I had the chance to go through the last five recruiting classes for each Pac-12 school while looking at which school signed the most blue chip prospects (a 4 or 5 star ranking according to the 247Sports composite ranking) at each position.
There were some surprising, and some not so surprising, results after looking at each class. We might as well start with the most important position on the field and go from there. Starting from most to least, here's who signed the most blue chip quarterbacks from 2011 until now.
T-1. USC 5
Get used to seeing USC on top of the list for several positions. Even with the scholarship reductions, they signed 4 and 5 star players at an incredible rate and quarterback was not an exception for them.
In 2011 they signed Max Wittek (now transferred) and their current starter Cody Kessler. They did not sign a quarterback in 2012, but followed that up with signing 5 star Max Browne in 2013. In February they signed two of the top quarterbacks in the state of California in Ricky Town and Sam Darnold. Considering they have another 4 star committed in 2016 in Matt Fink, it's safe to assume they are going to be in a good spot at quarterback for quite awhile.
T-1. Washington 5
This is probably the most surprising when you consider the uncertainty at quarterback for the 2015 season, but yes, the Huskies have signed 5 blue chip players at the position. The problem is that one left (Troy Williams) and one has an uncertain future and missed his second consecutive spring ball (Cyler Miles).
That leaves Jeff Lindquist, a 4 star player who signed in 2012 and played a little bit last year, but was largely ineffective. He is the favorite to start and then there are the two young players, K.J. Carta Samuels (2014) and Jake Browning (enrolled early and signed in February). Browning and Samuels both have the potential to be really good players in the Pac-12, but it might be a tough spot to ask them to come in and play this season.
T-3. Oregon 3
The most important quarterback recruit for Oregon this year may be a guy who is a transfer from Eastern Washington in Vernon Adams, but it's a bit surprising that they needed to go after Adams considering they should have had someone ready to go behind Marcus Mariota.
Jake Rodrigues is the biggest "what if" name of the quarterbacks they signed. A bad injury and playing behind Mariota ultimately led to a transfer for him. The Ducks also signed Morgan Mahalak in 2014 and Travis Jonsen (formerly Waller) this year.
T-3. UCLA 3
One of the three for UCLA is Brett Hundley, who signed in 2011 and still had a year of eligibility left. Asianti Woulard is a former 4 star player who signed in 2013 and has not seen any game action yet.
The last of the three is the top quarterback in the nation in 2015 and is already on campus competing for the open quarterback job. Josh Rosen could end up being a three or four year starter for the Bruins.
T-5. Stanford 2
Ryan Burns (2013) and Keller Chryst (2014) have been waiting their turn behind former 3 star Kevin Hogan.
T-5. Cal 2
Zach Kline (2012) was a much hyped prospect until Jared Goff (2013), another hyped prospect, beat him out for the job. Goff is now one of the top quarterbacks in the conference and Kline ended up transferring.
T-5. ASU 2
Manny Wilkins (2014) redshirted last season and will likely compete with Brady White (2015) to be the next in line at quarterback after Mike Bercovici completes his eligibility after this season.
T-8. Utah 1
Utah's one blue chip quarterback is current starter Travis Wilson (2012).
T-8. Washington State 1
Tyler Bruggman (2013) never played a down for Wazzu and transferred.
Oregon State, Colorado, and Arizona all signed zero blue chip players at quarterback
This is not at all surprising for Oregon State or Colorado, but it's a bit unexpected for Arizona. Anu Solomon was a 3 star player and looks to have a bright future at the position for the Wildcats after an impressive redshirt freshman season and it should be noted that Rich Rod already has a 4 star quarterback, Devon Modster, committed in the class of 2016.
