The price that both the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles paid to move up in the 2016 NFL Draft to select quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz is proof of what teams in need at the position are willing to give up in order to find a franchise quarterback. There are a number of teams that will be looking for the next great quarterback again in next year’s NFL Draft and there is no doubt they will be watching closely to see how these top prospects perform this season. Here is a look at the top quarterback prospects in college football right now.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Watson became the first player in FBS history to throw for at least 4,000 passing yards and run for at least 1,000 rushing yards in the same season while leading Clemson to a national championship game appearance last season. Now he will look to top what he did a year ago in a highly anticipated encore performance. Watson is the most talented dual-threat quarterback in the country heading in to the 2016 season and it will be interesting to see if he can somehow improve on what he did a year ago. The 6’2’’, 210-pound passer doesn’t have elite size and he will have to eventually adjust to a pro-style system but the raw talent is there and another outstanding year could be enough to convince pro scouts that he should be the first quarterback of f the board in 2017. He might end up being the first college football player off the board overall.
Brad Kaaya, Miami
Kaaya has the prototypical height for his position at 6’4’’, but he will need to add to his 215-pound frame in order to hold up at the next level. Miami fans are excited about his potential to put up big numbers in the ACC this season and they have every reason to be based on his accuracy, timing and ability to read opposing defenses. Kaaya has shown an ability to spread the ball around the football field in an efficient manner but he will need to open things up this season in order for the Hurricanes to contend in the ACC. All of the tools are there but it will be on Kaaya to take another step forward as the starter in college football this season.
C.J. Beathard, Iowa
It’s easy to forget now how good Iowa was last season but the reality is that the Hawkeyes came within one win of a Big Ten championship after posting a perfect record in regular season conference play. Now they will get an opportunity to finish what they started with a number of key returning starters including their star quarterback in Beathard. The dual-threat passer is extremely quick and his elusiveness in the pocket makes him a dangerous threat every time he has the football in his hands. The combination of a strong arm and the ability to break big runs with his mobility makes Beathard a top college football prospect to keep an eye out for heading in to this season.
Luke Falk, Washington State
Chad Kelly of Ole Miss and Minnesota Mitch Leidner were both considered for the final spot on our list but we feel that Falk has a slight edge over both of those passers in terms of his overall ranking as an NFL prospect. Falk has ideal size at 6’4’’, and he has shown an ability to consistently make difficult throws in Washington State’s spread offense. Falk has the arm strength and accuracy to thrive as a pocket quarterback and he has shown he isn’t afraid to hang in ther and take a big hit in order to make a play. Falk should produce another strong season in the Cougars’ offense because head coach Mike Leach loves to throw the football. As per usual, Washington State will be among the country’s leaders in pass attempts, which means that Falk will pile up the stats in the box scores to look like a college football star. It won’t be a surprise if he emerges as one of the top NFL prospects at his position in 2017.
