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Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur, Missouri’s Drew Lock and Kentucky’s Drew Barker are expected to be starting quarterbacks in the SEC in 2016. While Barker has the advantage of having a redshirt season under his belt, all three enter this year with about a season’s worth of experience.
History tells us that, for the most part, quarterbacks tend to improve a bit in their second seasons. The reasons are obvious. They’re a year older, wiser and stronger — and the college game is no longer as intimidating as it was in their debut season.
So, what can Commodores, Tigers and Wildcats fans expect out of their not-as-young quarterbacks in 2016? We took a look back at a few recent freshman (both true and redshirt) to see what kind of development curve came about in their first two seasons.
The results range from All-American performers and school record-holders to transfers and dismissals. We don’t know yet where this year’s group will wind up, but here’s a look back at a few recent SEC quarterbacks and how they fared in their first and second seasons.
KYLE ALLEN, TEXAS A&M
2014 stats: 118 of 192 (61.5 percent) for 1,322 yards, 16 TDs and 7 INTs
2015 stats: 160 of 283 (56.5 percent) for 2,210 yards, 17 TDs and 7 INTs
Allen was the nation’s top rated pro-style quarterback out of Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2014, and he started the last five games of his first college season in place of Kenny Hill, who’s now at TCU.
His numbers were solid as a sophomore, but thanks to injuries and some turmoil in the program, he didn’t make the leap he might otherwise have from the first year to the second. He transferred to Houston after the season, while his backup, Kyler Murray, transferred to Oklahoma.
JOHNNY MANZIEL, TEXAS A&M
2012 stats: 295 of 434 (68 percent) for 3,706 yards, 26 TDs and 9 INTs — ran for 1,410 yards and 21 TDs
2013 stats: 300 of 429 (69.9 percent) for 4,114 yards, 37 TDs and 13 INTs — ran for 759 yards and 9 TDs
He was the poster child for overnight success at the quarterback position. After a redshirt season in 2011, he put up a season for the ages in 2012. He beat Alabama and became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy while leading the Aggies to an 11-2 record.
He tossed a few more interceptions and didn’t run nearly as often, but his sophomore numbers were better in terms of completion percentage, yards and touchdowns. He left College Station for the NFL after the 2013 season.
MATY MAUK, MISSOURI
2013 stats: 68 of 133 (51.1 percent) for 1,071 yards, 11 TDs and 2 INTs
2014 stats: 221 of 414 (53.4 percent) for 2,648 yards, 25 TDs and 14 INTs
Mauk made four starts (winning three) and played in four other games as a redshirt freshman in 2013. As the clear-cut starter in 2014, he threw a few more interceptions, but otherwise improved across the board as a passer.
He started the first four games last season before being suspended indefinitely. Finally, after a reinstatement and another suspension, he transferred to Eastern Kentucky.
AARON MURRAY, GEORGIA
2010 stats: 209 of 342 (61.1 percent) for 3,049 yards, 24 TDs and 8 INTs
2011 stats: 238 of 403 (59.1 percent) for 3,149 yards, 35 TDs and 14 INTs
Before Manziel came along, Murray was the redshirt freshman who took the SEC by storm. After sitting out 2009 with a shoulder injury, Murray finished in the SEC’s top five in yards, touchdowns and passer rating the following season.
He posted similar stats as a sophomore, but with more touchdowns and interceptions. He started all four of his seasons in Athens, and remains the SEC’s career leader in completions (921), yards (13,166) and touchdown passes (121).
Aaron Murray: an incredible all-around athlete. #DawgNation is so thankful for what you did for Georgia. #11Days pic.twitter.com/RrLdpwnu0b
— Georgia Fan Zone (@ugafanzone) August 25, 2015
A.J. MCCARRON, ALABAMA
2010 stats: 30 of 48 (62.5 percent) for 389 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs
2011 stats: 219 of 328 (66.8 percent) for 2,634 yards, 16 TDs and 5 INTs
After sitting out the 2009 season, McCarron served as a backup as a true freshman and put up some good numbers in limited action.
He started the final 40 games of his Crimson Tide career, posting impressive numbers in his sophomore season and in the two years that followed. Like Murray, he holds school records for completions (686), yards (9,019) and touchdowns (77).
TYLER BRAY, TENNESSEE
2010 stats: 125 of 224 (55.8 percent) for 1,849 yards, 18 TDs and 10 INTs
2011 stats: 147 of 247 (59.5 percent) for 1,983 yards, 17 TDs and 6 INTs
Bray took over as the starter for Matt Simms in Week 8 of his freshman season with the Vols sitting at 2-6. He reeled off four wins in five games to close the season, posting strong numbers along the way.
A broken thumb cost him five games in the middle of his sophomore season, and that’s the only reason he didn’t make more of an improvement.
As a junior, after finishing in the top five in the conference in yards, touchdowns and passer rating, he decided to enter the NFL Draft early.
STEPHEN GARCIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
2008 Stats: 65 of 122 (53.3 percent) for 832 yards, 6 TD and 8 INT
2009 Stats: 239 of 432 (55.3 percent) for 2,862 yards, 17 TD and 10 INT
After a turbulent 2007 season that resulted in a redshirt, Garcia made three starts in 2008. As the starter in 2009, he led the Gamecocks to a bowl game while improving his numbers across the board.
He had his best season as a junior, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, but was dismissed from the program five games into his senior season.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
