When it comes down to player evaluation in college football, the quarterback position is the most difficult to project future production and success. A great deal of it is dictated by circumstance, scheme fit and enrolling early to get adjusted to the speed of the college level with new terminology.
Some quarterback prospects will be pressed into early duty, while others will be given time to develop and fit into their respective college system.
Here are five quarterbacks we project will come in and contribute right away in the 2020 season:
Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide
It's Mac Jones' job to lose, but the five-star prospect Young is too talented to be kept on the sideline and brings something Jones does not: a dynamic running threat. Jones and Young enter spring practice along with Taulia Tagovailoa and Paul Tyson as the four signal-callers vying for one of the most pressure-packed positions in college football after Tua Tagovailoa entered the NFL draft.
What Young has going for him in the competition is natural accuracy and anticipation, along with leadership abilities beyond his years. Jones can drive the bus for sure, but Young has the qualities of top difference-maker quarterbacks at the college level and beyond.
Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
James Graham took over the starting role in 2019 for the Yellow Jackets, but stiff competition is on the way to Atlanta. Georgia Tech signed two capable signal-callers in the 2020 class in Sims, an Under Armour All-America Game standout, and Tucker Gleason, both from the Sunshine State.
Sims, a longtime Florida State verbal before the coaching change and signing day flip to Georgia Tech, is a superior talent to what the Jackets already have. While Sims must make strides mechanically, he has the ability to provide a true passing threat and undervalued ability with his feet. Both Sims and Gleason have already enrolled and will provide immediate competition this spring.
Malik Hornsby, Arkansas Razorbacks
Yes, Feleipe Franks is a grad transfer for the Hogs, but Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles will have to scheme around an offensive line that will be a work in progress, and Hornsby provides a true dual-threat option. His ability to improvise when the pocket breaks down bodes well for him in terms of playing time.
K.J. Jefferson and John Stephen Jones also return after combining to throw for nearly 300 yards in 2019, but this competition figures to be Franks' to lose with the dual-threat ability of Hornsby coming into play if he can adjust to the speed of the game and scheme in a short period of time, having not been a midyear graduate.
Luke Doty, South Carolina Gamecocks
Sure, Ryan Hilinski is back after starting 11 games as a true freshman, but everyone is on a short leash in Columbia, and Doty is more talented than Hilinski from an athletic standpoint. Doty began spring practice as the No. 2 QB and has already impressed with his awareness and athletic ability in the pocket and under duress.
The moment hasn't been too big for him, and he can provide Will Muschamp and new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo something Hilinski can't: the ability to keep plays alive and move the chains when plays break down. Doty will play in 2020 and could emerge as the starter if Hilinski doesn't take the next step as a sophomore.
Mitch Griffis, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
With starter Jaime Newman having grad transferred to Georgia, Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson has a true competition at the position headed into spring practice. While 2018 starter Sam Hartman has plenty of experience, rising sophomore Michael Kern and Griffis will provide ample competition.
Griffis has already enrolled and will get a chance to immediately step into the competition this spring, and that means Clawson will get a great look at the three quarterbacks vying for the starting role in 2020. Should Hartman not deliver on the field or go down to injury as he did in 2018, Griffis could be in line to take the reins.