College quarterbacks to watch in 2012

Georgia's Aaron Murray

With an elite passer in the 30-year-old Philip Rivers, the San Diego Chargers appear to be set at quarterback for the next few seasons, at least. Anything can happen, though, as evidenced with what occurred with the great Peyton Manning in Indianapolis over the last year-and-a-half.

After undergoing multiple neck surgeries and missing the entire 2011 season, Manning went from being irreplaceable to replaceable rather quickly. As outstanding as Rivers has been for the Chargers, he’s not indestructible, and if he struggles again in 2012 after throwing 20 interceptions last year, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith may want to consider finding a quarterback of the future in next April’s NFL draft. In that regard, he should check out the following prospects this fall:

  1.      USC quarterback Matt Barkley: He’s not just considered the top quarterback in the nation, but many believe this 6-2, 230-pound senior is the #1 player overall. In 2011 he completed 69.1% of his passes for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Another season like that will probably guarantee him the privilege of being the #1 overall pick of next April’s draft.

2.      West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith: A 6-3, 214-pound senior, most experts believe he’ll be Barkley’s greatest competition to be the first quarterback selected next spring. Along with 31 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, Smith threw for a single-season school record of 4,385 yards in 2011.

3.      Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson: A 6-3, 220-pound senior, he probably would have been the third quarterback selected in last April’s draft if he had come out. In 2011 he completed 63.2% of his passes for 3,638 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also didn’t make a lot of mistakes, as he finished the year with just six interceptions, a huge reason why he was named first-team All-SEC.

4.      Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray: A 6-1, 210-pound junior, he threw for over 3,300 yards in each of his first two seasons as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. He also threw a single-season school record 35 touchdown passes, against 14 interceptions, last year. He should be watched as a possible franchise quarterback of the future.

5.      Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones: This 6-4, 218-pound senior has thrown for 12,379 yards (a Sooners record), 93 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions thus far in his college career. In 2011 he completed 63.2% of his passes for 4,463 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He struggled mightily at the end of last season, however, as he threw six interceptions and just one touchdown pass in the final four games.

6.      Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas: At 6-6, 262 pounds, he was recruited to Blacksburg as a tight end but made the switch to full-time quarterback last season. With a cannon for an arm, he enticed NFL scouts by throwing for 3,019 yards and 19 touchdowns and running for 419 yards and another 11 scores in 2011. He should improve as he gets more experience as a junior this fall, during which he hopes to cut down on the 10 interceptions he threw last year.

7.      Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd: This 6-1, 225-pound junior is the best passer the Tigers have had since Charlie Whitehurst, the current backup to Rivers. In 2011 Boyd completed 59.7% of his passes for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions.

8.      Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder: A 6-2, 215-pound senior, he threw for 3,873 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season. His efforts led to him becoming a candidate of the Davey O’Brien Award and Manning Award. He’s entering his third season as the Broncos’ starting quarterback.

9.      Washington quarterback Keith Price: At 6-1, 195 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, but he threw for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions as a sophomore last season. He also completed 66.1% of his passes, a single-season school record, and threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another three scores during a 67-56 triumph over Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.

10.  Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray: He’s missed some valuable playing time over his first two seasons with the Vols, but when he’s been in, this 6-6, 213-pound junior has been effective, throwing for 3,832 yards and 35 touchdowns against just 16 interceptions. This fall will be a huge season for him to impress NFL scouts, as he’ll have two elite options to throw passes to in wide receivers Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers.

11.  TCU quarterback Casey Pachall: In 2011, his first year as a starter, this 6-5, 225-pound signal caller threw for 2,921 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He’s looking to improve on those numbers as a junior this fall.

12.  Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel: Due to suffering multiple injuries, this 6-3, 221-pounder appeared in just three games and completed 29 of 45 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown last season. A senior, he’s looking to show he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the nation this fall.

13.  Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr: The younger brother of former #1 overall pick David Carr, this 6-3, 210-pound redshirt junior was a second-team All-WAC selection last season after throwing for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

With the way mediocre talents like Christian Ponder are getting selected in the top 15, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if six or seven of these passers are picked in the first round of next April’s draft. But let’s hope Rivers leads San Diego to its first Super Bowl title this season and there won’t be any need for Smith to take a quarterback early.