By Dorrington Myers
What is QBU?
“QBU” stands as a testament to more than just athletic prowess—it embodies a culture, a commitment to excellence, and a tradition that transcends the gridiron. This journey delves into the heart of universities known for crafting the finest quarterbacks in college football, propelling them to greatness at the next level. As we navigate this critical dataset, we uncover a time when the game’s intensity and competition reached unprecedented heights, shaping the destinies of those who dared to redefine what it means to lead from the pocket.
The Inception
The College Football Playoff (CFP) era began with the 2014 season, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The CFP is a postseason tournament that determines the national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The tournament consists of a single-elimination bracket with four teams, two semifinal games, and a national championship game. The semifinals are played in bowl games, and the winners of those games advance to the championship. The championship game is held on the second Monday of January. The CFP will expand to include 12 teams for the 2024-25 season.
The Draft: QBs Selected During this Era
The NFL draft is a spectacle unlike any other in sports, where the promise of talent and potential franchise-changing quarterbacks ignites the passions of fans and executives alike. Each year, teams eagerly await their chance to secure the next star player who could lead them to glory. As we reflect on past drafts, some quarterbacks have become legends, while others have left their mark before moving on. This constant cycle of hope and anticipation underscores the thrilling journey of talent evaluation and team building in professional football. Here’s a look back at past drafts and players chosen.
2015 NFL Draft
Jameis Winston (Florida State) – 1st overall
Marcus Mariota (Oregon) – 2nd overall
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Garrett Grayson (Colorado State) – 75th overall
Sean Mannion (Oregon State) – 89th overall
Bryce Petty (Baylor) – 103rd overall
Brett Hundley (UCLA) – 147th overall
Trevor Siemian (Northwestern) – 250th overall
2016 NFL Draft
Jared Goff (California) – 1st overall
Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) – 2nd overall
Paxton Lynch (Memphis) – 26th overall
Christian Hackenberg (Penn State) – 51st overall
Jacoby Brissett (NC State) – 91st overall
Cody Kessler (USC) – 93rd overall
Connor Cook (Michigan State) – 100th overall
Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) – 135th overall
Cardale Jones (Ohio State) – 139th overall
Kevin Hogan (Stanford) – 162nd overall
Nate Sudfeld (Indiana) – 187th overall
Jake Rudock (Michigan) – 191st overall
Brandon Allen (Arkansas) – 201st overall
Jeff Driskel (Louisiana Tech) – 207th overall
Brandon Doughty (Western Kentucky) – 223rd overall
2017 NFL Draft
Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) – 2nd overall
Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech) – 10th overall
Deshaun Watson (Clemson) – 12th overall
DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame) – 52nd overall
Davis Webb (California) – 87th overall
C.J. Beathard (Iowa) – 104th overall
Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee) – 135th overall
Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh) – 171st overall
Brad Kaaya (Miami) – 215th overall
Chad Kelly (Ole Miss) – 253rd overall
2018 NFL Draft
Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) – 1st overall
Sam Darnold (USC) – 3rd overall
Josh Allen (Wyoming) – 7th overall
Josh Rosen (UCLA) – 10th overall
Lamar Jackson (Louisville) – 32nd overall
Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) – 76th overall
Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) – 108th overall
Mike White (Western Kentucky) – 171st overall
Luke Falk (Washington State) – 199th overall
Tanner Lee (Nebraska) – 203rd overall
Danny Ealing (LSU) – 219th overall
Alex McGough (FIU) – 220th overall
Logan Woodside (Toledo) – 249th overall
2019 NFL Draft
Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) – 1st overall
Daniel Jones (Duke) – 6th overall
Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) – 15th overall
Drew Lock (Missouri) – 42nd overall
Will Grier (West Virginia) – 100th overall
Ryan Finley (NC State) – 104th overall
Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) – 133rd overall
Easton Stick (North Dakota State) – 166th overall
Clayton Thorson (Northwestern) – 167th overall
Gardner Minshew (Washington State) – 178th overall
Trace McSorley (Penn State) – 197th overall
2020 NFL Draft
Joe Burrow (LSU) – 1st overall
Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) – 5th overall
Justin Herbert (Oregon) – 6th overall
Jordan Love (Utah State) – 26th overall
Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) – 53rd overall
Jacob Eason (Washington) – 122nd overall
