As we get closer to the start of the 2009 college football season…just over three months away…it is never too early to talk about the top signal-callers heading into the new season.

Will one, or both, of the past two Heisman Trophy winners (Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford) continue to pile up stats?  Will a less-familiar name (Houston QB Case Keenum…pictured…photo, thanks IconSports) shake up the college football and fantasy establishment?  Will your humble fantasy analyst look like a genius again…or just smart?

Take a look at who I believe will be the top fantasy QBs heading into to 2009…

1.  CASE KEENUM – Houston:  Some will scoff at the Cougar QB being placed ahead of the A-List QBs, but Keenum threw for over 5000 yards last season (the most quiet 5000 yards ever tossed) on a team with underclassmen at the skill positions.  2009 will be even more productive for the Cougar QB…he has top WRs like Tyron Carrier to throw to, and RBs like Bryce Beall to keep defenses honest.  Also, Houston’s non-conference schedule…with games at Oklahoma State and home vs Texas Tech…will mean Keenum gets some nice shootout games before heading into CUSA conference action.

2.  TIM TEBOW – Florida: It seems every year that the Gators staff plan to run Tebow less, and have him throw more.  Uh, right…sure.  Even Superman does not buy that one.  Tebow, who has a chance to win a third National Championship and a second Heisman, is not going to change his running ways.  The Gators will have to fill some losses at some skill positions, and until the new starters get familiar with their roles, Tebow will keep busy.  Looks like another 20+ rushing TD season in 2009.

3.  TAYLOR POTTS – Texas Tech: With Graham Harrell now out of eligibility, Potts get his chance to become the next great Red Raider QB.  No starting Texas Tech QB in the Mike Leach-era  has ever failed to become a top 10 fantasy QB, and Potts will be no exception.  In fact, Potts just may be the most physically gifted of any QB who has played at Texas Tech.  The Red Raiders are more concerned with some WR stepping up to fill the void left by Michael Crabtree’s departure…Detron Lewis may be the most likely candidate.

4.  ZAC ROBINSON – Oklahoma State: In what is shaping up to be a big season in Stillwater, the Cowboys QB has assorted big-time weapons like WR Dez Bryant and RB Kendal Hunter to go to.  Robinson posses a big arm, and is one of the most mobile QBs in the land.  After the home opener with Georgia, the rest of the schedule is stat-friendly for Robinson…who will be in the Heisman talk as the season progresses.

5.  COLIN KAEPERNICK – Nevada: The Wolf Pack QB ran for over 1000 yards and had double-digit rushing TDs in 2008, and should continue his impressive “run” (no pun intended) as he enters his junior year.  The only drawback with Kaepernick is that top RB Vai Taua is going to get his share of carries, too.

6.  COLT McCOY – Texas: As long as favorite WR and fishing buddy Jordan Shipley is still around, McCoy has got a legit target to throw to.   And, it seems that everyone forgets that McCoy is also a productive running QB. In a conference that is deep with QBs, it is easy to overlook some features in a good one like McCoy.

7.  RILEY DODGE – North Texas: I was surprised that Dodge the Younger was redshirted last season, but, father (and head coach) Todd Dodge must have felt he was not going to get canned in his second season in Denton.  With last season’s QB starter Giovanni Vizza transferring to Texas A&M, the Dodge Ball offense will lie in the hands of Dodge…Riley, we mean.

8.  SAM BRADFORD – Oklahoma: Some may think I have Bradford a little too low on this list, but the Sooners will have to replace some good WRs (Juaquin Iglesias, Maunel Johnson) and retool their offensive line.  Also, Bradford does have the luxury of a talented backfield to take the heat off of the passing game until the OL gels.

9.  TODD REESING – Kansas: The dimunitive QB is back again, with possibly the best WR corps in the Big 12…led by TE Kerry Meier and WR Dezmon Briscoe.  With so many great QBs in the conference, Reesing (like Texas QB Colt McCoy) sometimes gets overlooked.

10.  AARON CORP – USC: Because we cannot forget the West Coast…how about a USC QB who gets little cred outside of South LA?  Corp has won the job over more pedigree names, and has one of the best WRs in the nation to throw to, Damian Williams.

Related posts:

1. Power I: Quick Hits
2. Quick Hit – Top 21 College Football Wide Receivers for 2009
3. Very Early 2009 Fantasy College Football Preview
4. AN EARLY LOOK AHEAD – 2009
5. FROM THE SHOTGUN – 2009 QBs Week One Start/Sit

Tags: 2009 Preview, Heisman Trophy, Quarterbacks, Tim Tebow