After years of the spread offense and gun-slinging quarterbacks, it feels like we’ve gone back in time to the days of the option quarterback leading the team in rushing. From Denard Robinson at Michigan to Taylor Martinez at Nebraska and Cameron Newton at Auburn, the proliferation of big-time running quarterbacks has been incredible this year.
Thanks to a 241-yard rushing performance against Kansas State, Taylor Martinez is now second to Denard Robinson in rushing yardage this year. That’s two quarterbacks leading the country in rushing (though Martinez will probably be passed by LaMichael James after the weekend).
Martinez is a true freshman quarterback from Corona, California and has run for at least 100 yards in four of five games this year. While he’s only thrown three touchdowns, Martinez has lit it up with 12 TDs on the ground. Taylor routinely fakes out cameramen and defenders with his unbelievable handoffs and he uses his blazing speed to bust through holes.
Robinson hardly needs an introduction. The sophomore stud has left fans in awe of his awesome abilities. Robinson has rushed for eight touchdowns and gone over 200 yards on the ground twice, while clearing the century mark all five games to give him a nation-leading 905 yards. On top of his awesome rushing skills, Denard is also completing 70% of his passes with seven touchdowns and one interception. He’s third in the country in quarterback rating.
Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton has managed to rack up 474 yards in five games despite not tucking and running last weekend against Louisiana-Monroe. Cam went for 171 against Arkansas State and 176 against South Carolina. His 474 yards places him 27th amongst leading rushers, and he also leads the nation in quarterback rating. The former Florida Gator has 12 touchdowns and four picks in the air and five touchdowns on the ground.
Picking between the three, it’s hard to go against Denard Robinson. He’s so good all the way around and his rushing skills are unreal. The good thing is we’ll have at least another year to enjoy these three fine players and continue to debate who’s the best.
