College Football

College Football: Top 10 quarterbacks heading into spring camps

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:57 a.m. ET

Fansided, Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

College football's spring season is here. Here's a look at the top 10 quarterbacks to watch in spring camps.

The 2017 football season will be full of high-powered offenses. Last year, a plethora of defensive players shined for their respective teams to get Heisman nods. However, this year, marks another year where a lot of quarterbacks will be high on the radar.

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson took the 2016 season by storm with a number of highlight plays. Jackson ran away with the Heisman Trophy without much competition. He beat Clemson Tigers' quarterback Deshaun Watson for the award, winning by about 600 points in the final vote. Next season could see Jackson back on the Heisman stage, but he'll have plenty of company.

Jackson will have competition this year at the quarterback position. There's quarterback rising sophomore Dakota Prukop, who should fare well under new head coach Willie Taggart's system. The true freshman threw for 1,214 passing yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions for the 3-7 Ducks last season.

Then there's Jarrett Stidham, former Baylor quarterback, who is now eligible at Auburn this spring. Auburn struggled last season on deciding between quarterback John Franklin III and Sean White.

Needless to say, there will be a lot of quarterbacks to watch this spring. Here's a look at the top 10 quarterbacks heading into spring camp.

Dec 27, 2016; San Diego , CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) reacts late in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Qualcomm Stadium. Minnesota won 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Falk

QB, Senior

The Washington State Cougars will look to takeover the Pac-12 this season behind the arm of quarterback Luke Falk. Under head coach Mike Leach, Falk has found his touch in their pass-heavy Air Raid offense.

Falk threw for 4,468 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in 2016. He completed 70.0 percent of his passes, leading both the Pac-12 and FBS in passing attempts and passing completions. He also led in both categories in 2015.

The rising senior quarterback was fourth in the FBS in passing yards and first in the conference in passing yards last season. The Cougars went 8-2 last season before losing their final three games of the season. Falk threw for 858 passing yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions across that span. He threw three interceptions against the Pac-12 Champions, Washington Huskies in their final game of the regular season.

Falk will have a chance to redeem himself next season. The Cougars have USC, Colorado and Washington on the conference schedule next year.

Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) walks off the field after the 2016 CFP semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Clemson Tigers wont 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

J.T. Barrett

QB, Senior

The Ohio State Buckeyes and quarterback J.T. Barrett are looking for redemption in 2017 after dropping their College Football Playoff Semifinal game 31-0 to the Clemson Tigers. It was the first time head coach Urban Meyer has ever been shutout in his career.

The Buckeyes finished the season 11-2, although they didn't finish as Big Ten Champions. With Barrett under center, the team looked to be in good shape all season long, until the very end. Barrett threw for 2,555 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 845 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Barrett still has yet to return his 2014 form, when he threw for 2,834 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns. He finished fifth in Heisman voting that season. But his passing accuracy has come into question. He finished the final two games of the season with zero passing touchdowns and three interceptions. With some new additions on offense, look for Barrett to climb back up the rankings.

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) warms up before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Deondre Francois

QB, Sophomore

Quarterback Deondre Francois fared well in his first season as the Florida State Seminoles starting quarterback. He threw for 3,330 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016. He also ran for 198 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Francois had a strong season for the 10-3 Seminoles. With experience under his belt, he'll look to take the next step in the ACC. He was sixth in passing yards, eighth in passing touchdowns and seventh in passing efficiency (142.1) in the conference last season. With the departure of Dalvin Cook and some other key receivers, Francois will be looked upon to make more plays in 2017.

Francois will need to find some new targets this spring. The team does return receivers Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate so Francois will at least have some experienced wideouts to throw to. Murray and Tate combined for 850 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns last season. As the 31st ranked scoring offense (35.1 ppg) in 2016, Francois can improve these numbers with a strong sophomore season.

Nov 19, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) reacts after running for a touchdown during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Rudolph

QB, Senior

If there's a quarterback out there that will challenge Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield for the Big 12 title, it's Mason Rudolph and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Rudolph finished last season with 4,091 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns and a career-low four interceptions. The rising senior finished second in the Big 12 in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns.

He didn't throw an interception in his last five games last season, leading the Cowboys to a 10-3 record last season. He passed for 314 passing yards and three touchdowns against a tough Colorado defense in a 38-8 victory in the Alamo Bowl to cap off a strong year.

Rudolph's favorite target, wide receiver James Washington, also returns to Stillwater. Washington caught 71 passes for 1,380 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He had six games with over 100 receiving yards in 2016, including nine catches for 296 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh.

Rudolph will be a name to watch this season as the Cowboys look to challenge Oklahoma for conference supremacy.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Browning

QB, Junior

Quarterback Jake Browning had a strong sophomore season for the Washington Huskies last season. He threw 3,430 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in leading the Huskies to their first Pac-12 title since 2000.

The Huskies thrashed the Colorado Buffaloes 41-10 to win 10 games for the first time since they won their last title. In Chris Petersen's head coaching tenure, Browning has developed into a top quarterback in the conference.

