Alex Austin, Glendale (Springfield, Mo.)
Last Year: 268 yards.
You won't find Austin on any national passing leader lists from 2013. In fact, he only started a few games as a junior. However, he makes the list because of the new head coach at Glendale - former Kenton (Ohio) coach Mike Mauk. As the longtime coach at Kenton, Mauk's quarterbacks led the nation in passing yardage five times in the past 15 years, including three times since 2010. Mauk has moved to Glendale to be closer to his son Maty, who is a quarterback at the University of Missouri. Austin could benefit from Mauk's arrival.
Why he will lead the nation in passing: Mauk's quarterback last year, Grant Sherman, led the nation with 5,920 passing yards and a national high of 665 passing attempts. Mauk will likely employ the same type of high-powered passing offense at Glendale with Austin at the helm.
Why he won't: Glendale went 1-9 last year. There will obviously be growing pains and a strong defense will also be needed to give the offense more chances to drive the ball.
