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College football rankings: Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler and the top 20 quarterbacks of 2021

By Cody Williams

Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brock Purdy, Iowa State Cyclones. Mandatory Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell-USA TODAY NETWORK
Brock Purdy, Iowa State Cyclones. Mandatory Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell-USA TODAY NETWORK /

16. Brock Purdy, Iowa State

We can call Morgan and Brock Purdy the “2020 didn’t do them any favors tier”, though it’s for drastically different reasons. As mentioned, Morgan and Minnesota had COVID issues that derailed their season. Purdy and Iowa State, on the other hand, enjoyed possibly the best season in program history as a team. But the quarterback saw his play decline a bit.

As a sophomore, Purdy threw for 3,982 yards and 27 touchdowns with nine interceptions in 13 games while rushing for eight touchdowns. Admittedly on fewer passing attempts, Purdy’s production dropped to 2,750 yards and 19 touchdowns with still nine picks and five rushing scores in 12 games for the Cyclones.

Part of Purdy’s decline is due to the emergence of running back Breece Hall as one of the best players at his position in the country. However, the star of the Iowa State quarterback has dimmed a bit because he simply hasn’t gotten better in the areas he needed to. He plays hero-ball a bit too much and can be a bit mistake-prone because of that.

Purdy was another player getting first-round draft hype and that has almost wholly dissipated. However, he is still a high-quality college signal-caller who has the ability to make exceptional plays. For him to ascend further, though, he needs to limit the plays on the other side of the coin that are a detriment to the Cyclones.