2021 QB Draft Ranking: Week 8

#1) Justin Fields – Ohio State

• Previous Rank: NR
• Trend: –

Big Ten football officially started this week, finally allowing us to see the skills of Justin Fields, the other QB in this year’s draft besides Trevor Lawrence. He was almost perfect in his season debut, as he threw 20 for 21 and 274 yards. The only drawback I could see for Fields this week was moments where he hesitates when the pocket is broken.

#2) Kyle Trask – Florida (BYE)

#3) Trevor Lawrence – Clemson

• Previous Rank: #1
• Trend: -3

Lawrence did not exactly play tough opposition this week against Syracuse, but still put up almost 300 yards anyway. Aside from throwing the ball more than forty times, Trevor showed great pocket maneuverability and accuracy on the run.

#4) Zach Wilson – BYU

• Previous Rank: #4
• Trend: –

4 TDs against Texas State may not impress a lot of people, but it was enough to keep Wilson in the top 5. Wilson’s play-action ability can be deadly if given the weapons and time utilize it.

#5) Shane Buechele – SMU

• Previous Rank: #5
• Trend: –

Playing against #9 Cincinnati, Buechele struggled to get the passing attack going. With only 51.1% completion percentage, it was obvious the SMU passing attack could not sustain itself, though Buechele did show his great pocket presence.

#6) Brock Purdy – Iowa State

• Previous Rank: #3
• Trend: -3

Purdy had an ugly game against Oklahoma State, barely passing 50% completion percentage and not even hitting 200 yards from the air. Altogether Purdy struggled with ball placement and made a habit of throwing off balance.

#7) Kellen Mond – Texas A&M (BYE)

#8) Ian Book – Notre Dame

• Previous Rank: #8
• Trend: –

300 yards and 3 TDs from the air. That is enough to keep Book where he is at, though I will praise his patience and anticipation this week, as he showed a mature game by not rushing the offense too much.

#9) D’eriq King – Miami U

• Previous Rank: #10
• Trend: +1

If I had to pick one aspect of King’s game that frustrated me this week, it was his apparent willingness to lob the pass deep off blind faith of his receiver. Make no mistake, some were designed 1v1 plays to get smaller defenders isolated, but others were just reckless gunslinging.

#10) Asher O’Hara – Middle Tennessee

• Previous Rank: #11
• Trend: +1

Asher O’Hara played well against a weak Rice team when others played poorly against tougher competition. At the very least, O’Hara showed solid fundamentals with footwork, progressions, and ball placement.

#11) Sam Ehlinger – Texas

• Previous Rank: #9
• Trend: -2

#12) Chris Reynolds – Charlotte

• Previous Rank: #14
• Trend: +2

#13) K.J. Costello – Mississippi State (BYE)

#14) Mac Jones – Alabama

• Previous Rank: #15
• Trend: +1

#15) Charlie Brewer – Baylor

• Previous Rank: #12
• Trend: -3