3-Point Stance: Ranking Pac-12 QBs, Breakout Edge Rushers, Key Spring QB Battles
National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance ranking the PAC 12 quarterbacks, defensive ends who will break from the shadows and some key QB battles.
Ranking Pac-12 QBs
— The PAC 12 is loaded at QB, but who are the best of the best? It’s not as easy as you think. Oh, and all are transfers — go figure.
1. Caleb Williams, USC
— Hard to argue against the Heisman winner, even in a conference loaded with talent.
Dec 10, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams poses for photos during a press conference in the Astor Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy.
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
2. Bo Nix, Oregon
— I like him at No. 2 because he’s such a threat in the running game.
Oct 29, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10)passes during warm-ups before the game against The California Golden Bears at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium.
© John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
3. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
— He’s ready for another monster stat season as he’s emerging as an elite passer, more than just the athlete we saw at Indiana.
Sep 3, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) passes against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Cam Rising, Utah
— He’s not as gifted as the others, but he’s tough and can kill you in the run game at times.
Sep 17, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) runs the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs in the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
5. Drew Pyne, Arizona State
— In a more open offense, he can put up some massive numbers.
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) throws the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Rushers Stepping Into the Spotlight
— We continue our series on players breaking out from the shadows with these defensive ends ready for stardom.
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama
Overshadowed by: Will Anderson, Nolan Smith
Another year, another athletic freak on the edge for the Crimson Tide. Turner had some huge moments as a true freshman in 2021 before having an adequate but not spectacular sophomore campaign. The former five-star has all the ability in the world and with a big junior year, could be another high first round pick for the Tide.
Nov 12, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell (41) and linebacker Dallas Turner (15) and linebacker Henry To'o To'o (10) celebrate after making a stop against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 30-24.
© Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
2. Jared Verse, Florida State
Overshadowed by: Myles Murphy
Verse was outstanding in his first year at the FBS level after transferring to FSU from Albany, finishing 2022 with 9 sacks and 17 TFL. It was a bit of a surprise to see him return to Tallahassee, considering his draft stock was on the rise, but the 'Noles have to be very happy about that. His return is one of the reasons that they're a preseason national title dark horse.
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Oct 1, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) celebrates a sack during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
© Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
3. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Overshadowed by: Nick Herbig, Mike Morris
You could put Chop Robinson on here too, but we've seen just how dominant Tuimoloau can be. The former five-star is now a leader on the Buckeyes' defense in his third year in Columbus and has the potential to be an All-American in 2023.
Nov 19, 2022; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) tackles Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) for a sack in the second quarter of their Big Ten game at SECU Stadium.
© Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
4. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
Overshadowed by: Will McDonald, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Tyree Wilson
There was a lot of pass rushing talent in the Big XII last season, and most of those guys are now off to the draft. But one player who flew under the radar to most people outside of the conference's footprint is Oliver, who finished second-team all-conference as a sophomore. An explosive edge rusher, Oliver may be a bit undersized but more than makes up for it with his quickness.
Nov 12, 2022; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Collin Oliver (30) sacks Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Hunter Dekkers (12) in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. OSU won 20-14.
© Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports
Spring Quarterback Battles to Watch
— And finally, here are five key QB battles to watch this spring:
1. Alabama
Jalen Milroe vs Ty Simpson
Milroe was mostly good filling in for an injured Bryce Young this year, but that does not mean that it is his job by any stretch of the imagination. New OC Tommy Rees has spent a lot more time working with pocket passers like Simpson in his career, so it's going to be very interesting to watch how this one shakes out.
Oct 1, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) rushes in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama won 49-26.
© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
2. Texas
Quinn Ewers vs. Arch Manning
While this may be a battle in name only for the Longhorns, as it's no secret that Manning's family believes that he should redshirt. But there will be more eyes on Texas' team this spring because of the latest scion from the Manning family tree, and if Ewers does happen to struggle, there will be a growing call to see Arch on the field.
Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.
© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
3. Ohio State
Kyle McCord vs. Devin Brown
With one more year under his belt in the Buckeyes' system than Brown, I expect McCord to win this job, but it is by no means a given. The two have relatively similar skill sets, unlike the aforementioned Alabama battle, so the devil is going to be in the details for Kevin Wilson and staff to determine who will get the starting nod.
Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs during the second half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-21.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
4. UCLA
Collin Schlee vs. Dante Moore
Many people thought that when the five-star Moore flipped his commitment to the Bruins from the Ducks late in the process, it meant that he was getting a guaranteed starting spot. But in the words of Lee Corse, not so fast, my friend. Schlee was very good at Kent State which runs a similar offense to Kelly's system in Westwood, and it would not surprise me at all if Schlee was QB1 come opening day.
Detroit King five-star quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against River Rouge during first-half action on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
5. Nebraska
Casey Thompson vs. Jeff Sims
Under the radar, Sims was one of the better transfer additions in the country. He never stood a shot at Georgia Tech and should be revitalized under new head coach Matt Rhule. Thompson has a ton of natural ability as well, and the Cornhuskers, no matter who wins the battle, will be a factor in the Big Ten West this fall.
Oct 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jeff Sims (10) throws a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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