Which returning Pac-12 QB will perform best in 2017?
The Pac-12 may not receive as much attention or credit as some of the other Power-5 conferences at times, but that in no way means that it doesn't boast some of the best players in the nation.
When it comes to quarterbacks, a number of the most lethal and promising young gunslingers find themselves on the west coast. A few names on this list have either found themselves in Heisman talks as recently as last season, or stand to contend for college football's highest individual honor come December.
Only one man can be bestowed the honor of being called the best in the conference, though, and here are six challengers who each have a shot at the crown in 2017.
Sam Darnold - USC
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
Sam Darnold single-handedly saved USC from mediocrity in 2016.
The Trojans struggled mightily out of the gate with Max Browne under center, dropping games to both Alabama and Stanford in less than competitive fashion. USC was defeated by Utah when Darnold took the reins in Week 4, but the redshirt freshman must not have enjoyed the taste of defeat, because the Trojans didn't lose again for the rest of the season.
Darnold was simply dominant throughout the conference schedule, as the Trojans won every game by double digits, except for one. Darnold's 33-for-53 performance for 453 yards and five touchdowns in the Rose Bowl cemented his reputation as a big-game player and helped solidify him as an appropriate preseason Heisman Trophy candidate.
Josh Rosen - UCLA
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
When great quarterbacks are lost to injury, their teams generally suffer greatly. This is what the relationship between Josh Rosen and UCLA was last season.
Despite compiling a mediocre 3-3 record in the first half of the season, Rosen was on pace to meet, if not exceed, the stellar numbers he put up as a freshman. Following a soft tissue injury on Rosen's throwing shoulder, UCLA caught itself on a trip-wire and stumbled to a 1-5 record the rest of the way.
April marked the first time Rosen had been on a football field since undergoing surgery on his shoulder, so he should be ready to go once the Bruins open their season against Texas A&M on Sept. 3. Assuming the bounce back from his injury is smooth, Rosen will be among a small group of players at the center of NFL draft talks throughout the season, and could find himself atop the nation's leading passers with another full season under his belt.
Jake Browning - Washington
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Consistency is an invaluable quality for a young quarterback, especially at an age when most are still learning what type of player they are, and Washington's Jake Browning has it in spades last season.
Browning's 43 touchdowns was second only to the 45 thrown by Toledo's Logan Woodside last season, and his proficiency at keeping the ball out of the hands of opposing secondaries (just nine interceptions all season) was a key reason for the Huskies' run to the College Football Playoff. Browning won't have favorite target John Ross to throw to this year, but given that both Dante Pettis and Chico McClatcher are back in Huskies purple, he shouldn't have much trouble in finding options down field.
Browning doesn't necessarily have the flash or flare of a Darnold or Rosen, but it's tough to argue with results and Browning is exactly the type of quarterback that will let his impressive numbers speak for themselves.
Luke Falk - Washington State
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
Washington garnered much deserved attention for their run to the College Football Playoff last season, but it meant the efforts of in-state rival Washington State and aerial assassin Luke Falk were swept under the rug in the process.
Some may say that Falk is simply the product of a system, an air-raid offensive scheme that results in big numbers for any capable quarterback that finds the ball in his hands. Is there merit to that argument? Sure, but Falk also had 4,468 reasons last season to say that his talent is worth discussing as well.
Quarterbacks still have to get the job done when called upon and, regardless of scheme, the numbers show that when it came to primary signal callers in the Pac-12, no one was better than Falk.
| Name | Completion % | School |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Falk | 70 | Washington State |
| Sam Darnold | 67.2 | USC |
| Justin Herbert | 63.5 | Oregon |
| Manny Wilkins | 63.3 | Arizona State |
| Sefo Liufau | 62.7 | Colorado |
| Jake Browning | 62.1 | Washington |
| Davis Webb | 61.6 | California |
| Ryan Burns | 61.4 | Stanford |
| Marcus McMaryion | 59.4 | Oregon State |
| Josh Rosen | 59.3 | UCLA |
| Brandon Dawkins | 53.8 | Arizona |
| Troy Williams | 53.1 | Utah |
The bane of Washington State's season in 2016 was defense, as the Cougars gave up an average just shy of 40 points per loss. If they can lower that number, Falk's last lap around the college football track could be his best.
Manny Wilkins - Arizona State
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
Arizona State was another Pac-12 team that was bit by the injury bug at quarterback last year, however, Manny Wilkins was able to flash signs of success at the bookends of the season.
Wilkins led the Sun Devils to a 4-0 start, completing over 70 percent of his passes in three of those contests before a nagging foot injury cost him the middle third of his season. Unfortunately for head coach Todd Graham, Arizona State doesn't have the weapons surrounding his quarterback that other conference opponents have, but Wilkins has shown he can perform against top-tier opponents and the opportunity to shine will be his for the taking.
A full season of Wilkins leading the offense should show exactly the caliber of quarterback he is, and the Sun Devils will need him on the field every single week if they hope to challenge the top of the Pac-12 south division.
Justin Herbert - Oregon
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Oregon entered 2016 with a graduate transfer and a freshman looking to grab hold of the starting job, and while both had their chance, the young gun was able to outperform the veteran and set himself up to lead the Ducks in 2017.
Dakota Prukop opened last season as the man under center for then head coach Mark Helfrich and the Ducks, but after a 2-3 start, he was demoted in favor of Justin Herbert. While the team continued to struggle, Herbert made the most of his opportunity and finished the second half strong, including a 31-of-42 day for 489 passing yards and four touchdowns against Arizona State.
Head coach Willie Taggart has worked to instill a new culture within the Ducks' program, and while the Ducks may initially fly under the radar, the offensive tandem of Herbert and a healthy Royce Freeman could sneak up on some teams out of the gate.