James Morgan (FIU) – 125th overall
Jake Fromm (Georgia) – 167th overall
Jake Luton (Oregon State) – 189th overall
Cole McDonald (Hawaii) – 224th overall
Nate Stanley (Iowa) – 244th overall
Ben DiNucci (James Madison) – 231st overall
Tommy Stevens (Mississippi State) – 240th overall
2021 NFL Draft
Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 1st overall
Zach Wilson (BYU) – 2nd overall
Trey Lance (North Dakota State) – 3rd overall
Justin Fields (Ohio State) – 11th overall
Mac Jones (Alabama) – 15th overall
Kyle Trask (Florida) – 64th overall
Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) – 66th overall
Davis Mills (Stanford) – 67th overall
Ian Book (Notre Dame) – 133rd overall
Sam Ehlinger (Texas) – 218th overall
K.J. Costello (Mississippi State) – Undrafted
2022 NFL Draft
Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) – 20th overall
Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) – 74th overall
Malik Willis (Liberty) – 86th overall
Matt Corral (Ole Miss) – 94th overall
Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky) – 137th overall
Sam Howell (North Carolina) – 144th overall
Chris Oladokun (South Dakota State) – 241st overall
Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) – 247th overall
Brock Purdy (Iowa State) – 262nd overall
2023 NFL Draft
Bryce Young (Alabama) – 1st overall
C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) – 2nd overall
Anthony Richardson (Florida) – 4th overall
Will Levis (Kentucky) – 33rd overall
Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) – 68th overall
Jake Ealing (Fresno State) – 127th overall
Stetson Bennett (Georgia) – 128th overall
Aidan O’Connell (Purdue) – 135th overall
Clayton Tune (Houston) – 139th overall
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA) – 140th overall
Sean Clifford (Penn State) – 149th overall
Jaren Hall (BYU) – 164th overall
Tanner McKee (Stanford) – 188th overall
Max Duggan (TCU) – 239th overall
2024 NFL Draft
Caleb Williams (USC) – Chicago Bears, 1st overall pick
Jayden Daniels (LSU) – Washington Commanders, 2nd overall pick
Drake Maye (North Carolina) – New England Patriots, 3rd overall pick
Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) – Atlanta Falcons, 8th overall pick
J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) – Minnesota Vikings, 10th overall pick
Bo Nix (Oregon) – Denver Broncos, 12th overall pick
Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) – New Orleans Saints, 150th overall pick
Sandwolf Quarterback Academy’s “QBU” Schools
1. Oklahoma
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. USC
6. Florida State
7. LSU
8. Notre Dame
9. Texas A and M
10. Oklahoma State
Most Consistent Offense and Team Success During this Era
As of the end of the 2023 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide has held the best record during the College Football Playoff (CFP) era, which began with the 2014 season. Here are some key points that highlight Alabama’s dominance:
National Championships: Alabama has won three national championships during the CFP era (2015, 2017, and 2020 seasons).
Playoff Appearances: Alabama has appeared in the CFP seven times (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 seasons), which is the most by any team.
Overall Record: Alabama has consistently had strong regular-season and postseason records. Over the span of the CFP era, Alabama has maintained a winning percentage above 90%.
Highlights of Alabama’s Performance in the CFP Era
– 2014 Season: Reached the CFP semifinals
– 2015 Season: National Champions
– 2016 Season: National Runner-Up
– 2017 Season: National Champions
– 2018 Season: National Runner-Up
– 2019 Season: Did not make the CFP but had an 11-2 record
– 2020 Season: National Champions
– 2021 Season: National Runner-Up
– 2022 Season: Did not make the CFP but had an 11-2 record
– 2023 Season: Performance details to be confirmed post-season
Final Remarks
It’s difficult to dispute that Alabama has made a strong case for being considered “QBU,” but Oklahoma has undeniably excelled at producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks. Since 2010, Oklahoma has seen five quarterbacks drafted into the NFL, with three of them becoming major contributors to their teams’ success. This track record underscores Oklahoma’s unparalleled ability to develop top-tier talent at the quarterback position, solidifying their reputation as the premier “QBU” in college football.
As we reflect on this impressive legacy, it’s clear that the journey doesn’t end here. The pipeline of exceptional talent from Oklahoma continues to flow, promising even more stars in the NFL. Let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of these quarterbacks and look forward to the next wave of game-changing talent emerging from this powerhouse program. The future of football is bright, and Oklahoma remains at the forefront, shaping the next generation of NFL legends.
