The Top 5 Players of 2008: Quarterbacks

Today I am starting a new series called The Top 5 Players of 2008. This series will be broken up according to position. There will be quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive ends, defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs. Obviously by the title, I am starting with quarterbacks. 2008 presented some great quarterbacks and some quarterbacks that didn't quite live up to the hype. So grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the list!

Oklahoma quarterback and 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford

1. Tim Tebow (Florida) - You can't really have a list of great quarterbacks without starting it with Tebow. Tim Tebow had 192 completions out of 298 attempts for a 64.4% completion ratio. He was good for 30 passing TDs, 4 INTs, and 15 sacks. He ended the season with a 172.40 passer rating and let's not forget....his second National Championship. I'm not even bringing up Tebow's rushing stats, which are just as impressive.
2. Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) - Sam Bradford had a great season as the offensive front man for the Sooners. Bradford went 328 for 483 with a 67.9% completion ratio. He had 4,721 yards passing, 50 TDs, 8 INTs, and 11 sacks. He completed the 2008 season with a 180.86 passer rating. Bradford also led the Sooners offense to a NCAA-record for most points scored in a season - 702 points.
3. Colt McCoy (Texas) - Colt McCoy was a big surprise, in my opinion, this past season. The Longhorn's junior quarterback showed great poise and some fancy footwork in 2008. McCoy finished the 2008 season completing 332 passes out of 434 attempts for 3,859 yards. He had a 76.5% completion ratio, with 34 TDs, 8 INTs, and 23 sacks. His passer rating was a much improved 173.36. What was most impressive about McCoy's 2008 season was that he developed into a pretty decent rusher as well, totaling 9 rushing touchdowns.
4. Graham Harrell (Texas Tech) - Graham Harrell was a shoe-in for the Heisman after beating Texas on November 1st. Losing to Oklahoma and then Ole Miss in the bowl game, put a sour taste on an otherwise great season. The Red Raider's quarterback finished 2008 with 442 completions out of 626 attempts and 5, 111 yards. He had a 70.6 % completion ratio, 45 TDs, 9 INTs, and 14 sacks. Harrell's passer rating was 160.04.
5. Pat White (West Virginia) - This pick will probably shock some people. I shocked myself because of Pat White being a Mountaineer and I am a Hokie fan. West Virginia has long been my arch rival. But I think Pat White had a very solid 2008; perhaps he didn't have the mind-boggling stats like the other four, but White accomplished a lot after losing a coach and a stellar running back. White had 180 completions out of 274 attempts and 1,844 yards for a completion ratio of 65.7%. He had 21 TDS, 7 INTs, and 16 sacks. White's passer rating was 142.41. Before you decide to cut Pat White off the list as one of the best quarterbacks of 2008, please remember he is the ONLY starting quarterback to ever win a bowl game four years straight....ever!!

I am sure we could argue all day about who the top quarterbacks were in 2008, but I think this is a darn good list of the best. Tomorrow I will present The Top 5 Players of 2008: Running Backs!!