A majority of the quarterbacks in the Big 12 who started games last season will be back in 2017 led by Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph.
1. Oklahoma: Oklahoma is 22-4 in the two seasons with Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback including back-to-back Big 12 titles and a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2015. His return makes the Sooners a favorite for a third straight title. Austin Kendall saw limited action in 2016 and he’ll be joined by Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray, who will battle for the backup spot.
2. Oklahoma State: No quarterback has taken more snaps in the Big 12 than Mason Rudolph, who has taken part in more than 1,100 plays in three seasons with the Cowboys. His presence behind center has helped the program finish second in passing offense in 2015 and 2016. Taylor Cornelius and John Kolar will lead a group of players to battle in spring for the opportunity to backup Rudolph.
3. TCU: Kenny Hill had some big shoes to fill when he stepped in for Trevone Boykin in 2016. His performance was a roller coaster ride to say the least with the former Texas A&M transfer finishing fourth in the league in total offense but also leading the league with 13 interceptions. Freshman Shawn Robinson enrolled in January and could be forced into action with the departure of Foster Sawyer.
4. Kansas State: Jesse Ertz bounced back after missing all of 2015 with a season-ending injury becoming the only quarterback in the Big 12 to rush for at least 1,000 yards in 2016. His return in 2017 is good news for a Wildcats team looking to be a factor in the conference championship race for the first time since 2013. Alex Delton and redshirt freshman Skyler Thompson add depth to the position as well.
5. Texas: Shane Buechele set school marks as a freshman at Texas, but late season struggles including a dismal 108.87 quarterback rating in the month of November doomed the Longhorns postseason bid. New coach Tom Herman is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks as he did at Ohio State and Houston and he’ll do the same with Buechele and highly-touted incoming freshman Sam Ehlinger.
Ranking the QB position in the ACC »
Ranking the QB position in the Big Ten »
6. West Virginia: Skyler Howard’s exit leaves Dana Holgorsen looking for the next Mountaineers quarterback in 2017. Freshman Chris Chugunov saw very limited action – five plays – behind Howard and will be a frontrunner for the job when spring starts. He’ll have to contend with Will Grier, a transfer from Florida, who left after a suspension for PEDs.
7. Texas Tech: Patrick Mahomes II wrapped up his junior season as only the second player in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision history to record 5,000 total yards of offense twice in his career. His departure leaves senior Nic Shimonek as the most likely candidate for the job when spring starts with JUCO transfer McLane Carter and Jett Duffey – who is suspended until the fall – battling for the job as well.
8. Baylor: Freshman Zach Smith stepped into the starting role over the final three games of last season after starter Seth Russell went down with a season-ending ankle injury. Smith enters spring as the early favorite to win the job in 2017 but will receive a huge challenge from Arizona transfer Anu Solomon.
The Magic agreed to trade Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for swingman Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
The Magic agreed to trade Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for swingman Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
The Magic agreed to trade Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for swingman Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
The Magic agreed to trade Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for swingman Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night’s game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon speaks to media before Monday night’s game against the Miami Heat.
Orlando City goalkeeper coach Tim Mulqueen, who was hired in January to replace Stewart Kerr, says he is enjoying his new job and fits in well with the rest of the coaching staff.
Orlando City goalkeeper coach Tim Mulqueen, who was hired in January to replace Stewart Kerr, says he is enjoying his new job and fits in well with the rest of the coaching staff.
Orlando Magic have reached a deal to trade Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for Terrence Ross and a first-round draft pick.
Orlando Magic have reached a deal to trade Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for Terrence Ross and a first-round draft pick.
Magic officials, disappointed with their disastrous season, came to the conclusion that they had to trade Ibaka before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency in July.
Magic officials, disappointed with their disastrous season, came to the conclusion that they had to trade Ibaka before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency in July.
9. Kansas: The Jayhawks have finished dead-last in total offense in the Big 12 ever season since 2010 so David Beatty hired former TCU OC Doug Meacham to run Kansas’ offense in 2017. Redshirt freshman Carter Stanley stepped up to replace Montell Cozart and Ryan Willis, leading the team to its first conference win since 2014. Willis’ exit via transfer opens the competition up this spring.
10. Iowa State: The Cyclones put together one of their best passing performances as a program in over a decade under first-year coach Matt Campbell. Joel Lanning began the season as the starter but was replace by Jacob Park later in the season. That opens the door for a competitive contest in spring ball for the starting job in 2017.
mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Matt Murschel on Twitter at @osmattmurschel or like his Facebook page for more college football coverage.
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