Last season, even as Nick Marshall chewed up defenses with his legs, Auburn fans were excited for the future of the Tigers’ quarterback position.

Cody Kessler might be the current USC star at quarterback, but the Trojans also have Max Browne (pictured) waiting in the wings.

That’s because the future was Jeremy Johnson, a player who captivated fans’ imaginations with flashes of his ability. Don’t get it wrong: teams need to have a quarterback of the present, somebody who can drive the ball down the field and drive the program in general. But just as important is the quarterback of the future, a player who is being groomed to take over the top spot one day.

This list focuses on those players, the quarterbacks who “got next.” Many are former top recruits, jewels of their recruiting classes just waiting for a more experienced option to graduate. Others simply seem to be the best pick in what could be a crowded race after a starter graduates. Either way, these 10 players —Â and it was tough limiting the list to 10 —Â might be holding clipboards this year, but they figure to get plenty of air time in seasons to come.

For the purposes of this list, we tried to avoid players who could start or see extended playing time this season, so guys like Texas A&M’s Kyler Murray or Kansas State’s Alex Delton were left off, despite both being each program’s likely quarterback of the future. That also eliminated UCLA’s Josh Rosen, who could be the Bruins’ quarterback of the present. Also, only players currently on their teams count, so no 2016 recruits will be listed.

10 Quarterbacks Who 'Got Next'

Blake Barnett, Fr., Alabama — The Crimson Tide have recruited well at the quarterback position, landing talented and highly sought-after options like Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell. So the job certainly won’t be handed to Barnett (6-5 200) after Jake Coker leaves. But Barnett seems like the best fit of those options and has the potential to excel in Alabama’s system. Alabama went out to California to land the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country, per the 2015 247Sports Composite.

Max Browne, So., USC — The Trojans have assembled a massive amount of talent over the last few years, and the top quarterback landed in those classes has been Browne (6-5 220). Cody Kessler is an All-America and Heisman Trophy candidate this season, after which Browne should get his shot. Browne spent his redshirt freshman season as the No. 2 quarterback to Kessler, a role he’ll fill again this year. The No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2013 Composite, Brown was ranked as the No. 11 player nationally overall.

Jake Browning, Fr., Washington — The Huskies are interesting in that they don’t have a sure quarterback of the present. But it would be a major surprise if Browning (6-2 205) didn’t win the job eventually. Browning enrolled early at Washington and showed flashes of what made him a record-setting quarterback at Folsom (Calif.), where he threw for 5,790 yards and 91 touchdowns to seven interceptions as a senior. For his efforts, he earned the No. 5 spot in the 2015 247Sports Composite as a pro-style quarterback.

Travis Jonsen, Fr., Oregon — Formerly Travis Waller, Jonsen (6-3 194) averaged 7.3 yards per carry at Anaheim (Calif.) Servite while also passing for nearly 3,400 yards in his career. The U.S. Army All-American threw a 92-yard touchdown on his first attempt of the game, and he hit campus early to learn Oregon’s system. The Ducks may be set at quarterback for the next two years — Vernon Adams will be a senior, but Jeff Lockie is just a junior —Â but after that, Jonsen could be on deck. He was the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 Composite.

John O’Korn, Jr., Michigan — This could seem like cheating, but the Houston transfer will sit out this season, after which he’ll have two years of eligibility. Expect coach Jim Harbaugh to help O’Korn (6-4 220) re-find his mojo: O’Korn had a great freshman year where he threw for 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns before dipping as a sophomore and losing his job to Greg Ward, a more mobile option. Korn was the No. 31 pro-style quarterback in the 2013 247Sports Composite.

Jarrett Stidham, Fr., Baylor — Art Briles has done a great job of building up quarterbacks who weren’t highly recruited, so when he landed the strong-armed Stidham (6-3 195), the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 Composite, many were interested to see what he could do with more advanced clay in his hands. Starter Seth Russell is a junior, but Stidham looks like he’ll be Russell’s primary backup this year as a true freshman, and if anything happens to Russell, Stidham could play even more quickly than expected.

Ty Storey, Fr., Arkansas — Brandon Allen is a senior, and when he finishes up after this year, Storey, the 10th pro-style quarterback in the 247Sports Composite, will have an outstanding chance to win the job. The freshman from Charleston (Ark.) ranks among all-time state leaders in career numbers, including a 66.0 percent completion percentage that would help the Razorbacks move the chains when teams clog the box to try and slow down Arkansas’ stellar running game.

Damion Terry, So., Michigan State — Connor Cook is heading into his senior year, and likely headed toward a long NFL career. So it’s a good thing the Spartans have Terry (6-3 230), a dual-threat quarterback who completed 63.2 percent of his passes in limited action a year ago. Terry was the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the 2012 Composite, and just missed a spot in the top 200, coming in at No. 201 overall.

Brady White, Arizona State — Senior Mike Berkovici could be in for a major senior season, but after Berkovici leaves, the competition is wide open for the taking. That would seem to favor a player like White (6-1 195), the highest rated quarterback signee the Sun Devils have had since 2002, the age of the internet recruiting database. White was the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in the Composite, and the No. 67 player overall, a serious coup for the Sun Devils on the recruiting trail.

Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame — This one might be the hardest to project, if for no other reason than the fact that expected starter Malik Zaire still has three years of eligibility left. That’s three years for the Fighting Irish to try to recruit over Wimbush (6-2 212) and land another elite quarterback. But that’s what Wimbush is, as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 247Sports Composite. Athletic and with a strong arm, Wimbush fits exactly what Notre Dame wants, and he should emerge as Zaire’s backup sooner rather than later.

