MKRob Sports

Matthew Stafford, Georgia Bulldogs

Stafford graduated from high school early and enrolled at Georgia in time to compete in 2005 spring drills. That extra time with the varsity saw the true freshman earn eight starting assignments, becoming the first Bulldog since Eric Zeier since 1991 to come out of high school and start for Georgia.

The Freshman All-Southeastern Conference choice compiled a 6-2 record in those contests. He was named the Offensive MVP of the Chick-fil-A Bowl, going on to gain 1,749 yards with seven touchdowns and thirteen interceptions, as he completed 135-of-256 passes (52.7%). He also scored three times on the ground, finishing with an average of 149.23 yards per game in total offense.

Stafford produced an 11-2 record in 13 starts during the 2007 season. His 84-yard touchdown vs. Florida was the longest pass completion in the SEC that year. He hit on 194-of-348 tosses (55.75%) for 2,523 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also scored on a pair of option runs.

Stafford was named a finalist for Manning Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, both given to the nation’s top passer. The second-team All-Southeastern Conference choice led the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record. He set school season-records for touchdown passes (25), yards gained per offensive play (8.27 yards per play) and yards in total offense (3,499). His 3,459 yards passing rank second on Georgia’s annual record books, as his 235-of-383 passes placed him fourth on the school lists.

Mark Sanchez, USC Trojans

Sanchez worked hard during the 2008 offseason, beating out highly regarded Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain for the starting job. He suffered a dislocated left knee cap prior to the season opener, affecting his mobility, but proved to be capable of handling the team’s high-powered offense.

He was a finalist for the Manning Award (nation’s top passer) and semifinalist for both the Davey O’Brien Award and Maxwell Award (nation’s top player). He led the Pac-10 Conference in total offense (247.92 yards per game) and passing efficiency (164.64), with 34 touchdown passes ranking second among quarterbacks (Matt Leinart had 38 in 2003) during the Pete Carroll era.

Sanchez generated 3,207 yards with 10 interceptions on 241-of-366 attempts (65.85%), adding three more scores on the ground. Sanchez surprised everyone, including family and his head coach, when he announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL Draft. Carroll tried to convince his quarterback that another year of college experience would help him in the pro game, but Sanchez said he had carefully weighed all the considerations before deciding to leave.

Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, along with John David Booty, all returned for their final year of eligibility with the Trojans. Palmer was the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and Leinart was selected 10th in 2005. Carroll, who said he considers Sanchez as talented as any of those three, discussed the pros and cons with him. “We’ve talked at great depth and great length. We’ve covered this from A to Z … going until late last night,” Carroll said. “We don’t see this decision the same. (But) I’m thrilled for Mark. For any of our kids to live the dream and do what they want to do with their football career, this is a great place to do this.”

Josh Freeman, Kansas State

Freeman graduated from high school early and enrolled at Kansas State in time to participate in 2006 spring drills. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, starting the final eight contests as the blue-chip prospect from head coach Ron Prince’s first recruiting class. The Freshman All-American honorable mention earned Big Twelve Conference Player of the Week honors vs. Colorado and Texas, becoming the first Wildcat freshman to earn those honors in back-to-back weeks and the first KSU player to accomplish that feat since 2001.

That year, Freeman threw for a school freshman record 1,780 yards on 140-of-270 passes (51.85%) and was the only true freshman to lead his team to a bowl appearance in 2006. He threw six touchdown passes, but was intercepted 15 times while also getting sacked 25 times. His pass completion percentage of .846 vs. Colorado is the second-best average in a game by a Wildcats passer.

As a sophomore, Freeman earned All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention from league coaches. The strong-armed quarterback started all 12 games, set five school passing records — most completions in a game and season, most attempts in a season, most passing yards in a season and most 300-yard passing games in a season.

Freeman totaled 3,353 yards on 316-of-499 passing, completing 63.33% of those attempts while adding 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He completed at least 20 passes in 11-of-12 games, scoring four times of 53 carries. His 276.08-yard per-game average in total offense ranked 26th in the nation and he led a passing attack that ranked 19th in the major college ranks in 2007, averaging 269.58 yards per game.

In 2008, Freeman ranked 17th in the nation in total offense (279.08 yards per game) and 11th in points responsible for (17.17 per game). While his passing yards were down from the previous season (2,945), he did complete 58.64% of his attempts (224-of-382), a career-high 20 touchdowns and a career-low eight interceptions. He exploded for 14 scores and 404 yards on the ground. Only Colin Kaepernick of Nevada (17) ran for more touchdowns among major college quarterbacks in 2008.