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3 College QBs That Deserve Some Flowers

It's probably not who you're thinking of.

Written by NFL QB Consultant Jordan Palmer & The QB Summit Team

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In today’s Cover 3:

Today we’re changing it up a bit.

I’m giving out flowers to 3 college QBs but it might not be the 3 names you’re thinking of. You don’t have to win a National Championship or a Heisman to impress me.

Oftentimes, it takes more than that.

Here are 3 college QBs that deserve some flowers…

LON HORWEDEL PHOTO

Flowers for Davis Warren

There’s something special about the college football season—it’s not just the crisp autumn air or the roar of the stadiums on a Saturday afternoon; it’s about the stories of young men who do more than just play the game. They define it.

Today, my hat’s off, and my hand’s outstretched with a flower for a quarterback who’s not just a name on a roster but a testament to the human spirit: Davis Warren of the Michigan Wolverines.

I’ve Got History With Davis

I remember when he was just a kid showing up at my QB Summit camps. We connected through Trevor Moawad, a legend in the mental game, and someone who knew a thing or two about overcoming adversity.

Then, life threw a wrench in the works—a diagnosis of leukemia as Davis was poised to take on his senior year of high school. It was a gut punch that came at the most inopportune time.

There’s never a “good” time for cancer, but for a high school athlete on the cusp of greatness, it felt particularly cruel.

He Never Blinked

The thing about Davis, though—he never blinked. When he was sidelined for a year, thrown off the traditional recruiting track, he didn’t see it as a setback; he took it as a challenge. And I saw it firsthand, how this young man faced down his treatment with a grit that would leave many of us in awe.

His battle wasn’t just physical; it was mental, and in that arena, Davis was already a champion.

After beating cancer and lighting up the field in prep school, the question was, where to next? I had a hunch. I picked up the phone, dialed Jim Harbaugh, and said, “Coach, I’ve got a walk-on for you, but he’s no ordinary player.”

I shared Davis’s story, and not long after, he was heading to Ann Arbor, ready to don the maize and blue.

Fast Forward

Fast forward through blood, sweat, and tears to three years later, and you’ve got Davis solidly holding the position as Michigan’s number two QB. Sure, Alex Orji had his moments, but if J.J. McCarthy’s number was ever up, it would’ve been Davis under center, leading the charge.

He was the engine of the scout team that sharpened the claws of college football’s fiercest defense.

The image is seared in my memory—sitting across from Davis as leukemia stole his strength but not his resolve, and then seeing him on the sidelines, not with a look of fear but one of fierce determination.

And when Michigan clinched that national title, the look on Davis’s face wasn't just one of joy; it was vindication.

Davis Warren Won

So, to Davis Warren, I give a flower not simply for what he’s endured, but for how he’s soared. For turning a personal nightmare into a dream season, and for showing us all that the toughest battles often lead to the sweetest victories.

Flowers for Davis Warren, a young man who didn't just fight for his life, he fought for every single down he played—and won.

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Flowers for DJ Uiagalelei

In the quarterback world, where the transfer portal spins like a top and landing spots are as competitive as ever, I'm handing out flowers to a QB whose path might just redefine perseverance.

DJ Uiagalelei—yes, the one now on his way to his third collegiate team—is the man of the hour.

A Chess Move

Now, before you raise an eyebrow, considering DJ's leap from Oregon State to Florida State isn't about discontent or underperformance. Instead, it's a chess move after a coaching shuffle sent Oregon State's staff to Michigan State.

This is strategy, not surrender. And it's precisely why DJ's grabbing a flower. 

Reflecting on DJ's arc, it's impossible not to marvel at the quantum leap from his Clemson days. Let's cut through the noise: Clemson didn't hit the high notes we expected with DJ at the helm, but blame is a team sport.

DJ's exit coincided with the rise of Cade Klubnik, leaving room for a fresh start at Oregon State, where DJ found a groove.

DJ Turned Heads

In his sole season with the Beavers, DJ carved up defenses, completing 60.7% of his passes for 2,540 yards, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio that spoke to his evolution: 25 TDs to just 10 picks.

But stats aside, it was DJ's decision-making, the zipped passes into tight windows, and the late-game poise that turned heads. The kid matured, right before our eyes, in a conference that's a proving ground for any quarterback worth their salt.

His Next Step

The Southern California kid who braved the chill of the Pacific Northwest is on the move again, but this time it's to the humid hustle of Tallahassee. And let's be real, Florida State's no stepping stone; it's a launching pad.

If we're talking about a hypothetical 12-team playoff, the Seminoles are in the conversation, and DJ's the man they're talking about.

DJ's stepping into shoes filled by the likes of Jordan Travis, and that's no small feat. But here's the kicker: DJ's not just looking to match that legacy; he's out to eclipse it.

And with a season that could spell a deep playoff run, DJ's not just boosting his draft stock -  he's crafting a narrative that screams 'comeback kid.'

So here's to DJ Uiagalelei, a testament to growth, to grinding through the grit, and to the kind of heart that turns setbacks into stepping stones.

I'm handing him a flower now, and something tells me, by this time next year, we'll be looking at a field full of them. Keep an eye on this one, he's writing his own playbook, one audacious chapter at a time.

The Athletic

Flowers for J.T. Daniels

I've known J.T. Daniels since he was in middle school, a homeschooler under the guidance of his dedicated father, Steve. Back when I was still playing in the NFL, Steve was persistent about J.T. training with me.

That's when I first saw J.T.'s extraordinary mental approach and talent.

Praise From Peyton Manning

J.T. wasn't just aiming for a decent high school career; he was poised to dominate. As a freshman at Mater Dei High School, he eclipsed all single-season passing records, surpassing the likes of Matt Barkley and Matt Leinart.

He threw for an astonishing 4,849 yards and 67 touchdowns, a feat that set him apart early on. His sophomore and junior years further cemented his legacy, earning him Gatorade Player of the Year accolades and recognition from Peyton Manning himself.

Early To USC

Opting to forgo his senior year for USC, J.T. faced a significant challenge in his sophomore year - a torn ACL in the opening game against Fresno State. In that game, he was 19 of 21 for 215 yards and a touchdown before the injury. This unfortunate turn of events paved the way for Keaton Slovis’s rise.

9-0 With Georgia

J.T.'s tenure at Georgia was marked by a strong comeback. Despite starting the season recovering from his knee injury, he led the team to an undefeated 9-0 record in games he started. He averaged 307.8 passing yards per game and had a 10-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, showcasing his undoubted skill.

With Graham Harrell In West Virginia

At West Virginia, under Graham Harrell, J.T. started strong. Halfway through the season, he had thrown for 1,984 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the team to a rank of sixth in the country on offense. However, strategic shifts led to his replacement, prompting another transfer.

The First QB To Start At 4 Different Universities

The flowers I present to J.T. Daniels aren't just for the challenges he faced or the resilience he showed. They symbolize the journey of a remarkable quarterback, the first to start at four different universities, facing scrutiny and pressure at each turn.

His final season at Rice may have been different in many ways, but it was here that he played some of his best football. In his last game, the final pass he threw was a touchdown - a fitting end to a storied career.

So here's to J.T. Daniels, a player whose journey through adversity and success has been nothing short of inspirational. Flowers for J.T. Daniels – a tribute to a quarterback who, despite the odds, left an indelible mark in college football history.

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