(STATS) – Considering most of the subdivision’s national powers welcome back their starter, the 2017 season should be one of the best in the FCS for top returning quarterbacks.
All but four of the 24 playoff teams are part of the group, and eight of the top nine quarterbacks in the 2016 STATS FCS Walter Payton Award voting return, led by winner Jeremiah Briscoe of Sam Houston State and third-place finisher Gage Gubrud of Eastern Washington.
The only top 20 team that is replacing its starter is Jacksonville State, which was No. 7 one year after losing in the national championship game.