By Dorrington Myers
The quarterback position continues to evolve, with the level of play improving each year. In this article, I provide quarterback (QB) report cards for each conference, offering a valuable tool to assess both progression and production at the position. Additionally, I include a future forecast for schools that have signed new prospects. Let’s begin with total QBR.
Total QBR Leaderboard:
SEC: B-
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss – 84.7
Jalen Milroe, Alabama – 82.9
Carson Beck, Georgia – 81.6
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – 79.0
More Sports News
ACC: B+
Cam Ward, Miami – 88.0
Haynes King, Georgia Tech – 82.4
Cade Klubnik, Clemson – 80.0
Kyle McCord, Syracuse – 77.1
Big 12: C
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor – 83.9
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State – 78.6
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado – 78.1
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati – 72.9
Big Ten: B
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana– 85.7
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon– 85.0
Will Howard, Ohio State– 83.2
Drew Allar, Penn State– 81.6
Total QBR Analysis:
Conference Comparison:
There are noticeable differences between each conference regarding QB play and production, which ultimately shapes the QBR stat.
ACC/Big Ten:
Cam Ward (88.0), ranked No. 1 in the country, and Kurtis Rourke (85.7), No. 2 in the country, lead their respective conferences in QBR. This suggests that quarterbacks in these conferences excel in situational football and improvisation.
SEC:
The SEC is a highly competitive breeding ground for quarterback talent. Jaxson Dart (84.7) and Jalen Milroe (82.9) lead the conference in QBR. A key factor in quarterback success within the SEC is mobility, which often plays a critical role in their performance.
Big 12:
Sawyer Robertson leads the conference with an impressive QBR of 83.9, but there’s a significant drop-off after him. This inconsistency could be attributed to scheme limitations or a lack of skilled players needed to execute specific offensive systems effectively.
Theory: Offensive Systems Shape QBR, Which Drives Team Success
Highest QBR Holders:
Cam Ward, Kurtis Rourke, and Sawyer Robertson benefit from systems that emphasize versatility, enabling them to be creative. These systems often feature play-action, designed quarterback runs, and quick progression reads, allowing these players to thrive on the field.
On the other hand, quarterbacks with lower QBRs may be operating within more conservative offensive schemes, which could limit their ability to make plays and showcase their full potential. The caveat to this is: does a quarterback provide what the scheme is asking for? In some cases, no, but coaches still have to adjust.
QBR Impact on Success:
QBR not only accounts for raw passing stats but also factors in clutch performances and the ability to minimize negative plays. The data suggests that quarterbacks with higher QBRs are more poised under pressure and excel at game management.
Forecast:
ACC/Big Ten – These conferences are shaping up to be really competitive once spring practice begins. New faces are arriving as old ones move on to the next level. Cam Ward, Kurtis Rourke, and Dillon Gabriel have held down the fort for a while. Who can surpass them? Bryce Underwood has flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan, Tavien St. Clair is set to join Ohio State, and Jaron Keawe Sagapoulutele is heading to Oregon. The quarterback battles are going to be exciting.
SEC – It continues to be a breeding ground for mobile quarterbacks. Players like Nico Iamaleava, DJ Lagway, and LaNorris Sellers are all poised to be at the top of their class next season. I believe Iamaleava will take the lead as he prepares for the next level. Keelon Russell is heading to Alabama, Deuce Knight to Auburn, and Matt Zollers to Missouri, just to name a few notable recruits.
Big 12 – Colorado secures a commitment from Julian Lewis as Shedeur Sanders prepares to make the jump to the next level. Lewis is next in line.
Conclusion
Total QBR highlights the importance of situational awareness and the value of multidimensional offenses. The SEC boasts impressive depth, while the ACC and Big Ten feature quarterbacks who are unafraid to air it out. For aspiring QBs, adaptability and decision-making are essential assets. This underscores the idea that QBR is a significant predictor of a successful season.
