TORONTO — Who is the best quarterback in the CFL? What would a top-10 list look like? And which backup quarterback has the most potential to find stardom this upcoming season?
When it comes to football’s most pivotal position, there are way more questions than answers. And as we’ve learned this off-season, theories can vary drastically depending on who you ask.
On Wednesday, some of the CFL’s biggest stars will provide some answers in the latest from Best in the League. But the debate truly is never-ending, from the opening kickoff on June 22 all way through the Grey Cup and into the next off-season.
For instance, many would agree that Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly and Jonathon Jennings form a rock solid top tier of quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League. But when TSN’s Derek Taylor revealed the first six pass throwers on his list, the stats guru had different ideas:
Okay, here’s the 1st draft of top-6 QBs for my top-50. Tell me the changes you’d make
1. Bo, Reilly
3. Collaros
4. Jennings
5. Harris
6. Ray— Derek Taylor 🇨🇦🏈 (@DTonSC) June 1, 2017
Taylor’s list was met with plenty of debate on Twitter, including the topic of Matt Nichols, who wasn’t included in his top six.
With that said, let’s consider, in no particular order, some of the names that could come into play in 2017.
And be sure to let us know in the comments how your top 10 would shake out.
The contenders
These are the quarterbacks that should be considered for Best in the League. While that honour itself changes on a year to year basis, all of the quarterbacks listed here have demonstrated elite level-talent over sustained periods of time.
Bo Levi Mitchell is coming off an MOP-winning season with the Stamps (The Canadian Press)
Bo Levi Mitchell
At age 27, Mitchell already has a Grey Cup ring, a Grey Cup MVP and now, after guiding his team to a 15-2-1 regular season in 2016, a Most Outstanding Player honour next to his name.
Mike Reilly
Reilly was both healthy and productive in 2016, enjoying a career year with a league-best 5,554 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions, adding nine more touchdowns and 406 yards on the ground.
Jonathon Jennings
Jennings only exceeded expectations in his first full season as a starter, racking up 5,226 yards and 27 touchdown passes as a 24-year-old, becoming the fourth quarterback in Lions history to eclipse 5,000 passing yards.
Trevor Harris
While he couldn’t match his 2015 numbers with the Argos, Harris still flashed his elite ability in helping the REDBLACKS eventually win the 104th Grey Cup Championship. If he can put together a consistent 18-game season, MOP isn’t out of the question.
Zach Collaros
After last year’s injury struggles, it’s easy to forget that Zach Collaros was the leading candidate to win MOP in 2015 before a season-ending knee injury. Collaros has the smarts, physical ability and elite improvisational skills to rise again.
The steady hands
The quarterback with the steady hand gets the job done, even if he’s not throwing for 5,000 yards. Maybe ‘Best in the League’ is a little ambitious but in the right situation, these pivots will win you football games.
Kevin Glenn is getting an opportunity to re-write his narrative with the Riders (Riderville.com)
Matt Nichols
Nichols teeters on the ‘contenders’ category after breaking out with the Bombers in 2016. It’s no coincidence that Winnipeg started winning as soon as he took over for Drew Willy after four games.
Ricky Ray
Even at his age, Ray would be an elite quarterback if not for the injury history. He completed 74.5 per cent of his passes last season and if he can stay on the field, there’s no reason a late-career surge a la Henry Burris couldn’t be in store.
Travis Lulay
A former Most Outstanding Player, Lulay has avoided the wear and tear the last couple of seasons backing up the young Jennings in BC. If called upon, the 33-year-old is as good a backup option as any.
Kevin Glenn
Imagine the turn of events if Glenn, labeled throughout his career as a journeyman, could take the Riders to a Grey Cup. The 38-year-old may get that opportunity as he leads the competition in Riderville.
Darian Durant
After missing 25 out of 26 possible games between 2014 and 2015, Durant shook off the rust last season to throw for 3,839 yards and 14 touchdowns behind a makeshift Rider O-line. Now the 34-year-old gets a fresh start in Montreal with something to prove.
Jeremiah Masoli
Masoli’s career is trending upward after he did a nice job filling in for Collaros last season. If he can cut down the turnovers, he could become a CFL starting quarterback soon.
