Who's QB1? Eight quarterback battles to keep an eye on

The battle for the starting quarterback job at LSU was supposed to be one of the major storylines nationally during camp season. But Myles Brennan’s arm injury means Max Johnson is the starter by default.

Still, there are numerous other quarterback battles that will play out in the next few weeks. And with camps getting started in earnest this week, here’s a look at eight intriguing quarterback competitions.

BYU

In the running: Baylor Romney, Jaren Hall and Jacob Conover

The buzz: Zach Wilson was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, by the New York Jets, so let’s start this off by saying there will be a production drop this season. Still, seven offensive starters are back, and the components are there for a solid unit — if the new quarterback comes through. Romney (6 feet 2, 195 pounds) is a third-year sophomore who was part of Nevada’s 2015 recruiting class. (Yes, 2015.) But after a two-year Mormon mission, he walked-on at BYU. He redshirted in 2018, then played in 11 games the next two seasons, including two starts in 2019. Thanks to the NCAA’s COVID ruling about player eligibility, Hall (6-1, 205) is a fourth-year sophomore; he signed with BYU in the 2016 class, then went on a mission. Hall played in two games in 2018, then in seven in 2019, including two starts. He suffered a concussion in the eighth game of that season, against Utah State, and hasn’t played since. Hall is a legitimate dual threat, and that facet of his game may lead to him getting the job. Conover was a four-star recruit and BYU’s highest-rated signee in the 2019 class. His mission was cut short by COVID and he enrolled in August 2020, then redshirted. Conover (6-1, 205) lacks ideal height for a pro-style guy, but he has a good arm and accuracy was a big selling point in high school. (An aside: Romney’s brother is starting wide receiver Gunner Romney, a fifth-year junior who is two years younger than Baylor. Gunner’s quarterback in 2017 at Chandler (Ariz.) High? Conover.)

Florida State

In the running: McKenzie Milton and Jordan Travis

The buzz: Given Travis’ limitations as a passer, Milton — who transferred from UCF in December — almost certainly would be the starter if he were completely healed from his terrifying leg injury in 2018. But considering he almost lost his leg, that he has made it this far is a testament to his grit and determination. Despite a lack of stature, Milton (5-11, 192) throws a nice deep ball and has a high football IQ; in addition, his mobility used to be an asset. As for Travis (6-1, 201), mobility is his biggest positive. He has a good arm, but accuracy is an issue. The Seminoles open with Notre Dame and have two ACC games in September, so there’s no way FSU can ease into the season.

Michigan

In the running: Cade McNamara, J.J. McCarthy and Alan Bowman

The buzz: McNamara (6-1, 205) was a four-star recruit (from Nevada!) in the 2019 class who started one game last season. McCarthy (6-3, 195) is a five-star guy and the jewel of Michigan’s 2021 class who enrolled early. And Bowman (6-3, 215) transferred in February after making 16 starts in three seasons at Texas Tech. Jim Harbaugh reconfigured the Wolverines’ coaching staff in the offseason in an effort to juice up the offense. All three are pro-style passers. While McNamara wasn’t a world-beater last season, he generally avoided mistakes, and that ability figures to play a big role in deciding who gets the job.

Northwestern

In the running: Ryan Hilinski and Hunter Johnson

The buzz: Hilinski (6-3, 215) started as a true freshman at South Carolina in 2019, then basically disappeared last season after Mike Bobo was hired as coordinator. He transferred to Northwestern and the path to a starting job looks clear — as long as he steps up. Johnson (6-2, 215) is a former five-star recruit who hasn’t come close to living up to the hype. He began his career at Clemson before moving on to Northwestern in 2018. Johnson started five times in 2019 but played poorly, then saw action in just two games last fall. The Wildcats aren’t likely to wow anyone offensively, regardless, though Hilinski does seem to provide a better upside than Johnson.

Oregon

In the running: Anthony Brown, Jay Butterfield and Ty Thompson

The buzz: Tyler Shough was the Ducks’ starting quarterback last season, but he transferred to Texas Tech (which likely was one reason Bowman left Lubbock). Brown (6-3, 226), who began his career at Boston College, saw a lot of time late last season; while he is not a polished passer, his rushing ability adds a different dimension. Plus, he started 28 games at BC and owns a giant experience advantage over his competitors. Butterfield (6-6, 212), a redshirt freshman, was the nominal No. 2 guy in spring, and he has a big arm. Thompson (6-4, 214) was the jewel of the Ducks’ 2021 recruiting class and enrolled early. He has a lot of ground to make up, but his upside is huge and he is considered the future at the position for the Ducks. The question: How soon does the future arrive?

Stanford

In the running: Jack West and Tanner McKee

The buzz: West (6-4, 215), a senior, was the backup to Davis Mills last season, though he did make one start. He also started once in 2019, but has thrown just 56 passes in five games in his career. McKee (6-6, 228), a sophomore, is a former national top-50 recruit who signed with the Cardinal in 2018, then went on a two-year Mormon mission to Brazil. He returned last season and saw scant time, but his upside is impressive. McKee had a solid spring and is more athletic, but still is behind West in knowledge of the offense.

Texas

In the running: Casey Thompson and Hudson Card

The buzz: These two are in the hunt to replace Sam Ehlinger, who seemingly was Texas’ starting quarterback for about a decade. Card (6-2, 195), a redshirt freshman who played in two games last season, seems likely to win the job. He is a local guy — from Austin’s Lake Travis High, also the alma mater of Baker Mayfield — who was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class. Card is a dual-threat quarterback who accounted for 100 TDs (including 20 on the ground) in high school. Thompson (6-1, 194), a fourth-year junior who also is a dual threat, has played in seven career games. He was tremendous in relief of an injured Ehlinger in last season’s Alamo Bowl, going 8-of-10 for 170 yards and four TDs in a rout of Colorado. Thompson, the son of former Oklahoma QB Charles Thompson, displayed better accuracy in the spring than in the past.

Texas A&M

In the running: Zach Calzada and Haynes King

The buzz: Calzada (6-3, 205) is a third-year freshman. He played in three games in 2019 and is the type of strong-armed pocket passer Jimbo Fisher is known for producing. King (6-3, 200) is a redshirt freshman who played in two games last season. He has good mobility and adds a running element, as if the Aggies needed another rushing threat. There is a plethora of skill-position talent on the roster for whoever wins the job.

(Top photo of Texas’ Thompson, left, and Card: Tim Warner/Getty Images)