College quarterback battles to keep an eye on in 2016

Alabama opens ranked No. 1 despite the departure of Jake Coker and a quarterback competition between Cooper Bateman (pictured), David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts. Bateman is experienced and the front-runner, though Hurts is an interesting true freshman.

With Mike Bercovici departing, the Sun Devils have a competition between Brady White and Manny Wilkins (pictured). Wilkins seems more likely given his experience as a redshirt sophomore.

The Tigers searched for the right quarterback last season, and that search continues this year. The competition is between Jeremy Johnson, John Franklin III and Sean White. Freshman Woody Barrett also has a shot in this wide-open competition.

Tanner Mangum (pictured) returns, but Taysom Hill is more versatile for the Cougars' offense. The oft-injured Hill has had only one full season, back in 2012, when he threw for nearly 3,000 yards, and now enters his senior year.

Replacing Jared Goff is no small feat, and Texas Tech transfer Davis Webb will get the first crack at the job. Webb is a top NFL prospect entering his senior season, though Chase Forrest and Ross Bowers will be on Webb's tail if he falters.

The Gators thought they finally found their quarterback last season in Will Grier until he was suspended and then transferred. Treon Harris decided to transfer this offseason as well, as Luke Del Rio looks like the man in Gainesville. Freshmen Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks also have a shot.

The Seminoles now have a quarterback competition after some stability the last few years between Jameis Winston and Everett Golson. Veteran Sean Maguire (pictured) is a known commodity, while sophomore J.J. Cosentino and freshman Malik Henry are also in the conversation.

The Bulldogs have high hopes with a new head coach and the return of star running back Nick Chubb from injury. True freshman Jacob Eason (pictured) has a real shot to start over returning starter Greyson Lambert and junior Brice Ramsey.

Jesse Ertz is returning from injury and is likely to open the season as Bill Synder's starter, though senior Joe Hubener and freshman Alex Delton could pose as competition.

One of the most intriguing battles in the country is Jim Harbaugh's signal caller, with Houston transfer John O'Korn (pictured) battling Wilton Speight and Shane Morris. O'Korn looks like the front-runner entering fall camp.

Replacing Connor Cook is no easy task, but the likely replacements are senior Tyler O'Connor and junior Damion Terry. The pair played in the Spartans' win vs. Ohio State last season.

Bulldog fans have some anxiety about replacing Dak Prescott, but head coach Dan Mullen has made a living producing productive quarterbacks. Entering fall practice, the competition is wide open between Nick Fitzgerald, Damian Williams, Elijah Staley and Nick Tiano, with no clear front-runner.

Boise State transfer Ryan Finley is battling team veteran Jalan McClendon for the starting job, and the pair could be neck-and-neck going into the season.

The Fighting Irish have a good problem on their hands with incumbent DeShone Kizer (pictured) taking on Malik Zaire, who is returning from injury. Both are experienced and have proven productive, and it wouldn't be shocking if they each play a role this season. 

The Ducks are trying to replace Vernon Adams Jr., and fellow transfer Dakota Prukop (pictured) seems like the most likely replacement. Freshmen Travis Jonsen and Terry Wilson also have a shot.

The Nittany Lions are trying to replace Christian Hackenberg with either sophomore Trace McSorley (pictured) or redshirt freshman Tommy Stevens. McSorley's experience in the system could make the difference for him.

The Gamecocks had issues at quarterback last season, and those could continue into this year under new head coach Will Muschamp. Senior Perry Orth returns, but he won't be handed the role. Freshmen Brandon McIlwain and Jake Bentley are in the competition, as is multitalented Lorenzo Nunez.

Stanford hasn't faced many quarterback questions in recent seasons between the success of Andrew Luck and Kevin Hogan. Elite prospect Keller Chryst (pictured) looks like the replacement, though he still has to beat out junior Ryan Burns. The honor of getting Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey the ball is a high one.

Replacing Trevone Boykin will be difficult, but the Horned Frogs have a pair of strong candidates. Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill looked like a potential star early in his college career, while Foster Sawyer also has big upside.

The battle that could determine coach Charlie Strong's future is between front-runner freshman Shane Buechele, senior Tyrone Swoopes (pictured) and sophomore Jerrod Heard. The Longhorns are hoping for more steady play at the position in any case.

The Aggies' quarterback situation has been a true soap opera since Johnny Manziel left, including multiple high-profile transfers. Former Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight is the clear front-runner, though Jake Hubenak remains as an emergency fallback option.

The Trojans try to replace Cody Kessler with either Max Browne or Sam Darnold. Browne is a redshirt junior with 19 career passes, while Darnold is a redshirt freshman.

The Utes are intrigued by transfer Troy Williams, though junior Brandon Cox (pictured) and freshman Tyler Huntley certainly have a chance to win the job.

Virginia's football program is digging out of a deep ditch after going 4-8 last season. Returning starter Matt Johns (pictured) is battling Connor Brewer and East Carolina transfer Kurt Benkert for the starting job.

New head coach Justin Fuente is choosing between Brenden Motley and Jerod Evans for the starting quarterback. Motley gained significant experience last season, while Evans is a top JUCO transfer.