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Ranking the Big Ten’s top 5 quarterbacks for 2015

By Connor Muldowney

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Nov 16, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) throws against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Connor Cook, Michigan State

Ah, Spartan fans know just how great it feels to have a reliable quarterback leading the way and a guy who could potentially lead Michigan State to its first national title since the 1960s. Connor Cook led the conference in passing yards last season and may be the only legitimate Heisman contender that the program has had since Javon Ringer or Charles Rogers — although his teams weren’t good enough for him to win the trophy.

Cook, a senior and native of Ohio, has been one of the most successful quarterbacks in school history despite only starting for two-plus years. In 2012, the young QB took over for the Spartans in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and led them to a victory over Trevone Boykin and TCU.

Since then, his role with the team has grown and so has his list of accomplishments. The following season, after winning the starting job over Andrew Maxwell three games into the year, Cook ended up leading MSU to a Big Ten title game win as well as the school’s first Rose Bowl victory in decades.

As if that wasn’t enough, Cook led Michigan State to yet another 11-win season in 2014, finishing the year with a Cotton Bowl win over offensive juggernaut Baylor. The success that he has seen has been immeasurable and his skill set has NFL scouts calling him a lock as a first round pick in 2016 and a guy who could potentially be the No. 1 overall selection.

Cook’s careers numbers are astounding: 6,063 yards, 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. This could be his year.

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