Ranking the top 10 college football quarterbacks playing in 2020 (We miss Justin Fields)

No. 7 quarterback in college football: Ian Book, Notre Dame

As Notre Dame sacrifices their status as an independent to join the ACC for one year amid the pandemic, quarterback Ian Book’s decision to return for the 2020 season after flirting with an NFL Draft decision is massively important for the Fighting Irish. This is a team that has experienced some big turnover on both sides of the ball, so the stability and quality of Book are sorely needed.

Early last season, Book wasn’t necessarily the reliable force that Notre Dame wanted him to be. After the rain-soaked and embarrassing loss to Michigan midway through the year, though, Book turned it around. He was phenomenal down the stretch for the Irish and finished the year throwing for 3,034 yards, 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions while rushing for 546 yards and four more scores.

With the roster turnover, Book will be tasked with submitting his best performance to date if Notre Dame is going to compete with the best teams in the ACC. He’ll have to help new pass-catchers emerge as top-tier weapons and also play with what appears to be a lack of a consistent rushing attack.

The good news for Book is that he’ll be playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Furthermore, he’s proven just how talented he is with relatively mistake-free football as a thrower and the ability to take off and make something out of nothing with his legs. Playing a full ACC slate, we’ll get to see Book put the Irish on his back on numerous occasions this year.