QBs Watson, Jackson a cut above in the ACC

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate who ranks as the best quarterback in the ACC.

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I know everyone is in love with Lamar Jackson right now and, I have to admit, he reminds me of a right-handed Michael Vick, but there is only one answer to this question: Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. He isn’t off to a great start this season, but he had a slow start to 2015 as well before coming alive in the second half and throwing 16 touchdowns against only four interceptions in the last seven games of the season. Watson also rushed for nine scores during that stretch and emerged as the most dangerous player in college football. I expect him to heat up even earlier this season.

Jackson is still a bit of an unknown to defenses despite plenty of playing time last year. He is more effective running the ball than he is throwing, whereas Watson can beat you simply as a pocket passer or when he’s on the move. Both quarterbacks have a live arm, but Watson is more accurate overall and has better touch. And while he isn’t quite as explosive as Jackson in the running game, Watson still ran for 1,000 yards last season and will get on track in that department soon as well.

Deondre Francois at Florida State is an up-and-comer and Miami's Brad Kaaya could be the guy the NFL falls in love with, but right now give me Watson if I’m starting an ACC team.

Watson is the bigger name, probably plays for the better team and will almost certainly be drafted higher in the NFL, but the best quarterback (and player) in the ACC right now is Jackson.

A quick look at the numbers: Jackson leads the Cardinals with 318 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging just a hair under 10 yards per carry. He’s also thrown for 697 yards with seven touchdowns and is averaging nearly 350 passing yards per game.

That rushing total puts him third overall in college football over two weeks and the only quarterback in the top 28. Sure, Louisville has played creampuffs in Charlotte and Syracuse – where it scored 70 and 62 respectively – but Jackson is such a dynamic talent that I argue no defenses will have great success slowing him down.

I don’t expect Jackson to put up such amazing stats all season and this weekend against Florida State will be a huge test. But Jackson is so important to his team in both the run and pass game and so important for the Cardinals’ season that he’s the best quarterback in the ACC.

Florida State, Clemson and Houston will not be easy competition, but Jackson will have plenty of chances to keep proving that in the coming months as the Cardinals’ offense looks so hard to stop.