Big 12 Fantasy QB Rankings

1. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech (SR)
Kliff Kingsbury. Sonny Cumbie. B.J. Symons. Graham Harrell. Texas Tech quarterbacks have been putting up huge fantasy numbers for years in Lubbock. 2008 could be the best year of them all. Harrell owners will likely target 6,000 yards passing and 50 touchdowns as the benchmarks with which the Red Raider quarterback will be measured. As crazy as it sounds, 4,800 yards and 45 touchdowns would be a huge disappointment. Owners might also want to snag back-up Taylor Potts in the later rounds – for an insurance policy in case Harrell is injured.

2. Chase Daniel, Missouri (SR)
The drop off from one to two in the Big XII quarterback rankings is miniscule. In fact, both Harrell and Daniel are first-round picks in most fantasy drafts. Daniel has shown Gary Pinkel’s offensive system can be extremely successful. All of the pieces to the puzzle are there: a dynamic playmaker on the outside (Jeremy Maclin), a dependable touchdown machine of a tight end (Chase Coffman) a great scheme and solid offensive line play. An improvement upon a 4,300 yard, 33 touchdown season is very likely. 

3. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (SO)
The third Heisman candidate from the Big XII plays in Norman. After a record setting redshirt freshman season – 3,121 yards, 36 touchdowns – expectations are through the roof for the third-year sophomore. With a wide array of options at wide receiver, tight end and running back, Bradford should be able to at least match his ’07 output. Playing behind what is possibly the best offensive line in the nation certainly does not hurt his chances either.

4. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State (JR)
Bobby Reid will be the starting quarterback for Texas Southern in 2008 and no one is happier about that than Zac Robinson. All the much publicized back-up turned school record holder quarterback did in his first season starting was throw for 2,824 yards and 23 scores. Oh, and he also added 847 yards rushing and nine more touchdowns. That is pure fantasy gold. Robinson does lose his top receiving target as well as his top runner, but the Pokes still have talent. Look for wideout Dez Bryant to step up and be the go-to man for Robinson.

5. Todd Reesing, Kansas (JR)
Kansas will need to fill holes left by graduation and the NFL on offense in ’08. One spot Mark Mangino does not need to worry about is quarterback. Reesing and the Jayhawks will need to replace a 1,000 yard runner, a key starting left tackle and tight end Derek Fine - but there is no lack of choices in Lawrence. Wideouts Dexton Fields and Dezmon Briscoe will be the talented targets of most of Reesing’s passes. However, Reesing will not sneak-up on anyone this season like they did in ’07 and the schedule is dramatically more difficult. A slight drop in production is possible, but unlikely.

6. Colt McCoy, Texas (JR)
The biggest issue for the Longhorn signal caller is health. McCoy has shown that he is prone to the injury bug and if fantasy owners expect top tier performance from McCoy he will have to start every game in ‘08. Losing Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed and Jermichael Finley won’t help matters either. This is Texas, though, so there are plenty of options. Quan Cosby is the likely choice to lead the team in catches. Also, look for McCoy to be more of a threat in the run game this season as he has proven to be not just a pocket passer.

7. Joe Ganz, Nebraska (SR)
Through the first nine games of the ’07 campaign, Ganz had a total of 36 passing yards. In the final three games of the season, he totaled 1,399 yards and 15 scores. As a high-risk, high-reward type fantasy player, success will depend much on how the new coaching staff gels with the current roster. Ganz has a wonderful safety valve in tailback Marlon Lucky. Lucky set school records for receptions and receiving yards by a running back last season and will likely be Ganz’ go to target in tough situations. 3,000 yards and 25 scores is not out of the question.

8. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M (SR)
It is possible that no single player in the nation will benefit more from a coaching change that this Aggie quarterback. McGee, a prolific passer in the Texas high school ranks, should finally realize his fantasy potential in 2008. In Coach Fran’s option attack, McGee’s fantasy impact was minimal. In Mike Sherman’s west coast attack, McGee might flourish. A solid ground game should help open coverages for the A&M passer as defenses stack the box to stop the talented duo of Mike Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane. Someone will have to step-up and make plays on the outside, however. That guy could be true freshman wide receiver Jeff Fuller.

9. Cody Hawkins, Colorado (SO)
The son of a Zen Master, Hawkins has all the tools needed to be a successful fantasy option…in 2009. Although, he will be effective this season, his fantasy upside is limited. With a very young roster around him, it is more likely that Hawkins finds his way into fantasy drafts next season rather than this one. The talent is there as head coach Dan Hawkins has brought in solid offensive lineman, running backs and receiving options. However, Little Hawkins might be a solid option this season in keeper league formats.

10. Josh Freeman, Kansas State (JR)
Life after Jordy Nelson begins in Manhattan this season. Freeman, who is as physically gifted as any quarterback in the nation, will have to find a new go-to target in 2008. Nelson helped Freeman reach a school record for passing yards (3,353) last season, but no one on this roster has Nelson’s ability. There is good news, however. Freeman decreased his interceptions from ’06 to ’07 and the options stepping in for the departing Nelson will be upperclassman. Seniors Deon Murphy and Ernie Pierce, along with a couple of junior college recruits should be able to help fill the void.

11. Kirby Freeman, Baylor (SR)
12. Austen Arnaud, Iowa State (SO)
13. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech (SO)
14. Blake Szymanski, Baylor (JR)
15. John Chiles, Texas (SO)
16. Chase Patton, Missouri (SR)
17. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M (SO)
18. Phillip Bates, Iowa State (SO)
19. Robert Griffin, Baylor (FR)
20. Joey Halzle, Oklahoma (SR)