There’s been a lot of talk of the comparison between this year’s class and last year’s class at quarterback, but Week 1 has shown that there may be stronger candidates from the top down than previously thought.
But it’s pretty apparent who the top prospects are. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has that between Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Georgia signal-caller Carson Beck.
“It’s between Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders,” Kiper said to host Mike Greenberg on ESPN’s Get Up. “Carson Beck was [ranked] 234, on the big board coming out of high school when they ranked them. 22 quarterbacks were ranked ahead of Carson Beck, look where he is now.”
Both players have had unique journeys after once flying under the radar.
That didn’t last long for either, though, with Beck bursting onto the scene after holding the clipboard and learning behind Stetson Bennett and JT Daniels.
“He developed, he watched, he sat, he learned, and he’s only 21 years of age. Doesn’t turn 22 until November. He was at 72% last year, completion percentage, off to a good start with that strong second half against Clemson this past week,” Kiper said.
Sanders was formerly an FCS prospect who started off as perhaps one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the nation, despite how large of a figure his father, Deion Sanders, is.
“Shedeur Sanders, 15 quarterbacks were rated ahead of Shedeur coming out of high school,” Kiper said. “He goes to Jackson State with his dad, now he’s in Colorado. They’re a seven-point underdog at Lincoln against a much improved Nebraska Cornhusker team Saturday night, that game’s important in the evaluation process.”
Both Beck and Sanders have been as advertised through one week of the season, with Beck finishing the 34-3 win over Clemson completing 23 of his 33 passing attempts 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Sanders and the Buffs also got the W as Sanders shone as one of the most impactful players on the field, despite some faltering around him in the 31-26 victory over North Dakota State. Sanders completed 26 of his 34 passing attempts for some 445 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Both players will look to keep it rolling as Georgia looks to get an easy home victory over Tennessee Tech and Sanders prepares to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers.