Big Ten Football Rankings: Top 5 quarterbacks for 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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There have been some elite quarterbacks to come out of Big Ten Football in years past, but who are the top five gunslingers for 2016?

The Big Ten has produced some solid quarterbacks through the years. Guys like Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins and even Drew Brees have come out of the conference to start for NFL teams. Ohio State’s Troy Smith even won the Heisman back in 2006.

While there aren’t a ton of big names this season like there were last year with Cardale Jones, Christian Hackenberg and Connor Cook, the conference still has plenty of returning talent. Some guys are sure to break out for monster seasons by flying under the radar.

Will there be a new quarterback in town in each of those places to jump into the top-tier by the end of the season? Most likely, especially since the Buckeyes already had J.T. Barrett, who was a capable starter in 2015 and led Ohio State to the Big Ten title game in 2016.

There are a couple of quarterbacks in the conference returning to title contenders, but some of the top weapons on those respective teams are gone. No matter how good a quarterback is, the transition after losing top targets is always tough — even losing some running backs puts extra strain on the gunslingers.

Last year, we saw Jake Rudock go from Iowa transfer to All-Big Ten candidate with Michigan. Could Jim Harbaugh have the same effect on Houston Cougars transfer John O’Korn, turning him into a draft pick? Time will tell.

Let’s take a look at the Big Ten’s top five quarterbacks for 2016.

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O

Tyler O'Connor

QB, Senior

Not much is known about Tyler O’Connor. The fifth-year senior has been praised by coaches and fellow players this offseason, but outside the program, he’s just a new name in a familiar place. Michigan State quarterbacks have seen a ton of success under Mark Dantonio as he’s sent three to the NFL — Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook.

Could this fifth-year guy be the next?

Many around the program believe he has the potential to lead the Spartans to an under-the-radar College Football Playoff appearance, and they might be right. No one is giving Michigan State much of a chance to repeat as Big Ten champs, but the talent is there.

Not only did O’Connor march into Columbus last season and upset the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes with Cook injured, but he has been learning the system for years — he was even a few plays away from being named starter over Cook in 2013.

Although he has passed for just over 300 yards during his career, he has the potential to be a 3,000-yard passer with close to 20 touchdowns. Oh yeah, and he’s strong enough to tuck the ball and run with it.

With the amount of weapons at receiver, running back and tight end the Spartans have, O’Connor could have a field day throughout 2016.

Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) rushes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Ford Field. Minnesota won 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Leidner

QB, Senior

Opening the 2016 season with a victory over Oregon State on Thursday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are looking to improve on last year’s 6-7 mark when they saw head coach Jerry Kill retire due to shaky health. The team will likely want to win for him this season and beginning 1-0 against another Power Five opponent is a good start.

It wasn’t pretty, though, as Mitch Leidner didn’t live up to his senior potential, passing for just 130 yards on 13-of-26 completions, but his legs did most of the work. If he can continue to be an effective dual-threat for Minnesota, he won’t need to put up 300 yards per game through the air.

Leidner helped the Gophers overcome a lackluster performance, rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He put the team on his back when they needed him, which is why he’s one of the conference’s best quarterbacks.

If his 2016 season is anything like 2015, he will help Minnesota get over that .500 hump and get back to winning eight or nine games. Last year, he passed for 2,701 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for 270 yards and six scores.

Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) throws a pass during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Iowa won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Armstrong Jr.

QB, Senior

Tommy Armstrong Jr. made a lot of bad decisions last season. He would constantly throw on the run or into double-coverage, leading to a turnover. On the year, he threw an unhealthy amount of picks — 16, to be exact — which led the Cornhuskers to a mediocre 6-7 record and multiple close losses.

It wasn’t that Armstrong was terrible each and every game throughout, but in the clutch, he tried to force throws, leading to picks and single-digit point losses. Interceptions have always been an issue for him, but if he can improve on his decision-making, he could be a top-two QB in the Big Ten.

With departing talents such as Hackenberg, Cook and Jones, Armstrong Jr. has snuck into the current top three, leaving much to be desired, though.

Armstrong Jr. can rack up 300-yard games, but his completion rate has yet to hit the 60 percent mark for any season in his three-year career with Nebraska. Could this be the year he finally utilizes that talent and arms strength? I think so. Tommy is going to shock some folks in 2016.

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Beathard

QB, Senior

No Jake Rudock? No problem for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2015. The senior decided to transfer to Michigan for his final eligible season of college ball, leaving the starting job to C.J. Beathard — not that it wasn’t his already.

The Franklin, Tenn., native attempted just 119 passes in his first two years as a Hawkeye, completing just over 50 percent of his passes for 824 yards, six touchdowns and three picks. Rudock was the starter for most of that time, but after struggling, he handed the reigns to Beathard, begrudgingly.

Before the 2015 season, no one was really sure what to think of the first-year starter who would be leading a somewhat-experienced Iowa team. Would he falter under pressure and lead the Hawkeyes to yet another mediocre season or would he rise to the occasion?

It was clearly the latter.

Beathard led Iowa to a 12-0 regular season before losing to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship and Stanford in the Rose Bowl. He finished the year with 2,809 yards, 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions with a career-best 61 percent completion rate.

Scouts are singing his praises, and why not? Beathard has one of the best arms in the conference — and he added six rushing touchdowns last season.

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

J.T. Barrett

QB, Junior

Two years ago, Urban Meyer had to deal with one of the most unfortunate situations during his career. Star quarterback Braxton Miller went down with an injury before the 2014 season began. How would the Buckeyes even have a shot to get back to the Big Ten title game, which they lost to MSU the year before, and repeat another perfect regular season with a freshman QB?

There was no chance, right? Wrong. Well, the perfect season went by the wayside when Virginia Tech marched into Columbus early on and upset the Buckeyes, but Barrett did a heck of a job, leading Ohio State to a 11-1 record.

However, he suffered an injury before the Big Ten title game that season, handing the job off to Cardale Jones who then led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff and then a national title victory.

Jones started the 2015 season as the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart because of his 2015 run, but his inability to remain consistent paved the way for Barrett to return as starter. He took over and helped the Buckeyes to a 12-1 record.

Barrett’s 2,834 yards and 34 passing touchdowns with 938 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2014 was the type of production he could show on a regular basis, but didn’t get the chance to as a sophomore.

Look for Barrett to put up monster numbers in 2016 as the clear No. 1 quarterback with over 3,000 yards passing and over 1,000 on the ground. This kid is easily the top quarterback in the Big Ten and top five, potentially, in the nation.