Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The College Football Playoff took center stage on Monday night and we witnessed two great games in which the quarterbacks in each match-up were the featured attraction.

The Alabama-Michigan game gave us Jalen Milroe vs. J.J McCarthy. McCarthy rallied the Wolverines back to a 27-20 overtime win.

The 6-3 197 pound junior is draft eligible and despite some limitations as a pocket passer, is an intriguing prospect who has a track record of success and projects as a first round talent. If Michigan beats Washington in the national championship game, McCarthy could end up declaring for the NFL Draft. 

Milroe is also an intriguing prospect. He needs some work as a passer and managing the pocket but the expectation is he will return to school next season.

The nightcap featured Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers vs. Michael Penix Jr. Penix stole the show, putting on a masters class in the vertical passing game. He completed 29-of-38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdown passes. 

Penix’s performance had Patriots fans and the media alike clamoring for the Patriots to draft him with their first round pick in April’s draft. Needless to say, the senior quarterback got an entire region excited at the thought of him leading the Patriots back to glory.

Now before you get too excited, a couple of things to consider. One,  Penix is not is going to fit in every offense. He needs to play in a system which will allow him to play unscripted and make off platform throws. He is also a left handed quarterback. The ball comes out different which means your route concepts and the way you protect your quarterback will vary slightly. The other thing to consider is his injury history. He suffered a major knee injury while at Indiana so the medicals would need to check out.

Ewers for his part is undecided about his future but the expectation is he will return to Texas.

To add to all the quarterback talk, Washington State’s Cam Ward declared for the draft on Monday. Ward is 6-3 210 pounds, he is athletic and has plus arm strength. He reminds me of Justin Fields. He could be another potential first round option for teams that need a quarterback.

Quarterback will be the focal point for the Patriots in the coming weeks and months. The conversation started last night.