USF Football: Is Quinton Flowers the next Braxton Miller?

By Matty Breisch | Aug 11, 2017

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Quinton Flowers #9 of the South Florida Bulls gets into the end zone for a touchdown against the Connecticut Huskies during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images) /

USF football’s Quinton Flowers is one of the most dynamic players in college football, but will he have to change positions to find success at the next level?

Quinton Flowers is one of the best players in college football.

Last season, USF football’s starting quarterback was responsible for 4,342 yards of total offense, the 10th-most of any player in college football, and scored 252 total points, good for ninth in the nation, yet somehow his name is seldom found on any Heisman watch lists.

But how could a player who’s empirically one of the very best at his position in the nation be such an unknown to the majority of college football fans?

One reason may be that he played for the University of South Florida. While the Bulls did end the 2016 season as the 19th-ranked team in the country, with an impressive 11-2 record behind then-future Oregon head coach Willie Taggart, they played in the American Athletic Conference, a league that seldom received the national spotlight.

Additionally, there are questions about just how well Flowers stacked up against the best of the best of the FBS. In USF’s 55-35 loss to Florida State in Week 4, Quinton turned in one of his worst performances of his college football career, completing only 5-of-14 passes for 160 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While he did rush for 159 yards on 18 carries, it’s worth noting that his performance was less than ideal when his team needed him most.

However, maybe the most obvious reason Flowers isn’t getting the credit he deserves at quarterback is because his best position going forward may not be under center at all.

According to USF‘s official athlete page, Quinton only stands 6-foot and weighs 217 pounds. Of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL, only two are smaller than Flowers. While these players, Drew Brees and Russell Willson, are both Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, they are the exceptions, not the norm

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Typically players of Quinton’s size, especially ones with his explosive athleticism are required to transition to either wide receiver, or running back (or, in former Auburn QB Nick Marshall’s case, defensive back) if they want to succeed in the NFL.

Players like Terrelle Pryor, Julian Edelman, Denard Robinson and, most recently, Braxton Miller have all found success in the NFL at new positions after having storied college quarterback careers. While none of these players possessed the size, arm strength or accuracy that NFL teams pine after in a quarterback prospect, their pure athleticism helped to cement spots on NFL rosters.

Much like these players, Quinton could eventually find success in the NFL at a skill position.

Flowers elusiveness and ability to power through contact are incredibly unique for a college quarterback, and should translate well at the next level. Additionally, the advanced understanding of passing concepts and the feathery touch Quinton developed at the QB position should also help to supplement his transition into a receiving prospect.

The only real question as to whether or not Quinton can transition into the NFL in a similar way to other players before him is, just how fast is he?

Players like Braxton Miller were drafted high in the NFL draft not only because of their athletic potential, but also because of their speed. Miller ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine, and this speed encouraged the Houston Texans to select him in the 3rd round of the 2015 NFL draft. While running a blazing 40 isn’t essential to being a star wide receiver, by any means, it does ensure that a player has the athletic ability to compete at the next level without a disadvantage.

If Quinton is able to run below a 4.6 40-yard dash it will help his potential at the next level immensely.

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The 2017 college football season should be a big one for Quinton. His USF Bulls have a new coach, new schemes and a load of potential. If Flowers is able to continue to wow fans with his unique brand of electrifying athleticism, the eyes of the nation could soon be fixed on Tampa, Fla.