A Look At The 2016 Big 12 Starting QBs (Part 2)

We looked at Baker Mayfield, Seth Russell and Patrick Mahomes in Part 1. Today we’ll look at the next three QBs in our Big 12 quarterback preview ahead of the 2016 season.

Oklahoma State — Mason Rudolph, junior

Rudolph followed up his 2014 cameo by bursting onto the scene in 2015, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 3,770, while splitting reps at times with short-yardage threat J.W. Walsh. Walsh is graduated and serving as a graduate assistant at TCU now, so it’s Rudolph’s show in any situation. Rudolph is already being touted as a potential first round pick, so it may be QB1’s last year in Stillwater.

But the Cowboys return an impressive group of wide receivers, led by James Washington and Marcell Ateman, as well as  incoming running back Barry J. Sanders. Look for Mason to put up big time numbers once again in Stillwater and make a run at another big time bowl game (anyone else want another shot at the SEC in the Sugar Bowl?!)

West Virginia — Skyler Howard, Senior

Skyler Howard took over the reins in 2015 for the first time and balled out as the starter, throwing for 3145 yards, including 532 with 5 touchdowns in an impressive Cactus Bowl win over Arizona State to close out the campaign. Howard plays in another extreme passing offense under former OSU offensive coordinator/genius Dana Holgorson, and took full advantage of their explosive offense, even after losing WR stud Kevin White to the Chicago Bears prior to last season. Howard also began subscribing to unique training methods this offseason after struggling a bit with fumbling last year, with get this- pinky strengthening excercies. No, really.

Howard believes he can cut down on the fumbles and throw a better deep ball with stronger fingers, so it will be interesting to see if there is a difference this year in Howard’s play. Look for Howard to close out his college career with a bang, and the Mountaineers to put up lots of points fast.

TCU — Foster Sawyer, So/Kenny Hill, Jr.

TCU and head coach Gary Patterson have not yet named a starter for the 2016 season — the two candidates are Kenny Hill, the Texas A&M transfer who threw for 2,649 yards and 23 touchdowns in his sophomore season in College Station, and Foster Sawyer, who only has one college start under his belt.

It’s expected that Kenny Hill will get the nod for the Horned Frogs to start the season, as the electric QB put up big time numbers against SEC defenses, including an Aggie school record of 511 passing yards in his starting debut game against South Carolina. Hill had a fall from grace, losing his starting job, being suspended for violating team rules, and ultimately losing his scholarship. After transferring and sitting out last season, Hill is looking to regain his dynamic form that he showed early in his career, and step up for graduating superstar Trevone Boykin.

Sawyer was a former four-star recruit and the No. 2 quarterback prospect in Texas coming out of high school who picked the Horned Frogs over Alabama, Baylor, Missouri, UCLA, and others. He only made one start last year, against Oklahoma on the road, completing 8-18 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. He is more of a pocket passer than Hill, who likes to get on the outside and make plays with his feet. The favorite for the job is still Kenny Hill, despite possible maturity concerns.