National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance ranking the Big Ten quarterbacks, linebackers who will break from the shadows and some freshmen QBs not named Arch who could make noise.
Ranking Big Ten QBs
The top of the QB pecking order in the Big Ten has a new look with some departures and transfers.
1. JJ McCarthy, Michigan
— His accuracy needs some work, but he has the tools to be special and will have the run game support and OL.
2. Hudson Card, Purdue
— I’m higher than most on Card and think he puts up some impressive numbers.
3. Kyle McCord, Ohio State
— An unknown commodity, but you have to slot any Buckeyes QB high.
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4. Drew Allar, Penn State
— His upside is amazing, and he could be No. 1 here quickly.
5. Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin
— I give him the slight nod over Taulia Tagovailoa because he looked very good at times at SMU.
Linebackers Stepping Into the Spotlight
— Being overlooked is no fun, but as we continue our series of players who will step from the shadows, we look at the linebackers.
1. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. & Barrett Carter, Clemson
Overshadowed by: Trenton Simpson
Clemson had one of the best linebacking corps in the country last season, but the name at the top of the billing was Simpson. Now, Trotter and Carter step up and will need to continue the Tigers’ recent run of strong linebackers in order to get back to the CFP.
2. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Overshadowed by: Jack Campbell
The Big Ten is littered with outstanding linebackers, and you could easily make a case for Abdul Carter or Maema Njongmeta here too, but Eichenberg really started to come into his own in 2022.
3. Jaylan Ford, Texas
Overshadowed by: DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters
Ford somehow had a quiet first-team All-Big XII season in 2022, in large part due to the fact that his teammate Overshown was one of the bigger names at the position in the country. He has a knack for the ball, as he created six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries) and accrued 119 total tackles. He’s a force to be reckoned with.
4. Lander Barton, Utah
Overshadowed by: Daiyan Henley, Jackson Sirmon, Omar Speights
The Pac-12 freshman of the year got better and better as the season went along in 2022. With Henley and Jackson off to the draft and Speights transferring to LSU, there’s an opening for Barton to take over as the clear top dog in the conference at the linebacker position.
True Freshmen Quarterbacks Who Will See the Field in 2023
— And finally, here are some freshmen QBs without a famous last name who could make some noise.
1. Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma
I’m a little higher on Arnold than most and think he has a chance to be competitive right away in Norman. So even though it’ll still be Dillon Gabriel to start the season, if he struggles at all, don’t be surprised when the five-star is taking meaningful snaps. And Gabriel does have an injury history.
2. Dante Moore, UCLA
I’ve said before that I think Collin Schlee will be the opening-day starter for the Bruins, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see Moore. He’s too talented to keep off the field completely, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Chip Kelly create special packages for him and perhaps take over the reins by midseason.
3. Jaden Rashada, Arizona State
Perhaps the most whirlwind recruitment of the entire 2023 cycle, Rashada finally ended up at Arizona State with new head coach Kenny Dillingham. His competition is Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne, who, while not spectacular, is more than serviceable. Rashada has huge upside and could be a big spark if the Sun Devils struggle out of the gates.
4. Gabarri Johnson, Missouri
The Tigers’ QB room seems to have been in a constant state of flux over the past few seasons. So despite the fact that Eli Drinkwitz brought in Miami transfer Jake Garcia, QB1 in Columbia is wide open. Johnson offers a more dynamic skill set with his legs than either Garcia or Brady Cook, the third player in the mix, and if the Tigers’ OL struggles, he’ll be able to make more plays out of structure.
Tacoma (Wash.) Lincoln 4 ⭐️QB Gabarri Johnson (@GabarriJohnson5) to Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus WR Ashton Cozart (@Ashton_Cozart25) for FSP.
Cozart, an Oklahoma commit, getting the opportunity to play with guys from his home state of Washington this weekend. pic.twitter.com/MWvmyWNrZU
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 19, 2022
5. JJ Kohl, Iowa State
Hunter Dekkers was fine overall in his first season as the starter in Ames. But the high four-star Kohl offers an upside with his size and mobility that Dekkers does not. The Cyclones will need a new spark in their offense after a down year overall in 2022, and Kohl can provide just that.
