SEC football: Ranking top 5 quarterbacks heading into 2020

2 of 6

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 26: K.J. Costello #3 of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after he thought the Cardinal scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Stanford Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. The ball was ruled down on the one yard line on the play. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Mississippi State Bulldogs. K.J. Costello. Quarterback. 5th. player. 893. Scouting Report

Mississippi State will feature a brand new look in 2020. After welcoming Mike Leach to their program at the end of last year, the Bulldogs’ have a new lease on life.

And one of the biggest additions to Mississippi State’s roster will be K.J. Costello.

During his three-year stint with the Cardinals, Costello threw for a staggering 6,151 yards and 49 touchdowns before dealing with injuries throughout his junior season.

The quarterback only played in five games in 2019.

The passer dealt with a horrible offensive line unit at Stanford and the running game took a hit because of it. In 2019, the Cardinals’ rushing attack finished next to last in the entire conference which put a strain on the team’s quarterbacks.

The Bulldogs are returning four seniors on the line in 2020. If they can hold up, we should see the veteran quarterback’s full potential.

Both Costello and Leach spent the past three seasons in the Pac-12 conference, but will make the transition to SEC football in 2020.

But changing conferences won’t be the only conversion for Costello who played in a pro-style offense at Stanford. He’ll also have to make a smooth transition to an air-raid offense that features five receiver sets on most down and distances.

Given Leach’s track record with quarterbacks, the 6’5 passer shouldn’t have too many issues progressing in the backyard offense that Mississippi State will showcase in 2020.

Costello, who picked apart zone defenses in his former conference, will have to deal with the SEC’s gritty man-coverage on most passing downs. But this shouldn’t be a problem for the senior quarterback.

One of Costello’s best skills is his pinpoint accuracy, which will prove to be beneficial when going against the likes of LSU and Alabama in the Western division.

The only question mark that comes with Costello will be his ability to stay healthy during the grind of an SEC football schedule.

If he can stay healthy, look for the young man to cap off a great college career and finish the season as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.

Home/SEC Football