The up-and-comers
The up-and-comers are the future of the CFL, where Bo Levi Mitchell, Zach Collaros and Jonathon Jennings were not so long ago. As early as this year, one or more of these quarterbacks could join the discussion.
Eskimos No. 2 pivot James Franklin is widely considered the league’s top QB prospect (The Canadian Press)
Andrew Buckley
Buckley has done the right things in his bid to earn the No. 2 spot in Calgary behind Mitchell. Can a Canadian QB overcome the odds and become a star?
Brandon Bridge
The Riders have been patient with Bridge and were rewarded in Saturday’s pre-season opener, when the 25-year-old threw for 201 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-26 passing. It’s fun to have two Canadian quarterbacks on the radar.
Bryan Bennett
Now on his second CFL team, Bennett has generated plenty of buzz in Riders training camp. He’s got a shot at the No. 2 job in Sask and could see his first start in 2017.
James Franklin
Widely considered the top young quarterback prospect in the game, Franklin continues to bide his time behind Mike Reilly on the Esks’ depth chart. Franklin completed 65.6 per cent of his career passes for 1,307 yards, 10 touchdowns and only one interception.
Vernon Adams Jr.
Acquired by the Als for a first round pick, Adams will bide his time in Montreal behind one of the greats in Darian Durant. He looked good in three starts last season and has a bright CFL future.
Alex Ross
Ross got things moving against the Stamps in pre-season game one, nearly generating a late-game comeback that included 144 passing yards and a touchdown. It was enough to move up to third on the Lions’ depth chart following the release of Keith Price.
Matt Shiltz
It was a pre-season game against the backups, but the 24-year-old out of Butler looked the part in his first CFL action, going 6-of-10 for 69 yards and a touchdown against the Argos last week.
Everett Golson
Golson’s fight for third on the Ticats’ depth chart may be on hold following an injury in pre-season, although he was fun to watch vs. the REDBLACKS.
The unknowns
Quarterbacks that we just don’t know enough about based on lack of playing time.
Ricky Stanzi held his own throughout two pre-season contests with the Stamps (Stampeders.com)
Dominique Davis
Davis has made one start in his career and is vying for the No. 2 job in Winnipeg behind Matt Nichols. The 27-year-old remains mostly a mystery.
Ricky Stanzi
If Stanzi can out-duel Buckley and Gale for the second-string job in Calgary, he’s one play away from quarterbacking one of the CFL’s top teams.
Jacory Harris
Despite his age (27) and only 23 career passing attempts to his name, CFL teams see something in Harris, who’s landed a spot in Montreal behind Darian Durant.
Ryan Lindley
Lindley went from starting an NFL playing game to vying for a spot on the REDBLACKS’ roster — and appears to have succeeded. He looked good in the pre-season opener and could move his way up Ottawa’s depth chart in time.
Danny O’Brien
O’Brien moved from the REDBLACKS to the Eskimos this off-season, where he appears to have the No. 3 spot behind Reilly and Franklin.
And never count out…
Quarterbacks with both upside and CFL experience that aren’t being talked about heading into the 2017 season.
Drew Willy looks to be on the up swing after a rough first season with the Argos (The Canadian Press)
Dan LeFevour
LeFevour stepped in out of nowhere last season and provided a spark for the struggling Argos. He’s got the tools to be successful and may be able to lock down the second-string job in Winnipeg.
Drew Willy
People are quick to criticize the trade that brought Willy to Toronto. But the Argos saw something in Willy and the value of a franchise quarterback in football is limitless. Depending on Trestman’s first impression, Willy could be next in line behind Ray.
Mitchell Gale
Gale’s job in Calgary may be in jeopardy this pre-season, but the journeyman enjoyed some success with the Riders, including a pair of late-game victories in his name.
Drew Tate
It’s been a long time since Tate has taken any meaningful snaps, but the veteran backup is a play away from becoming one of the biggest names in the CFL.
Logan Kilgore
Kilgore’s line from last season — two touchdowns and 10 interceptions — makes him easy to dismiss. But quarterback guru Scott Milanovich liked his prospects before leaving Toronto while Kent Austin knows a thing or two about pivots as well. His story may not be over yet.
Best in the League polls the league’s top stars on 13 different categories, from most underrated to fastest player. For past episodes and a full schedule, visit CFL.ca/BITL.
