USC and Oklahoma are the elite QB-producing programs of the past 25 years

ESPN released its updated top 10 for best quarterback-producing schools, also known as the FBS collection of “Quarterback U” schools.

“ESPN Stats & Information combed through data on every team dating back to 1998, looking at key markers of greatness at each position,” David Hale of ESPN wrote. “We awarded points for college production (by way of all-conference and All-America honors), NFL draft selections and NFL production.”

The USC Trojans came in at No. 2 behind the Oklahoma Sooners.

Lincoln Riley was named the No. 1 offense/quarterback coach in the nation, given his high level of success with both programs.

On USC teams past and present, Carson Palmer delivered the goods. The careers of Mark Sanchez and John David Booty were solid but not spectacular. Matt Leinart is a USC legend. (Matt Cassel, a collegiate backup and seventh-round pick, actually made the second-most career starts among USC alums entering the league this century, after Palmer.) Sam Darnold was memorably great. Matt Barkley had a tremendous 2011 season. Cody Kessler joins Darnold and Barkley as the only active Trojans QBs in the NFL.

This year could be special for USC’s quarterback. Lincoln Riley again coaches Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman last season and is projected to go No. 1 at the NFL draft in 2024.

Five-star Malachi Nelson could be up next. Riley, who coached Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts at Oklahoma, has had nothing but success in developing quarterbacks, so I expect plenty of wealth at the QB position for the Trojans for the next 10-20 years.

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire