We've had five; Jason Lutz ('98-01), Robbie Jenkins ('00-02), Brandon Wakefield ('02-04), Jacob Lewis ('04-05) and Jeff Highfill ('04-present).
I'll provide the statistical analysis, looking only at stats from games the five aforementioned Bridgewater quarterbacks started. Since there is such a disparity in games started by the five QBs (i.e. Lutz in 44 and Highfill in four), it's only fair to examine averages. Therefore, I've chosen to present six statistical career categories; pass efficiency, pass completion percentage, passing yards a game, passing touchdown/interception ratio, rushing yards a game and yards per rush.
Clearly, statistics aren't efficient enough when trying to surmise who 'the best quarterback' is. Some will say it's impossible to compare players who were in their prime during different seasons. Not to mention football is a team sport, with 10 other guys out on the field with the QB at all times (sometimes 11, but that costs five yards). So how can you say 'QB A' is better than 'QB B', when 'QB A' had better players surrounding him? Well, if you take that approach, then how are you arriving at 'QB A' having better players surrounding him? Perhaps the QB made the players around him better? How do we really know?
The reason for the digression is to point out that a 'best QB' discussion is not a perfect science. Just because someone has a better winning percentage, or has won more playoff games, or has a higher pass efficiency rating, doesn't necessarily mean they're better. The reality is, Bridgewater has been blessed with terrific athletes and leaders at the quarterback position the last eight years. It's also safe to say that the individuals playing along side them have been pretty darn good as well. Also, I don't think there is much disparity in the talent we've fielded since 1998.
Enough rambling. Let's get to the analysis.
We'll start with Jason Lutz. Recruited as a linebacker out of high school, Lutz came to the Eagles and started right away - at quarterback. He went 0-10 his freshman year, 5-5 his sophomore year, and then led the Eagles to the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 2000 and then all the way to the National Championship game his senior year in 2001. That turnaround, alone, might convince people he's the obvious choice. If it wasn't for Lutz, would Jenkins have come? Would Wakefield? Lewis? Highfill?
Of the five QBs, Lutz has the worst completion percentage (51.6) and the second lowest passing yards per game average (143.8). Remember, he was recruited to be a linebacker, so he naturally was a run first, pass second, quarterback. He averaged the most rushing yards a game (55.3) and had the most yards per rush (4.9). And to his credit, his passing touchdown to interception ratio was 1.74 to 1, better than Jenkins and Highfill. And here's the most alarming stat; he had more
rushing touchdowns (39) than he did interceptions (34). At 5'11'', 220 lbs, it seemed Lutz would rather bowl over people than step back and pass. That helped the Eagles to a 4-2 NCAA playoff record under his direction. Lutz was offered a contract by the Norfolk Nighthawks (a now defunct Arena Football League team) after he graduated, but he never signed it.
Next is Robbie Jenkins (6'2''/223 lbs), who ran off the best record as a starter going 12-1. His only blemish came at the hands of the 2002 National Runner-up Trinity (Texas) in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Jenkins, in his 13 starts, was the most statistically prolific when it came to passing. He averaged 197.6 yards through the air, completing 54.6% of his passes. The knock against him was his ability to run. Of the five QBs, Jenkins had the least yards per game (21.5) and the lowest yards per carry (2.5). Not to mention his touchdown to interception ratio (1.71 to 1) was second worst.
What some might not have known is that in the
first game he suited up as an Eagle, the 2000 season-opener at McDaniel (then called Western Maryland), he was asked to start for an injured Lutz. Jenkins, only a sophomore, led Bridgewater to a 19-7 win over a Green Terror team that finished the season 10-2 and made the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Jenkins finished the game with an impressive stat line of 19-for-29 passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions). Jenkins is currently the starting quarterback for the Richmond Bandits (an American Indoor Football League team). He led the Bandits to the AIFL title last season.
Then came along Brandon Wakefield. He started all 25 games in 2003 and 2004, winning 20 of them. He had three playoff wins under his belt, leading the Eagles to the NCAA semifinals his junior year. Wakefield was the most statistically balanced of the five QBs, not having the best in any category, but also not having the worst. He had a career completion percentage of 52.2 in his 25 starts, passing for 186.1 yards a game and scoring 2.1 touchdowns to every interception. He rushed for 22.1 yards a contest and 3.3 yards per carry. Wakefield is now in his second season playing for the Montabaur Fighting Farmers, a professional team in Germany.
Jacob Lewis, a transfer from William & Mary, would be the third straight Bridgewater QB to come from the Division I-AA level (Wakefield also came from W&M and Jenkins from Liberty). He started nine of the ten regular season games, going 8-1, before getting injured. Sure, he didn't get to start a playoff game for the Eagles, but he was the most statistically efficient quarterback we've had since '98. Lewis completed 63% of his passes, tossed 2.2 touchdowns per interception, passed for 160.7 yards a contest, rushed for another 25.8 and racked up 4.8 yards per carry. He also fumbled the ball only three times, losing none of them to the opponents.
Had it not been for his second half performance against McDaniel (his only loss) where he tossed three interceptions and failed to reach the endzone after building a 19-point lead in the first half, then Lewis just might have been hailed the best QB we've had. But keep in mind that that was his first start in five years (dating back to high school).
Finally, let's look at Jeff Highfill. As a sophomore, he took over the reigns after Lewis' injury late last season. It's tough to compare his statistics to the other four QBs, seeing that three of his four games he started were in the playoffs. He completed 59.7% of his passes for 139.3 yards through the air and scored one touchdown for every interception thrown. He averaged another 29 yards on the ground each game, gaining only 2.6 yards a carry. Never-the-less, it's impressive he led the Eagles past two Top 25 opponents en route the NCAA Quarterfinals.
The following are the pass efficiency ratings based only on their starts;
Jenkins - 150.00
Lewis - 145.85
Wakefield - 132.31
Lutz - 130.67
Highfill - 128.95
So there you go. I've provided the statistical analysis of Bridgewater's last five QBs, it's now up to you to form your own opinion. If you're having trouble identifying what makes one of them 'the best,' then think about it this way; if you could choose one of the quarterbacks to start for us in 2006, who would it be?
I've opened this blog post to anyone who wishes to comment with their opinion. I do ask that no one posts "Highfill's the best because he's my dawg." As much as that may be true, and you all are certainly entitled to your opinions, I want to keep this discussion as instructive as I can. Because of that, I will be moderating comments, but only to rid the blog of the "my dawg" ones.
If no one voices their opinion over the next couple days, I'll post mine to get things going. I'd like to think I have a good feel for the five quarterbacks (beyond the stats) seeing that I've attended 72 of the 75 games the last six years. But even if you're unfamiliar with one or more of the QBs, I think I've provided enough information for you to share your thoughts.
