The 2015 Quarterback Recruits

Bruce Matson Posted On June 16, 2018

Quarterback is one of the hardest positions to play in sports. It’s almost impossible to tell if a quarterback prospect will prosper at the NFL level. By reviewing previous recruiting classes, we get the idea of which quarterbacks will gain steam during the last few years of their careers. We will also get the indication which players are more than likely going to fall through the cracks.

For this exercise, I evaluated the 2015 quarterback recruits and provided a mini synopsis of where they are currently at in their career. I used 247sports recruiting ranks as an outline and I reviewed all five and four-star recruits. After we review the most recent recruiting classes, we should have a good understanding of how talented the next few draft classes will be. Of course, since the three and two-star prospects aren’t listed here, there are going to be some players who gain traction that aren’t going to be covered in this exercise.

Here’s a look at some of the quarterbacks who are getting ready to hit the NFL stage. Listed with the player’s name is their recruiting rank and rating.

1. JOSH ROSEN, QB UCLA – FIVE STAR (PRO-STYLE)

5. SAM DARNOLD, QB USC – FOUR STAR (DUAL-THREAT)

PRO-STYLE QUARTERBACKS

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

2. BLAKE BARNETT, QB SOUTH FLORIDA – FIVE STAR

Barnett spent more time traveling from school to school during his collegiate career than attempting passes. He started his career at Alabama, where he redshirted during his freshman season, then the following season he completed 11 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. After the 2016 season, he took his talents to Arizona State where he played in just two games during his redshirt sophomore season. After a year at ASU, he is going to travel across the country to the sunshine state to play for South Florida.

He has two more seasons to string something together. Unless he turns things around, he’s more than likely not going to get the chance to compete at the NFL level.

3. DEONDRE FRANCOIS, QB FLORIDA STATE – FOUR STAR

He was the team’s starting quarterback during his redshirt freshman season in 2016. Francois had to sit out the rest of the 2017 season after injuring his knee. After a quick recovery, he will be competing against James Blackmon for the starting quarterback job. His draft value could be in danger because he’s currently facing a marijuana charge.

4. BRADY WHITE, QB MEMPHIS – FOUR STAR

We don’t fully know what White can do. He started one game for Arizona State before he injured his foot, causing him to miss the rest of the 2016 season. He’s going to try to rejuvenate his career at Memphis as a graduate transfer. Brady will get the chance to compete for the starting job this year. If we don’t see him under center soon, we might as well pull the plug on him.

5. JAKE BROWNING, QB WASHINGTON – FOUR STAR

Browning is having a very successful career at Washington. He passed for 9,104 yards and 78 touchdowns and completed 64.4 percent of his passes during his first three seasons with the team. Next season will be big for his draft stock because he will need to prove to the country that he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.

6. RICKY TOWN, QB VENTURA COLLEGE – FOUR STAR

What a turn of events for Town. He started his collegiate career by committing to Alabama then switching his commitment to USC. He practiced two weeks with the Trojans before he decided it was his best interest to transfer to Arkansas. After never gaining any traction with the Razorbacks, Town transferred to Ventura College so he can get some experience at the JUCO level.

7. DREW LOCK, QB MISSOURI – FOUR STAR

At 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds, Lock has the prototypical size of an NFL starting quarterback. He also has the arm talent to sling the ball all over the field. The DLF team has him ranked fifth in their devy ranks.

8. ZACH GENTRY, QB MICHIGAN – FOUR STAR

Gentry switched positions to tight end. Last year he caught 17 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns.

9. TY STOREY, QB ARKANSAS – FOUR STAR

Arkansas is having a major camp battle to decide who is going to be their starting quarterback. Ty Storey and Cole Kelley are the two players battling it out to be the team’s lead signal caller. If he wins the job, then we will get an extended look at what he can do. Right now, there’s not enough on the books to make an accurate assessment of his abilities.

