Predicting the Winners of College Football’s QB Competitions

Of course, Florida State isn’t the only team that must replace a Heisman Trophy QB prior to the 2015 season as 2014 winner Marcus Mariota is gone to the NFL following a sparkling career as the quarterback at Oregon.

Rising junior Jeff Lockie is the most experienced quarterback currently on the Oregon roster and had the first chance to lead the Ducks’ first-teamers this spring. And head coach Mark Helfrich said he “has been outstanding” both as a quarterback and a leader.

Lockie played in eight games last season as Mariota’s top backup and completed 21 of 28 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. He also saw action in eight games as a freshman in 2013.

However, Lockie isn’t the favorite lead the Ducks in 2015. One of the most exciting players in FCS, former All-American Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, will complete for the job this fall as a graduate transfer.

A two-time Big Sky Player of the Year, Adams has already proven he can compete with Pac-12 defenses. He led the Eagles to a win over a ranked Oregon State team in 2013 and threw for 475 yards and 7 touchdowns in a 59-52 loss to Washington last season. He’s an electric 6-foot, 200-pound dual threat signal caller that should excel in Helfrich’s system.

If Adams wins the job this fall, he’ll face his old team September 5 in the season opener at Autzen Stadium.

Projected Winner: Vernon Adams

Next: LSU