Kedon Slovis selected as ‘most valuable’ player in 2020 (per PFF)

Though technically not even named as the starting quarterback in 2020 (yet), Kedon Slovis is on the preseason watch list for the Heisman Trophy, the shortlist for Pac-12 Player of the Year and now was selected as ‘the most valuable’ player entering the 2020 season by PFF.

Yes, my former employer, Pro Football Focus released their selections for the ‘most valuable’ players on all 130 FBS programs heading into the season. With little context to open, however, this blanketed look at all 130 teams seems to be a heavy ‘look back’ at the previous year of data as opposed to looking at a player’s specific value on his team in 2020.

Nevertheless, with the value a quarterback plays on the overall wins and losses of his program, it’s hard to argue with a guy like Slovis as the selection for USC.

The Trojans quarterback dots a handful of PFF’s advanced metrics as well, including leading the way at some.

USC found itself a gem in Kedon Slovis, who produced the 35th-best passing grade (80.8) as a true freshman. One of the biggest things you want in a quarterback is sharp accuracy, and Slovis displayed that. In fact, he led every single FBS quarterback in percentage of accurate passes thrown when targeting 10 or more yards downfield (62%) according to PFF’s ball-charting process. Yes, that was a higher rate than even Joe Burrow — Slovis produced a rate 20 percentage points higher than the FBS average, too.

I do agree with his accuracy on balls thrown but he did have some issues a year ago and hence, will still have to beat out J.T. Daniels for the starting gig this fall.

Nevertheless, here we are, with a compelling start to a discussion: If not Slovis, who is your selection for most valuable player on the USC Trojans Football team this fall?