Rivals QB Week: Which school deserves title of Quarterback U?

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

The debate has been around for years. Who is QBU? Which college program not only develops the best quarterbacks but sends them to NFL success. It’s a fun debate for sure and one that is never really solved to the satisfaction of every fan base. So I decided to take a look at a recent sample size, from 2010 to now, of successful quarterbacks using specific criteria to come up with the answer.

The Criteria: Since 2010 we looked at how many first-round NFL Draft picks a college produced, how many quarterbacks from a school had a QB rating over 160 in college, how many NFL quarterbacks from a school had a QBR of 75 or higher and threw in intangibles such as Heisman Voting, NFL MVPs, All-Pro selections, Pro Bowls and pure subjective opinion.

RELATED: Rivals QB Week | Ranking Big Ten QBs | Ranking SEC QBs | Ranking ACC QBs

The Seminoles take the top spot, and quite handily I might add, mainly because they have produced three first-round draft picks at the position since 2010. Three first rounders in six drafts? That’s impressive stuff.

While Christian Ponder and E.J. Manuel have both experienced their fair share of struggles in the NFL, Jameis Winston’s success both in Tallahassee and so far in Tampa Bay solidified this ranking. After winning the Heisman Trophy after the 2013 season and then finishing sixth after the 2014 season, Winston was the top overall draft pick in 2014 and leads this group clearly. As with most rookies, Winston’s initial season in the NFL was not necessarily consistent with the Bucs in 2015. However, he also managed to show enough potential to have Tampa fans excited for the future and had a higher QBR in his rookie year than Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning last season. Jimbo Fisher and the ‘Noles win QBU, at least since 2010.

The combination of Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff puts the Golden Bears at the No. 2 position. While Rodgers only played two seasons at Cal after transferring from a junior college, his performance with Green Bay over the last five seasons has been historic. Winning two NFL MVPs while also pulling in the Super Bowl MVP during the 2011 season, Rodgers has firmly established himself as one of the NFL’s best.

Now joining Rodgers in the NFL is Goff, who was the first overall draft pick last spring by Los Angeles. This was following a 2015 season at Cal in which he was ninth in the country in quarterback efficiency while passing for 4,719 yards and 43 touchdowns. This is a 1-2 punch based on NFL success and college production that is hard to beat.

With all the recent struggles with quarterback transfers at A&M, you might be surprised to find the Aggies here at No. 3. But with Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel both being drafted in the first round and with Manziel’s amazing career in College Station, the Aggies grab the third spot. Tannehill has developed into a consistent NFL quarterback with Miami and while expectations will be higher for him this season, he has already established himself in the second tier of NFL starters.

The current status of the Manziel story is a sad one, but it can’t be forgotten that he won the Heisman in 2012, finished fifth in 2013 and was selected in the first round by Cleveland. Odds are currently stacked against him that he will be able to add any future football highlights to his resume, which could easily drop the Aggies off this list very soon, but for now the Aggies get the third spot.

With Baylor turning into an offensive juggernaut in Waco, both Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty turned in impressive careers with the Bears. Griffin was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2012 and had a rookie season in Washington that saw him finish third in the league in QBR ahead of Tom Brady and Drew Brees. While injuries have derailed his progress, both he and Cleveland fans hope he can rekindle the past with the Browns.

Taking over for Griffin was Petty, who finished seventh in the Heisman voting in 2013 and then 10th in 2014 while putting up some impressive college numbers. Being drafted by the New York Jets, Petty is still waiting to get his chance to prove to everyone that he is a viable NFL quarterback. Throw in Seth Russell, who had the highest Quarterback Rating in college football for any player with 200 attempts or more last season and you have an amazing trifecta for the Bears.

The majority of the work that got the Cardinal in at No. 5 has been due to Andrew Luck. Finishing second in the Heisman voting in both 2010 and 2011, Luck was then the top overall draft pick by Indianapolis in 2011. He has proven himself to be one of the top young quarterbacks in the league.

Also making a name for himself in Palo Alto was Kevin Hogan, who had the fourth highest quarterback efficiency rating in the country in 2015 while leading the Cardinal to a Rose Bowl victory. He was drafted in the fifth round by Kansas City this spring and will be fighting for a roster spot this summer.

Three other programs that just missed the list are Oklahoma, Clemson and TCU. After being selected with the first overall pick by St. Louis in the 2010, Sam Bradford has seen some highs and lows in the NFL. Now with Philadelphia, Bradford is hoping for a healthy and improved season with the Eagles this fall. Currently in Norman, Baker Mayfield had a huge 2015 season, which saw him finish fourth in the Heisman voting with a top five quarterback rating. Another big season out of Mayfield this fall would likely move the Sooners into the top five.

The same can be said about Clemson if Deshaun Watson has another season like he did last fall. Finishing third in the Heisman voting last year, Watson is in line to become one of the top draft picks next spring if he continues to improve. Prior to Watson was Tajh Boyd, who twice had one of the top six quarterback ratings in the country during his time in Death Valley.

Finally there is TCU, where Andy Dalton finished ninth in the 2010 Heisman voting before he was drafted in the second round by Cincinnati in 2011. With the Bengals he has made two Pro Bowls while leading them to the playoffs in each of his five seasons. After Dalton, Trevone Boykin finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2014 and then 10th in 2015 (with a top 10 quarterback rating) while at TCU. Undrafted this spring, he is battling for a roster spot this summer in Seattle.