The 10 most intriguing college football QB competitions this spring – USA TODAY

Your team might not have a quarterback competition underway this spring — congratulations, if true. For those teams with a set-in-stone starting quarterback, this spring can be spent engaged in other position battles, on offense and defense, with a sense of security in what stands in place under center.

That’s nice. But what about those schools auditioning two, three, maybe even four options at quarterback? These competitions — more so than any other — draw eyeballs during the spring, and often extend deep into fall camp.

Pity the fan base that waits until the week before the season opener before that decision is made. (The message boards alone will be insufferable.) But at least it will be an exciting five months!

This week’s top 10 list takes a peek at these races: Which quarterback competitions will be the story of the offseason? Let’s begin with the defending national champions, which must replace a generational talent in NFL-bound Deshaun Watson.

1. Clemson

Contenders: Kelly Bryant (Jr.), Zerrick Cooper (RS Fr.) and Hunter Johnson (Fr.)

Bryant has the early edge, Dabo Swinney said before the start of spring drills, but it’s far too early to eliminate either Cooper or Johnson — given Cooper’s varied skill and Johnson’s five-star status as one of the nation’s top incoming recruits.

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2. Tennessee

Contenders: Quinten Dormady (Jr.) and Jarrett Guarantano (So.)

Dormady made 39 attempts during his two season as Josh Dobbs’ backup. Guarantano wore a redshirt in 2016 after arriving on campus as the latest top-flight quarterback recruit to join Butch Jones and the Volunteers. In a perfect world, Guarantano is ready to roll as the program’s next multiple-year starter — but Dormady might be a fine stopgap option if Guarantano struggles.

3. Miami (Fla.)

Contenders: Malik Rosier (Jr.), Evan Shirreffs (So.), Jack Allison (RS Fr.) and N’Kosi Perry (Fr.)

The new starter will step into an enviable situation: Miami returns 15 starters, seven on offense, and will have a vastly improved comfort level in Mark Richt’s second season. Who will replace Brad Kaaya? Rosier has an early edge as a result of his experience — including one career start — but don’t sleep on the two freshmen: Allison, a redshirt with a major arm, and Perry, the more impressive of the two rookies signed in February.

4. Nebraska

Contenders: Tanner Lee (Jr.) and Patrick O’Brien (RS Fr.)

Lee’s the more experienced of the pair, with two years of starting time at Tulane, but both contenders are equally familiar with the Cornhuskers’ offensive system. Rest assured of one fact: Nebraska’s going to get vastly improved quarterback play. Bet on Lee eventually nabbing the job, if not until deeper into fall camp.

5. Texas A&M

Contenders: Jake Hubenak (Sr.), Nick Starkel (RS Fr.) and Kellen Mond (Fr.)

That Hubenak has taken key snaps in the past can’t be ignored. Nor can Starkel’s ability to make every throw in the Aggies’ arsenal — though his perceived lack of mobility might be a sticking point. Mond is the total package, but can A&M afford to hand the job to a true freshman? The best situation might be for Hubenak to grab the job, Starkel to provide support and Mond take a redshirt before battling for the job in 2018.

6. Virginia Tech

Contenders: Josh Jackson (RS Fr.), A.J. Bush (Jr.) and Hendon Hooker (Fr.)

The big issue here is an utter lack of experience: Jackson was the No. 3 last fall, Bush never saw the field during his time at Nebraska — he spent one season at a junior college before joining Tech — and Hooker is a true freshman. Trust in Fuente, who knows how to develop quarterbacks, but don’t expect any contender to match Evans’ production. Like UNC, the Hokies could also be in the market for a graduate transfer.

7. North Carolina

Contenders: Nathan Elliott (So.), Chazz Surratt (RS Fr.) and Logan Byrd (RS Fr.)

Among the current crop of contenders, Elliott stands as the best option to replace Mitch Trubisky — his experience as last year’s backup, though limited, still gives him a meaningful edge. But the Tar Heels remain very much in the market for a graduate transfer, so this competition could be shaken up by a new arrival before the start of the summer.

8. Texas

Contenders: Shane Buechele (So.) and Sam Ehlinger (Fr.)

This should eventually fall in Buechele’s corner, thanks to his solid freshman season and overall edge in experience, but it’s only natural for Tom Herman to open things up — not just at quarterback but across the board — in his first spring with the Longhorns.

9. Maryland

Contenders: Tyrrell Pigrome (So.), Max Bortenschlager (So.), Caleb Henderson (Jr.) and Kasim Hill (Fr.)

The competition likely won’t hit high gear until the Terrapins add Hill, a four-star freshman, into the mix in fall camp. For now, Pigrome and Bortenschlager tout slight starting experience — each for one game in 2016 — and Henderson a well-rounded blend of athleticism and arm strength, as well as a working knowledge of Maryland’s offensive system. But Hill will be given the opportunity to make waves come August.

10. Houston

Contenders: Kyle Allen (Jr.) and Kyle Potsma (Sr.)

Potsma was last year’s backup; Allen is a former five-star recruit who transferred from Texas A&M prior to last season. Simply based off his talent and potential, Allen should grab the starting nod — and should contend for all-conference honors. But Potsma has flashed his dual-threat ability in stints as the Cougars’ backup, so Major Applewhite would be foolish not to pit the two options in an offseason-long battle for snaps.

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