior (7-5 in the Pac 12). Great skills, but can he be a winner in the NFL?

Landry Jones, Oklahoma Senior (10-2 in the Big 12 ). Had over one hundred more attempts than the next closest QB. Great stats, but not an elite QB. Zero rushing touchdowns because he came out in goal line situations.

THE IMPOSTERS

Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech Senior (6-7 in the ACC). Often ridiculed, but had a much better QB rating (& more rushing TD’s) than the more highly-touted Braxton Miller and Logan Thomas. In the first seven games Tevin rushed for 471 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Tech went 3-5. In the last five games Washington only had 167 yards / 4 TD’s…but GT went 3-2.

Braxton Miller, Ohio State sophomore (12-0 in the Big 10). Led these QB’s with 1271 rushing yards, but his QB rating was second worst.

Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech Junior (6-6 in the ACC). Ranked 89th in nation. Not an NFL QB. Virginia Tech was done in by his 14 interceptions and 21 sacks. With only 519 rushing yards, Thomas’ physical prowess did not offset his limited passing skills. 

PL…comp..att…yards..comp%..YPA..TD..int..sack..QB rating

AJ….191…286…2669…66.8…9.33…26…3…22…173.1 (1)

AM…231…353…3466…65.4…9.82…31…8…24…172.4 (2)

TB….251…377…3550…66.6…9.42…34..13..26…168.5 (4)

MM..218…312…2511…69.9…8.05…30…6…16…165.4 (5)

MB…246…387…3273…63.6…8.46…36..15..14…157.6 (11)

CK…180…272…2490…66.2…9.15…15…7…13…156.1 (15)

JM…273…400…3419…68.3…8.55…24…8…22…155.9 (16)

LJ….332…507…3989…65.5…7.90…29..10…12…146.5 (29)

TW….72.…128…1173…56.3…9.16….7.…4….9…145.0 (32)

BM…148…254…2039…58.3…8.03…15…6…28…140.5 (44)

LT….205…390…2783…52.6…7.10…17..14…21…119.7 (89)