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Ranking the 50 best college football players for 2016

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) looks to pass the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) looks to pass the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Playing in a new system might just hurt a quarterback, but with the arrival of Mark Richt to Miami, junior gunslinger Brad Kaaya might just see his NFL draft stock rise drastically. Richt coached Georgia for 15 years and produced some solid quarterbacks during his tenure such as Matthew Stafford and Aaron Murray.

Being a former quarterback at Miami himself, Richt knows what it will take to get this young kid to the league. Before that can happen, though, he will hope that he can lead the Hurricanes to an ACC title and maybe even a national title — assuming he stays for his next two seasons.

Related Story: 11 Dark Horse Heisman Candidates

Kaaya led the Hurricanes to an 8-5 campaign in 2015 and Al Golden was fired during the process, opening the door for Richt to come back to coach his alma mater. He passed for 3,238 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a completion rate of just over 61 percent. Kaaya’s touchdown total dipped a bit from his freshman season, but the rest of his numbers showed improvement.

The former ACC Freshman of the Year has a high ceiling and he’s starting to create a legacy for himself in a Hurricanes uniform. He ranks ninth in Miami history in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards. If he maintains the same pace in passing yards this season as he did through his first two years, he will pass Ken Dorsey as the school’s all-time leading passer.

Standing 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Kaaya has a rocket for an arm and ideal size to see over the line with ease and project great field vision. He might just be the most underrated quarterback in the nation. He doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.

Next: 11. Tim Williams

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