Oklahoma had the Big 12's best quarterback in each of the last four years: Will the Sooners do so again in 2019?
With Kyler Murray gone, there's an open spot atop the Big 12's quarterback pedestal, one that several returnees and one transfer will fight for. Who's the best (projected) starting quarterback in the conference? And who are the nine that follow behind?
Ranking all 10 Big 12 starting quarterback entering spring practice:
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10. Carter Stanley, Kansas
Les Miles has a crowded, though unspectacular, quarterback room in year one. Peyton Bender is gone, but senior Carter Stanley is back, as is redshirt sophomore Miles Kendrick, along with incoming JUCO transfer Thomas MacVittie.
Flip a coin. And put the winner at No. 10.
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9. Michael Collins, TCU
If former four-star recruit Justin Rogers is healthy, he's a top-five quarterback in the Big 12. He played in the bowl game after missing all of the last two seasons (one of which was his high school senior season) with a knee injury and drop foot condition but looked like a guy who missed two years.
The safe bet is Michael Collins or Kansas State transfer Alex Delton will be under center come Week 1. Neither has proven they can play quarterback at a high level.
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8. Skylar Thompson, Kansas State
New coach, similar system.
Chris Klieman and offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham won't abandon Kansas State's long-used run-heavy system. They will, however, have more formations and creativity, which should be perfect for dual-threat quarterback Skylar Thompson.
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7. Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State
Former Hawai'i transfer Dru Brown and redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders will compete for the job in spring (and potentially) fall camp. Sanders will win.
A former four-star recruit, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Sanders isn't physically imposing, but he's a true dual-threat quarterback who averaged more than six yards per carry in high school.
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6. Austin Kendall, West Virginia
Oklahoma initially blocked the immediate eligibility of transfer Austin Kendall but reversed course and will now face him on Oct. 19 in Norman.
Kendall, a fourth-year junior, was effective in limited duty at Oklahoma (28-for-39 for 265 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions) and should have little trouble beating out Jack Allison, who was miserable in West Virginia's bowl loss.
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5. Charlie Brewer, Baylor
Move Nos. 3, 4 and 5 around however you please. No arguments against Charlie Brewer being the third-, fourth- or fifth-best quarterback in the Big 12.
His numbers aren't eye-popping, but he did throw for more than 3,000 yards on fewer than 400 attempts as a sophomore. The return of Chris Platt (sixth year of eligibility) is huge for Brewer.
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4. Brock Purdy, Iowa State
No one wanted Brock Purdy during his high school career. Several teams wanted him after his high school career. And now almost everyone wants him.
Purdy averaged 10.2 yards per attempt as a true freshman and threw seven touchdowns in his first two starts, wins over Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
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3. Alan Bowman, Texas Tech
Alan Bowman's strong freshman season was cut short by a partially collapsed lung that required a multi-day hospital stay.
He won't throw the ball 40 times most games under new head Matt Wells (Bowman attempted at least 40 passes in five of his six full games) but will still throw it all over the field.
MORE: Former CFB Coaches We Want in the XFL
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2. Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Finally, the Sam Ehlinger vs. Shane Buechele debate and questions are gone. Sam Ehlinger cemented himself as one of the nation's best quarterbacks with a sensational sophomore season.
Last year, he started all 14 games, set the program record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (16) and fell four touchdowns shy of the record for most total touchdowns (41).
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1. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Immediately eligible after a grad transfer from Alabama, Jalen Hurts is the Big 12's best quarterback.
He's thrown only 12 interceptions on 707 attempts (one every 59 attempts) and set the Alabama record for most rushing yards by a quarterback as a true freshman in 2016 (954).
