Rivals QB Week: How No. 1 QBs have fared through the years

Rivals.com began ranking players in 2002, which means 15 prospects have held the title of “top high school quarterback in America.”

Below is a look at each of them and how they faired after securing the billing. College quarterbacks ranked as athletes or at other positions were not recognized in this project. The No. 2-ranked quarterback in each class is listed as the year’s “runner up.”

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The story: Young’s jersey was retired by Texas after he led the Longhorns to the 2005 national title and set a long list of national and school records during his celebrated college career. Drafted as the third pick in the first round, Young played six NFL seasons and was selected to two Pro Bowls but had just an 0-1 record in the playoffs. Young retied from the NFL in 2014 and now works for the University of Texas in an alumni relations role. Despite an underwhelming professional career, Young is thought of as one of the best college quarterbacks of all-time.

The runner-up: Ben Olson

The story: Wright’s college career was uneven at best. He managed to garner honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2005 and found his way to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Wright spent time with both the 49ers and Vikings but failed to record statistics as an NFL quarterback.

The runner up: Chris Leak

The story: Bomar found playing time early at Oklahoma and won the Holiday Bowl’s MVP award in the Sooners’ 2005 win over Oregon. He looked poised to be a mainstay in Norman before he was dismissed from the team for violating NCAA rules involving receiving payment for work not completed at a car dealership owned by an OU booster. Bomar resurfaced at FCS Sam Houston State, where he became a star. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft and was last on an NFL roster in 2012.

The runner-up: Xavier Lee

The story: A first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2008 and the 2009 Rose Bowl MVP, Sanchez experienced enough success at USC to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. He was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft and led the New York Jets to back-to-back AFC title games. An NFL veteran, Sanchez remains in the league and is a member of the Denver Broncos.

The runner up: Ryan Perrilloux

The story: Stafford started as a true freshman at Georgia and has spent the time since living up to his billing. The Detroit Lions selected him first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was selected to the 2014 Pro Bowl. He reached 25,000 career passing yards faster than any player in NFL history and holds a number of Lions franchise records. He remains the team’s starter.

The runner up: Mitch Mustain

The story: Clausen is best known for his commitment ceremony, which took place amid massive fanfare at the College Hall of Fame. He had a solid yet unspectacular college career at Notre Dame. He skipped his senior season and was selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Currently an NFL free agent, Clausen, who has served mostly in a backup capacity as a professional, has played for a number of teams and has thrown for 2,520 yards as a pro.

The runner-up: Ryan Mallett

The story: Pryor’s story is a complicated one, but it includes a college career that saw him lose just one game as a starter. Pryor was the Rose Bowl MVP in 2010, but saw his career hit a roadblock when he was withdrew from college (and was later banned from the university) in the midst of an NCAA investigation involving thousands of dollars worth of improper benefits. The Oakland Raiders selected Pryor in the NFL’s supplemental draft. He remains in the NFL today and plays wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns.

The runner-up: Blaine Gabbert

The story: A two-time second-team All-Pac 12 selection, Barkley saw his college career cut short by a shoulder injury during his final season at USC. The injury negatively impacted his draft stock, as he was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft despite once being projected as a first-round pick. Barkley, who has played sparingly as a pro, is now with the Cardinals.

The runner-up: Russell Shepard

The story: There were no five-star quarterbacks in the 2010 class, so Heaps' top-quarterback billing came with a four-star ranking. Heaps’ college career included stops at BYU, Kansas and Miami. He never lived up to his lofty billing and served as a backup at Miami in his last college season. He signed with the New York Jets as a free agent in 2015 and was released shortly thereafter but was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks.

The runner up: Phillip Sims

The story: The class of 2011 was another that featured zero five-star prospects at the position. Driskel was top dog, however, and signed with Florida. Driskel played three seasons for the Gators, including an 11-2 campaign that ended with a trip to the Sugar Bowl. He was replaced as the starter as a junior and transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he threw for 4,033 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior. Driskel was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft and is a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

The runner-up: Braxton Miller

The story: Winston validated his top billing by winning a national championship and the Heisman Trophy while at Florida State. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and took home Rookie of the Year honors last season. Winston is currently the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for which he set rookie records for completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns a year ago.

The runner up: Gunner Kiel

The story: Browne has served in a backup role at USC until he won the team’s starting job weeks ago. The former five-star prospect won preseason competition with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold and will get his first start in the Trojans’ upcoming season opener. Browne has completed 11 of the 19 passes he’s thrown as a backup at USC.

The runner-up: Christian Hackenberg

The story: Allen won the A&M starting job midway through his freshman season but lost it as a sophomore. He played plenty of snaps, however, and had a up-and-down second season that ended with him deciding to transfer to Houston, where he will redshirt the upcoming year. Allen, who threw for 1,322 yards at A&M, will begin the 2017 season at Houston with two years of eligibility left.

The runner-up: Deshaun Watson

The story: So far so good for Rosen, who enters the upcoming season considered to be one of college football’s best quarterbacks. He won UCLA’s starting job as a true freshman and was named a Freshman All-American after an impressive first season at the college level. Rosen’s stock is sky high entering his sophomore season, as he and UCLA are expected to take a step forward in the coming year.

The runner-up: Deondre Francois

The story: Patterson’s story has yet to begin. The five-star prospect signed with Ole Miss in February and is not expected to see much playing time this year, as the Rebels will be led by Chad Kelly, who is coming off of an impressive season and thought to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

The runner-up: Jacob Eason