The 2016 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year finished first in the conference in passing touchdowns and third in passing yards. For his efforts, Browning finished sixth in Heisman voting. He scored a career-high eight touchdowns, six passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, against Oregon in a 70-21 victory. The Huskies gunslinger tossed a touchdown pass in every game for them a season ago.

Browning returns with expectations to return to the Pac-12 Championship Game, but they'll have to get through the USC Trojans. He threw for a touchdown pass but also threw two interceptions in a 26-13 loss to the Trojans.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) points as he gets ready to throw the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurts

QB, Sophomore

Quarterback Jalen Hurts had a good season as the first freshman to start at quarterback under head coach Nick Saban. He won the 2016 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Freshman of the Year by the Associated Press and coaches.

Hurts used his arm and legs to lead Alabama to a 13-1 record in 2016. He threw for 2,780 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 954 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 36 total touchdowns ranked third in the SEC as were his passing and rushing touchdowns.

With more weapons arriving in Tuscaloosa, look for Hurts to throw less and increase his passing accuracy. They signed four wide receivers and two tight ends in their 2017 recruiting class. Two of the receivers and one tight end are early enrollees looking to make an instant impact on the Crimson Tide offense.

With the departures of wide receiver Ardarius Stewart and tight end O.J. Howard to graduation and the NFL Draft, there's certainly room for the newcomers to flourish. Look for Hurts to bring them along nicely as he looks to lead Alabama back to the College Football Playoff.

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts after a Sooners touchdown against the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield

QB, Senior

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield returns for his senior season despite winning the last two Big 12 Championships. Mayfield has quite the resume despite missing the College Football Playoff last season.

He finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2015, third in 2016. In 2015, he was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 3,700 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns. Last season, he threw for 3,965 passing and 40 touchdowns.

However, the Sooners got off to a slow start in 2016. They lost their season opener 33-23 to the Houston Cougars. Mayfield was sacked seven times in that game. Then a few weeks later, they lost 45-24 to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mayfield threw two interceptions and was sacked four times in that game as well.

The Sooners face the Buckeyes on the road in 2017 on September 9. As Mayfield shakes off off-the-field distractions, look for him to elevate his play next year.

January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws a touchdown pass against the Southern California Trojans during the first half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Trace McSorley

QB, Junior

Quarterback Trace McSorley took college football and the Big Ten Conference by storm last season. McSorley led the Penn State Nittany Lions to their first 10-win season since 2009.

He threw for 3,614 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions in 2016. He also had 365 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. McSorley was first in the conference in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total touchdowns on his way to winning the Big Ten title.

McSorley led the Nittany Lions on a nine-game winning streak after the team fell 49-10 to the Michigan Wolverines on September 24. After that, he threw 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions during the streak. He passed for 760 passing yards and eight touchdowns in the Nittany Lions final two games of the regular season.

They lost in the Rose Bowl 52-49 to the USC Trojans, but McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley put the nation on notice that Penn State is back. McSorley will be one to watch this season as the Nittany Lions look to win another Big Ten title.

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Notre Dame 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Darnold

QB, Sophomore

Quarterback Sam Darnold put the USC Trojans on the map last season despite their early struggles. The Trojans started the season 1-2 before handing the starting quarterback job over to Darnold.

Darnold did impressive in his role, finishing the season 9-1 as the starter. The freshman quarterback threw for 3,086 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes, second in the Pac-12, ninth in the FBS.

After his first start against Utah, Darnold threw a touchdown pass in every game last season. He'll need to limit his turnovers, he was fourth in the Pac-12 in interceptions in 2016. However with new playmakers at wide receiver (Joseph Lewis) and tight end (Josh Falo), Darnold will have better targets to throw to next season.

The team also will possibly have five-star running back Stephen Carr, a California native, featured out of the backfield. With so many highly-rated prospects on the roster now, the USC Trojans could be back in the national spotlight in no time, especially with Darnold under center.

Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA;Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) smiles against the LSU Tigers prior to the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson

QB, Junior

Quarterback Lamar Jackson will have the proverbial target on his back all-season long as arguably the best quarterback in college football. After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016, the pressure is on Jackson to perform at a high level once again.

Jackson took the ACC by storm in 2016 to earn ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for 3,543 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just nine interceptions through the air. On the ground, he ran for 1,571 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He was the first player in FBS history to eclipse 3,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in a single season.

Jackson looked head-and-shoulders above the rest of his competition last season, scoring 23 touchdowns in Louisville's first four games. He finished the season with three straight losses, but with improvements on the way via recruiting, Jackson should adjust nicely. He was sacked 47 times last season, which ranks 126th in the FBS.

If the Cardinals can fix the offensive line issues, look for Jackson to become an even more accurate passer. Louisville returns wide receivers Jaylen Smith, Traveon Samuel and Reggie Bonnafon, all capable pass-catchers in the Cardinalds' offense in 2016.