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Ranking the B1G teams that benefit most in 2019 from landing a transfer quarterback
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The B1G was one of the conferences that benefitted most from the transfer market this offseason, particularly when it comes to the quarterback position. Several former starters and four- and five-star recruits have found a second home with a conference program.
Six B1G schools could have starting quarterbacks who transferred in this season, nearly half the conference. But which teams benefit the most from these additions?
It’s easy to look at the five-star ratings of Justin Fields and Hunter Johnson and put them at the top of the list. Instead of basing it purely on talent and projection, it’s important to consider the quarterback situation each program was facing entering the 2019 season.
As a side note, this list includes transfer quarterbacks who will have their first year of eligibility in 2019, which excludes Michigan’s Shea Patterson.
So, keeping that in mind, here are the programs that benefit most from landing a transfer quarterback.
6. Jack Tuttle, Indiana (from Utah)
Indiana comes in at the bottom of the list, but that doesn’t make Tuttle’s arrival in Bloomington insignificant. He’s still the highest-rated quarterback ever to join the Hoosiers and can certainly carve out a role for himself at some point in his career. But IU was in solid shape at the quarterback position with Peyton Ramsey and Michael Penix Jr. on the depth chart.
Tuttle is more of a pocket passer, whereas Ramsey and Penix are dual-threat quarterbacks. He provides a little something different for the Hoosiers and offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. Tuttle has the ability to make a huge impact at IU, but the team wasn’t in desperate need of a quarterback entering 2019 like other B1G programs.
5. McLane Carter, Rutgers (from Texas Tech)
With former four-star and last year’s starter Artur Sitkowski still with three years of eligibility left, you’d think Chris Ash would be content with Rutgers’ situation under center. But Sitkowski completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes and had 18 interceptions with just four touchdowns as a true freshman.
McLane Carter adds much-needed depth at quarterback, and perhaps his experience will be enough to uproot Sitkowski from the starting job and provide a spark for the Rutgers offense in the fall. After taking a beating last fall, Perhaps Sitkowski could benefit from relinquishing the No. 1 spot for a year or rotating in with the former Texas Tech gunslinger.
Regardless of what happens under center, Rutgers needs more help from its offensive line. If the Scarlet Knights can’t block, it really doesn’t matter which guy is the starter.
4. Justin Fields, Ohio State (from Georgia)
Considering the turnover Ohio State experienced at the quarterback position this offseason, you might expect Justin Fields to be a little higher on this list. However, if Fields didn’t leave Athens for Columbus, the Buckeyes would still have Tate Martell, maybe even Matthew Baldwin, too.
In terms of talent and ability, Fields is probably the best of all the transfer quarterbacks to join the B1G. He’s an excellent passer and has tremendous dual-threat capabilities. In Ryan Day’s offense, Fields has the opportunity to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Even though Martell walked out the door, Ohio State got an upgrade at the quarterback spot.
3. Hunter Johnson, Northwestern (from Clemson)
Northwestern has to replace four-year starter Clayton Thorson, who was the B1G quarterback version of Iron Man. Sure, T.J. Green was next in line to inherit the job, but Hunter Johnson allows the Wildcats to pick up offensively where Thorson left off.
Thorson lived up to his four-star rating, but Johnson has the talent to exceed the bar his predecessor left. He probably won’t be in any Heisman Trophy conversations this year, but his presence keeps the Wildcats right in the thick of the B1G West race. You probably wouldn’t be able to say that about Northwestern if Johnson hadn’t transferred into the program.
2. Josh Jackson, Maryland (from Virginia Tech)
Maryland’s quarterback situation has been somewhat of a carousel over the last few years, but Mike Locksley may have landed a permanent play caller for his first season in College Park. And it’s not just any quarterback, it’s a pretty darn good one.
Josh Jackson was the starter at Virginia Tech as a freshman in 2017 and to start the 2018 season before missing the final nine games because of an injury. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards and rushed for over 300 more in his freshman campaign, kickstarting what was sure to be a promising career with the Hokies. Now, his future is at Maryland.
Jackson may have some cobwebs to dust off when he hits the field, but he’ll be the most talented quarterback on the roster this fall. His abilities will provide Maryland with a chance to make a bowl game this year, something that looked very unlikely when Locksley took the job.
1. Brandon Peters, Illinois (from Michigan)
Illinois would’ve been near the top of list regardless of who it landed from the transfer market. But getting Brandon Peters, a former four-star quarterback with starting experience from Michigan, was an absolute steal for Lovie Smith and his staff.
Peters doesn’t have a ton of experience as the guy, but he’ll still be the veteran of the group in Champaign, and he has the most talented arm in the room. By a lot. With his commitment, the Illini went from a bottom-feeder in the B1G to a potential bowl challenger.
You could argue that Peters doesn’t fit Rod Smith’s offensive system as a pocket passer, but when you’re Illinois, you take what you can get and make it work. Peters was one of the top quarterbacks on the market, and the fact that he chose the Illini, Smith has no option but to make it work this fall. For the first time since West Lunt was on the field, Illinois has a quarterback who can consistently complete passes. It shouldn’t be too difficult to put him in a position to have success.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB