Pac-12 spring QB competition recap: Lockie takes the lead at Oregon

This spring saw high-profile quarterback battles take place all over the Pac-12. Now that the dust has settled on spring in the West, I figured it would be a great time to take a look at how the quarterback depth at the schools in the conference who are searching for a new leading man stands.

Oregon

All eyes were on Eugene this spring as the battle for the seemingly-impossible task of replacing Marcus Mariota began. This battle was a bit anticlimactic in spring though, as the most well-known prospect to replace Mariota, former FCB star Vernon Adams, won't arrive till fall camp. Still, watching to see who could get the leg up on Adams before camp this spring was the biggest thing to watch in the Pac-12 this spring.

1. Jeff Lockie Jr.

Lockie was Mariota's back-up the past year and the frontrunner to beat out Adams if any current Ducks do. He didn't do enough to lock down the job in spring or anything but his steady hand and comfort in Oregon's system during the spring sets him up as the clear leader to win the job if Adams can't swoop in and take it.

2. Ty Griffin So.

The Georgia Tech transfer might be the most-athletic of the Duck group and flashed his raw abilities enough to be the most-likely current Duck QB to challenge Lockie.

3. Taylor Allie So.

The walk-on from Eugene snuck up on people this spring with his consistent play. It will be a tall task for him to win the job, but he has taken the first step in getting himself recognized as a legitimate contender.

4. Morgan Mahalak rFr.

Mahalak was a bit of the disappointment in the spring as, despite being a guy who many saw as the front runner to replace Mariota, he had an underwhelming spring and appears to be out of the running for now.

5. Travis Jonsen Fr.

Like most high school senior quarterbacks that enroll early to play in spring when they should still be in high school, Jonsen flashed a lot of potential, but will probably need a redshirt year, especially with the depth ahead of him.

Oregon State

The Beavers will be replacing their own legend up the road from Eugene as Gary Andersen's first big task as the headman in Corvallis is finding Sean Mannion's heir apparent. The race quickly got interesting when 2014 back-up Luke Del Rio transferred from the program early in the competition and opened it up to three players that have no playing experience.

1. Seth Collins Fr.

True freshman Collins made a major splash in Oregon State's spring game, wowing with incredible athleticism while showing some serious playmaking potential. Also factoring in that he is the only quarterback on the roster recruited by Andersen, I have to think that he is the leader coming out of spring ball.

2. Nick Mitchell rFr.

Mitchell is another dual-threat that has a year of seasoning in college that could help him catch up to Collins in the fall.

3. Marcus McMaryion rFr.

McMaryion is right there with Mitchell right now.

UCLA

1. Josh Rosen Fr.

Rosen lived up to his sky-high expectations in the spring and he sits in a very good spot right now. He has to back it up again in the fall, but right now it looks like we could go directly from the Hundley era to the Rosen era at UCLA.

2. Asiantii Woulard So.

Woulard had a better spring than I think some anticipated as he at least emerged ahead of Jerry Neuheisel in my opinion.

3. Jerry Neuheisel Jr.

Neuheisel had his best shot to become a true contender to be the full-time starter at UCLA this spring, but it just didn't happen. He still can give it a shot in the fall, but he seems behind Rosen and Woulard at the moment.

Washington

1. Jeff Lindquist Jr.

Lindquist started Washington's opener in 2014, but dipped down to third-string at one point, so his emergence as Washington's most-steady force this spring has been a bit of a surprise. He hasn't won the job yet, but he was the most consistent of any Husky quarterback in the spring and showed the most ball control.

2. K.J. Carta-Samuels rFr.

Carta-Samuels was seen by many as the frontrunner to step in when 2014 starter Cyler Miles left the program, but his frequency to throw interceptions probably puts him a little behind Lindquist for now.

3. Jake Browning Fr.

Browning graduated high school early after setting national records in Folsom, California and was seen by many as a legitimate candidate to start for the Huskies as a true freshman. Browning has shown his abilities in the spring, but right now, looks like he might need a redshirt year to adjust to the college game.

The rest...

Minor quarterback competitions took place at Washington State, Arizona and Utah, but all signs point to the 2014 starter holding onto their lead heading out of spring. I expect Luke Falk, Anu Solomon and Travis Wilson to go into camp as the projected starters of their teams.