No matter the level, the quarterback is the most important player on the field. A football team that lacks strong quarterback play isn't likely to win much and certainly will struggle to contend for a national championship.
Just ask Alabama, which saw its fortunes turn in the national title game against Georgia when it made a change at the position at halftime and saw true freshman Tua Tagovailoa lead the Crimson Tide to an overtime victory.
Tagovailoa did not start once for the Tide during the 2017 season but now heads into the offseason as the player to beat for that job.