Texas Tech Football vs. USF: 5 bold predictions for Birmingham Bowl

4. Quinton Flowers will make better NFL case than Nic Shimonek

The modern NFL is gearing away from the prototypes of what makes football football. That is in large part due to the talent emerging from the college ranks. Rather than a flaw with the college game, it is a sign of innovation bubbling up from the lower tiers of the game in a way that has been critical to the evolution of the sport.

Nic Shimonek is one version of that future. A pro-style quarterback, Shimonek was originally an Iowa recruit who transferred to Texas Tech after a redshirt year. Shimonek sat out another year, and was groomed in the Air Raid ways of Texas Tech football. He completed 68 percent of his passes in 2017 for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, hurling around the ball to an array of receivers.

Quinton Flowers is another version of that future. A dual-threat quarterback, Flowers has been the three-year starter in Tampa. Though his numbers are down from a breakout junior season, Flowers has still shown off his arm skills as well as his wheels on the ground. He needs just 28 rushing yards to go over 1,000 for a second straight year, and with 220 passing yards he will pass last year’s mark.

Both quarterbacks are going to have highlight-reel moments in this game. Shimonek will probably get drafted higher, given his prototypical size. But Flowers will make a case for some team to give him a shot to become the next evolutionary star in the NFL.