10. BRETT RYPIEN, QB BOISE STATE – FOUR STAR

He’s the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien. In three years as the starting quarterback for the Broncos, he has put together a solid career, passing for 9,873 yards and 60 touchdowns and completing 62.7 percent of his passes. His senior year is going to be very important for his draft stock because he will need to exceed expectations if he wants to be one of the top draft prospects in next year’s draft.

11. QUINTEN DORMADY, QB HOUSTON – FOUR STAR

After playing three seasons with the Volunteers, he will be taking his talents to Houston. He will get the chance to compete for the starting job this off-season. His main competition on the roster is D’eriq King who started four games last season for Houston. Dormady hasn’t proved anything yet, and we’ll have to see how he transitions to Houston’s offense before we can fully evaluate him as a prospect.

12. DWAYNE LAWSON, QB ILLINOIS – FOUR STAR

Lawson was the most anticipated quarterback recruit for Virginia Tech since Tyrod Taylor. However, he decided to transfer to Illinois. He’s now competing for the starting role there. If he plays to his potential, then he could be Lovie Smith’s most prized possession.

13. KYLE SHURMUR, QB VANDERBILT – FOUR STAR

Shurmur has the prototypical size, but that’s about it, considering his production and efficiency metrics are less than optimal. There’s not much to see here.

14. ALEX MALZONE, QB MIAMI OH – FOUR STAR

He spent the last three seasons at Michigan where he struggled to get on the field. Malzone is transferring to Miami Ohio and he will be competing for the starting job there.

DUAL-THREAT QUARTERBACKS

1. KYLER MURRAY, QB OKLAHOMA – FIVE STAR

He transferred from Texas A&M to Oklahoma after his freshman year. After playing understudy to Baker Mayfield, he is now slated to start at quarterback for the Sooners. It will be interesting to see how he will transition to being the team’s starting quarterback.

2. JARRETT STIDHAM, QB BAYLOR – FOUR STAR

Stidham started his career at Baylor. He then transferred to Auburn after his freshman season. Last season he passed for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 66.5 percent of his passes. He ranks fourth in DLF’s Devy QB Ranks.

3 BRANDON WIMBUSH, QB NOTRE DAME – FOUR STAR

Wimbush got the opportunity to start last season and things didn’t go to well for the four-star recruit. He completed 49.5 percent of his passes and routinely failed to connect with his receivers. The sooner he develops the better because the curtain is about to get pulled on him.

4. TRAVIS JONSEN, QB MONTANA STATE – FOUR STAR

He originally signed his letter of intent with Oregon, but things didn’t go his way, so he decided to transfer to a JUCO school to get some experience under his belt. Now he’s playing for Montana State where he hopes to make a name for himself.

6. JAUAN JENNINGS, QB TENNESSEE – FOUR STAR

Jennings made the switch to receiver during his freshman season. He had to sit out the majority of last season due to a wrist injury.

7. SHERRION JONES, QB NEW MEXICO – FOUR STAR

Jones started his career at Tennessee but decided to go the JUCO route due to being buried on Tennessee’s depth chart. Now he will take a second stab at the FBS level by suiting up for New Mexico this fall.

8. JOE BURROW, QB LSU – FOUR STAR

Burrow couldn’t get it done at Ohio State, so he decided to take his talents to LSU. He will compete to be the team’s starting quarterback. Expect less than optimal results from Burrow.

9. JOHN KOLAR, QB OKLAHOMA STATE – FOUR STAR

He’s currently competing against Taylor Cornelius and Keondre Wudtee to be Oklahoma State’s starting quarterback. His stock will gain value if he becomes the team’s signal-caller.

[/am4show]

Author
Recent Posts

Bruce Matson

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

I'm a financial counselor for a hospital in South Central Ohio. I graduated from Muskingum University with a bachelor's in business while minoring in Economics and Accounting. I won my first fantasy football title with Jake Plummer as my quarterback.