Top 26 storylines for 2016: No. 8 – A ridiculous crop of 2017 QBs

[caption id="attachment_23432" align="alignright" width="350"]John Tyler's # @ Bryson Smith out runs Jacksonvilles#22 Scooter Baker / photo by John Murphy John Tyler QB Bryson Smith (Photo by John Murphy)[/caption] Texas produces quarterbacks. The 2017 recruiting class is no different. Rivals.com ranks over 20 signal-callers in the state of Texas three-star recruits or better. Three of those players – Chris Robison, Sam Ehlinger and Shawn Robinson – are four-star recruits. Before the season starts, a total of 23 quarterbacks in the state of Texas are committed to FBS football programs. The advent of 7-on-7 football across the state is largely attributed to the quarterback boon in the state over the past 15 years. Texas routinely puts out a bevy of talented quarterbacks due to the resources it takes to play the position. It is much easier to become an FBS wide receiver than quarterback. For one, there are more spots available on each roster at nearly every position outside of quarterback. Second, the attention to detail it takes to play quarterback needs refinement. The amount of 7-on-7, private tutoring and the access to athletic periods throughout the school year give Texas an advantage on most states. And schools from across the nation understand Texas is the home for quarterback prospects. Chris Robison is committed to Oklahoma. Avery Davis is committed to Notre Dame. Memphis, Utah and Iowa hold commitments from Texas quarterbacks heading into the season. As do New Mexico State, San Diego State and Bowling Green. That isn’t to suggest the Texas schools aren’t also hip to the knowledge. Out of the 12 FBS schools inside Texas, Baylor doesn’t currently hold a verbal commitment from a 2017 quarterback from Texas, and that is sure to change before National Signing Day in February. So, who is the best of the bunch? The top three choices – Chris Robison, Ehlinger and Shawn Robinson – are all currently committed to Big 12 schools. Ehlinger, who led Westlake to a state championship game as a junior, verballed to his hometown Texas Longhorns. Robison, considered to possess the most upside of any quarterback in the state, chose Oklahoma. And Shawn Robinson, who is committed to TCU, was officially handed the job at DeSoto before the first game of the season. And we haven’t even mentioned Mexia’s Jaylen Gipson, Frisco Lone Star’s Jason Shelley or Tyler John Tyler’s Bryson Smith. How about UTSA commit’s Frank Harris or Texas A&M commit Connor Blumrick? The list can continue and a heated argument could be made for a number of top-10 scenarios. The state’s quarterback play is one of the many reasons Texas high school football is on a different level than the rest of the country. It isn’t necessarily our top-end talent, which can match up with anyone, as much as it is the depth. Programs ranging from all classifications sport quality quarterback play and the recruiters across the nation take notice. And outside of oil, Willie and brisket, quarterbacks might be our greatest export.

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