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First-year starting QBs are dominating college football
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It’s best to sit your franchise quarterback before throwing him out to the wolves, right?
That was the thought not too long ago. Now, fans want to see what the future is going to look like as soon as possible. The days of Patrick Mahomes sitting and learning for a year behind an Alex Smith almost seem rare.
In college football, it’s a bit different. You only have guys for 4 years. If you’re more talented, you’ll play. That simple.
Offenses are evolving and completion percentages seem to be higher now than ever before. Part of that is rules changing to benefit offenses, but another aspect involves different types of play-calling.
Coaches shift their system to fit what their QB does best now more than ever. When looking at college football, 4 of the top 5 passers in 2018 are all first-year starters:
This is interesting: 4 of the nation’s top 5 passers (Tua; OU’s Kyler Murray; Toledo’s Mitchell Guadagni and OhioState’s Dwayne Haskins) are all first-year starters. UGA soph Jake Fromm, the No. 4 ranked passer is the only returning starter among the leaders.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 7, 2018
Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama has done wonders, while Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray and Toledo’s Mitchell Guadagni have all performed admirably as well. Looking at Ohio State, Dwayne Haskins has helped lead the Buckeyes past tough teams like TCU and Penn State — both on the road.
His numbers have also been incredible: 77 percent completion percentage while throwing for 1,919 yards, 25 TD and just 4 INT.
Again, part of it is talent, part of it are the rules changing and some of it, well, we just don’t know. Successful QBs keep seeming to be younger and younger, though. Experience isn’t king.
That in and of itself is interesting.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.