The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
QB play in SEC to take step forward
Conference should see increase in talent under center.
Quarterback situations at this time last year were decidedly worrisome across the SEC. Nine teams had at least some level of uncertainty at the position. Ten played multiple quarterbacks over the course of the year.
The 2016 season was a rebuilding year behind center. Results should quickly manifest themselves in 2017.
Now, only four teams have battles under center: Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
With so much returning talent, the story lines change dramatically. In fact, the league could see some of its best quarterback play in years.
It’s hard to take much away from a spring game, but several teams showed off highlevel quarterback talent in front of home crowds.
Alabama’s Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa threw for a combined 614 yards and five touchdowns while completing over 60 percent of their passes. Tagovailoa also found fellow true freshman Jerry Jeudy for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham carved up Tigers defenses to the tune of 16 for 20 for 267 yards and a rushing score in just a half. He’s the favorite to unseat incumbent Sean White and start for the Tigers.
Georgia true freshman Jake Fromm and Tennessee junior Quinten Dormady also played meaningful snaps in front of big home crowds for the first time. Both performances were encouraging.
Granted, teams are playing base vanilla defenses to avoid giving opponents any information. Spring games are naturally built to benefit offensive playmakers. However, the guys still have to execute and show improvement.
Last season, Florida’s Feleipe Franks threw three interceptions in an embarrassing spring game effort. The performance virtually ensured a redshirt season. His performance this year (8 of 14 for 119 yards, 1 TD) should be encouraging for fans. Although incumbent starter Luke Del Rio remains on the roster, many don’t think he has a real chance to push Franks.
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of quarterback play in college football. Just watch how much Deshaun Watson affected the national title game in January, or how Florida collapsed against Alabama in the SEC Championship game without it.
Quarterback play has been a thorn in the SEC’s side for several years that has prevented much of the conference from competing at the highest level. The 2017 season might finally see a resurgence.
Last season was rough early, especially as so many teams struggled to integrate new quarterbacks. Nonconference play was especially dreadful — it’s no wonder four different true freshmen were able to break in and eventually win starting jobs. That patience should lead to immediate gains.
The SEC only loses three of its top 10 most productive passers from last season, and Ole Miss already has a fivestar quarterback in line to replace its guy.
Tennessee and Texas A&M are the only teams who will have to insert a player without meaningful starting experience.
When a quarterback situation is settled early in camp — or even heading in — it allows teams to focus on furthering the offense instead of just trying to parse through the candidates. The play of quarterbacks in the spring game is a great sign.
In addition to quality firststring quarterbacks, the potential for depth should be encouraging. Del Rio and White were starters last year — both will likely be reserves in 2017.
Spring games are a limited metric. But if quarterbacks across the SEC can keep high levels of production going into the season, it gives the SEC offenses a shot to rebound from a disappointing 2016.