Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Three and Out: Top Big Ten QBs, Best Incoming Freshman, and How Will Coach Prime Rebuild the Colorado Roster?

JC Nevils drops a 3-point stance on the Best Big Ten QBs, Best Incoming Freshman, and the Roster Rebuild at Colorado.

Pin

Three and Out

Who are the top returning QBs in Big Ten? Who is the best incoming freshman with the greatest potential impact? How can Coach Prime rebuild the Colorado Roster? 

Top Big Ten Returning QBs 

 1. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland 

  • The younger brother of the Miami Dolphins starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, Taulia should have his best year yet going into his third year as the main man. He had some injuries last year but should be fully healthy this season. Not the biggest guy, but has a lot of heart and skill. 

2. JJ McCarthy, Michigan 

  • Coming off a Playoff berth and going into his third year as the starter, McCarthy should be steady once again. Not a game changer but he makes all of the right plays right when you need them. Filled with talent all around him, 2023 should be his best year yet under Coach Jim Harbaugh. 

3. Jeff Simms, Nebraska 

  • Originally I had the former Texas transfer Casey Thompson in this spot but he very recently transferred again. So that leads me to believe that former Georgia Tech starter Jeff Simms has taken over the reins in Lincoln. Matt Rhule has brought in a new regime with a new cupboard of players to go along with his freakish new QB, which only strengthens his case to be on this list. 

4. Drew Allar, Penn State 

  • It was the Sean Clifford show last year, but coming into this season it is no question who the guy is. The record-setting QB from Ohio looks the part of a future star. Standing at 6’5 weighing 242 lbs, he has a prototypical size with a cannon. If the Spring game was any indication of what is to happen this season then the Nittany Lions are in great shape. 

More Sports News

5. Kyle McCord/Devin Brown, Ohio State 

This might be the biggest QB battle going into the season other than what’s going on in Tuscaloosa with Alabama. Head Coach Ryan Day wanted to name a starter after spring, but no one has set itself apart yet. In my opinion, I think McCord will open the season as the starter. Was the backup all last season & showed some promise in the spring game, but who really knows? What I do know is that whoever starts will have some of the best weapons the country has to offer. 

Incoming Freshman With the Biggest Potential Impact 

1. Cormani McClain, DB, Colorado 

  • Ranked 14th overall nationally as a prospect – Simply put this was a huge win for Coach Prime and the Buffs getting the sunshine state product. The #1 corner in the nation was a Miami signee up until signing day, but he ultimately chose Colorado. Will play on day one beside star transfer Travis Hunter to form a dynamic duo. 

2. Zachariah Branch, WR, USC 

  • Ranked the 7th overall prospect in 2023 – Game breaker with elite speed is the game with Mr. Branch. With Lincoln Riley’s offense, first-round pick Jordan Addison gone, & Heisman trophy QB Caleb Williams back he should put on a show. 

3. Dante Moore, QB, UCLA 

  • Ranked 4th overall as a prospect – The Detroit, Michigan product is the real deal. Led his MLK team to back-to-back state titles. Has all of the intangibles that you want including accuracy which is top-notch to go along with being a pure leader. Has been showing out all Spring in Chip Kelly’s uptempo offense & should be the opening-week starter. 

 4. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson 

  • Ranked 59th overall as a prospect – The Alabama product is a mountain of a man sitting at 6’3, 300lbs. After leading his team to four straight 7A state titles, he spurned the home state team & went East to sign with Clemson. From the reports I’ve seen they couldn’t be happier. Dominated all spring & should also be a day-one starter. Won’t be long before we all know his name. 

5. Malachi Coleman, WR, Nebraska 

  • Ranked 63rd overall as a prospect – As one of the top-rated recruits to ever come out of Lincoln or Nebraska for that matter, the Cornhuskers were overjoyed to get his signature. He was almost headed to Boulder with Coach Prime, but he decided to stay home. With that being said he will be one of if not the best athlete on the team right when he steps foot on campus with his freakish size. He might not start right out of the gate, but he should be a mainstay at WR this year & for years to come.

 Coach Prime’s Rebuilding Project

Ever since Coach Prime has taken the job at Colorado it has been a whirlwind. Everyone knew that the attention & notoriety that he brought with his aura would be turned up a notch. Whether it was his skeptical “Louie Luggage” introductory speech to the former team telling them it was his job to replace them, or his media team ‘Well Off’  which is created & run by his son Deion Jr. He’s changing the game in that sense. Now let’s get into the roster situation. 

A lot has been made over the past week with many players transferring out of the program. Even up to as many as 18 right after the spring game. All that really tells me is that he is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. I mean what did we realistically expect? The buffs went 1-11 last season. There was a slim chance if any that any of the players from the previous team would make any impact or last, and for good reason in my opinion. Especially with the portal, you just knew he would be active. Now as it stands you have the haters and naysayers that have always will always be there, and then you actually have the people that know a little ball & how this whole thing works. In reality, we all know it’s a business on both sides, whether that be the coach or the player. Feelings will be hurt and things will change. That’s what happens when you get a whole new regime. Maybe it just hurts a little more when someone tells you the blatant truth. Some can take it, and others can’t. 

I say all of that to say that while the number of transfers is somewhat alarming, given that some he brought in January have already left, things will be just fine. He has already said that he has plenty of players coming in to replace departures but we just don’t know it yet. Now the buffs probably won’t go 10-2 or win the conference or anything, but what did you expect? I will reiterate that this team went 1-11 & it really wasn’t close in any games. That’s just pitiful. Any progress should be applauded. Now in my eyes, he will reshape the roster and win just like he did at Jackson State and everywhere else he has been and done in life. It is only a matter of time. 

Category: , Tag: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Pin

You’ll Also Like