Crowded ASU QB Race is Sterling-Cole’s to Lose; Junior Is Even-Money to Start in Week 1

• The Arizona State Sun Devils have to replace starting quarterback Manny Wilkins
• Dillon Sterling-Cole is currently an even-money favorite in the four-way competition for the starting job
• Jaylen Daniels could offer value at +200

The Arizona State Sun Devils were quarterbacked by Manny Wilkins the last few seasons. With Wilkins gone now, Herm Edwards and company have to pick a new starter for 2019. This quarterback competition is a four-horse race right now, so training camp will be critical.

Who is the best bet of the four to start in Week 1 (Aug. 29), when ASU hosts a feeble Kent State team that has extremely long odds to win the 2019 MAC title ?

2019 Arizona State Starting Quarterback Odds

*Odds as of 01/08/19.

Dillon Sterling-Cole Lost A Ton Of Weight

This is the one player who enters the 2019 season having a degree of familiarity with the program. He took a few snaps last season as Manny Wilkins backup. He was a backup in 2016 and 2018, taking a redshirt in 2017. He has more experience than the other three competitors in this race.

Originally, the team never planned for him to be a starter because he was overweight, but he since lost 25 pounds in the offseason and has looked like a different player.

He doesn’t have big numbers or dazzling athleticism relative to the other quarterbacks in the mix, but experience with the system used at Arizona State under offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Rob Likens is his main advantage.

Jayden Daniels Is A Potential Star

There’s a lot of hype around Daniels, who threw for over 14,000 yards and tossed 170 touchdown passes against just 25 interceptions in 53 high school games. He is one of the most statistically prolific quarterbacks among products from Southern California high schools.

He is second in California state history in yards and career passing touchdowns behind only one man: Jake Browning, who led the University of Washington to three straight New Year’s Six bowls, two Pac-12 Conference championships, and a Rose Bowl appearance last season. That’s very impressive.

Yes, he’s raw, but it feels like there is so much more upside with Daniels than there is with Sterling-Cole. Maybe if they develop him now, he could be in the Heisman conversation in a year or two.

\Also, keep in mind that Sterling-Cole was a holdover from the Todd Graham-era. Daniels was an Edwards recruit, which should help his case.

Joey Yellen Is The Prototypical Pocket Passer

While Daniels is a dual threat, Yellen is the type of pocket passer coaches crave. Yellen threw only three interceptions all of last season in high school while compiling 3,500 yards.

He’ll have a shot to win this job but he’ll have to outshine Daniels. It will also depend on what the coaches want in a quarterback.

Ethan Long Is The Longshot

Long comes from the state of Oregon, where he threw for a combined total of 64 touchdowns in his last two high-school seasons. He had been a high school wrestler, but he gave up that sport to focus on football.

The first quarterback to commit in 2019, his arm strength is considerable.

Who Is the Best Bet?

I’d put some money on Daniels even though is not the favorite. He’s the crown jewel of the 2019 recruiting class. He’s a four-star recruit who looks like he could be special.

It’s great that Sterling-Cole got into shape, but he has one touchdown and four picks in his career while completing 28-of-57 passes.

If the coaching safe plays it safe, Sterling-Cole is the guy.

However, with two softies to start against Kent State and Sacramento State (before a big game with Michigan State in Week 3), Edwards could give Daniels a test drive. We know this team won’t go far with Sterling-Cole. Why start him when Daniels could be special?

Pick: Jaylen Daniels (+200).

SBD’s QB Battle Coverage

• Tate Martell -150 to Win Miami Starting QB Spot
• Bo Nix Now the Underdog to Start Week 1 for Auburn; Joey Gatewood Odds-on Favorite at -150
• Ben Hicks Way Ahead of Nick Starkel in Odds to Start for Razorbacks in Week 1
• Odds Say Spencer Sanders (-300) Has OK State Starting QB Job Locked Up
• Odds Indicate Jalen Hurts Has Won Oklahoma Starting Job, Even If Lincoln Riley Says Otherwise
• James Blackman Has -800 Odds to Win Seminoles Starting Job over Alex Hornibrook
• Mississippi State QB Battle a Tight Race between Tommy Stevens and Keytaon Thompson, according to oddsmakers
• Matt McKay Heavy -250 Favorite to Win NC State Starting QB Job for Week 1
• Odds to Win Washington State Starting QB Role Is a Tight Three-Way Race Between Gubrud, Gordon & Tinsley
• Odds on Coan vs Mertz Battle for Wisconsin Starting QB Spot Have Both at -120