Advertisement
football Edit

Still searching: Programs looking for 2017 QB recruits

One trend that has taken over in college football recruiting over the past few years is that of the nation’s top quarterbacks making their commitment decisions earlier and earlier in the process.

Gone are the days of Tim Tebow, Terrelle Pryor and other big names making fan bases wait until the end to get an answer. But with the stars coming off the board sooner, so are other prospects at the position. That has left several programs still hoping to flip another school’s commit, or find a diamond in the rough.

We take a look at the nine Power Five programs that have yet to pick up a quarterback commitment and break down their options going forward.

RELATED: 2017 pro-style QB rankings | 2017 dual-threat QB rankings

USC TROJANS

Advertisement

The situation: It’s rare to see the Trojans on this list, especially considering the number of high level quarterbacks that come out of Southern California on a yearly basis. But after missing on a few top targets, the Trojans have been left empty-handed. It’s now up to the school to flip a four-star committed elsewhere, or find a diamond in the rough.

Quote: “USC is after two big-name quarterbacks who are committed elsewhere. The first would be Alabama commit Tua Tagovailoa, who is supposed to take an official visit to USC. The second quarterback is Duke commit Jack Sears. Sears picked the Blue Devils over the Trojans earlier in the year, but USC just won't quit. Outside of those two, there are a number of quarterbacks in California that USC has kept in touch with. We'll see what happens as things progress. But right now, USC is comfortable with making Tagovailoa and Sears the primary targets in this class.” – Chris Swanson, TrojanSports.com

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

Bailey Hockman
Bailey Hockman

The situation: Originally it looked as if the Tar Heels were going to pass on taking a quarterback for this cycle, especially since they landed two four-star prospects in the class of 2016. However, things have changed quickly and now the school is targeting some committed prospects, including Oklahoma State commit Jelani Woods and Florida State commit Bailey Hockman.

Quote: “Caleb Henderson transferring and rumblings Mitch Trubisky could go pro, the staff has been more aggressive with some prospects of late. Of the 10 offers they have out to 2017 QBs, all have committed elsewhere, but they have had a couple in for games, including Hockman, a teammate of three-star WR and UNC commit Tyler Smith.” – Andrew Jones, TarHeelIllustrated.com

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Justice McCoy
Justice McCoy

The situation: The Mountaineers have the luxury of being selective when it comes to taking a quarterback thanks to the transfer of former Florida Gators and Rivals100 quarterback Will Grier. After missing on some of its top targets, it’s possible West Virginia goes without a quarterback this cycle.

Quote: “For West Virginia the situation is still up in the air if they will take a quarterback in the 2017 class. The Mountaineers added Grier in the spring and perceived top target James Blackman committed to Florida State. There are some options out there such as Justice McCoy, who has visited on two separate occasions, but for now it's undecided if West Virginia will make taking a signal caller in this cycle a priority.” – Keenan Cummings, WVUSports.com

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

The situation: The Yellow Jackets have a unique situation because of the offense they run and often find themselves recruiting against other schools that might plan to move quarterbacks to another position. Sometimes it pays off, as is the case with current quarterback Justin Thomas, but other times it can be a hindrance, like this cycle so far.

Quote: “Georgia Tech hoped to sign a quarterback in the 2017 recruiting class, but the top two targets, Malik Willis (Virgnia Tech) and Malik Cunningham (Louisville) both committed to other ACC schools. The Jackets signed two quarterbacks in the 2016 class and will have four on the roster going into 2017, but the staff is still aiming toward signing someone for 2017. The top targets on the board without offers right now are Todd Centeio (Temple commit) and Northside quarterback Tobias Oliver. The Jackets did kick the tires on three-star Darriel Mack Jr., but he was not a good fit for Paul Johnson's triple option offense.” – Kelly Quinlan, JacketsOnline.com

INDIANA HOOSIERS

Tyler Lytle
Tyler Lytle

The situation: It remains to be seen if the Hoosiers will take a quarterback in this year’s class, especially after taking two in the class of 2016. However, the school hasn’t given up and recently hosted Colorado commit Tyler Lytle for a visit. If the school doesn’t end up with a quarterback in the class it won’t be for lack of trying, as the Hoosiers offered 14 players at the position.

