Kiper names Beck and Sanders as most likely QB1

There has been much talk about the comparison between this year’s quarterback class and last year’s, but Week 1 showed there may be stronger candidates up top than previously thought.

But it’s pretty clear who the top prospects are. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has it between Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Georgia signal-caller Carson Beck.

“It’s between Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders,” Kiper told host Mike Greenberg on ESPN’s Stand up. “Carson Beck was ranked 234th on the big board when they came out of high school and they were ranked. 22 quarterbacks were ranked higher than Carson Beck, look where he is now.”

Both players have had a unique adventure, after initially going unnoticed.

However, that didn’t last long for either of them as Beck came onto the scene after holding the clipboard and learning to play behind Stetson Bennett and JT Daniels.

“He developed, he watched, he sat, he learned, and he’s only 21 years old. He’s only going to be 22 in November. He had a 72 percent completion percentage last year, off to a good start with that big second half against Clemson last week,” Kiper said.

Sanders was a former FCS prospect who started out as perhaps one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, despite the size of his father, Deion Sanders.

“Shedeur Sanders, 15 quarterbacks were rated higher than Shedeur coming out of high school,” Kiper said. “He goes to Jackson State with his dad, now he’s at Colorado. They’re a seven-point underdog in Lincoln against a much better Nebraska Cornhusker team Saturday night, that game is important in the evaluation process.”

Both Beck and Sanders performed as expected in the first week of the season. Beck closed out the 34-3 win over Clemson by completing 23 of his 33 passing attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns.

Sanders and the Buffs also got the W as Sanders shone as one of the most impactful players on the field despite some hiccups around him in the 31-26 win over North Dakota State. Sanders completed 26 of his 34 pass attempts for about 445 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Both players will look to keep the game close as Georgia looks for an easy home win over Tennessee Tech and Sanders prepares for the matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.