6) LSU: Myles Brennan & Max Johnson
Succeeding a historic 15-0 run culminating in a national championship victory in 2019, LSU needed to replace 14 starters last year. One of those starters was No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Joe Burrow. Taking over for a record-setting, Heisman-winning QB is daunting, but Myles Brennan played admirably before suffering a season-ending injury.
Brennan began the season completing 60% of his passes for 1,112 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions at 8.5 yards per attempt. T.J. Finley stepped up first but was subsequently pulled in favor of Max Johnson following poor play. Johnson finished the year with 1,069 yards and 8 touchdowns to 1 interception.
If Brennan is fully healthy before the start of the 2021 campaign, he will presumably be the starter. But with Finley on to Auburn, there is only one man to beat, and Johnson has momentum in his favor.
Projected Week 1 Starter: Myles Brennan
7) Notre Dame: Jack Coan, Drew Pyne, & Tyler Buchner
Admittedly, I am not high on the Fighting Irish entering the 2021 season — outside of safety Kyle Hamilton, that is. But it would be ill-advised to ignore the QB battle unfolding in South Bend. Whichever passer eventually takes the reins from Ian Book — the winningest QB in Notre Dame history with a 30-5 record — will inherit high expectations.
The favorite to win the battle is Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan. While with the Badgers, he started 18 games, leading the team to a Big Ten Championship bout and Rose Bowl appearance in 2019. Due to a season-ending foot injury, Coan did not play in 2020 and transferred to Notre Dame. He has experience with stellar short-to-immediate accuracy, but is he an upgrade over Book?
Coan likely has the position on lock as long as he is healthy and does not dramatically deteriorate before the season. However, redshirt freshman Drew Pyne may have a few words to say about that. He is within striking distance of the job and should push Coan to work even harder. Four-star true freshman Tyler Buchner is raw but demonstrated his physical tools during the Blue-Gold Game this spring.
Projected Week 1 Starter: Jack Coan
8) Oregon: Anthony Brown, Ty Thompson, Robby Ashford, & Jay Butterfield
With Tyler Shough heading to Texas Tech, Anthony Brown has the inside track for the Oregon starting QB job after sitting second on the depth chart last year. He scored 4 times (2 passing and 2 rushing) in the final two games of the year, laying a foundation of belief among fans for 2021.
Ty Thompson is one of the highest-ranked signees in Oregon history and aims to be the first true freshman to start for the Ducks since Justin Herbert. Robby Ashford and Jay Butterfield are talented in their own right but seemingly in a battle for the No. 2 spot.
In the end, the only opinion that truly matters is head coach Mario Cristobal’s. And after the program’s spring game, he stated, “We think Anthony is the one. He’s the one that’s leading.”
Projected Week 1 Starter: Anthony Brown
9) Tennessee: Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton, Harrison Bailey, & Brian Maurer
New head coach Josh Heupel left UCF with progressively worse records in his three-year tenure (12-1, 10-3, 6-4). Still, Tennessee hopes he can eventually lead them to their first double-digit win campaign since 2007. To do so, Heupel will need a competent, if not stellar, QB under center.
As a late transfer, Joe Milton will be a bit behind the rest of the group. Harrison Bailey and Brian Maurer were with the program last year, but much of the advantage has dwindled with a new coaching staff. Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker is the most athletic but hasn’t looked great as a passer.
The two leaders seem to be Bailey and Maurer, as both displayed consistency at the spring game and during practices. Although transfers are the flashier names, it will presumably be a school-grown prospect who gets the nod.
Projected Week 1 Starter: Harrison Bailey
10) BYU: Baylor Romney, Jaren Hall, Jacob Conover, & Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters
Since joining the Independents in 2011, BYU has endured just one losing record (2017, 4-9). Furthermore, the Cougars generated their best season in the College Football Playoff era, reaching an AP high of No. 8 with new Jets QB Zach Wilson leading the offensive onslaught. Following those footsteps will make any person shiver in their boots. Yet, these signal-callers are ready and willing to prove their worth.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick mentioned during spring that a starter would not be named until August. That being said, head coach Kalani Sitake did say that there are currently three QBs duking it out, though it is unclear who the odd man out is. Baylor Romney, brother of star receiver Gunner, has the most experience on the roster. He played significant snaps in 2019 when Wilson was sidelined with injury. Redshirt sophomore Jaren Hall is the most intriguing prospect standing at 6’1″ and 205 pounds with exceptional physical traits.
Jacob Conover is a 2019 four-star recruit who received offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, and Northwestern. After returning early from a mission due to the pandemic, Conover has impressed the scout team early in the year and during spring ball. Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters is a true freshman who received his first collegiate offer in the eighth grade. He is impressive in his own right and made noise during fall camp. In the end, my money is on Hall to come out on top.
Projected Week 1 Starter: Jaren Hall
Honorable Mention: Top 10 CFB QB battles to watch in 2021
Mississippi State: Jack Abraham, Will Rogers, & Daniel Greek
SMU: Preston Stone, Tanner Mordecai, & Derek Green
Washington: Dylan Morris, Sam Huard, & Patrick O’Brien
Michigan State: Payton Thorne, Anthony Russo, Theo Day, & Hampton Fay
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