Checking up on the top five QBs in the 2016 class
Quarterbacks are analyzed, criticized and pored over ad nauseam. People love to debate their merits, and a handful of them will go in the first dozen picks in this week's NFL Draft. It’s with all of that in mind, Rivals.com has decided to take a look back at five previous quarterback classes and check in on where the top five signal-callers in each group are these days. We continue our series today with a look at the 2016 class.
Signed with: Ole Miss
Since Signing Day: Patterson, who recently transferred to Michigan, became Ole Miss’ starter late in his freshman season and looked poised after doing so. As a sophomore in Oxford, the former five-star prospect started seven games, throwing for more than 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. Patterson, who may or may not be eligible to play for the Wolverines this season, has plenty of company on Michigan’s depth chart but will likely be in the thick of the competition to land the starting job should a pending NCAA ruling grant him the opportunity to play immediately.
Signed with: Georgia
Since Signing Day: Now at Washington, Eason had a short but eventful career at Georgia. He won the starting job during his freshman season and looked mostly impressive during his run as UGA’s top quarterback. The first game of his sophomore season saw him suffer an injury that opened the door for Jake Fromm to seize the job and lead the Bulldogs to an SEC title and college football title game. Eason transferred to Washington this offseason and will sit out the coming year in compliance with NCAA bylaws. He will be eligible to play for the Huskies during the 2019 season.
Signed with: Florida State
Since Signing Day: Henry parted ways with Florida State following a redshirt season. He played this past season at Independence Community College in Kansas, where he shined as the team’s starter and starred in the upcoming season of the Netflix realty show Last Chance U. He is not currently signed to return to the FBS level next fall and will like play one more year in the junior college ranks, as he’s listed on Independence’s online roster. He’s likely to be a sought-after recruit this cycle should he have another impressive season.
Signed with: Tennessee
Since Signing Day: Guarantano redshirted his initial year in Knoxville but found the field a year ago, eventually seizing the starting spot during a disappointing season for the Vols. Guarantano now finds himself in an open competition under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Guarantano will need to hold off the returning Will McBride and graduate transfer Keller Chryst, who was once a touted prospect in his own right. Guarantano has the inside track to land the job, but nothing is ever certain during a coaching change.
Signed with: Stanford
Since Signing Day: Costello, who redshirted his first season in Palo Alto, unseated Keller Chryst as the team’s starter midway through last year. He functioned as the team’s starter for the remainder of the season and helped force Chryst’s transfer to Tennessee. Costello is the favorite to be the team’s starter when the 2018 season opens but he’s battled injury this spring and has been sidelined for most workouts. If the sophomore is healthy this fall, he’s the odds-on favorite to start the season under center.
