I am not posting to put a knock on ECU, Marshall, Carden or Cato. I am posting because, if Cato is on the list, and if ECU fans feel strongly that Carden also should be on the list, then I submit that there is a second C-USA quarterback that should have been included.
In 2013, of the three, ODU's Taylor Heinicke had the highest QB Rating at 158.6. He had the second best completion percentage at 70% to Carden’s 70.5%. He had the second most yards at 4022, while playing one less game than Carden and two less games than Cato, resulting in the highest yards per attempt at 8.3. He tied Carden at 33 TDs, six less than Cato, but, again while playing two fewer games than Cato and one less than Carden. He threw the least number of interceptions at 8. He had the least number of sacks at 19, and ran for the most yards (348) and 5 TDs. Heinicke is the fastest of the three with a 4.64 time in the 40, according to NFLDraftScout.com. And, by the way, he also punted 13 times for an average 41.5 yards per punt.
I would be surprised if those Pirate fans who saw Heinicke play
at ECU last year would not agree that Heinicke belongs in the same conversation with Carden and Cato. In that game, he completed 38 of 51 (74.5%) for 338 yards and three TDs with no interceptions.
2013 Passer Efficiency Ratings
Taylor Heinicke 158.6
Shane Carden 150.0
Rakeem Cato 147.8
Player Team G Cmp Att Comp % Yds Yd/A TDs Int Sacked Yds
Heinicke ODU 12 340 486 70.0 4022 8.3 33 8 19 140
Cato Marsh 14 298 499 59.7 3916 7.8 39 9 25 172
Carden ECU 13 387 549 70.5 4139 7.5 33 10 29 190
GO MONARCHS!
