2015 QB Class to Watch

This past draft was probably the closest year the Cowboys came to drafting a QB in the 1st round of the draft. We now know that Jerry Jones was on the verge of drafting Johnny Manziel, but drafted Zack Martin instead. It was the right decision – we hope.

The Cowboys have not used a 1st round pick on a QB since drafting Troy Aikman in 1989 and used a 1st in the 1989 supplemental for Steve Walsh, that’s 25 years ago. Wow.

Keep in mind the Cowboys kept Dustin Vaughan on the 53-man roster to help develop, but there could be another plan in the works. Weeden is on a 2-yr deal with no guaranteed money. Perhaps the Cowboys drop Weeden after this season, and draft a rookie to compete with Vaughan in 2015 for the #2 and eventual Romo replacement. I know that’s far off, but we’ll see.

After the draft wrapped up I wrote about the 2015 QB class that will give the Cowboys some options at QB, should they legitimately head down that path. Cowboys Nation was ready in 2014, and it’ll continue for the next draft.

College football’s first week is in the bag, so throughout the season I’ll check in on the six QBs I think the Cowboys should be interested in for the 2015. Whether or not some of these top guys come out or stay in school will be determined months from now, but for now, let’s look at their opening game performances.

The six QBs that should be on the Cowboys radar in 2015 are: Kevin Hogan; Connor Cook; Jameis Winston; Marcus Mariota; Brett Hundley; and Bryce Petty.

— Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford 6-4 , 228lbs (redshirt junior)

The Stanford Cardinal opened up the season at home against UC Davis and crushed them 45-0. Hogan was is midseason form and took over this game with a score on a run and 3 TD passes. Hogan went 12/16 for 204 yards 3TDs and 1 Int.

Stanford will get a better opponent next week against USC

— Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State 6-4, 210lbs (redshirt junior)

The Spartans hosted Jacksonville State, and Connor Cook carved them up as expected. Cook went 12/13 for 285 yards 3 Tds 0 Ints. Cook had a pretty solid 2013 campaign, so this year he’ll want to pile it on and look into going into the draft. His name is gaining some steam after week 1.

Next week is going to be a true litmus test for Connor Cook, and Marcus Mariota, who I have as another potential target. The Spartans will go into hostile environment and this will be a Bowl Game type matchup. This will be televised nationally, so be sure to tune-in and check out these two potential 2015 QBs draftees.

— Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State 6-4, 235lbs (redshirt sophomore)

Florida State came in as the #1 team in the nation, but they had their hands full with Oklahoma State. This game was at a neutral site at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The Seminoles came to the game with a highly touted offensive line, but the Cowboys went toe-to-toe and pressured Winston all game.

I’m still surprised OKST was unranked, but they looked like a top flight team to me. Depending on who you ask, Winston had an okay game. For his part, he put together some nice drives to keep the Cowboys at bay, and closed them out when he needed. Winston is without his solid running backs from 2013, so he was forced to really air it out, and this will be something to watch the rest of the season. Winston may have to air it out more this year than last year, so we’ll see how he holds up physically.

Winston went 25/40 for 378 yards, 1 TD and 2 Ints. The Seminoles will play the Citadel Bulldogs next week and Winston will surely get back on track and light up the Bulldogs.

— Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon 6-5, 218lbs (redshirt junior)

Mariota could have entered the draft this year and probably would have been the first pick in the draft. He chose to stay in school and it could just cement his draft status for the 2015 draft should he declare.

The Ducks hosted South Dakota and it was a blowout as expected. Mariota went 14/20 for 267 yards 3 Td passes 0 Ints and 1 rushing TD. Pretty solid performance as expect, but next week will be a litmus test. The Ducks will host Michigan State and their highly touted defense.

This next game against the Spartans will be a nice gauge for both Mariota and Cook. I can’t wait to see how they perform in this Bowl game type atmosphere.

— Brett Hundley,  QB, UCLA 6-3, 223lbs (redshirt junior)

The Bruins opened up on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers, and it was probably a tougher game than what was expected. UCLA’s defense scored 3 TDs.

Hundley had a good game but didn’t having any passing TDs. He went 20/33 for 242 yards 0 Td passes 0 Ints, but 1 rushing Td.

Next week the Bruins host the Memphis Tigers, so Hundley should have more opportunities to showcase his passing skills.

— Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor 6-3, 230lbs (redshirt senior)

Baylor opened up in their new Stadium and they blew out SMU. Petty had a strong showing last year, and is expected to have another strong season; however, Petty suffered a back injury that could linger all season and could effect his draft stock if it proves to hinder him this year or if it requires surgery. Back injuries for a QB are bad news, so we’ll monitor this one the rest of the year.

As for the game, Petty missed a couple of  passes and looked a little apprehensive. It may have been game opener nerves or the back was just too much and started to effect his passes. Petty went 13/23 for 161 yards 2 Td passes 0 Ints, and 1 rushing Td.

Sleeper QB to Watch: Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State 6-5, 220lbs (redshirt senior)