Utah Utes Football: QB Ratings Since Scott Mitchell
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
So as we enter the dog days of spring camp, I’ve been repeatedly encouraged by the depth of our QB’s which only gets better once Kendal Thompson and Donovan Isom arrive. Travis Wilson’s play in the last scrimmage was especially interesting.
So I thought I’d throw some random stats out about past Utah QB’s, to perhaps better illustrate how good the situation is right now
Top 10 QB’s since Scott Mitchell in QB Rating (note these are through the 2012 season, as I can’t find stats with 2013 included)
- Alex Smith 164.62
- Mike McCoy 146.05
- Brian Johnson 144.40
- Terrence Cain 140.14
- Mike Fouts 140.11
- Brett Ratliff 137.84
- Jordan Wynn 133.77
- Darnell Arceneaux 130.24
- Frank Dolce 130.23
- Jon Hays 126.76
I don’t know how much you can extrapolate from this list, other than many Utah does not have a glorious QB history. If you’re curious, Scott Mitchell would have come in 7th, just after Ratliff and just before Jordan Wynn. Larry Eggar would have been 10th, 11th if you include Mitchell. Ken Vierra would have been 2nd.
One note about those who are going to jump on the Terrence Cain/Jordan Wynn thing. Cain was only averaging 122 YPG.
In the same vein, Jon Hays only averaged 124 YPG. My guess would be that they knew those guys couldn’t do more in the passing game and why we saw them replaced when we couldn’t move the ball.
I thought this would be some useful information to look over when you’re fretting about whether Conner Manning is ready or Brandon Cox’s inconsistency. Both of them likely have as much or more talent than several names on this list.
So find me on Twitter, @macathoyos and give me any thoughts you have.
Side Note: If you’re curious, Travis Wilson had a rating of 122.17 in 2012, 129.6 in 2013. I don’t know how to do QB ratings but he would come in just ahead or just being Jon Hays it looks like. Adam Schulz had a rating of 110.0 last season.