Sporting News Names Trace McSorley Best Quarterback In College Football

Alex Bauer | Onward State

A lot can happen when Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Rosen all leave for the NFL.

Sporting News ranked Trace McSorley as the best quarterback in the country heading into the 2018 season.

Behind McSorley in the top five of what is shaping up to be a rather weak quarterback class, were Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (who’s attempted only 53 passes), Georgia’s Jake Fromm, Arizona’s Khalil Tate (who only started nine games last season), and West Virginia’s Will Grier. McSorley’s Fiesta Bowl counterpart and former roommate Jake Browning, a fourth-year starter, came in at No. 6

Our full rankings of the top 25 quarterbacks in college football right now: https://t.co/V9RXH2hnDb pic.twitter.com/ClN39ZQxlD
— Sporting News College Football (@sn_ncaaf) May 4, 2018

Only three other Big Ten quarterbacks made the list: Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, Michigan’s Shea Patterson, and Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke. Lewerke was the only other Big Ten quarterback to crack the top ten.

As McSorley enters his third season leading Penn State’s offense, he’s already thrown for 7,639 yards and 59 touchdowns, ran for another 899 yards and 18 scores, and won 22 games. The Nittany Lions will rely on McSorley more than ever this season after losing some of his favorite weapons on offense as well as offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

The one-time three-star athlete recruit is also a Heisman frontrunner. Many, even national outlets, are drawing comparisons between him and the last undersized, mobile quarterback with a whole lot of moxie to win a Hesiman and go first overall in the NFL Draft.

Mark my words: Trace McSorley will be a 1st round pick next season. I'll make sure of it.
— Dawn Staley Stan Account (@Poerbler) April 27, 2018

The list noticeably included two quarterbacks from both Alabama and Clemson, so we’re a little disappointed Tommy Stevens didn’t make the cut.

We guess that was because Sporting News is taking his position as the Lion pretty seriously and is planning to rank him as the best at his position in the nation at a later date.

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About the Author

Anthony Colucci

Anthony Colucci was once Onward State’s managing editor and preferred walk-on honors student who majored in psychology and public relations. Despite being from the make-believe land of Central Jersey, he was never a Rutgers fan. If you ever want to know how good Saquon Barkley's ball security is, ask Anthony what happened when he tried to force a fumble at the Mifflin Streak. If you want to hear the story or are bored and want to share prequel memes, follow @_anthonycolucci on Twitter or email him at anthony.colucci@outlook.com. All other requests and complaints should be directed to Onward State media contact emeritus Steve Connelly.