Way Too Early Big Ten Quarterback Rankings
With an expanded Big Ten, these are how the quarterbacks in the conference rate before summer and fall camp begins.
By Dante Pryor
3. Drew Allar: Penn State
Drew Allar should be number one on this list. This should be about how he led Penn State to wins over either Ohio State or Michigan (or both), leading the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth. That was his pedigree. He's supposed to be the quarterback that is the deciding factor of Penn State's success, not a limiting factor. However, they lost to Ohio State and Michigan again. Allar looked overwhelmed in both games. Penn State and its five-star quarterback have another window to change the narrative. Can they break through?
2. Will Howard: Ohio State
Let's not bury the lede here. Everyone has two questions about Will Howard. Is he really that much better than Kyle McCord? Can he beat Michigan? It's hard to answer the first question. McCord played like a first-year starter at times last year. However, when you run your starting quarterback out of town like Ryan Day, there better be a plan. Was Howard plan A? Will Howard is a good college quarterback. That doesn't mean he makes Ohio State a National Championship contender. If the Buckeyes can't beat Michigan this year, Day might be the one they run out of town.
1. Dillon Gabriel: Oregon
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is the most proven quarterback in the Big Ten. Ironically, this is his first season in the Big Ten. Gabriel had success at every stop in his collegiate career. He won at UCF and Oklahoma. There's little reason to think that he won't succeed at Oregon. He's going to an offense best suited for his skill set, much like it was for Bo Nix. Expect Gabriel to complete a high percentage of his passes and not put the football in harm's way.