Position U series! The Quarterbacks

[tsweezy]

As we are nearing the end of the third sim recruiting cycle let's take a walk down memory lane and see which teams are leading each position. This week: QB

Methodology: So I have a "score" for every recruit in the sim thus far. It is basically my (educated) assumption of their starting overall + 2.5 years of progressions. So these player scores are my rough estimate for how good a player will be as a ~RS JR / Senior. Of course this is not precise, some will over-perform or under-progress but I think it's the best metric there is. In any case, for quarterback we are taking the top TWO recruits for each school and simply adding them together and then ranking the schools. 

Without further Ado:

 

Honorable mentions:
 

Wisconsin - 94.066

2023 Tyrone Walker - Balanced 4*, C overall, B+ potential, Denison Texas

2022 QB Stuart Welch - Scrambler, 3*, C overall, A potential, Pickerington Ohio

 

Nebraska - 95.96

2023 Guy Richardson - Pocket 4*, B overall, C+ potential, Union NJ

2022 Juan Arana - Balanced 4*, C overall, C potential, Decatur Texas

 

LSU - 96.337

2022 David Scott - Field General 5*, B overall C- potential, Dinwiddie VA

2021 Sean Kirven - Scrambler 4*, C overall B potential, Florida

 

Purdue - 96.476

2022 Edward Laakso - Field General 5*, B overall, C- potential, Greensboro GA

2022 Max Benson - Scrambler 4*, C overall, D+ potential, Simi Valley CA

 

 

#5: Texas Tech - 96.638

2023 QB John Waid - Pocket 5* B overall, C+ potential, Katy TX, 54.06 overall (5th best QB)

2022 QB Christopher Nowotny - 3* Scrambler, C overall, C+ potential, Gibsonton FL, 42.57 overall (160th best QB)

 

Texas Tech makes this list off the back of this years signee John Waid: A top-5 all-time QB recruit who is good enough to potentially battle for an instant starting spot almost anywhere in the country. Xavier Means is their current starter, a RS SR scrambler who is currently an A overall. Behind him are another pair of B+ overall scramblers: A RS JR and RS SO. So assuming they progress to ~A- we may actually see Waid take a redshirt and wait to start until his RS SO year at which point he'll be a monster. Nowotny is never in line to start and is ok depth but 1000% got crooted over and will likely be a future portal entrant.

 

#4: Maryland - 96.693

2023 QB Brandon Peters - Balanced 5* B overall, A- potential, Baltimore MD, 54.94 overall (2nd best QB)

2022 QB James Royer - Field General 3* C overall, C potential, Walhalla SC, 41.75 overall (191st best QB)

 

Brandon Peters was absolutely a necessary addition. This year RS JR Isaiah Lewis is the double wing god for Maryland: The only A overall QB they've seen. And behind him is frankly doo-doo. Nobody else on the roster is better than a C+ overall. James Royer had a legitimate path to eventually start but Peters will 1000% start the second Lewis leaves. The only question is whether he'll be a true backup next year and get some snaps or if he'll take a redshirt. Either way, he's second only to Dick in terms of how good we project him to be down the line and absolutely has the talent to take Maryland to championships.

 

#3: Georgia - 100.1638

2023 QB Sargeant Slaughter - Field General 5* B overall, B+ potential, Dahlonega GA, 54.16 overall (4th best QB)

2022 QB Walter Garner - Scrambler 4* C overall, C+ potential, Franklin LA, 46.005 overall (42nd best QB)

 

Georgia actually has a good pipeline of QBs on the roster. Will Outman is the guy, a RS JR and one of the best in the SEC. He'll be a high-A overall next year as Slaughter will presumably redshirt. Behind him was RS SO B- scrambler Gillislee but he will almost certainly be passed up. Similarly Walter Garner has FBS starter potential... but it won't be here. Slaughter will be a 4-year plan guy as a RS FR to RS SR.

 

#2: Florida - 101.729

2023 QB Maximillian Howard - Balanced 5* B overall, B potential, Bolles FL, 54.903 overall (3rd best QB)

2022 QB Kevin Jones - Balanced 4* C overall, B- potential, Alabaster AL, 46.825 overall (27th best QB)

 

One of only 2 teams to sign a pair of legitimate high-end starters, Florida has yet to see a truly "good" quarterback in Gainesville. Last year they signed Kevin Jones, a top-30 QB who was actually in line to start next year. However, when Matt Howard's younger brother is on the market you don't say no. The 3rd best all-time prospect, Maximillian chose his brothers rival and fortuitously will have basically 0 competition. He will almost certainly be the best QB the second he steps on campus and the Gators would be wise to give him the starting job right away. Jones is a very good backup option... if he stays.

#1: Tennessee - 107.135

2023 QB Jake O'Connor - Pocket 5* B overall, C potential, Excelsior MN, 53.59 overall (6th best QB)

2021 QB Brandon Savage - Pocket 5* B overall, C+ potential, Tennessee, 53.535 overall (7th best QB)

 

What do you want me to say. Tennessee started a B overall Cedric Marsh in 2021 and was lucky enough that hometown hero Elite 11 MVP Brandon Savage signed on to be the immediate true freshman starter. He was by far the best option when he arrived on campus and is in the midst of his 4-year reign of terror. Once he leaves, Jake O'Connor will step right in as a RS SO and contribute 3 years of his own to the Volunteers.

 

If you want to know where your team is, check the subscriber channel in discord orrrr ask me

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by tsweezy

[Vivid]

Counterpoint… to be a position U it’s not who you recruit it’s who you’ve had play.