Rise of the Freshman Quarterback

By Jacob Sorenson

This year yet again has been a crazy one around college football. Surprises include major coaching changes at both South Carolina, Southern Cal, Maryland, Illinois, and many other coaches in the hot seat. These coaching changes are all so common in our day however that they become just another side story, and like I others, I think there will be plenty of time to discuss that another day. But what is making this year so crazy? Rising stars certainly has something to do with it. Florida has risen from seemingly the dead to become a contender for the SEC title at 6-0. Sadly we learned Monday that Will Grier will be suspended for one year after using PED’s. Also north of the border, a streaking Georgia team lost their star Nick Chubb over the weekend to a severe knee injury. Toledo, a seemingly no name has risen to be a contender for the group of 5 bowl bid. There are certainly stories around the college football which are generating great and competitive conversation.

One of the biggest yet least recognized stories of this year however, is the rise of the freshman quarterback. There are multiple cases in the last few years where freshman quarterbacks have come in and led their teams to amazing success. Namely Jameis Winston of Florida State. The true freshman led his team to the national championship in his first year and to the college football playoff as a sophomore before losing a nail biter. Jameis seemingly set the stage for freshman quarterbacks.

In this, the 2015 season we have experienced turmoil on the field and off the field. Severe injuries have required that some quarterbacks step up, and other true freshman have come in to take over highly successful programs in the hope to repeat something that few have done. Beginning in game one of the season there were struggles at BYU as long time quarterback Taysom Hill faced his 3^rd season ending injury with a fractured foot.

Tanner Mangum

Tanner Mangum was forced to enter his first football game in over 3 years as a 22 year old freshman. His expertise showed as the former league of 11 Co-MVP (with Jameis Winston) led BYU to a Hail-Mary win at Nebraska and then again at home against Boise State before narrowly falling on the road to UCLA and being blown out by a defensively sound Michigan team. The freshman has settled into his roll more so now and has a better pocket presence throwing for over 600 yards and 5 TD in his last two games.

Brett Rypien

A very competitive Boise State team lost their starter Ryan Finley against Idaho State in game 3 of the season. Thomas Stuart took over the quarterback role for the remainder of the first half of that game and then, becoming the first true freshman since 1993, Brett Rypien, nephew of former super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, took over the team. Since beginning that game Rypien is 3-0 in leading Boise State and they have scored more than 40 points in each game including two games of 56 points against Virginia and Hawaii.

Josh Rosen

UCLA was left without a starting quarterback after Brett Hundley went on to the NFL.  A standout freshman who was recruited early in his high school days elected to graduate early and enter spring ball with UCLA. Josh Rosen has risen to the challenge of leading the team in the heart of Pasadena to a nearly unblemished 4-1 record. In week three of the season we saw a matchup of Mangum and Rosen in which Josh Rosen struggled greatly and turned the ball over 3 times. The turnovers were made amend when he drove UCLA the length of the field with under 2 minutes remaining and UCLA came from behind to beat the cougars 24-23.

Clay Holgorsen

Other teams around the NCAA have had such impressive wins that their freshman quarterbacks are getting very early reps in game situations. Memphis has a stellar quarterback in Paxton Lynch and Clay Holgorsen has been able to step in for multiple game experiences this year so far. Memphis who is undefeated is a contender for the AAC title.

Clayton Thorson

Clayton Thorson has taken over the northwestern football team and he has done so in style. Leading Northwestern to a 5-0 start before being thumped by Michigan 38-0 on Saturday. Thorson had Northwestern in the top 15 before that loss.

Hayden Moore

Cincinnati has also had their fair share of quarterback challenges with injuries and Hayden Moore has taken over the offense in style. The 2 game starter has Statistics like 53 of 86 passing for 836 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 Int. Moore has not only taken over the Cincinnati offense but has also broken school records with over 500 yards passing in his first game. The win over Miami two weekends ago boosted their national credibility and they are no small test and are contenders for the AAC title.

These freshman are not just average players who have had to step up in a time of need. These young man have proven that they belong in the realm of college football. This years’ rise of freshman has come after many challenges with injuries plague the college football scene. These issues face every team, as Division one has faced sharp increases in season ending injuries. The year of ‘The Next Man Up’ as it was keyed by one CBS sports writer makes me wonder who else might shake the college football landscape before the end of the year. Will we see another Ohio State-like team cruise to the national championship on the wings of second and third string quarterbacks? Anything can happen. For now we watch and enjoy, as these rising stars take over the landscape and leave us in awe, week after week.