Forget talk of the WAC's impending implosion. Put aside rumors of possible expansion and further realignment. Look beyond the "selfish" actions of Nevada and Fresno State. This week, when the college football season kicks off, all eyes will be on the WAC's crop of quarterbacks, who look to bring their respective teams to national prominence.
In an offseason dominated by talk of anything and everything off the field, the WAC boasts considerable star power on it. It starts with Boise State's Kellen Moore, but it doesn't end there. In total, seven WAC quarterbacks return to play this season after registering a passing efficiency rating of 125.00 or greater in 2009 – a statistic no other conference can match. Whether it be the pinpoint accuracy of Moore and Idaho's Nathan Enderle, or the dual-threat play-making ability of USU's Diondre Borel and Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, the conference's strength at quarterback figures to earn the WAC plenty of national attention.
"I think their names are probably not as much out there as other quarterbacks, but they do have the ability to be at the top," said USU linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner commented that the WAC's quarterbacks – including Borel – often don't get the exposure of many of the nation's top signal callers, but he expects that to change this season.
"Playing more and more games, the nation will get more of a chance to see them play and see that they are elite," Wagner said.
"Kellen Moore has obviously shown he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the country and Diondre (Borel) has shown that he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. The more and more they're seen the more and more they'll be compared to other (great college) quarterbacks."
This isn't the first time the WAC has seen a national star among its ranks at the quarterback position. Colt Brennan led the Hawaii Warriors to a BCS bowl game in 2007 while setting numerous passing records, while players like Billy Volek and David Carr have gone onto NFL success. The 2010 season looks to be different, however, and unlike previous seasons where only one or two WAC quarterbacks earned national acclaim, this year the conference boasts a quartet of bona fide stars. Not only that, but several "lesser-"known WAC signal callers – like Hawaii's Bryant Moniz and Fresno State's Ryan Colburn – could surprise after showing flashes of brilliance in 2009.
Just where do WAC quarterbacks stack up nationally? At WAC media days in July, new Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes said the conference's top quarterbacks compared "very favorably" to their counterparts in the PAC-10. The PAC-10 is considered to be especially strong at quarterback in 2010, with Washington's Jake Locker and Stanford's Andrew Luck already getting mentions as future first-round NFL draft choices.
Locker and Luck may have to compete for the draft dollars. According to Dykes, WAC quarterbacks bring just as much to the table as anyone in the nation. Their play, he said, is a testament to the systems they play in and the coaching they have received.
"The guys in this league are very well coached," said Dykes, who served as offensive coordinator at Arizona before taking the job in Ruston.
"It's a really progressive league with great coaches and outstanding quarterback play, and that's what makes it difficult to win in this league. Getting your quarterbacks to play at a high level is where it all starts, and these guys play at a tremendously high level."
Kellen Moore agreed, going so far as to say that in order to be successful in WAC play, a team must have a good quarterback.
"You've got to be successful at quarterback to hopefully have a successful team," he said.
The WAC's top signal callers may all play at a very high level, but when it comes to their personal styles of play, they're as varied as the conference's geography. Last year's Offensive Player of the Year, Moore may be undersized by traditional standards, but his pinpoint accuracy and understanding of the game are unequaled.
"He's the only quarterback I've played against who puts it only where their receivers can get it," said Bobby Wagner. "I think that's what makes him special."
Moore is ranked as the 12th best draft-eligible quarterback by Phil Steele magazine, and was named a first team All-American by both ESPN.com and SI.com last season.
If Moore represents the quintessence of efficiency and production as a passer, than Kaepernick and Borel represent the new school of NCAA quarterbacks who are a threat to defenses with both their arms and their legs. Both are blessed with exceptional speed, and are especially dangerous when plays break down in the pocket.
"I think Colin is very good," said Moore of Kaepernick.
"If people haven't had the opportunity to watch him, he is just a tremendous athlete – one of the best athletes, I think, who plays college quarterback as far as being able to run and make plays on the run."
"At the same time he can drop back and make throws," added Moore.
"We've seen him get better and better like a lot of quarterbacks throughout the years and next year he's got some opportunities to definitely showcase his talents."
The feeling of mutual respect is a common theme for WAC quarterbacks. Kaepernick, who is coming off a year in which he threw for more than 2000 yards and rushed for more than 1000, couldn't stop raving about his peers, and said that their unique styles make watching them a treat.
"They are a big play waiting to happen," said the Nevada quarterback. "They run their offenses great. You can see it in the way they play. They are all very confident in what they do. I love watching them making plays and leading their teams to wins ... they all win games for their teams and they all do a great job but it's all in a very different way. You kind of get something different each week."
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