The D2 Football season is just three weeks away from starting, and we are continuing to roll on with our previews for the 2017 campaign.
RELATED: 2017 D2 Football Preseason All-America Team
We have an exciting debate sure to spur some heat between fan bases and teams alike: who is the best quarterback coming back to the gridiron in 2017?
While plenty of passers graduated last year, many of the top names are back for at least one more season and could easily hold claim to the title of best in the nation. But this is where you come in to help decide the title.
Take a look at all of the candidates below and then make your vote. Make sure to share the poll to help your favorite candidate, and also comment below if we missed someone you think is deserving.
Voting closes Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. Pacific.
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Travis Tarnowski — Ashland
2016 Stats: 2,989 passing yards / 34 TD / 6 INT
Tarnowski returns for his final year at Ashland holding the career mark for touchdown passes (80) and needing just under 1,000 yards to break the yardage mark. Even more impressive than his individual success is the 27-5 record he has as a starter with the Eagles.
Tarnowski and company should especially be expected to do big things this year after failing to make the playoffs in 2016. But former tight end Adam Shaheen was drafted in the second round by the Bears this past Spring, leaving a huge hole in the offensive production.
With one year left in his time at Ashland, expect the Ohio native to ball out and lead his team to a big year, as well as one for his own profile.
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Andrew Elffers — Azusa Pacific
2016 Stats: 2,120 passing yards / 21 TD / 3 INT / 7 rushing TD
Elffers may not stand out among his peers when looking at paper stats, but he helped lead APU to a 9-3 finish in 2016 and with 18 starters returning, a big year could be coming from the GNAC contenders.
What does pop off the page is the ability to keep possession of the ball, with just three picks last year in a conference with some very good defenses. With a year of tape now on him, it will be imperative for Elffers to continue controlling the ball.
Azusa could be a dark horse national contender and Elffers could be a big reason why in the coming year.
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Michael Keir — California (PA)
2016 Stats: 3,222 passing yards / 41 TD / 11 INT
Keir had some question marks surrounding him going into the 2016 season after the departure of James Harris, but the junior was quick to squash any concerns with a breakout campaign that resulted in a Super Region 1 final appearance before bowing out to Shepherd.
Enter 2017, and Cal U are still national title contenders and Keir is now the official leader on offense after dynamic receiver Garry Brown graduated. The running game is still strong behind him, but Keir will be the make-or-break force if Cal is to claim a national title.
Gary Dunn will begin his second season as Cal head coach, coinciding with Keir's tenure as starter. With one seaosn left of play, Keir could become the best passer to ever hit the field at Cal, noted to be QB U amongst D2 schools.
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Jake Sisson — Edinboro
2016 Stats: 3,710 passing yards / 41 TD / 19 INT
What a difference one year can make for a QB, as Sisson catapulted himself into near record-breaking play for the Fighting Scots under first-year head coach Justin Lustig. The rising senior compiled 25 more touchdown passes and even contributed a few rushing scores and one receiving touchdown.
But unfortunately, Lustig has departed to accept a coaching position at the D1 level and questions now come back to whether Sisson can keep up his play without a guiding force.
With any luck, Edinboro's most recent quarterback star will be able to shake off the questions and produce another quality season. The Scots were on the cusp of the playoffs last year, and have the roster and schedule to make another run if everything falls right.
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Reggie Bell — Ferris State
2016 Stats: 2,085 passing yards / 11 TD / 7 INT / 1,217 rushing yards / 16 Rush TD
A transfer prior to the 2016 season from Eastern Michigan, Bell came in to replace two-time Harlon Hill winner Jason Van Der Laan and actually took the Bulldogs farther into the playoffs than his predicessor ever did.
A dual-threat in the fold of RG3, Bell was actually used more as a running back in the playoffs with another quarterback taking the reigns as starter. With Bell the lead horse in the race this year though, the Ferris offense should expect to produce just as well.
Ferris is one of the three best title contenders this year and should open the season in the national top five at least. Bell carries a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he has the talent to propel Ferris into a title.
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Braxton Marstall — Emporia State
2016 Stats: 3,599 passing yards / 31 TD / 9 INT / 8 Rush TD
A hometown darling in Emporia, Marstall is still just a redshirt-junior entering the 2017 season with some big goals for the Hornets.
A breakout season led Emporia into the playoffs, but yet again their arch-rival NW Missouri bounced them from a title chance. But with the Bearcats facing a lot of turnover this year, now is the time for Emporia to strike for a title.
Marstall has exciting potential for the season, and it just comes down to if he can deliver. A HERO Sports Preseason Second Team All American, the hometown kid will look to lead his team to a title in his junior season and prove to be the best winner in the game.
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Barrett Renner — Southern Arkansas
2016 Stats: 3,371 passing yards / 27 TD / 13 INT
Another team on the rise, Renner put up good numbers in a year which SAU went 9-3 and made an appearance in the Live United Bowl.
Turnovers were a bit higher than likely desired, but another year of training and precision should help to make Renner one of the best QBs in the GAC and also begin the conversation for him to enter the top spot in the nation as he begins his senior season in 2018.
For now, the rising junior is looking for your votes to be the fan choice for best in the game.
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Luis Perez — Texas A&M-Commerce
2016 Stats: 3,326 passing yards / 32 TD / 5 INT
The quarterback chosen for the HERO Sports Preseason All American team, Perez is without a doubt one of the best field generals in D2 and leads a Commerce program who can make some serious noise in the coming year.
Perez's best trait is his ability to keep control of the ball, with a greater than 6:1 TD:INT ratio in 2016. While that number might slip a little bit, it should not impact the field results enough to cause a major drop-off in play.
Countless times Perez has come through for Commerce, now is the time for you to come through at home and see if you think he is the best quarterback entering the 2017 season.
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Best Returning Quarterback in D2 Football
