Ranking The Top 10 Starting QBs in the Big 12
The Big 12 conference has been traditionally dominated 30-40 PPG offenses led by some of the top QBs in the nation. The last two Heisman winners have been Big 12 QBs. Hurts and Ehlinger are definitely going to be in contention this season with a few other Big 12 Dark Horses. This is a young group as only 1 of the top 8 projected QBs is a Senior.
10: Carter Stanley- SR. Kansas
Starting Likelihood: 50%
The Kansas QB room seems like a coin flip at the moment. Connor Stanley played sparingly last season and did pretty well, but Thomas MacVittie is coming in as the No. 3 JUCO QB prospect in the nation. Doesn’t really matter. They may show flashes but won’t have the supporting cast to thrive in an offense that only threw for 192 YPG in the most pass-happy conference in CFB. Les Miles will improve Kansas football, but it won’t be this season.
9: Alex Delton- SR. TCU
Starting Likelihood: 70%
Delton is the most likely starter on a team that featured 3 QBs last season due to injuries. The KSU transfer has shown potential to be a capable QB in the Big 12, but is far from an ideal starter at the moment. 1,202 Yards, 5 TDs, and 4 INTs on 56.3 Comp % could be much improved upon.
8: Skylar Thompson- JR. KSU
Starting Likelihood: 95%
Thompson is an effective QB in KSU’s Run-Heavy Offense, but doesn’t have the arm talent as some of the other players on this list. He is a factor as a runner collecting 363 Yards and 5 TDs last season. Keep an eye out for him to take the next step as a Junior.
7: Spencer Sanders- SO. OKST
Starting Likelihood: 80%
The former 4 Star recruit took a RedShirt last season and is expected to get the starting nod over Grad Transfer Dru Brown and Freshman Brendan Costello. In high-school he was one of the best Dual-Threats in the nation and should be able to make an impact with his legs in Big 12 play. With one of the nation’s top WRs in Tylan Wallace, Sanders will have a safety blanket.
6: Austin Kendall- JR. WVU
Starting Likelihood: 75%
The Oklahoma transfer completed 72% of his 39 passes, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions in garbage time last season and was once seen as a potential competitor to beat out Murray for QB1. He has very little on-field experience at the college level and is a bit of a wild card. Miami transfer Jack Allison is seen as the most likely competitor. Allison played behind Grier this past season and lacks mobility, but has shown a lot of arm talent.
5: Alan Bowman- SO. TTU
Starting Likelihood: 95%
You could make an argument for Bowman to be anywhere in the 3-5 range. He came in last season as a relative unknown (No. 37 Ranked Pro QB) and really thrived in TTU’s offense including a video game like 605 Yards and 5 TDs against Houston. Injuries limited him to only 8 games, but he seemed to established himself at QB1 for the near future. Keep an eye out for how he develops under a new coaching staff.
4: Brock Purdy- SO. ISU
Starting Likelihood: 99%
Similarly to Bowman, Purdy came out of nowhere (No. 36 Ranked Pro QB) and became one of the best QBs in the Big 12. He went 6-2 in 8 games as a starter and could easily be a Top 3 Big 12 QB by the end of the season. It will be interesting to see how he plays without Hakeem Butler and David Montgomery.
3: Charlie Brewer- JR. BU
Starting Likelihood: 99%
You could make an argument that Charlie Brewer has the best arm talent in the Big 12. With Denzel Mims returning and an improved supporting cast, Brewer may be ready to take the next step and become an elite QB. He will need to limit his turnovers after throwing 9 INTs last season.
2: Jalen Hurts- SR. OK
Starting Likelihood: 99%
Hurts has played in 3 consecutive National Championship games and has shown the ability to win big games throughout his career. His stats aren’t comparable to other elite QBs, but he wasn’t asked to do much at Alabama. He’s shown a lot of improvement as a pocket-passer and is among the best runners in CFB. He could be up for a huge season in Norman.
1: Sam Ehlingher- JR. Texas
Starting Likelihood: 99%
An argument could be made that Ehlingher is the most important QB in CFB. He was responsible for 41 total TDs last season on only 5 INTs. The best in the nation in short-yardage situations, he runs like a Fullback and has some nice touch as a passer. Texas should be in playoff contention if he can stay healthy.