Quote: “Indiana threw out a pretty wide net looking for a 2017 quarterback and hasn’t hit on anything. With current starter Richard Lagow and backup Zander Diamont both juniors, head coach Kevin Wilson still has another year to play with. He’s really high on true freshman Peyton Ramsey, too. So it seems like he’s more than willing to throw his hat in the 2018 races early. But a name to watch is Lytle.” – Sam Beishuizen, TheHoosier.com

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Jaylon Mascorro
Jaylon Mascorro

The situation: The Jayhawks have struggled to one of the worst records in college football over the past few years, so recruiting elite prospects at the quarterback position has been tough. This year, it looked like the school might pass on taking a quarterback, but the players on campus at the position have struggled. Of the five offers out at the position from the school, three-star Jaylon Mascorro remains as the lone uncommitted prospect.

Quote: “Going into the year the Kansas coaches weren’t looking for a quarterback. They picked up three quarterbacks the last two recruiting seasons. The word out of Lawrence early on was a quarterback but we have to keep an eye on that situation. So far this season head coach David Beaty has played three quarterbacks. The numbers haven’t been very consistent from any of them. Last year they weren’t looking for a quarterback and got Tyriek Starks late out of Louisiana. You have to wonder if Beaty re-evaluates the recruiting board if production doesn’t improve with the current group.” – Jon Kirby, JayhawkSlant.com

BAYLOR BEARS

Former Baylor QB commit Kellen Mond
Former Baylor QB commit Kellen Mond

The situation: Because of the uncertainty surrounding the program since Art Briles was fired earlier in the year, recruiting at pretty much every position is at a standstill for the Bears. The staff originally offered three quarterbacks, including one-time commit Kellen Mond, but now all three are committed elsewhere. The Bears will take a quarterback, but the name might not come into focus until after the season.

Quote: “Since the university parted ways with Briles last spring, things on the recruiting trail have been very slow. Rivals250 quarterback Mond reopened his recruitment and eventually landed at Texas A&M. The coaches did host several prospects for an on-campus camp this summer, but no offers have been made to offensive prospects since last spring. With a new athletic director in place, the Baylor administration is expected to hire a new head coach shortly after the season. Depending on the candidate, they could have ties to recruits around the state of Texas. I expect to see the new coaching staff quickly target their top prospects and begin hosting visitors in January of 2017,” Matt Clare, SicEmSports.com

MINNESOTA GOPHERS

Ryan Glover
Ryan Glover

The situation: Minnesota starter Mitch Leidner is a senior and with no clear heir apparent on the roster, the Gophers are in a little bit of a more pressing situation than some other schools on this list. Despite not having a commit, the Gophers have recently zeroed in on Colorado State commit Ryan Glover as their prime target.

Quote: “There's playing time for the taking in 2017, since Leidner graduates after this season. Former walk-on Conor Rhoda, who filled in last week with Leidner injured, is the most likely to fill his shoes next year. Demry Croft, last year's No. 2 quarterback, and true freshmen Seth Green and Mark Williams will also compete for the job, but there's no clear and proven successor to Leidner.” – Matt Jessen-Howard, TheGopherReport.com

OREGON DUCKS

Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa

The situation: Quarterback recruiting hasn’t been kind to the Ducks in recent years, as the school has relied on back-to-back FCS transfers to start the season. However, former three-star Justin Herbert is now the school’s starter, with a few other young players on the depth chart behind him. After slow-playing Tua Tagovailoa, the Ducks may end up without a quarterback in this class or perhaps taking another under-the-radar local product.

Quote: “Oregon will probably not sign a quarterback with the class of 2017. They had the commitment from Chandler (Ariz.) Basha QB Ryan Kelley but after his decommitment they have not made any more offers at the position. The one prospect whose name keeps circulating is Tagovailoa, though he says Oregon has not been in contact with him lately.” – A.J. Jacobson, DucksSportsAuthority.com

MORE: Week 8 CFB breakout stars | Farrell Freshman 15

Advertisement