The AFC South is the Division of the Future
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
The AFC South consists of four teams who have all had up and down years since the four teams joined the division in 2002 after the Houston Texans became the 32nd team in the NFL. Throughout the last 22 years, every team has been able to win the division, yet only the Indianapolis Colts have won a Super Bowl and the Titans lost one by one play. At the moment though they are all being led by College legends who are all 25 or younger, making it the division with the youngest quarterbacks.
Photo Credit: Tim Warner
C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State, was the second overall pick in 2023 and as soon as he stepped foot on the field, everyone knew he would be a problem. He posted one of the best rookie seasons of all time with 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also led the Texans to a playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns. He has been the talk of the 2023 draft so far over the first pick Bryce Young, who has struggled with the Panthers so far.
Picture Credit: Michael Hickey
Anthony Richardson out of Florida was taken fourth in the same draft as Stroud and like Stroud he had an excellent start to the season last year but went down with a shoulder injury early in the season. His big standout stat was his 136 rushing yards with four touchdowns in only four games played. Even in his second season he is still the youngest starting quarterback at 22 years old.
Picture Credit: Justin Ford
Will Levis was selected 33rd in that 2023 draft but was not a starter right away. In his first start though he threw four touchdown passes and 238 yards. As of now that has been his best career game, for the rest of last season he would throw four more touchdowns along with four interceptions. Out of the four starting division quarterbacks, Levis is currently the most on the hot seat, for his inconsistent production and sometimes awful decision making.
Photo Credit: Vinnie Lyer
Trevor Lawrence was perhaps one of the most hyped up quarterbacks of all time, going first overall in the 2021 draft. After a three-year college career where he went for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and only 17 interceptions, his NFL career has been somewhat sub-par to his hype. He sits at 59 touchdowns and 39 interceptions with 21 lost fumbles in three seasons and one game. His playoff stats outside of the big comeback vs the Chargers in 2022, where he threw four interceptions with his four touchdowns, have been bad to say the least.
All of these Qbs have the skills and talent to be the next best thing in the NFL and compete with other big names.
