Ryan Tannehill has certainly exceeded expectations in the last eight years.
Coming out of Big Spring (Texas) High School in 2007, Tannehill was ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect, the country’s No. 23 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 88 player — in the state of Texas.
Now, he’s the NFL’s sixth-highest paid quarterback.
Here’s the 22 dual-threat quarterbacks ranked higher than Tannehill in Rivals’ Top 30 rankings in 2007. Remember, we’re not talking overall quarterbacks. Just the dual-threat guys.
5-star recruits:
1. Tyrod Taylor
Rivals comment: Taylor’s passing skills are underrated.
How he did: Attended Virginia Tech and after spending several years as a back-up with the Ravens, he will likely be the Bills third-string QB this year with an outside shot a starting job.
2. Cam Newton
Rivals comment: Raw, but has a lot of tools to work with.
How he did: Originally signed with the University of Florida. After briefly backing up Tim Tebow, he eventually made it to Auburn, won a Heisman and is now up for his own mega-contract with Carolina.
4-star recruits:
3. Aaron Corp
Rivals comment: Has the physical tools to develop into a big-time player at USC.
How he did: Started his college career at USC and transferred to Richmond. He was with the Dolphins in 2013 training camp and preseason.
4. Stephen Garcia
Rivals comment: Garcia’s moxie and creativity make him dangerous.
How he did: In 2009 he broke South Carolina’s record for most pass attempts in a season but he was eventually dismissed from the team after several suspensions and reportedly failing a substance screening for alcohol consumption. He played in the CFL and Arena Football League.
5. Willy Korn
Rivals comment: Clemson could win championships while Korn is on campus.
How he did: Clemson never won a championship and Korn never won the starting job. He transferred to Marshall and later North Greenville. In 2013 he was hired as receivers coach at Charleston Southern.
6. Keith Nichol
Rivals comment: Had more than 3,200 yards of total offense as a junior.
How he did: Began his college career at Oklahoma and was beaten out for a starting job as a freshman by Sam Bradford. He transferred to Michigan State and as a sophomore beat out Kirk Cousins for the starting job but was converted to receiver before the Alamo Bowl. He tried out for various NFL teams as a receiver but didn’t make it.
7. Chris Forcier
Rivals comment: The top player in San Diego.
How he did: Started his college career at UCLA but transferred to Furman. He didn’t see regular action until his final year at Furman when he threw for 2,265 yards and 28 touchdowns.
8. Kodi Burns
Rivals comment: Burns has good arm strength to go along with his running ability.
How he did: Started seven games for Auburn at quarterback in 2008 but was moved to receiver in 2009 when Cam Newton arrived. He’s currently the running backs coach at Samford.
9. Josh Nesbitt
Rivals comment: Dynamic athlete can change a game quickly.
How he did: Had a strong college career at Georgia Tech, earning ACC first-team honors in 2009 when he threw for 1,701 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,037 yards and 18 touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2011 and was briefly on the Buffalo Bills roster as a safety.
10. Logan Gray
Rivals comment: Not only a great QB, also a great athlete.
How he did: Was beaten out for the starting job at Georgia as a junior by Aaron Murray. He moved to receiver and transferred to Colorado for his final season, catching 18 passes for 300 yards.
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It's funny to see Marvin McNutt in there because that's exactly what Tannehill would have been if he had not gotten his shot at QB. Same kinds of movement skills, ie not good enough. Margins sure are small for these guys.
