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The Pac-12 boasts college football’s deepest collection of talented returning quarterbacks entering the 2017 season.

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Sure, it must be proven on the field, but no one right now houses a brighter collection of quarterbacks than the Pac-12. USC’s Sam Darnold, Washington’s Jake Browning and Washington State’s Luke Falk will all vie for the all-conference first team—and a whole lot more—in 2017. Plus, UCLA’s Josh Rosen has the tools to mount a challenge if his shoulder is healthy and his teammates pitch in. Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Colorado’s Steven Montez are rangy dual-threats with high ceilings, and Alabama transfer Blake Barnett is a very interesting addition for Arizona State.

Top Returning Pac-12 Quarterbacks

5. Justin Herbert, Oregon

Sure, there’s a lot left to be learned about Herbert, who’ll be working with a new staff and a new playbook. But there’s a lot to like as well. He flashed in his debut out of high school, throwing 19 touchdown passes and only four picks as the Ducks’ first true freshman starting quarterback since 1983. And like all Oregon QBs, the 6-6 dual-threat moves well outside the pocket, which Willie Taggart will enthusiastically utilize. With some fine-tuning and hard work, Herbert has a shot to be dynamite under Taggart, who helped develop Quinton Flowers at South Florida.

4. Josh Rosen, UCLA

Few players are more of a wild card in college football this season than Rosen, who missed the second half of his sophomore year following shoulder surgery. Provided the throwing arm is back to 100%, he’s one of the better pure pocket passers in the country. However, until proven otherwise, health will be a concern. So, too, will a sketchy supporting cast that blocked sporadically in 2016 and is light on proven playmakers at running back or wide receiver.

3. Luke Falk, Washington State

There were worries around Pullman that Mike Leach would be breaking in a new quarterback in 2017. Instead, the Cougars are gearing up for the senior season of Falk, who’s thrown 38 touchdown passes in each of the last two years. He has been ultra-consistent running the Air Raid attack, pitching the ball with accuracy and a dearth of mistakes. The receiving corps needs new options, but those young targets are going to develop faster with a seasoned battery mate like Falk delivering them the ball.

2. Jake Browning, Washington

Browning grew exponentially as a sophomore, even if he experienced some high-profile stumbles late in the year. He threw 43 touchdowns to nine picks, ranked No. 7 nationally in passing efficiency and was instrumental in leading the Huskies to the playoffs. Plus, he played through a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. Browning not only makes all the throws, but also his football IQ is advanced. With a repaired wing and another year of study, he’ll once again dissect Pac-12 secondaries.

1. Sam Darnold, USC

Darnold’s biggest challenge in 2017 might be dealing with the rampant hype enveloping him this offseason. Oh, it’s plenty justified, but it’s still a lot for a young athlete to manage. Darnold essentially rescued Troy as a redshirt freshman, ranking ninth nationally in passing efficiency and winning all but his first start. While the arm talent is obvious from the film, it’s his composure and feel for the game at such a young age that have the Trojan staff gushing with excitement about what’s next for the polished sophomore.

MORE: Top Returning Quarterbacks In All Of College Football For 2017