New Orleans will be in the market this offseason to find their quarterback of the future. The Saints have already started the process of filling a current hole at the position by going after Derek Carr, but it is still unclear where the veteran quarterback will sign. If that falls through, New Orleans will turn their attention to the NFL Draft to find a young quarterback that can develop to become the franchise quarterback. With Andy Dalton hitting free agency, it leaves just Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill as the remaining prospects at the position. Check out the NFL Draft quarterback prospects New Orleans can be taking at look at come late April:
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee:
Hendon Hooker spent four seasons with Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee prior to the start of the 2021 season. During his first year with the Volunteers, Hooker would make an instant impact for the Tennessee offense and he would quickly become one of the best players in the SEC. He was able to rack up 3,561 yards of total offense, which currently ranks fourth in the history of the Tennessee football program.
Along with his effectiveness through the air, Hooker finished the 2021 season with 616 yards on 166 carries with five touchdowns. Hooker became the first quarterback since Erik Ainge to be listed as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. During the 2021 season, Hooker would lead the SEC in passer efficiency rating (181.4).
Hendon Hooker can sling it, man. pic.twitter.com/hATUgGANLC
— Jason (TWTS) (@TWTSscouting) February 16, 2023
Hooker would elevate his draft status after a sensational final season with Tennessee as he earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Hooker registered 3,565 yards of total offense, completing 229 passes for 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns. On the ground, Hooker would rush for 430 yards and five touchdowns. Hooker would suffer a torn ACL injury against South Carolina that would end his final season with the Volunteers, but he was able to put up a season that will be remembered by every Tennessee fan.
Tanner McKee, Stanford:
Tanner McKee would step onto the scene with Stanford prior to the start of the 2020 season. McKee saw limited action during his freshman season in 2020 as he played in just one game with the Cardinal. He would make his collegiate debut against Oregon where he would complete three passes for 62 yards. The Corona, California native would start to see more action on the gridiron in his sophomore season.
Tanner McKee, a thread. pic.twitter.com/KPUBKdW544
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) June 20, 2022
In 2021, McKee started in nine games for Stanford. McKee finished his sophomore campaign with 2,327 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air. McKee would continue to elevate his status during his final year with the Cardinal in 2022. The junior quarterback finished the 2022 season with the ninth-most passing yards by a Stanford quarterback in a single-season (2,947 yards).
McKee racked up his fourth career 300-yard passing game in Stanford’s last game against BYU and was able to surpass former great Cardinal quarterback on Stanford’s career passing yard list. In his final season, McKee would finish third for the most pass attempts in a single season (426).
Jaren Hall, BYU:
Jaren Hall spent his collegiate career with BYU from the 2018-2022 season and he served as the Cougars starting quarterback for his final two years with the program. He appeared in 31 games, including 25 starts at quarterback with the Cougars. In his first year as a starter heading into the 2021 season, Hall finished the year with 2,583 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Here’s Jaren Hall casually outrunning a 4.23 guy pic.twitter.com/cU5VgmuHd7
— Free Zach Wilson (@JarenHallBetter) March 1, 2023
Heading into his junior season in 2022 there was a lot of hype surrounding Hall’s potential heading into the new season. Hall was able to have another stellar season for BYU as he threw for 3,171 yards and 31 touchdowns. On the ground, he added 346 yards on 86 carries and three touchdowns. Hall would finish his BYU career with 52 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. The Spanish Fork, Utah native capped off his tenure with the Cougars by racking up 6,147 yards through the air.
On the ground he registered 796 yards with 181 carries and nine touchdowns. Hall throughout his career at BYU has shown that he is a dynamic quarterback who has a threat as both a runner and a passer.
Stetson Bennett, Georgia:
Stetson Bennett has quickly become one of the best stories in college football starting his career at the junior college level and pursuing his dreams to transfer to Georgia as a walk-on. Bennett spent his freshman season at Jones College in Ellisville, Mississippi. The Blackshear, Georgia native would lead Jones to a 10-2 overall record. In 12 games, Bennett would pass for 1,840 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Bennett decided to transfer from Jones and head to Georgia prior to the start of the 2019 season. He would see action in his first game with the Bulldogs against Murray State. Against the Racers, Bennett completed nine passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Heading into the 2020 season, Bennett would start to take over the responsibilities to be the starting quarterback for Georgia. He would finish the season as the Bulldogs top passer completing 86 passes for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns.
never forget when stetson bennett absolutely dotted up the “number 1 team” pic.twitter.com/O8eRutY1hG
— branson🦑 (@bhulluga) February 18, 2023
Bennett would continue to electricity his status in Athens as he led Georgia to their first national championship since the 1980 season. He would be named Offensive MVP of the CFP Championship Game against Alabama. He would finish the 2021 season with 2,862 total passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Bennett would also add 259 yards on the ground, which ranked fifth on the team.
Once again, Bennett was able to lead the Bulldogs back to the CFP National Championship Game. He would finish the last season with Georgia on a high note as he served a big role of Georgia hanging to beating Ohio State in the CFP semifinal that ultimately led the Bulldogs of claiming back-to-back national championships. Bennett would be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and he would take home the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy.
Max Duggan, TCU:
Max Duggan would quickly get into the mix of becoming TCU’s starting quarterback during his freshman season in 2019. Duggan would play in all 12 games for the Horned Frogs as he would set TCU true freshman records with 2,077 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. He would also be effective in the running game as he ranked second on the team with 555 yards on the ground and six touchdowns.
MAX DUGGAN ARE YOU SERIOUS?
TCU with ANOTHER touchdown to take a commanding 20-3 lead in the first half 🐸 pic.twitter.com/ObkYQhsQYW
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2022
The Council Bluffs, Iowa native would continue to emerge as a star in TCU’s offense in his sophomore season. Duggan would rush for 526 yards on the season marking the first quarterback to lead the Horned Frogs in rushing yards. He was battle tested in his junior season as he battled through injury in 202`1. Even with the injury, Duggan was able post a career-best in passing yards against Oklahoma (346).
His best season would be his last as he was able to lead the Horned Frogs all the way to the CFP National Championship Game. Duggan closed out his TCU career with 9,168 passing yards and 28 career rushing touchdowns. He would be responsible for 41 total touchdowns during the season (32 passing, 9 rushing). Duggan would be named as a Heisman Trophy finalist as well as being a recipient for several awards. He showed that he has the mobility to make it challenging on opposing defenses and has a strong arm to launch the ball down the field.
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