The dual-threat quarterback hasn’t loomed this large in the college game since the option’s golden age. Vince Young. Tim Tebow. Matt Flynn. The last time a dropback passer led his team to a national title, Nick Saban was coaching in the SEC (at LSU). Here’s six dual-threat QBs, aside from Tebow, worth your television time this fall.
1) Pat White, West Virginia: There’s that man again. Now a senior, White completed passes at a 67 percent rate the past two seasons, even though he hardly ever threw more than 20 in a game. That’s OK, with his running ability (figure about 7 yards per carry) and backfield mates (Noel Devine will take over the Steve Slaton role this season), he doesn’t need to put it up any more than that.
2) Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan: He passed for more than 2,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000. Yeah, that’s a dual-threat QB all right. Now all he has to do is beat Georgia on Sept. 6. … OK, maybe leading an upset over Purdue will have to suffice.
3) Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State: Scored nine rushing TDs and threw for 23 more last season. Not quite Tebow territory, but it might be good enough to get the Cowboys back into Big 12 relevance.
4) Daryll Clark, Penn State: No, this is not a return to the Michael Robinson glory days of 2005. For one thing, Clark is slower than Robinson. For another, Clark is probably a better passer.
5. Matt Grothe, South Florida: Obviously, he was the Bulls’ leading passer, but his 872 yards led them in rushing, too. With Mike Ford there to pick up the slack this year, Grothe’s unlikely to repeat that feat, but he should still be good for 150 carries or so, along with 2,500 yards through the air.
6. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State: Yes, yes, we’re putting a freshman who might not even start on the list. But it seems likely that he’ll see the field, most likely as a change-of-pace QB. After all, the formula of freshman dual-threat QB coming in to spell a dropback passer worked pretty well for Florida and a certain mobile passer, didn’t it?
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