Rivals QB Week: Highest-ranked QBs in Big 12 during Rivals era
Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
It’s QB Week at Rivals.com so we thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the highest ranked quarterback prospects signed by each Power Five conference. Today we continue with the Big 12 led by one of the best college quarterbacks ever.
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The skinny: Young took an official visit to Texas in mid-January and committed to the Longhorns soon after. Young began to flourish in Austin as a redshirt sophomore, but is most remembered for his redshirt junior season when he led the Longhorns to a National Championship while beating USC in a classic Rose Bowl. Drafted with the third overall pick by Tennessee in 2006, Young played six NFL seasons and was selected to two Pro Bowls. He retired from the NFL in 2014 but has expressed a recent desire to make a comeback.
Farrell’s take: Young should have won the Heisman in 2005 and was one of the most dominant players in college football history. He was also a first-round pick, so this ranking rang true in every respect. His NFL career wasn’t so hot with the Tennessee Titans, who took him perhaps a bit high in 2006 as he had more interceptions than touchdown passes and his career came to an early end with the Philadelphia Eagles. But for a No. 1 recruit, he checked all the boxes – great college career and first-round NFL grade and such a great high school athlete. He could have been an All-American safety or linebacker if he chose that route.
The skinny: Bomar trimmed his list down to Oklahoma, Texas and Florida State before committing to the Sooners in late July. He experienced plenty of early success in Norman, but he was then dismissed from the team in August, 2006 for violating NCAA rules involving receiving payment for work not completed at a car dealership owned by an OU booster. Bomar found a new home at FCS Sam Houston State for two seasons, before being selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. After stops in Minnesota and Oakland, Bomar’s last opportunity in the NFL came in 2012.
Farrell’s take: This story is a shame because Bomar was headed towards stardom and with Adrian Peterson and a solid array of offensive and defensive talent, Oklahoma could have won a national title or two with Bomar under center. Bomar never developed into the quarterback we expected despite his stint in the NFL and who knows if it has to do with being forced out at Oklahoma or not. This is a great example of potential being wasted to an extent. It’s also a great example of how we rank the players and then they have to navigate so many different hurdles and obstacles to reach their true potential.
The skinny: Just as the dust had settled from the Class of 2008 National Signing Day, Texas picked up a 2009 commitment from Gilbert. He spent three years at Texas, earning his most playing time in 2010. He had a 6-7 record as a starter before transferring to SMU, where he played for two seasons and accumulated 6,460 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was drafted in the sixth round by St. Louis in 2014 and has since bounced around the league. He is currently with Carolina, where he is fighting for a roster spot this summer.
Farrell’s take: This one turned out ugly, but Gilbert sure did have a lot of talent and upside coming out of high school. In fact, one coach said he was the best quarterback to come out of high school since John Elway. But what we learned, and quickly, was that Gilbert was a product of his high school system more than he was a natural talent who could take those skills to the next level. His numbers were insane in high school and he could move for a big kid, but he never adjusted to the pressure of the college game, the criticism that comes with failing and never had the mental makeup to be a leader at Texas.
The skinny: Reid committed to Oklahoma State prior to his senior season, but then saw a heavy push from Ohio State, Florida State, LSU and Kansas State. Spurning offers of official visits, Reid stuck with his word and became an early enrollee in Stillwater. After dealing with some injuries and overall lackluster play, Reid transferred to Texas Southern prior to his senior year. He went undrafted in 2010 and played one season in the Arena League before hanging up his spikes.
Farrell’s take: Reid was a massive quarterback who looked as good on the hoof as anyone. While his mechanics weren’t great, his ceiling was off the charts because he could move, had a live arm and looked like a guy who would be a nightmare to handle outside the pocket. None of that really panned out as he never improved his decision-making that much despite some bright moments and lost his starting job before transferring. He was a better runner than passer in high school, but man he looked the part.
The skinny: Snead originally committed to Florida, but then flipped to Texas in order to play closer to home. Throughout the 2006 season, Snead battled Colt McCoy for the starting job, but never grabbed control of the job. After the season he transferred to Ole Miss, where he led the Rebels to consecutive Cotton Bowl games. Snead went undrafted in 2010 and then had failed attempts with Tampa Bay and then the Arena League. He last played professional football in 2011.
Farrell’s take: I liked Snead a lot, mainly for his willingness to stay in the pocket and take punishment at times to complete passes. He was also elusive and could extend the play and I thought he’d be a star at Texas. His career at Ole Miss was a solid one overall, although he did make a lot of mistakes and tended to force the ball. I remember he was absolutely leveled in the US Army Bowl and popped right back up and fought back and I thought that was a good sign of things to come. He showed some of that fight in his college career, but not enough.