Ben Kercheval of cbssports.com ranks the top 50 NCAA quarterbacks today, dividing them into tiers.
He includes Justin Herbert in his top group, among the 5 quarterbacks most likely to become All-Americans or contend for the Heisman Trophy.
Love me some Justin Herbert but it has to be pointed out that his 2018 passer rating was a full 50 points lower than Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray, 26 points lower than Jake Fromm at Georgia.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...rs-from-heisman-contenders-to-grad-transfers/
In the PAC-12, Herbert was 4th in yards and passer rating, 9th in completion percentage.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2018/leader/905/player/split01/category02/sort03.html
Not entirely what you'd expect from an NFL first round draft pick. The league picks on measurables and potential, but still.
A lot of things go into this. Scheme and playcalling play a role. Supporting cast contributes or drags a quarterback down. Dropped passes plagued the Ducks. Herbert's still a young quarterback in terms of time at the position, experience and healthy starts.
For the Ducks to achieve any of their lofty goals for this season, 10 wins, contending for conference championships and a bigger bowl game, they need Justin Herbert to become one of the all-time quarterbacks at Oregon, to take his place among Marcus Mariota, Dennis Dixon, Darron Thomas, Joey Harrington and the rest. Not just statistically, but in terms of his demonstrated ability to command a team and be the player who dictates the outcome of the game.
In his first three seasons, the senior from Sheldon has had games where he looks lost and out of synch with his receivers. Now he's the senior leader. He has to be the one who establishes the rhythm and makes the reads, switches out of bad plays, finds his checkdowns, dissects the defense, makes great intermediate throws under pressure.
The arm and ability to make big-time throws are already impressive. The character and work ethic are unassailable. In 2019, though, Herbert needs to put it all together for the Ducks. His coaches have to make him a more assertive leader and more decisive in the pocket, more consistent at the start of games and the fourth quarter. To do any less would be to sacrifice the gift.
