The School Soccer Playoff is lastly upon us, because the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will face off towards the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide within the Rose Bowl, whereas the No. 2 Washington Huskies will play the No. 3 Texas Longhorns within the AllState Sugar Bowl on New 12 months’s Day for a spot within the Nationwide Championship recreation.

All 4 groups have been convention champions this season and earned the nod over the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles, who have been an unbeaten convention champion, however misplaced beginning quarterback Jordan Travis to a season-ending harm that finally was the difference-maker for the committee.

One similarity between all 4 playoff groups? Every had sturdy play from their quarterback, who helped their respective groups earn a spot within the high 4.

Let’s rank all 4 quarterbacks and the seasons that every had for his or her group.

1. Washington: QB Michael Penix Jr.

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A Heisman runner-up, Penix adopted up a breakout 2022 season with one other sturdy marketing campaign in 2023 — throwing for 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, whereas finishing 65.8 p.c of his passes on the yr.

Possessing a howitzer of an arm, Penix has overcome quite a few season-ending surgical procedures to revive his profession in Washington below head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Working with wideouts Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan at his disposal, Penix is a gamer that leads one of many extra prolific passing assaults within the nation at Washington, which he’ll look to proceed within the School Soccer Playoff.

Working again Dillan Johnson has been an explosive menace on the bottom, and Penix’s arm, mixed with Washington’s offensive line creates an especially well-rounded assault for the Huskies.

2. Alabama: QB Jalen Milroe

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One of many breakout stars of the 2023 season, Milroe took over for Bryce Younger this season and developed because the yr went alongside.

General, Milroe threw for two,718 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions at a charge of 10.4 yards per try.

However, probably the most spectacular facet of his season was the rise from a 58.5 p.c completion charge in 2022 to 65.5 p.c in 2023, as accuracy was one of many greatest questions in his recreation

Moreover, Milroe was a major menace on the bottom, dashing for an extra 12 touchdowns.

Milroe’s late-season evolvement aided Alabama’s late push for a School Soccer Playoff spot, which concerned key moments — such because the quarterback’s 31-yard landing go to wideout Isaiah Bond on 4th & Aim to avoid wasting the sport towards Auburn.

Now, he’ll look to take his group over the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines within the semifinal in hopes of incomes the primary Nationwide Championship in his first yr as a starter.

3. Michigan: QB J.J. McCarthy

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A possible first-round decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy had a robust junior season, throwing for two,630 yards, 19 touchdowns, and solely 4 interceptions, whereas throwing for 9.2 yards per try and finishing 74 p.c of his passes.

A two-year starter at Michigan, McCarthy possesses a robust arm and performs in a pro-style system the place he has showcased the flexibility to maneuver by his progressions.

Moreover, McCarthy has proven flashes of being a dual-threat quarterback, as he has adequate mobility to increase performs along with his legs, and make off-schedule throws.

Regardless of possessing elite effectivity in 2023, McCarthy does sometimes wrestle with ball placement, and his body has been questioned by critics for doubtlessly not being large enough on the place.

Nonetheless, McCarthy has been one of many high quarterbacks over the 2023 season, and works properly with Michigan’s system that closely entails high operating backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.

4. Texas: QB Quinn Ewers

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One of many larger storylines in school soccer since signing with Ohio State, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers put collectively a powerful redshirt sophomore marketing campaign, throwing for 3,161 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, whereas finishing 9 yards per try.

Ewers missed two video games this season attributable to harm, however improved from a redshirt freshman marketing campaign the place he accomplished 58 p.c of his passes.

More likely to return for an additional season in 2024 at Texas, Ewers has taken on the reigns, working with high receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai “AD” Mitchell, who’ve been big-play threats for the Longhorns on the skin.

Ewers has the respect of opposing head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is aware of the expertise that the quarterback has, which might be robust to include within the Sugar Bowl.

“Been very impressed,” DeBoer mentioned about Ewers earlier this week. “He can ship the ball, put it wherever he needs. We all know we’ll have our arms full making an attempt to sluggish Quinn and the offense down.”