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SEC Football: Assessing the top QBs from the 2016 recruiting class

By Erich Hilkert

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) attempts a pass during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) attempts a pass during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 SEC football quarterback recruiting class included multiple quarterbacks who started for SEC teams in 2016 — who are the best?

In the hyper-competitive recruiting world of college football, it is becoming more common to see true freshman start in season one, even at the all-important quarterback position.

As the 2017 season rapidly approaches, it is natural to ask: What happened to the big recruits from 2016? Did they start? Will they start in 2017?

At the top

Nov 26, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Shea Patterson (20) moves in the pocket during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Shea Patterson (20) moves in the pocket during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Two quarterbacks stood well above the rest in the 2016 class and both quarterbacks chose to attend SEC schools. There wasn’t much separation between Shea Patterson and Jacob Eason. Both quarterbacks were five-star prospects, although each quarterback possesses different physical attributes and a different playing style.

Eason struggled with taking snaps under center, so Georgia tried to accommodate by using the shotgun more than customary. With Eason having a full offseason to work on taking snaps under center while familiar with the playbook, he should take a step forward in 2017. He was one of the few 2016 quarterback recruits who started nearly every game during the 2016 season. Eason is more of a traditional pocket passer with a rifle arm.

At this point, he hasn’t lived up to his top billing, but he has plenty of time to get there. He showed plenty of potential while starting 13 games. Eason threw for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. The quality of his receivers should improve in 2017.

Patterson received less opportunity than Eason because Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze hoped to redshirt Patterson while he learned behind senior Chad Kelly. Unfortunately, Kelly suffered a season-ending injury and the No. 1-rated quarterback of the 2016 class went into action. He had an impressive debut in a win against Texas A&M. Patterson performed reasonably well in the Egg Bowl loss to close out the season, although in between, his performance against Vanderbilt was genuinely bad.

In a 38-17 loss, Patterson did throw two touchdowns to zero interceptions, but he also only completed 20-of-42 passes. Admittedly, a significant portion of his 54.5 completion rate had to do with dropped passes. Like Eason, the quality of Patterson’s receivers should improve in 2017. In 2016, Patterson showed flashes. The 2017 season should offer a chance to demonstrate flashes on a more consistent basis.

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